Acting on another tip from a reader, I was pointed to a new credit card offer from HSBC.  In an attempt to reach out to the international traveler market, HSBC launched the HSBC Premier World MasterCard®.  On their website, the new card offers these benefits:

Shop with confidence across the globe, knowing that your card is accepted at over 24 million locations worldwide. Equipped with the purchasing power of a no pre-set spending limit, it’s the only card you’ll need:

• 0% Introductory APR on credit card purchases for the first 12 months from Account opening²
• No annual fee
• No pre-set spending limit³
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases made in a foreign currency

And with a rewards program the deal is sweatened:

A Flexible Rewards Program

Every time you use your card, you’ll earn rewards that ensure even more ways to indulge in a broader world of opportunities, such as shopping, dining, entertainment, travel and airport lounge access:

* A world-class rewards program with no points expiration or earnings cap
* Earn a full 1% cash back on every credit card purchase
* Redeem points for gift cards at over 40 popular retailers, or opt for cruises and vacation packages
* Choose travel rewards good on any airline ticket - first class, coach, domestic or international - with no blackout dates
* Access deals on dining, shopping and traveling around the world through the home&Away program

Sounds good, right?  There’s only one catch catch unfortunately — to qualify you need to be an HSBC Premiere customer.  To be an HSBC Premiere customer, you need to have at least 100k dollars in an HSBC account.  So if you’ve got money, you can take advantage of this offer and HSBC’s network of international banks.  For everyone else, there’s still Capital One (or American Express).