The verdict
A must-have cashback card that outclasses competitors for household and food spends. Maxing out the ₹1,200 monthly dining/grocery cap generates ₹14,400 in direct annual cashback against a modest ₹999 fee—yielding a staggering 14× return.
Spending ₹12,000/month on dining and groceries unlocks the full ₹1,200/month cashback (₹14,400 annually). Adding ₹5,000/month in general retail earns another ₹900 (1.5%), totaling ₹15,300 in cashback. Subtracting the ₹999 annual fee results in a net gain of ₹14,301 (over 7% overall return on total spend).
For individuals with monthly food and grocery expenditures below ₹3,000 who want uncapped flat cashback on offline store shopping, general 5% cards may be more suitable.
✓What works
- +Industry-leading 10% cashback on dining out, food delivery apps (Swiggy, Zomato), and groceries (Blinkit, Instamart, BigBasket, offline supermarkets).
- +Strong 1.5% unlimited cashback on general retail spending with no upper ceiling.
- +Reduced foreign exchange markup of 1.99% on international transactions (compared to the standard 3.5% across most cards).
- +4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year (1 per calendar quarter).
- +Annual fee waiver on spending ₹2,00,000 or more in a membership year.
✕What doesn't
- −10% accelerated cashback is capped at ₹1,200 per monthly billing cycle (optimal monthly spend ₹12,000).
- −Fuel transactions and wallet loading are excluded from cashback calculations.
- −₹999 + GST annual fee applies if the ₹2,00,000 annual spend threshold is not achieved.
What it earns
Cashback is automatically credited to the card statement within the subsequent billing cycle.
| Category | Rate | Monthly Cap | Per ₹1L spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining, Food Delivery & Grocery | 10.0% | ₹1,200 / month | ₹10,000 (subject to cap) |
| All Other Domestic Retail Spends | 1.5% | Uncapped | ₹1,500 |
| Fuel & Wallet Reloads | 0% | Excluded | ₹0 |
Accelerated earn
10% Cashback on Daily Food & Grocery Essentials
Earn up to ₹1,200 monthly across Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Instamart, and dining outlets.
| Category / Channel | Multiplier Rate | Monthly Cap | Cap / Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining & RestaurantsApplicable on restaurant POS billing and food aggregator payments. | 6.67× · 10.0% | ₹1,200 / month (combined) | — |
| Food Delivery (Swiggy / Zomato)Direct 10% cashback on food delivery apps. | 6.67× · 10.0% | ₹1,200 / month (combined) | — |
| Grocery & Quick Commerce (Blinkit, Instamart, Zepto)10% cashback on supermarkets and quick delivery platforms. | 6.67× · 10.0% | ₹1,200 / month (combined) | — |
Redemption options
Direct statement credit automatically adjusted against outstanding card dues.
| Redemption Channel | Value Per Point | Minimum | Ceiling / Limits | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Statement CreditBEST VALUE | 1:1 Direct Rupee Value (₹1 = ₹1) | No minimum | Direct statement credit | Nil |
Reward Scope: Inclusions & Exclusions
✓Eligible Spends (Inclusions)
- +Online food ordering (Swiggy, Zomato, EatClub).
- +Grocery platforms and quick commerce (Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, BigBasket, Nature's Basket).
- +Supermarkets and standalone restaurant dining.
- +General domestic retail fashion, electronics, and utility payments.
✕Excluded Spends & Fee Traps
- −Fuel purchases (subject to 1% fuel surcharge waiver on ₹400 to ₹4,000).
- −Wallet loading transactions and cash advances.
Fee Schedule & Waiver Criteria
| Fee Component | Amount / Rate |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹999 + GST |
| Annual / Renewal Fee | ₹999 + GST (Waived on ₹2,00,000 spend) |
| Finance Charges (Monthly) | 3.49% per month (41.88% per annum) |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 1.99% + GST |
| Add-On Card Fee | Nil |
| Card Replacement Fee | ₹100 + GST |
Eligibility & Approval Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 to 65 years |
| Minimum Income (Salaried) | ₹4,00,000 per annum |
| Minimum Income (Self-Employed) | ₹6,00,000 per annum |
| Nationality & Residency | Resident Indian citizen |
Policy Changes & Devaluation History
2 RecordsHSBC India Live+ — Forex Markup 1.99% → 3.50%
HSBC India raised the foreign-currency markup on Live+ from 1.99% to 3.50% — a 76% increase effective 1 August 2026.
