Axis Bank ACE Credit Card vs HSBC Live+ Credit Card: Which Earns You More? (2026)
Most comparisons show a spec sheet. This one does the maths: set your monthly spend and pick how you redeem points to see the honest net annual value in ₹ for each card — caps, exclusions, fee waivers and milestones applied. Card details verified 2026-07.
Your monthly spend
₹50,000/moMost cards earn ₹0 rewards on fuel (surcharge waiver only).
Frequently excluded from rewards in India.
Almost always earns ₹0 and may carry a fee.
Often excluded or capped.
HSBC · fee waived at your spend
Axis Bank · fee waived at your spend
Smart Verdict
Choose HSBC Live+ Credit Card to earn an extra ~₹9,210
HSBC Live+ Credit Card wins by ₹9,210/yr vs Axis Bank ACE Credit Card, mainly from your groceries spend.Net annual value across spend levels
All ₹ values exclude GST. Perks like lounge access are shown separately and not added into net value. Rewards use your selected redemption mode (cashback / statement credit).
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card vs HSBC Live+ Credit Card at different spend levels
- At ₹25,000/month, HSBC Live+ Credit Card nets ₹10,530/yr vs Axis Bank ACE Credit Card at ₹5,790/yr — a ₹4,740 edge.
- At ₹50,000/month, HSBC Live+ Credit Card nets ₹20,280/yr vs Axis Bank ACE Credit Card at ₹11,070/yr — a ₹9,210 edge.
- At ₹1,00,000/month, HSBC Live+ Credit Card nets ₹35,400/yr vs Axis Bank ACE Credit Card at ₹22,140/yr — a ₹13,260 edge.
Worked examples use a typical category split at each spend level and cashback-mode point valuation. Your split changes the result.
Full specification comparison
| Feature | Axis Bank ACE Credit CardAxis Bank | HSBC Live+ Credit CardHSBC |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹499/yr | ₹999/yr |
| Fee waiver | Spend ₹2,00,000/yr | Spend ₹2,00,000/yr |
| Base reward | 1.5% cashback | 1.5% cashback |
| Top categories | 5% utilities, 4% dining, 4% travel | 10% dining, 10% groceries |
| Redemption | Auto credit | Auto credit |
| Point expiry | Never expire | Never expire |
| Lounge access | 4 dom · 0 intl⚠ 4 complimentary visits per calendar year at select domestic airports. | 4 dom · 0 intl⚠ 4 domestic visits/year (1/quarter) via Visa Signature. Primary cardholder only. |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Fuel surcharge | 1% waiver, up to ₹500/mo | 1% waiver, up to ₹250/mo |
| Stated income | Not specified (bank discretion) | Rs.6L salaried / Rs.12L self-employed |
| Recent devaluations | None recorded | None recorded |
| Verified against |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Axis Bank ACE Credit Card or HSBC Live+ Credit Card?
At a typical ₹50,000/month spend (cashback redemption), HSBC Live+ Credit Card comes out ahead by about ₹9,210 per year, driven mostly by groceries spend. Your own split can change the answer — use the calculator above to plug in your numbers.
Which card is better for online shopping, Axis Bank ACE Credit Card or HSBC Live+ Credit Card?
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card earns 1.5% as a base, while HSBC Live+ Credit Card earns 1.5%. Check the accelerated online/Amazon/Flipkart rates and monthly caps in the table above, since caps often decide the winner for heavy online spenders.
What are the annual fees for Axis Bank ACE Credit Card and HSBC Live+ Credit Card?
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card: ₹499 + GST per year, waived on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. HSBC Live+ Credit Card: ₹999 + GST per year, waived on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Do Axis Bank ACE Credit Card and HSBC Live+ Credit Card earn rewards on rent, fuel and utilities?
Like most Indian cards, several everyday categories are excluded. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card excludes fuel, rent, insurance; HSBC Live+ Credit Card excludes utilities, fuel. The calculator shows these as ₹0 earners so your net value stays honest.
Is Axis Bank ACE Credit Card ever the better pick over HSBC Live+ Credit Card?
Within a normal spend range at ₹50,000/month, HSBC Live+ Credit Card stays ahead. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card can still win on specific perks (lounge, forex, redemption ease) that aren't counted in the net-value maths.