Federal Celesta vs HSBC Cashback Card
Side-by-side credit card comparison to help you choose the best one.
HSBC Cashback Card
Why this card wins: Pure Cashback — 1.5% unlimited cashback on all spends
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bank | Federal Bank | HSBC India |
| Card Type | Premium | Cashback |
| Annual Fee | ₹1,499 + GST | ₹750 + GST |
| Joining Fee | ₹1,499 + GST | ₹750 + GST |
| Rewards | 4 reward points per ₹150 spent | 1.5% unlimited cashback on all spends |
| Best For | Travel & Entertainment | Pure Cashback |
| Interest Rate | 3.49% per month (41.88% p.a.) | 3.49% per month (41.88% p.a.) |
| Credit Limit | ₹1,00,000 - ₹5,00,000 | ₹50,000 - ₹5,00,000 |
| Welcome Benefit | 1000 reward points on activation | ₹750 cashback on first ₹7,500 spend |
| Min Income | ₹30,000/month | ₹25,000/month |
| Lounge Access | 6 domestic + 3 international per year | 2 domestic per year |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% waiver on ₹400-₹5,000 txns | 1% waiver on ₹400-₹5,000 txns |
| Foreign Txn Fee | 3.5% + GST | 3.5% + GST |
| Add-On Card Fee | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 | 4.4 |
| Contactless | ||
| EMI Conversion |
Key Features
Federal Celesta
Travel & Entertainment
Visa • Premium
- 6 domestic + 3 international lounge visits
- Buy 1 Get 1 on movie tickets
- 2X rewards on weekend dining
- Annual fee waiver on ₹3L spend
HSBC Cashback Card
Pure Cashback
Visa • Cashback
- No merchant category restrictions
- Cashback auto-credited to statement
- Global acceptance — accepted in 200+ countries
- Fee waiver on ₹1L annual spend
Verdict
Based on rating and overall value, HSBC Cashback Card ranks highest among your selected cards. It excels at Pure Cashback and offers 1.5% unlimited cashback on all spends.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Federal Celesta or HSBC Cashback Card?
HSBC Cashback Card has the higher CardKhoj rating (4.4/5) and is best for pure cashback. Federal Celesta is the better fit if your priority is travel & entertainment. The right choice depends on where you spend most.
Which has the lower annual fee: Federal Celesta and HSBC Cashback Card?
HSBC Cashback Card is cheaper to hold at ₹750 + GST, compared with ₹1,499 + GST for Federal Celesta.
Do Federal Celesta and HSBC Cashback Card offer airport lounge access?
Federal Celesta: 6 domestic + 3 international per year. HSBC Cashback Card: 2 domestic per year.
Which card is better for international spending?
All of them charge the same forex markup of 3.5% + GST, so choose based on other benefits.
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