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CheQ AU 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: 13 July 2026

Both CheQ AU Credit Card and HSBC Live+ Credit Card suit different spenders, but they earn and cost differently. CheQ AU Credit Card is lifetime-free and earns up to 12 percent on select brands; 5 percent on other online spends; 2.5 percent on CheQ UPI; 1 percent on all other transactions. HSBC Live+ Credit Card costs Rs 999 + GST and earns 10 percent cashback on dining, 5 percent on groceries and 1.5 percent on other spends with lounge benefits. CheQ AU Credit Card also brings Indias first LED card with dual Visa + RuPay issuance, while HSBC Live+ Credit Card counters with its own niche benefits. Compare the fee and reward differences above against your priority spend category - shopping, dining, fuel, or travel - to pick the right fit.

CheQ AU Credit Card
CheQ AU Credit Card
HSBC Live+ Credit Card
HSBC Live+ Credit Card

Fees & Charges

Joining FeeLifetime Free
Joining Fee₹999 + GST
Renewal FeeLifetime Free
Renewal Fee₹999 + GST
Spend Based Waiver
Spend Based WaiverThe annual fee is waived if you spend more than INR 200,000 per year.
Foreign Transaction Fees3.49% on all foreign currency transactions.
Foreign Transaction Fees3.5%
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% per month (45% per annum) on revolving credit and cash advances.
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% Per Month

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome BonusThe card is marketed as Lifetime FREE, meaning no joining fee and no annual fee for the standard variant. An optional upgrade to the LED Credit Card incurs a one-time issuance fee of ₹999 + GST
Welcome BonusINR 1,000 cashback on INR 20k spend, up to INR 500 vouchers on activation, and INR 250 Amazon eGift Voucher.
Rewards RateUp to 12% on select brands; 5% on other online spends; 2.5% on CheQ UPI; 1% on all other transactions.
Rewards Rate10% cashback on dining, food delivery & groceries (capped at INR 1,000/month); 1.5% unlimited on others.
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward TypeCashback
Reward Redemption FeeNo rewards redemption fee.
Reward Redemption FeeNil

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge AccessNot available on the CheQ AU Credit Card.
Domestic Lounge AccessEnjoy 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year, with a limit of one visit per quarter.
International Lounge AccessNot available on the CheQ AU Credit Card.
International Lounge Access
Travel BenefitsEarn 12% rewards on CheQ Travel (flights & hotels) and 5% on other travel spends. Redeem points for flights/hotels.
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 Benefits
Dining Benefits10% cashback on dining/food delivery (capped), 15% off on EazyDiner, 10% off via District app.
Golf Benefits
Golf Benefits
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹150 on fuel spends.
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 the withdrawn amount, or ₹500, whichever is higher.
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.

CheQ AU Credit Card

HSBC Live+ Credit Card

Who is it for?

The CheQ AU Credit Card is India’s first LED-enabled credit card, offering a unique visual experience and strong rewards. It provides up to 12% rewards on popular brands, 2.5% on CheQ UPI, and 1% on other spends. Marketed as lifetime free for the standard variant, it also offers the convenience of two cards (Visa LED and RuPay) with a single application. This card is ideal for those seeking high reward rates, unique features, and convenient digital banking for everyday online shopping, food delivery, travel, and utility payments.

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.

India's first LED-enabled credit card offers a unique and visually engaging payment experience.

High reward rates up to 12% on popular brands and categories like shopping, travel, and utilities.

Lifetime free for the standard variant, making it an attractive option with no annual fees.

Receive both a Visa (LED) and RuPay card with a single application, offering great versatility.

Uncapped base rewards ensure continuous earning even after reaching accelerated rewards limits.

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.

Accelerated rewards are capped at 12,000 CheQ points per month, limiting high spenders.

Rewards are not applicable on several categories like fuel, education, gold, and rent payments.

Optional LED card incurs a one-time issuance fee of ₹999 + GST, which is an additional cost.

Interest rate on revolving credit is high at 3.75% per month (45% per annum), typical of the category.

No domestic or international airport lounge access on this card.

Applications for the LED card open only from April 28, 2026, indicating a future availability.

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 CheQ AU Credit Card(opens in new tab)Apply for HSBC Live+ Credit Card(opens in new tab)