HSBC Bank credit cards

An HSBC credit card in India is a small, focused range: two cards are tracked here, both on the RuPay network, which means both can be linked to UPI apps — something Visa and Mastercard credit cards cannot do.

One is lifetime free; the other costs Rs. 499 and adds dining cashback, lounge visits and a 0% forex markup.

Both cards ask for a published income of Rs. 6,00,000 a year, which is higher than most entry-level cards in India.

Only the Cashback card has a fee to waive, and it needs Rs. 2,00,000 of spending in the card year — about Rs. 16,700 a month.

Below that, treat the Rs. 499 as a real cost and check it against the Rs. 400 monthly dining cap: the card pays at most Rs. 4,800 a year, so the fee is covered comfortably if you use the cap, and not at all if you do not.

Both work on UPI through their RuPay network, so everyday scan-and-pay spending earns rather than sitting outside the card entirely.

HSBC RuPay Cashback includes two domestic lounge visits a quarter — eight a year — which is generous for a Rs. 499 card. RuPay Platinum includes none.

Lounge visits typically require a minimum spend in the previous quarter before they unlock.

Both cards publish a minimum income of Rs. 6,00,000 a year, and HSBC is selective: it is a smaller issuer in India and concentrates on salaried applicants in major cities, with serviceability limited to selected locations.

Check your odds before applying with the eligibility checker, which also flags cards restricted to particular cities.

What every HSBC card tracked here costs, earns and includes, cheapest first.

Lifetime free — no joining fee and no annual fee. Earns 2 points per Rs. 150 on other spends. No complimentary lounge visits are recorded. Earns nothing on fuel transactions, rent payments, wallet loads and cash advances and ATM withdrawals. Full HSBC RuPay Platinum review

Rs. 499 a year, waived once annual spending reaches Rs. 2,00,000 (about Rs. 16,700 a month). Earns 10% on dining, capped at Rs. 400 a statement cycle; 10% on food delivery, capped at Rs. 400 a statement cycle; 10% on groceries, capped at Rs. 400 a statement cycle. 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits a quarter. Worth knowing: No cashback on utilities, insurance, government payments or jewellery. Full HSBC RuPay Cashback review

The annual fee is the charge people compare, and rarely the one that costs most. Pay less than the full statement balance and interest applies from the transaction date, and the interest-free period stops applying to new purchases until the balance is cleared.

Paid in full every month, a HSBC card costs only its annual fee. Revolved, the interest outruns any reward rate on the card several times over.

The eligibility checker scores your profile against each card's published criteria without a credit bureau enquiry.