HSBC Bank India offers 5 mainstream credit cards to choose from in 2026: HSBC TravelOne, HSBC Visa Platinum, HSBC RuPay Platinum, HSBC RuPay Cashback, and HSBC Live+. Three of these (Visa Platinum, RuPay Platinum, RuPay Cashback) are lifetime free with zero annual fee, while TravelOne (Rs. 4,999) and Live+ (Rs. 999) charge an annual fee that can be waived by meeting a minimum spend threshold. The best HSBC credit card for you depends on whether you prioritise UPI payments, cashback, travel rewards, or airport lounge access. This guide compares all 5 cards side by side using only verified data from HSBC’s official pages, so you can pick the right one and apply directly.
HSBC Credit Cards Compared — All 5 Cards at a Glance
Here is how HSBC’s entire credit card lineup stacks up on the factors that matter most: annual fee, network, core benefit, and who each card suits best. Apply buttons are included directly in the table for quick access.
| Card | Annual Fee | Network | Core Benefit | Best For | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC TravelOne | Rs. 4,999 | Mastercard | 20 transfer partners at mostly 1:1, 10 lounge visits/year | Frequent travellers | Apply |
| HSBC Visa Platinum | Nil | Visa Signature | Same 20 partners as TravelOne at 2:1, zero cost | Moderate spenders | Apply |
| HSBC RuPay Platinum | Nil | RuPay + JCB | UPI-enabled, transfers to 15+ air mile partners | UPI-first users | Apply |
| HSBC RuPay Cashback | Nil | RuPay + JCB | 10% cashback dining/food/grocery, 10 lounge visits/year | UPI users who dine out | Apply |
| HSBC Live+ | Rs. 999 | Visa Infinite | 10% cashback (5 categories) + 1.5% unlimited on rest | Highest all-round spenders | Apply |
1. HSBC TravelOne Credit Card — Best for Frequent Travellers
The HSBC TravelOne is HSBC’s dedicated travel card, built for frequent flyers who want lounge access and fast air mile accumulation. It transfers reward points to 20 airline and hotel loyalty programmes at mostly 1:1 ratios, and includes 10 complimentary airport lounge visits per year (6 domestic + 4 international via LoungeKey).
| Annual Fee | Rs. 4,999, waived on Rs. 8,00,000+ annual spend |
| Lounge Access | 10 per year (6 domestic + 4 international) |
| Transfer Partners | 20 (15 airlines + 5 hotels), most at 1:1 |
| Interest-Free Period | 45 days |
2. HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card — Best Lifetime Free Travel Card
The HSBC Visa Platinum accesses the exact same 20 airline and hotel partners as TravelOne, at zero annual fee. The key difference is the transfer ratio: Visa Platinum converts at 2 points = 1 mile, while TravelOne converts most partners at 1 point = 1 mile, making TravelOne points roughly twice as valuable at redemption. For moderate spenders who cannot justify TravelOne’s Rs. 4,999 fee, this card still delivers access to the same travel rewards ecosystem for free.
| Annual Fee | Nil, Lifetime Free |
| Transfer Partners | 20 (15 airlines + 5 hotels), all at 2:1 ratio |
| Earn Rate | 2 pts/Rs.150 base + 5X above Rs. 4L annual spend |
| Extras | 12-month Times Prime, MakeMyTrip seat selections |
3. HSBC RuPay Platinum Credit Card — Best for UPI-First Users
The HSBC RuPay Platinum is the only card in HSBC’s lineup (besides RuPay Cashback) that links directly to UPI apps like Google Pay and PhonePe. It earns 2 reward points per Rs. 150 with no milestone acceleration, and transfers to 15 or more airline and hotel partners. It has no annual fee and no lounge access, making it a straightforward pick for UPI-first spenders who still want air miles.
| Annual Fee | Nil, Lifetime Free |
| UPI Linking | Yes, via HSBC SimplyPay and third-party apps |
| Transfer Partners | 15+ airline and hotel programmes |
| Lounge Access | None |
4. HSBC RuPay Cashback Credit Card — Best for UPI Diners
The HSBC RuPay Cashback combines UPI payments with 10% cashback on dining, food delivery, and grocery spending, capped at Rs. 400 total per month. It also offers 10 lounge visits per year (8 domestic + 2 international), making it one of the strongest lounge benefits available on any zero-fee card in India.
| Annual Fee | Nil, Lifetime Free |
| Cashback | 10% dining/food/grocery, 1% others, Rs. 400/month cap |
| Lounge Access | 10 per year (8 domestic + 2 international) |
| UPI Linking | Yes |
5. HSBC Live+ Credit Card — Best for Highest Cashback Ceiling
The HSBC Live+ is HSBC’s most powerful cashback card, and it just got stronger. From 26 July 2026, it upgraded to Visa Infinite, expanded 10% cashback to five categories (dining, food delivery, groceries, utilities, and shopping excluding Amazon/Flipkart/Myntra), raised the monthly cap from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,200, cut the forex markup from 3.5% to 1.99%, and added international lounge access. Domestic lounge visits were reduced from 4 to 2 per year, partially offset by a new international visit from September 2026. This card does not support UPI linking.
| Annual Fee | Rs. 999, waived on Rs. 2,00,000+ annual spend |
| Cashback | 10% on 5 categories (cap Rs.1,200/month) + 1.5% unlimited on everything else |
| Lounge Access | 2 domestic + 1 international per year (from Sept 2026) |
| Network | Visa Infinite (upgraded 26 July 2026) |
Which HSBC Credit Card Should You Choose?
