Choosing the right cashback credit card can help you save money on your everyday expenses. HSBC offers two popular options, the HSBC RuPay Cashback Credit Card and the HSBC Live+ Credit Card, previously known as the HSBC Cashback Card.
Both cards give 10% cashback on categories like dining, groceries, and food delivery, but they differ in terms of fees, cashback limits, and overall benefits. The RuPay Cashback Credit Card is a more budget-friendly option, which makes it suitable for regular small spends, while the Live+ Credit Card offers higher cashback limits and better rewards on other purchases.
Understanding these differences can help you pick the card that fits your spending needs. In this article, we are going to compare both cards.
On the Basis of Fee and Welcome Benefits
The HSBC RuPay Cashback Credit Card is more affordable compared to the HSBC Live+ Credit Card. It has a lower joining and annual fee of ₹499 + GST, while the Live+ Credit Card costs ₹999 + GST for both. In terms of welcome benefits, the RuPay Cashback Credit Card gives multiple smaller rewards like ₹500 cashback on spending ₹10,000, a ₹100 Amazon voucher, and a 2-month EazyDiner membership. On the other hand, the Live+ Credit Card offers a simpler but bigger single benefit of ₹1,000 cashback when you spend ₹20,000 within the first 30 days. Overall, the RuPay Credit card is better if you want lower fees and a mix of small benefits, while the Live+ Credit Card suits someone who doesn’t mind higher fees for a straightforward cashback offer.
| Feature | HSBC RuPay Cashback Credit Card | HSBC Live+ Credit Card |
| Joining Fee | ₹499 + GST | ₹999 + GST |
| Annual Fee | ₹499 + GST | ₹999 + GST |
| Welcome Benefit | ₹500 Cashback on Logging in to the HSBC India Mobile Banking App and 2 Month EazyDiner Membership | ₹1,000 Cashback on Spending ₹20,000 in the First 30 Days |
On the Basis of Cashback
Both HSBC credit cards offer cashback, but they are suited for slightly different spending styles. The HSBC RuPay Cashback Credit Card keeps things simple with 10% cashback on dining, grocery, and food delivery, but the total cashback is capped at ₹400 per month, which is quite low. It also gives 1% cashback on other spends, including UPI payments, making it useful for everyday small transactions.
On the other hand, the HSBC Live+ Credit Card is more rewarding overall. It also offers 10% cashback on dining, groceries, and food delivery, but with a much higher cap of ₹1,000 per statement cycle. Plus, it gives 1.5% unlimited cashback on all other spends, which is better than the RuPay Cashback Credit Card.
If you want a basic card for small spends and UPI use, the RuPay Cashback Credit Card works fine, but if you spend more and want higher cashback, the Live+ Credit Card is clearly the better option.
Cashback Exclusions
The following spend categories are not eligible for Cashback –
| HSBC RuPay Cashback Credit Card | HSBC Live+ Credit Card |
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On the Basis of Additional Benefits
The HSBC RuPay Cashback Credit Card is more useful if you spend regularly on shopping, bill payments, and travel. It gives you strong savings on apps like Myntra with a good 12% discount every Sunday, and offers 5% off on bill payments over ₹299 (capped at ₹150). The user can also avail up to ₹6,000 off on flights and hotel bookings.
On the other hand, the HSBC Live+ Credit Card is better suited for lifestyle and entertainment. If you often watch movies, the buy-2-get-1 offer on BookMyShow every Saturday, though the free ticket value is capped at ₹250. It also gives a 15% discount on dining through EazyDiner.
In short, the RuPay Cashback Credit Card is better for saving on regular expenses, while the Live+ Credit Card is more focused on movies and dining.
On the Basis of Airport Lounge Access
When comparing the two cards on the basis of airport lounge access, the HSBC RuPay Cashback Credit Card clearly offers more value. It provides up to 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter (around 8 per year) along with 2 international lounge visits annually, making it suitable for frequent travelers.
In contrast, the HSBC Live+ Credit Card offers only 4 domestic lounge visits per year (1 per quarter) and does not include any international lounge access. Therefore, while the Live+ Credit Card is a good option for occasional domestic travel, the RuPay Cashback Credit Card stands out as the better choice for users who want more lounge access benefits.
Bottom Line
The HSBC RuPay Cashback Credit Card is a better option for most users. It has a lower annual fee and offers practical benefits like welcome perks, UPI cashback, shopping discounts, and good airport lounge access. Both cards provide solid cashback on everyday spending, but the HSBC card strikes a good balance between cost and benefits, and since it’s a RuPay credit card, it can be added to UPI as well.
Although the HSBC Live+ Credit Card provides higher cashback limits and slightly better returns on larger spends, its higher fees and relatively limited additional benefits make it less appealing for everyday users.
For individuals looking for a cost-effective, well-rounded credit card that supports daily spending, travel, and savings across multiple categories, the HSBC RuPay Cashback Credit Card stands out as the smarter and more practical winner.