HSBC’s Live+ Credit Card has officially replaced the HSBC Gold Visa Cashback in the Philippines, promising to maximize your savings on groceries, dining, shopping, and entertainment.
If you’re looking for a new way to earn cashback with every eligible transaction, whether from department stores, supermarkets, online shopping, or travel fare, Live+ is positioned as a top premium option.
But does the card truly deliver value for your wallet and lifestyle, or does fine print and high fees outweigh the benefits? Let’s find out.
What are the key features and benefits of HSBC Live+ Cashback?
| Feature | HSBC Live+ Credit Card (2025, PH) |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | ₱5,000 per year (principal), ₱2,500 (supplementary); first year waived for new-to-bank clients; no rewards points waiver available |
| Minimum Annual Income | ₱500,000 |
| Monthly Interest Rate | 3% |
| Cash Advance Fee | ₱500 per withdrawal or 3% of cash advance amount (whichever is higher) |
| Late Payment Fee | ₱850 per occurrence |
| Overlimit Fee | ₱1,000 per occurrence |
| Card Replacement Fee | ₱400 |
| Card Network | Live+ is now issued as Mastercard locally |
| Cashback Rates (Accelerated) | Up to 5% on dining, shopping, groceries, entertainment, and department stores |
| Base Cashback Rate | 0.5% on other eligible spend; 1% for overseas and online (including e-wallets) |
| Cashback Cap | ₱1,200 per month for accelerated categories; base cashback is uncapped |
| Minimum Spend for Bonus Rates | ₱12,000 per calendar month |
| Auto Cashback Redemption | Credited monthly on the statement; no manual claiming |
| Eligible Transactions | Local or overseas merchant purchases, online, e-wallet, travel fare, department stores, shopping, dining, entertainment |
| Non-Eligible Transactions | Charity, insurance, business, professional fees, casino, gambling, balance transfers, government payments, and excluded merchant codes |
| Rewards Points or Air Miles | None (Live+ is a pure cashback card) |
| Annual Fee Waiver | Only first year, subject to promos; not renewable by points |
| Application Method | Apply online, in-branch, or via HSBC partners |
| Customer Service | 24/7 hotline, online banking, mobile app |
| Additional Perks | Live Dining Programme, travel, entertainment promos, shopping privileges |
| Balance Transfer | Yes, via HSBC promos |
| Card Activation | Online, app, in-branch |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.5% currency conversion fee |
| Cardholder Age | At least 21 years old |
- Cashback rates. Earn up to 5% cashback on select categories like dining, shopping, groceries, department stores, and entertainment. For overseas spend and online payments (including e-wallets (GCash, Maya, GrabPay)), the base rate is 1%. All other eligible transactions receive 0.5%.
- Accelerated cashback and capped bonuses. You only earn accelerated cashback by meeting a minimum spend of ₱12,000 per calendar month. Otherwise, you get the unlimited base rate across all purchases.
- Annual fee waiver: First year waived for new-to-bank accounts, then ₱5,000 per year (principal) and ₱2,500 per year (supplementary). Unlike the old Visa Gold, points cannot be used to offset the annual fee.
- Minimum income requirement. ₱500,000 per year, reflecting HSBC’s premium positioning in Asia. This requirement may exclude entry-level applicants and some legacy Gold cardholders.
- Interest rate. The monthly interest rate is 3%. Fees apply separately for cash advances and balance transfers.
- Eligible categories. Cashback covers local and overseas shopping, dining, groceries, travel fare, entertainment, and payments at department stores. Not eligible: utility bills, insurance, charity, gambling, professional, or government payments.
How does HSBC Live+ compare to other top cashback cards?
HSBC Live+ lines up with cards like UnionBank Cash Back Gold Mastercard, Security Bank Complete Cashback Platinum, BPI Amore Platinum Cashback Visa, Metrobank Cashback Mastercard, and EastWest Everyday Titanium.
What stands out:
- Higher accelerated rate (but capped). Up to 5% accelerated cashback, but only if you hit consumption targets.
- Base rate is unlimited (but Lower). 0.5% cashback uncapped, covering purchases broadly, including online and lifestyle spend.
- Redemption and auto credit. Cashback credits are automatically earned every billing cycle. The good thing about this is that there are no redemption forms, log-ins, or tedious requests.
- Exclusive perks and privileges. Access to HSBC Live Dining Programme, shopping entertainment discounts, overseas travel insurance, purchase protection, and online banking features.
- Overseas and e-wallet transactions. 1% rates apply, with a 2.5% foreign currency conversion fee. Use your card abroad or for e-wallet spending for simple rewards management.
What are the gaps and drawbacks of HSBC Live Plus credit card?
