HSBC Live+ Credit Card: Fees, Cashback & Real Value
The HSBC Live+ Credit Card (formerly HSBC Cashback Credit Card) is a tiered-cashback card from HSBC India, featuring 10% cashback on dining/food delivery/grocery with strong caps and 1.5% unlimited on other spends. Here’s the 2026 breakdown.
Key Fees
- Joining fee: verify current
- Annual fee: ₹999 + GST, waived on ₹2,00,000 annual spend
- No joining fee on supplementary cards
Welcome Benefit
₹1,000 cashback on downloading the HSBC India Mobile Banking app and spending ₹20,000 within first 30 days of card issuance.
Cashback Structure
- 10% cashback on: Dining, Food delivery, Grocery (around town and across India) — capped at ₹1,000 per statement cycle combined
- 1.5% unlimited cashback on entertainment and other eligible purchases
Lounge Access
4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year (1 per quarter).
Real-World Value Example
- Dining/grocery heavy household (₹10,000/month on these + ₹20,000 other): ₹1,000 capped + ₹3,600 annual from 1.5% = ~₹15,600 in cashback annually + welcome
- Moderate user: ₹5,000-₹8,000 annually
- Light user: ₹2,000-₹3,500 annually — covers fee
Who Should Get It
- Regular diners and food delivery users — the 10% cashback cap (₹1,000/cycle = ₹10,000 spend) is generous
- Urban grocery shoppers at supermarkets
- HSBC customers wanting a cashback-focused card without relationship minimums
When to look elsewhere
- HDFC Swiggy (₹500 fee) gives uncapped 10% on Swiggy alone
- You want premium lounge access or travel benefits — HSBC Premier is the tier up (but requires relationship)
- You need international travel benefits — Live+ is domestic-focused
How to Apply
Apply on the HSBC Live+ Credit Card page. Eligibility: salaried ₹40,000+/month, CIBIL 730+. HSBC’s approval process is stricter than most Indian banks.
Final Verdict
The HSBC Live+ is a well-designed dining/grocery-focused cashback card. The 10% cashback cap at ₹1,000/cycle equates to ₹10,000/month of eligible spending — generous for most urban households. Combined with 4 quarterly lounges and unlimited 1.5% on other spends, it’s a solid mid-tier option. Best suited to users who dine out regularly and value HSBC’s premium customer service.
See also: HDFC Swiggy review, HSBC Premier review, cashback vs reward points.
Last updated: April 2026. Verify current terms on the HSBC Live+ Credit Card page.