HSBC credit cards are issued mainly to high-net-worth individuals. They offer special benefits that appeal to people who travel a lot and want premium services. The key features include luxury rewards like unlimited access to airport lounges, free hotel stays, and dining discounts. A major advantage for travelers is the low or no foreign transaction fees, making these cards great for international purchases.
Usually, when you use a credit card abroad, a Forex markup fee is charged to cover the currency conversion cost. This fee can add up quickly, especially for those who travel regularly. Fortunately, HSBC offers credit cards with either a very low forex markup fee of just 0.99% or even zero forex markup fees, as seen with the HSBC Taj Credit Card. This is a big benefit for wealthy people who travel internationally often, as it greatly lowers the extra costs that come with currency exchange. For those who travel frequently or make international purchases, having a low forex markup card is necessary, as it helps avoid unnecessary costs and makes managing international expenses much easier.
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10% Cashback on Dining, Grocery, Shopping, Food Delivery & Utility Bills (up to ₹1,200/Month). 1.5% Unlimited Cashback on All Other Eligible Spends
₹1,000 Cashback on Spending ₹25,000 Within 30 Days + HSBC Mobile App Login. ₹750 Voucher for Amazon Pay, Zomato, or Swiggy on First Transaction of ₹300+ (Limited-Time Visa Offer)
Card Details +
The HSBC Live+ Credit Card is one of the best cashback credit cards in India for everyday spending. It offers 10% cashback on dining, grocery, shopping, food delivery, and utility bill payments, along with 1.5% cashback on other eligible spends. The card also comes with Visa Infinite benefits, domestic and international airport lounge access, The Live+ Reserve dining privileges, and a low 1.99% forex markup, making it a great choice for those looking for an all-round cashback credit card at an annual fee of just ₹999 + GST.
3 Reward Points/₹100 Spent
20,000 Reward Points
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The HSBC Premier Metal Credit Card is designed for premium customers of HSBC Bank in India with a joining fee of ₹12,000 plus taxes. It offers multiple benefits, including a complimentary Taj Epicure and EazyDiner membership, along with ₹12,000 in gift vouchers from Taj. Cardholders earn 3 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on eligible products, which can be redeemed for various rewards, including airline miles and shopping vouchers. Additional perks include unlimited access to domestic and international airport lounges and complimentary golf lessons. The card also features a low foreign currency markup fee of just 0.99% and no expiration on reward points.
5 RPs/₹100 Spent at Taj, SeleQtions, Gateway, Vivanta, Ginger Hotels and amã Stays & Trails Bungalows. 1.5 RPs/₹100 on All Other Eligible Purchases
Two Breakfast-Inclusive Taj Hotel Stays + One Taj Palace Stay On Activation, Plus An Extra Palace Voucher (Valid Till 30th September 2026)
Card Details +
The HSBC Taj Credit Card is created for users who prefer luxury and frequently stay at Taj Hotels. With a joining and annual fee of ₹1,10,000 plus taxes, it offers exclusive benefits like complimentary night stays, access to the luxurious Chambers Lounge, and much more. Cardholders earn Reward Points for their spending, with 5 points for every ₹100 spent at Taj hotels and 1.5 points for other purchases, which can be redeemed for hotel stays and services. Other perks include chauffeur-driven limousine transfers, discounts at various dining outlets, and unlimited access to domestic and international airport lounges. While it provides exceptional advantages for those who often visit Taj properties, its high fee makes it suitable mainly for wealthy individuals. The biggest plus point of this card is the zero Forex markup fee on international purchases, which makes this card worth its annual fee.
The Forex markup fee is a small percentage added to your purchases made in foreign currencies. When you use your card to buy something abroad or pay for an online service priced in another currency, HSBC converts the amount into Indian Rupees. During this conversion, they charge a Forex markup fee, which is typically around 0.99% for specific cards. This means that if you spend ₹10,000 abroad, the bank will add this fee to the total amount converted into Rupees, making your overall cost slightly higher. It’s a way for the bank to cover the cost of handling foreign transactions.
To be eligible for this credit card, you must fulfill the following criteria:
| Categories | HSBC Live+ | HSBC Premier Metal | HSBC Taj |
| Joining Fee | ₹999 + GST | ₹12,000 + GST | ₹1,10,000 + GST |
| Reward Rate | 10% Cashback on Dining, Grocery, Shopping, Food Delivery & Utility Bills (up to ₹1,200/Month) | 3 Reward Points/₹100 Spent | 5 RPs/₹100 Spent at Taj, SeleQtions, Gateway, Vivanta, Ginger Hotels and amã Stays & Trails Bungalows. 1.5 RPs/₹100 on All Other Eligible Purchases |
| Welcome Benefits | Cashback, Vouchers and More | 20,000 Reward Points |
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| Dining/ Entertainment | BOGO on Movie Tickets | BOGO on Movie Tickets | BOGO on Movies and Discounts at PVR, Swiggy, Zomato, and Starbucks |
| Airport Lounge | 2 Free Visits to Domestic Lounges and One Visit to International Lounge Each Year | Unlimited Lounge Access | Unlimited Lounge Access |
| Forex Markup | 1.99% | 0.99% | Zero |
Having a credit card with low or no foreign exchange fees is important for people who travel abroad or make purchases overseas. These fees may seem small, but they can add up quickly and make international transactions more expensive. HSBC credit cards are a good option because they offer some of the lowest foreign exchange charges in the market. These options are great for wealthy people who travel or shop internationally, helping to make spending more affordable. HSBC even provides benefits, such as access to exclusive airport lounges, luxury hotel stays, and rewards. HSBC credit cards combine low foreign exchange fees with great perks, setting them apart from other options in the market.
Depending on the card, the forex markup fee can be as low as 0.99% or even zero for certain cards like the HSBC Taj Credit Card.
To avoid forex markup fees, consider applying for cards that offer zero forex fees for international purchases, like the HSBC Taj Credit Card.
When using your card abroad, the forex markup can increase your total charges, meaning you pay slightly more than the purchase price due to conversion fees.
If you face any issues, contact HSBC customer support for assistance regarding international transactions or forex fees.