Best HSBC Credit Cards: HSBC Live+ vs HSBC Revolution vs HSBC Advance vs HSBC TravelOne Comparison Review

By now, HSBC is a regular name in the credit card game – particularly in the miles scene. With popular miles cards like HSBC Revolution Card offering up to 4 miles per S$1 spend, it’s not difficult to see why.

On top of that, its cashback credit cards are also a force to be reckoned with – catering cash rebates from all spend to targetted categories. For instance, the HSBC Advance Credit Card rewards up to 3.5% cashback on all eligible transactions with no minimum spend whereas the HSBC Live+ Card rewards up to 8% cashback on lifestyle expenses such as dining, entertainment, and shopping.

If any of these HSBC cards sound right up your alley, then keep on reading to see what these cards have to offer as well as the exclusive HSBC credit card promotions and deals we currently have ongoing!

Looking for the best credit cards to complement your spending patterns and expenditure in 2024? Check out our Ultimate Credit Card Guide that covers all things credit cards in Singapore – from choosing between a cashback, miles, or rewards credit card to planning your credit card strategy.

Note: “XX mpd” refers to “XX miles per S$1 spend”.

By now, most would be familiar with the cult favourite miles card, the HSBC Revolution Card. 

But for the uninitiated, it’s one of the best miles credit cards you should get your hands on – especially our chronic online shoppers and “I-don’t-bring-cash-out, I-pay-for-everything-by-phone” fiends. 

Why? Just for the very simple fact that it rewards cardholders with up to 10X Rewards Points (4 mpd) on eligible online and mobile contactless spend. Eligible categories include dining, travel, retail, and groceries – so basically, everyday spend. 😋

Since 1 January 2024, HSBC Revolution no longer earns 10X Rewards on MCC 4722 (Travel Agencies & Tour Operators) and MCC 7011 (Lodging - Hotels, Motels, and Resorts).

This is a significant change since HSBC Revolution follows a bonus whitelist eligibility approach and also has been a go-to miles card for overseas travel. Also, take note of certain major hotel chains that code their own unique MCCs in the 3500-3999 range. For instance, Hilton codes for MCC 3504 whereas Hyatt codes for MCC 3640, and so on. 

💡Pro-tip: If you're looking for a card specifically for travel purposes, you can consider the HSBC TravelOne Credit Card instead. More on that below. 

[Update!] Unfortunately, the nerfs don't just stop there. Starting 1 May 2024, three more MCCs will be removed from the list: MCC 5411 (Supermarkets), MCC 5499 (Miscellaneous Food Stores), and MCC 5814 (Fast Food).

These removed bonus categories and all other retail spend will earn 1X Rewards Point (0.4 mpd) only.

So, in essence, the 10X Rewards Points or 4 mpd is broken down as such:

• 1X Base Rewards Point (0.4 mpd)

• 9X Bonus Rewards Points (3.6 mpd)

This rebate rate is capped at S$1,000 spend (9,000 Bonus Points) per calendar month, so once you exceed this limit, you’ll no longer earn the bonus 9X Rewards Points (3.6 mpd). Instead, any amount above S$1,000 will revert to the base 1X Rewards Point (0.4 mpd). Meanwhile, base points are limitless and have no cap.

And we almost forgot to mention the best part: there are no annual fees, like ever.

💡 Pro-tip: Other 4 mpd credit cards are DBS Woman’s World, Citi Rewards, and UOB Preferred Platinum Visa.

Read our full HSBC Revolution Card review here.

Like most unlimited cashback cards, the HSBC Advance Credit Card offers up to 2.5% cashback on eligible transactions with no minimum spend. It also adopts a blacklist approach to qualifying merchants, so as long as your transaction doesn’t fall under a merchant exclusion it’s fair game. 

Its base cashback can be further broken down into:

So yes, unfortunately, the HSBC Advance Credit Card’s base cashback is limited. So regardless if you spend under or above S$2,000, your cashback will be capped at S$70 per calendar month.

The HSBC Advance Credit Card is ideal for satisfying big-ticket purchases like wedding expenses and home renovation costs.

Read our full HSBC Advance Credit Card review here.

