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Axis Bank ACE Credit Card VS HSBC Live+ Credit Card

A detailed, side-by-side look at 2 leading credit cards. Analyze the features that matter most to you and make an informed choice.
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Last updated: 17 July 2026

Both HSBC Live+ Credit Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card suit dining-focused spenders, but they earn and cost differently. HSBC Live+ Credit Card costs ₹999 + GST and earns 10% cashback on dining, food delivery & groceries (capped at INR 1,000/month); 1.5% unlimited on others. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card costs ₹499 + GST and earns 5% cashback on Google Pay utility bills, 4% on Swiggy/Zomato/Ola, and 1.5% on other spends. HSBC Live+ Credit Card also brings enjoy 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year, with a limit of one visit per quarter, while Axis Bank ACE Credit Card counters with 4 complimentary airport lounge visits to select domestic airport lounges per calendar year. If shopping spending matters more, go with HSBC Live+ Credit Card; if utilities is the priority, Axis Bank ACE Credit Card fits better.

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card
HSBC Live+ Credit Card
HSBC Live+ Credit Card

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee₹499 + GST
Joining Fee₹999 + GST
Renewal Fee₹499 + GST
Renewal Fee₹999 + GST
Spend Based WaiverJoining fee waived on ₹10,000 spend in 45 days. Annual fee waived on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Spend Based WaiverThe annual fee is waived if you spend more than INR 200,000 per year.
Foreign Transaction Fees3.5% of the transaction amount.
Foreign Transaction Fees3.5%
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% per month or 55.55% annualized on retail purchases and cash.
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% Per Month

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome Bonus
Welcome BonusINR 1,000 cashback on INR 20k spend, up to INR 500 vouchers on activation, and INR 250 Amazon eGift Voucher.
Rewards RateEarn 5% cashback on Google Pay utility bills, 4% on Swiggy/Zomato/Ola, and 1.5% on other spends.
Rewards Rate10% cashback on dining, food delivery & groceries (capped at INR 1,000/month); 1.5% unlimited on others.
Reward TypeCashback
Reward TypeCashback
Reward Redemption FeeNil
Reward Redemption FeeNil

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access4 complimentary airport lounge visits to select domestic airport lounges per calendar year.
Domestic Lounge AccessEnjoy 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year, with a limit of one visit per quarter.
International Lounge Access
International Lounge Access
Travel Benefits
Travel BenefitsComplimentary domestic flight seat selections (2/year) & 15% cashback on MakeMyTrip hotel stays.
Movie Benefits
Movie BenefitsBuy 2 Get 1 Free on BookMyShow (max INR 250), 1.5% cashback on entertainment, BOGO via District app.
Dining BenefitsUp to 15% discount on dining bills at over 4,000 partner restaurants under Dining Delights.
Dining Benefits10% cashback on dining/food delivery (capped), 15% off on EazyDiner, 10% off via District app.
Golf Benefits
Golf Benefits
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver for transactions between ₹400-₹4,000, max ₹500 per statement cycle.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% fuel surcharge is applicable.

Security & Other

Insurance Benefits
Insurance BenefitsGet an insurance cover worth INR 300,000 against misuse of the card (Zero Liability Protection).
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of withdrawn amount, subject to a minimum of ₹500.
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of the withdrawn amount, subject to a minimum amount of INR 500.
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Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

HSBC Live+ Credit Card

Who is it for?

The Axis Bank ACE Credit Card, in partnership with Google Pay and Visa, is an entry-level cashback card ideal for young professionals. It offers high cashback on utility bills and mobile recharges via Google Pay, and on platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola. Cardholders also enjoy complimentary domestic airport lounge access, making it a versatile everyday companion for accelerated rewards.

Who is it for?

The HSBC Live+ Credit Card is a mid-range cashback card ideal for daily essentials and entertainment. It offers 10% cashback on dining, food delivery, and groceries (capped monthly), plus 1.5% unlimited cashback on most other spends. Cardholders also enjoy valuable lifestyle perks like complimentary domestic airport lounge access and a free Times Prime subscription. This card provides substantial savings and convenience through its straightforward, automatic cashback system, making it perfect for those who prioritize hassle-free rewards on everyday spending.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

High cashback rates: 5% on Google Pay bills/recharges and 4% on Swiggy, Zomato, Ola.

Includes 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses, rare for entry-level cards.

No maximum capping on the regular 1.5% cashback earned on all other spends.

Annual fee of ₹499 is easily waived off on an annual expenditure of ₹2,00,000.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

High cashback rates: 10% on dining, food delivery, and groceries, and 1.5% unlimited on most other spends.

Cashback is automatically credited to the card account, simplifying the redemption process.

Complimentary domestic airport lounge access (4 visits annually) enhances travel convenience.

Valuable lifestyle benefits such as a free 12-month Times Prime subscription and movie offers.

Annual fee waiver on achieving a reasonable spend milestone (INR 200,000 per year).

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

No cashback on specific categories like fuel, wallet reloads, EMIs, gold items, and cash advances.

The accelerated 5% cashback on Google Pay is exclusively valid on the Android application.

Cashback earned at non-partner merchants (excluding key platforms) is a standard 1.5%.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The 10% accelerated cashback is capped at INR 1,000 per month, limiting high spenders.

Several transaction categories are explicitly excluded from cashback earnings like fuel and utilities.

A foreign currency markup of 3.5% makes it less competitive for international transactions.

A 1% fuel surcharge is applicable, reducing savings on fuel purchases.

Eligibility criteria include specific income and city residency requirements, limiting accessibility.

How We Compare These Cards

Every comparison on CardsForYou is built from the same verified data set we use across the site - joining and renewal fees, reward rates, forex markup, lounge access, and insurance benefits - sourced directly from each issuer and refreshed regularly. We highlight the lower-cost option on fees automatically, but "best" always depends on your own spending pattern: a card that wins on annual fee may lose on reward rate for a heavy spender, and vice versa. Use the table above alongside your own typical monthly spend to judge real value, not just the headline numbers.

Ready to Choose?

Based on your comparison, select the credit card that best matches your spending habits and financial goals.
Apply for Axis Bank ACE Credit Card(opens in new tab)Apply for HSBC Live+ Credit Card(opens in new tab)