Image: HSBC newsletter sent Krisette Lim
Is Live+ really the best option for Filipino cardholders in 2025?
- Annual fee is high. At ₱5,000, it’s twice the Gold Visa’s former regular fee and not eligible for rewards-point waivers.
- Strict minimum spend. You must spend ₱12,000 per month for premium cashback rates. Otherwise, all spending earns only 0.5%.
- Bonus cashback is capped. Maximum bonus earning is ₱1,200 per calendar month, limiting reward potential for high spenders.
- Excluded payments. Many everyday Filipino expenses (utilities, insurance premiums, government fees, business services, and some fintech wallets) don’t qualify for cashback.
- Customer service still lags behind competitors. Online response times and live chat support fall short of those offered by full-digital banks.
- Overseas spend and fees. While overseas purchases earn cashback, the 2.5% currency conversion fee can offset rewards.
- Gold Visa Owners Lose NAFFL: Old No Annual Fee For Life (NAFFL) perks do not transfer, and points can no longer waive fees. As an existing Gold Visa cashback cardholder (like me), instead of paying ₱5,000 on the annual fee in your second year, it’ll be discounted to ₱2,500. You need to spend ₱50,000 per year for the annual fee to be waived.
- Rewards Complexity: Tracking eligible vs non-eligible category codes isn’t straightforward for the average cardholder.
What should you do if you’re an existing Gold Visa Cashback credit cardholder?
Image: HSBC newsletter sent Krisette Lim
If you own the legacy HSBC Gold Visa Cashback (like I do), here’s what you need to know and consider before you swipe or check out with your new Live+ credit card.
- Your card is being sunset and replaced by Live+. NAFFL fee waivers, easy redemption, and straightforward bonus points are gone. All unredeemed rewards must be claimed before migration.
- New rules mean higher fees, strict spend targets, and capped accelerated cashback.
- Don’t qualify for the minimum income or don’t meet the monthly spend? Consider switching to competitively-priced alternatives from UnionBank, Security Bank, EastWest, Metrobank, BPI, or Robinsons—all with broader eligibility criteria and easier rewards redemption.
Tip: Assess your monthly spend in groceries, shopping, dining, and entertainment. If you reach ₱12,000 per month consistently and value travel insurance or lifestyle perks, Live+ might fit.
If not, a lower-fee cashback card with uncapped everyday categories could help you maximize rewards for your lifestyle and finances.
How to maximize your HSBC Live+ cashback?
Getting the most out of your HSBC Live+ isn’t just about swiping and hoping for the best. Here’s how to fine-tune your habits and squeeze the most value from the card in everyday life.
- Focus spend on accelerated categories. Hit the minimum monthly requirement on dining, groceries, and shopping to trigger the 5% rate.
- Track spending by calendar month. Keep purchase logs or use HSBC’s mobile banking for tracking.
- Engage exclusive promotions. Take advantage of Live Dining Programme, shopping and entertainment tie-ups for additional perks.
- Take advantage of online shopping and e-wallet payments. Regular use of e-wallets for bills, services, and payments ensures rewards on digital transactions.
- Balance transfer and installment program. Consolidate high-interest debts or make big-ticket purchases in manageable payments to save on interest.
Once you’ve dialed in your HSBC Live+ strategy, it’s equally important to ask: Is this card truly the right fit for your wallet and lifestyle, or would one of the many alternatives serve your needs better?
Let’s break down who should apply for Live+, and who might want to look elsewhere before hitting that “apply online” button.
Who should apply for HSBC Live+ and who should look elsewhere?
Apply for Live+ if:
- You’re a high or premium spender
- You want access to exclusive travel, shopping, and dining privileges
- You consistently spend at least ₱12,000 per month in eligible categories
- You value auto redemption and a global banking network
Skip Live+ (and consider alternatives) if:
- You want lower annual fees and broader category eligibility
- Your monthly spend is heavily weighted toward utilities, insurance, or government payments
- You want simpler, uncapped cashback that’s easy to redeem
Is HSBC Live+ cash back card worth it?
Live+ sets a high bar for cashback rewards, digital banking, and exclusive perks. For disciplined spenders who match the card’s bonus categories and minimum spend, it’s a competitive premium option, especially if you take advantage of dining, travel insurance, entertainment, and shopping bonuses.
But for many Filipinos, especially former Gold Visa holders and entry-level applicants, the high annual fee and strict spend requirements may mean less effective cashback for everyday purchases.
Consider your wallet, lifestyle, and monthly payment patterns before applying.
Want more content like this? Don’t forget to follow Moneysmart Philippines for more practical tips on how to save, insure, borrow, earn, and invest money within the local context.