Read more:
How to Maximise Miles Earned on Big Ticket Spending
How to Save Thousands of Dollars on Home Renovation in Singapore
Money Confessions: We Blew Our Wedding Budget by S$30,000

Previously known as the HSBC Visa Platinum Card, the HSBC Live+ Card is a card that pays back for lifestyle spends.

While the previous iteration was a decent cashback card that offered a 5% quarterly cash rebate on eligible dining, grocery, and fuel transactions, the revamped version offers 8% cashback on eligible dining, entertainment, and shopping transactions. You'll also earn 5% cashback on Caltex and Shell in Singapore, and 0.3% cashback on all other qualifying spend. 

However, note that the cashback is capped at S$250 per quarter. Furthermore, you'll also need to hit a monthly minimum spend of S$600 or the cashback drops to 0.3%.

Read more:
Best Petrol Credit Cards in Singapore
Best Rewards Credit Cards in Singapore 
Maybank Family & Friends Card Review 
Best Cashback Credit Cards In Singapore

Still in the midst of planning your June holidays, or maybe even for the year-end holidays already? 😏 For those in need of a swanky, brand new travel card, look no further than HSBC's newest miles credit card launch – the HSBC TravelOne Card.

It took the market by storm with its impressive array of hotel and airline partners like Accor Live Limitless, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and counting! 

Additionally, cardmembers are entitled to 4 complimentary airport lounge access 

But if that's not convincing enough, it earns 3X Rewards Points (1.2 mpd) on local spend and 6X Rewards Points (2.4 mpd) on foreign currency spend. In contrast to the HSBC Revolution, the HSBC TravelOne follows a merchant blacklist approach; so as long as your transaction doesn't fall under its MCC exclusions, it's as good as gold!

You can even apply for up to five supplementary cards with lifetime annual fee waivers. Basically, you and your entire family are settled for life.

Read our full HSBC TravelOne Credit Card review here.

Now, we’ve covered a lot on HSBC credit cards and even the HSBC Everyday Global Account to earn that sweet 1% extra cashback. But what about other HSBC products and services like HSBC Everyday+ Rewards, HSBC Premier, and HSBC Personal Loan? Are they any good?

The HSBC Everyday Global Account is a multi-currency account that allows you to transact in 11 different currencies. With zero fees involved, you can shop, withdraw funds, make international transfers, and exchange currencies any time subjected to real-time exchange rates.

On top of a 1% cashback on qualifying credit card transactions, HSBC EGA holders will earn 1% bonus interest on incremental SGD balances.

To qualify for the Sure-Win Promotion, HSBC customers will need to maintain the respective minimum balances and make 5 eligible transactions on the account. 

Well, if you’ve read our above credit card entries, HSBC Premier has popped up a few times in relation to earning more cashback with an HSBC Everyday Global Account and an eligible HSBC credit card – but we haven’t exactly gone into detail.

Basically, HSBC Premier is an elite service that provides a wide variety of privileges to members as seen in the following:

• Dedicated HSBC Premier Relationship Directors to curate and tailor wealth management solutions, including legacy planning and tax advisory

• Prioritised services and preferential pricing on selected HSBC products

• Gain access to HSBC Global Private Banking wealth insights and events

• Unlock exclusive range of Premier rewards, offers, and partnerships

• Unlock access to HSBC Concierge Services internationally 

• Premier status for spouse and up to three children (aged 12 to 30) with no minimum Total Relationship Balance requirement

So if you’re looking to elevate your banking experience, the HSBC Premier is one way.

Read our full HSBC Premier Banking review here.

While everyone has a different reason for applying for personal loans, there isn’t really any shame in borrowing money out of necessity or funding an upcoming big expense. That said, HSBC’s personal loan is known for offering one of the lowest interest rates at 4.0% p.a. (EIR 7.5% p.a.) with zero processing fee over a tenure of 1 to 7 years.

💡 If you’re an existing HSBC Premier customer, you’ll get a better promo rate of 3.4% p.a. (EIR 6.5% p.a.).

What’s more, sign up now and be entitled to up to S$3,000 cashback. This is subject to a minimum approved loan amount of S$10,000 and tenure of at least 3 years.

Read our full HSBC Personal Loan review here.