Match your spending habit to the card built for it. This is the fastest way to shortlist correctly, with an apply link included for each scenario.
| If You Want… | Pick This Card | Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum lounge access + fastest travel points, willing to pay a fee | HSBC TravelOne | Apply |
| Air miles and travel rewards at zero cost | HSBC Visa Platinum | Apply |
| UPI-first spending with air miles, no fee | HSBC RuPay Platinum | Apply |
| UPI + cashback on food/dining + lounge access, no fee | HSBC RuPay Cashback | Apply |
| Highest overall cashback ceiling, dining + groceries + utilities + shopping | HSBC Live+ | Apply |
Related Reads
- HSBC TravelOne Credit Card Review 2026
- HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card Review 2026
- HSBC RuPay Platinum Credit Card Review 2026
- HSBC RuPay Cashback Credit Card Review 2026
- HSBC Live+ Credit Card Review 2026
- Best UPI Credit Cards in India 2026
- Credit Card Reward Points Explained
- Best Travel Credit Cards in India 2026
- Best Credit Cards for Rs. 50,000 Salary in India 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions — HSBC Credit Cards
- Which is the best HSBC credit card in India?
The best HSBC credit card depends on your spending pattern. HSBC TravelOne is best for frequent travellers who want maximum lounge access and fast air mile accumulation at a 1:1 transfer ratio. HSBC Visa Platinum is best for anyone who wants the same 20 travel partners at zero annual fee, though at a 2:1 transfer ratio. HSBC RuPay Platinum and RuPay Cashback suit UPI-first users, with RuPay Cashback adding strong lounge access and food cashback. HSBC Live+ has the highest overall cashback ceiling for high spenders after its July 2026 Visa Infinite upgrade. All 5 cards are issued by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, India. - Which HSBC credit cards are lifetime free?
Three HSBC credit cards have zero annual fee for life: HSBC Visa Platinum, HSBC RuPay Platinum, and HSBC RuPay Cashback. HSBC TravelOne (Rs. 4,999) and HSBC Live+ (Rs. 999) charge an annual fee, though both can be waived by meeting a minimum annual spend threshold of Rs. 8,00,000 and Rs. 2,00,000 respectively. - Which HSBC credit card offers the most lounge access?
HSBC TravelOne and HSBC RuPay Cashback both offer 10 lounge visits per year, the highest among HSBC’s lineup. TravelOne gives 6 domestic and 4 international visits, while RuPay Cashback gives 8 domestic and 2 international visits. HSBC Live+ offers 2 domestic visits plus 1 international visit per year from September 2026, reduced from its earlier 4 domestic-only visits. HSBC Visa Platinum and RuPay Platinum offer no lounge access. - Which HSBC credit card works with UPI?
HSBC RuPay Platinum and HSBC RuPay Cashback both support UPI payments through HSBC SimplyPay and third-party apps like Google Pay and PhonePe. HSBC TravelOne, Visa Platinum, and Live+ do not support UPI linking as they are Visa or Mastercard network cards. - Which HSBC credit card gives the most cashback?
HSBC Live+ offers the highest cashback ceiling following its July 2026 upgrade: 10% cashback across five categories (dining, food delivery, groceries, utilities, and shopping excluding Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra) capped at Rs. 1,200 per month, plus 1.5% unlimited cashback on all other spends. HSBC RuPay Cashback offers a similar 10% rate on dining, food, and groceries but with a lower combined monthly cap of Rs. 400. - What is the difference between HSBC Visa Platinum and HSBC TravelOne transfer ratios?
Both cards access the same 20 airline and hotel transfer partners, but at different ratios. HSBC TravelOne transfers most partners at 1:1 (1 reward point = 1 mile), while HSBC Visa Platinum transfers all partners at 2:1 (2 reward points = 1 mile). This means TravelOne points are worth roughly twice as much at redemption, which is the main trade-off for Visa Platinum’s zero annual fee. - Can I hold more than one HSBC credit card at the same time?
Yes, HSBC allows customers to hold multiple credit cards simultaneously, subject to eligibility and credit assessment for each card. Many cardholders pair a lifetime free card like Visa Platinum or RuPay Cashback with a fee-based card like TravelOne to combine zero-cost UPI or cashback benefits with premium travel perks. - What is the minimum income required for HSBC credit cards?
Minimum income requirements vary by card. Most HSBC cards require a minimum annual income of Rs. 4-6 lakh for salaried applicants and Rs. 12 lakh for self-employed applicants, though exact figures should be confirmed on HSBC’s official page for each specific card before applying, as requirements are updated periodically.
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