Top HSBC Credit Cards in 2025: Platinum, TravelOne, Cashback & More
HSBC Credit Cards Comparison 2025
Find the best card for your lifestyle – Travel, Cashback, Lifetime Free, and Premium Benefits
HSBC offers a diverse range of credit cards tailored to various lifestyles and financial needs. From the lifetime free HSBC Platinum Credit Card, ideal for everyday use, to the premium HSBC Premier Metal Credit Card, designed for high-net-worth individuals seeking exclusive benefits, there's a card for everyone. The HSBC TravelOne Credit Card caters to frequent travelers with accelerated rewards and lounge access, while the HSBC Live+ Credit Card offers substantial cashback on dining and groceries. For luxury hotel enthusiasts, the HSBC Taj Credit Card provides unparalleled privileges at Taj properties. This comprehensive comparison delves into each card's annual fees, reward structures, travel perks, and eligibility criteria, assisting you in selecting the perfect HSBC credit card to match your spending habits and lifestyle preferences.
Compare HSBC Credit Cards in 2025
- Annual Fees: Nil (Lifetime Free)
- Rewards: 2 Points per ₹150; 5X Points above ₹4L/year
- Amazon Voucher: ₹500 on ₹5000 spend (first 30 days)
- Entertainment: BOGO on BookMyShow (Sat only)
- Other Offers: ₹500 off Amazon EMI, 15% off MMT, EazyDiner, Croma
- Fuel: Waiver up to ₹3000/year
- Redemption: Amazon, Flipkart, AirMiles (2pts = 1 mile)
- Eligibility: Salaried ₹55,000+, Age 21–65
- Annual Fees: ₹750 (Waived on spends of ₹1L/year)
- Cashback: 10% on top spending category (up to ₹1000/month), 1.5% on all other spends
- Welcome Benefit: ₹1000 cashback on ₹10,000 spend in first 60 days
- Dining: 15% discount at partner restaurants
- Groceries: 5% cashback at major supermarkets
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Up to ₹500 per month
- Redemption: Direct statement credit or gift vouchers
- Eligibility: Salaried ₹25,000+, Age 21–60
- Annual Fees: ₹3,999 (First year free)
- Rewards: 6 AirMiles per ₹150 on travel, 3 AirMiles on other spends
- Lounge Access: 8 complimentary visits per year
- Travel Benefits: 1% forex markup, travel insurance up to ₹2 crore
- Welcome Benefit: 5,000 bonus AirMiles on ₹50,000 spend in first 90 days
- Hotel Partners: Discounts on Marriott, IHG, Accor
- Redemption: 1 AirMile = 1 airline mile with 25+ partners
- Eligibility: Salaried ₹75,000+, Age 25–65
- Annual Fees: ₹12,000 (Complimentary for Premier customers)
- Rewards: 10 Reward Points per ₹150, 4X on international spends
- Lounge Access: Unlimited Priority Pass membership
- Concierge: 24/7 personal concierge service
- Golf Benefits: 4 complimentary rounds per year
- Travel Insurance: Up to ₹5 crore coverage
- Redemption: Luxury experiences, premium merchandise, airline miles
- Eligibility: HSBC Premier customers only, Min NRV ₹30L
- Annual Fees: ₹5,000 (First year free on ₹1L spend)
- Rewards: 10 Taj Points per ₹150 on Taj spends, 5 on dining
- Welcome Benefit: Complimentary 1-night stay at Taj property
- Dining: 20% discount at all Taj restaurants
- Room Upgrades: Complimentary upgrades subject to availability
- Spa Benefits: 15% discount on treatments
- Redemption: Free stays, dining credits, spa treatments
- Eligibility: Salaried ₹1L+, Age 25–65
- Annual Fees: ₹499 (Lifetime free on ₹50,000 annual spend)
- EMI Benefits: No-cost EMI options, 0% interest on select purchases
- Welcome Benefit: ₹500 voucher on first transaction
- Balance Transfer: 1.99% per month for 6 months
- Rewards: 1% cashback on all spends
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Up to ₹250 per month
- Redemption: Statement credit or shopping vouchers
- Eligibility: Salaried ₹20,000+, Age 21–60
Card Comparison Matrix
| Feature | Platinum (Lifetime Free) | Live+ | TravelOne | Premier Metal | Taj | Smart Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | Free | ₹750 (waivable) | ₹3,999 | ₹12,000 | ₹5,000 | ₹499 |
| Reward Rate | 2 pts/₹150 | 10% cashback | 6 AirMiles/₹150 | 10 pts/₹150 | 10 Taj pts/₹150 | 1% cashback |
| Welcome Benefit | ₹500 Amazon | ₹1000 cashback | 5000 AirMiles | Premium concierge | 1-night stay | ₹500 voucher |
| Lounge Access | ✖ | ✖ | 8/year | Unlimited | 4/year | ✖ |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% | 3.5% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 3.5% |
| Fuel Waiver | ₹3000/year | ₹500/month | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ₹250/month |
| Eligibility | ₹55K+ | ₹25K+ | ₹75K+ | Premier Only | ₹1L+ | ₹20K+ |
| Best For | Everyday Use | Cashback | Frequent Travel | Premium Lifestyle | Luxury Hotels | EMI Purchases |
FAQs
Which HSBC Credit Card is best in 2025?
The best HSBC card depends on your spending habits. The Platinum Card is excellent for everyday use with lifetime free benefits, while the TravelOne Card is ideal for frequent travelers. The Live+ Card offers great cashback for regular spenders, and the Premier Metal Card provides premium benefits for high-net-worth individuals.
Does HSBC offer airport lounge access with its credit cards?
Yes, select cards like HSBC TravelOne (8 visits/year), Premier Metal (unlimited access), and Taj (4 visits/year) offer complimentary lounge access. The Platinum and Live+ cards do not include lounge access benefits.
How to apply for HSBC Lifetime Free Credit Card?
Click the "Apply Now" button under the HSBC Platinum Credit Card section. You'll need to be salaried with minimum ₹55,000 monthly income, aged 21-65, and have an Aadhaar-linked mobile number for verification. Approval typically takes 3-5 working days.
Which HSBC card has the best travel benefits?
The HSBC TravelOne Card offers the best travel benefits with accelerated AirMiles earning, lounge access, and low forex markup. For premium travelers, the Premier Metal Card provides unlimited lounge access, golf privileges, and premium concierge services.
Reviewed by M. Prabhakara Reddy
on
April 22, 2025
Rating:
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