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- 1 HSBC Live+ Credit Card Review (2026)
HSBC Live+ Credit Card Review (2026)
Quick verdict: The HSBC Live+ Credit Card is best for dining, groceries & food delivery. It earns 10% on dining/grocery, 1.5% base, with an annual fee of Rs 999 (waiver on Rs 2L spend). Hold it if its strongest category matches where you spend the most, and always pay the full bill to keep the rewards worthwhile.
Overview
The HSBC Live+ is a strong everyday cashback card that pays 10% on dining, groceries and food delivery — the categories most households spend on weekly — plus an uncapped 1.5% on everything else.
With lounge access and a generous welcome offer, it is a genuine rival to other top cashback cards for day-to-day spending.
Fees & Charges
| Joining fee | Rs 999 + GST |
| Annual fee | Rs 999 + GST (waived on Rs 2 lakh annual spend) |
| Dining/grocery/food delivery | 10% cashback (capped Rs 1,000/month) |
| Other spends | 1.5% unlimited cashback |
| Welcome offer | Rs 1,000 cashback on Rs 20,000 spend in 30 days |
| Lounge access | 4 domestic visits/year (1 per quarter) |
| Finance charge | ~3.5% per month (about 42% p.a.) |
Rewards & Benefits
- 10% cashback on dining, groceries and food delivery (capped at Rs 1,000 per month).
- 1.5% unlimited cashback on all other spends.
- Welcome cashback of Rs 1,000 on spending Rs 20,000 within 30 days (via the app), plus an Amazon voucher on video-KYC.
- 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits a year (one per quarter).
- Up to 15% off at 200+ partner restaurants and zero lost-card liability.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High 10% on the most common weekly categories
- Uncapped 1.5% base cashback
- Lounge access at a moderate fee
- Strong welcome cashback offer
Cons
- 10% category capped at Rs 1,000/month
- Rs 999 fee needs regular spending to justify
- Lounge limited to 1 per quarter
- HSBC branch network is smaller
Who Should Get This Card?
- Households with high dining and grocery spends
- People who order food delivery regularly
- Anyone wanting a strong all-round cashback card with lounge access
Ready to apply?
Applications are processed on the issuer’s official, secure website.
Apply for HSBC Live+ Credit Card →Frequently Asked Questions
What does HSBC Live+ give 10% cashback on?
Dining, groceries and food delivery, capped at Rs 1,000 cashback per month, plus an uncapped 1.5% on all other spends.
Is the HSBC Live+ fee waivable?
Yes, the Rs 999 fee is waived on Rs 2 lakh of annual spend, and the welcome offer can return Rs 1,000 in the first month.
Does HSBC Live+ offer lounge access?
Yes, 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits a year (one per quarter), which is good for a card at this fee level.
How to Get the Most from the HSBC Live+ Credit Card
- Use it where it is strongest — dining, groceries & food delivery — where it earns 10% on dining/grocery, 1.5% base; route other spends to a card that rewards them better.
- Always pay the full statement balance by the due date so interest never eats your rewards.
- Track the fee and its waiver (Rs 999 (waiver on Rs 2L spend)) and aim to cross the waiver spend if the card is worth keeping.
- Redeem rewards regularly through the highest-value option so points or cashback never lapse.
- Set up auto-pay, transaction alerts and sensible online/international limits in the issuer’s app.
Eligibility & Documents
Exact criteria depend on HSBC Bank and the card variant, but for the HSBC Live+ Credit Card you will usually need:
- Age: generally 18–65 years.
- Income: a stable salaried or self-employed income; entry cards often start around ₹15,000–₹25,000 a month, while premium variants need more.
- Credit score: 700+ helps, and 750+ unlocks the best terms and limits.
- Documents: PAN (mandatory), an address proof (Aadhaar/passport/utility bill), income proof (salary slips, Form 16 or ITR) and a photograph.
Existing HSBC Bank customers, and applicants with a clean repayment history, typically see faster approval and higher starting limits.
How Rewards Work & Redemption
This card earns 10% on dining/grocery, 1.5% base. To judge its real value, look past the headline rate to what each reward is actually worth on redemption — cashback is credited at face value to your statement, while points and miles vary by how you redeem them (vouchers, catalogue products, statement credit, or airline/hotel transfers, which usually give the best value). Redeem before any expiry, and remember that fuel, rent, wallet loads and government payments are commonly excluded from rewards.
Plan Smarter With Free Tools
Get more out of this card with our free, no-login calculators and guides:
- EMI Calculator — work out the real cost before converting a big purchase to EMI.
- Interest Calculator — see how much revolving a balance actually costs you.
- Finance Glossary — plain-language definitions of APR, billing cycle, utilisation and more.
- Learn Hub — quizzes, flashcards and guides to sharpen your money skills.
- Compare all 60 cards — see how this card stacks up against the rest.
Related Credit Cards
Still comparing? Look at these related cards, or browse the full best credit cards in India guide and comparison table:
- Axis Bank MyZone Credit Card — Entertainment & lifestyle
- SBI Card ELITE — Lifestyle & movies
- Swiggy HDFC Bank Credit Card — Food delivery & dining
- ICICI Bank Coral Credit Card — Entry-level lifestyle
- ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card — Dual-network lifestyle
Important: Information is for general guidance only, not financial advice, and was verified in June 2026. Card fees, reward rates and benefits change often — confirm the latest terms on the issuer’s official website before applying.