HSBC India Live+ — International Lounge Access Removed (4 visits/year → 0)
HSBC India quietly removed the international lounge access on Live+ — effective 1 August 2026 the card carries zero Priority Pass / international lounge benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does HSBC Live+ Credit Card offer airport lounge access?
What are the MITC charges, annual fees, and interest rates for HSBC Live+ Credit Card?
What is the reward rate and point redemption value on HSBC Live+ Credit Card?
Which transactions are excluded from earning rewards on HSBC Live+ Credit Card?
Who is HSBC Live+ Credit Card best suited for in 2026?
Editorial Deep-Dive Analysis
Comprehensive Overview: HSBC Live+ Credit Card
The HSBC Live+ Credit Card is one of India’s premier lifestyle and household spending credit cards, specifically engineered for urban consumers whose recurring monthly budget is centered on dining, food delivery, and quick commerce grocery shopping. Carrying an accessible joining and annual renewal fee of ₹999 + GST—which is 100% waived upon reaching ₹2,00,000 in annual retail spending—the card transforms everyday food and grocery expenses into substantial monthly savings through its headline 10% cashback rate.
Cardholders earn an industry-leading 10% accelerated cashback on dining out, food delivery aggregators (Swiggy, Zomato, EatClub), and grocery/quick commerce platforms (Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, BigBasket, and supermarkets), capped at ₹1,200 per monthly billing cycle (optimally exhausted on ₹12,000 in monthly spends). Beyond groceries and dining, the card offers an unlimited 1.5% base cashback on all other eligible retail transactions, a deeply discounted 1.99% + GST foreign currency markup fee (well below the standard 3.50% banking average), and 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits annually (1 visit per calendar quarter), making it a powerhouse daily driver for modern professionals.
Key Privileges and Practical Everyday Benefits
- 10% Accelerated Dining & Grocery Cashback: Earn 10% direct statement cashback across restaurants, Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Instamart, Zepto, and supermarkets, capped at ₹1,200 per monthly billing cycle.
- Unlimited 1.5% Base Cashback: Receive an uncapped 1.5% cashback on all other standard domestic retail expenditures automatically credited to your statement dues.
- Discounted 1.99% Foreign Currency Markup: Enjoy an industry-low 1.99% + GST forex markup on international online transactions and overseas merchant spending.
- Complimentary Domestic Lounge Access: 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per calendar year (1 visit per quarter) across major Indian terminals.
- Annual Fee Waiver at ₹2,00,000 Spend: 100% waiver of the ₹999 annual renewal fee upon achieving ₹2,00,000 in cumulative annual card spending.
Important Terms and Spend Conditions to Keep in Mind
- Monthly ₹1,200 Cashback Cap on 10% Category: The 10% accelerated cashback pool across dining and groceries is combined and capped at ₹1,200 per billing cycle; spends beyond ₹12,000 in a month earn the base 1.5% rate.
- Excluded Spend Categories: Fuel purchases (eligible for a 1% surcharge waiver on ₹400 to ₹4,000), digital wallet loads, and cash advances do not earn cashback.
- Quarterly Lounge Distribution: Domestic airport lounge access is structured as 1 visit per calendar quarter and cannot be rolled over to subsequent quarters.
- Minimum Spend for Optimal ROI: Cardholders should spend at least ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 monthly on groceries and dining to maximize the ₹14,400 annual cashback potential.
- Statement Credit Automation: Cashback is automatically adjusted against your outstanding credit card balance, eliminating manual voucher redemption fees.
Who Benefits Most
- Urban Food & Quick Commerce Spenders: Households that regularly order groceries and meals via Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart.
- Frequent Restaurant Diners: Food enthusiasts who regularly dine out at cafes and restaurants across metro cities and seek direct cash savings on food bills.
- International Online Shoppers: Consumers making frequent overseas retail subscriptions or foreign e-commerce purchases who benefit from the 1.99% reduced forex markup.
- HSBC India — Live+ Credit Card schedule of benefits and MITC
- HSBC Live+ 10% dining & grocery cashback terms and conditions
Independent Editorial & Statutory Disclaimers
Institutional Transparency & Nominative Fair Use Statement
CredSutra operates as an independent credit card discovery and consumer intelligence engine. CredSutra is NOT a bank, Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Direct Selling Agent (DSA), or Lending Service Provider (LSP).