American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card vs HSBC TravelOne Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?

American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card vs

In short: HSBC TravelOne has the lower annual fee (₹4,999 vs ₹5,000); Amex Platinum Travel includes 8 airport lounge visits a year + Priority Pass, HSBC TravelOne 6 airport lounge visits a year; both charge a 3.5% forex markup.

Key factsAmex Platinum TravelHSBC TravelOne
Annual fee₹5,000₹4,999
Joining fee₹5,000₹4,999
Annual fee waivedNot listedOn ₹8 lakh annual spend
Top reward rate3X reward points on Flipkart, Myntra, Makemytrip and 17 more2X Reward Points on Car Rentals
Base rewards1 Membership Rewards Point For Every ₹502 Reward Points on ₹100 Spent
Lounge access8 airport lounge visits a year + Priority Pass6 airport lounge visits a year
Forex markup3.5%3.5%

From issuer benefit data, checked 8 Nov 2026. Milestones, welcome benefits and caps are in the full table below.

The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card and the HSBC Travelone Credit Card both target travel enthusiasts but differ in rewards focus, lounge access, and fee structures. American Express offers higher accelerated rewards on select shopping brands and more lounge visits, while HSBC provides a straightforward rewards system with golf benefits and a renewal fee waiver option. Both cards charge similar forex markup fees and have comparable joining and renewal fees.

Comparison notes and quick badges use AI, grounded in the benefit data shown in the table. Confirm details on each issuer’s site.

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Best for rewards → American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
Best for travel → American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
Best for low fee → Hsbc Travelone Credit Card
Best for beginners → Hsbc Travelone Credit Card
Feature American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card Hsbc Travelone Credit Card
BankAmerican ExpressHSBC
NetworkAmerican ExpressMasterCard
Joining feeJoining Fee of Rs.5000Joining Fee - Rs.4999
Annual / renewal feeRenewal Fee of Rs. 5000Annual Fees - Rs.4999
Annual fee waiver—Spend Rs.8 Lakhs For Renewal Fee Waiver
Top reward rate3X reward points on Flipkart, Myntra, Makemytrip and 17 moreEarn 2X Reward Points on Car Rentals
Base rate (other spends)Earn 1 Membership Rewards Point For Every Rs.50Earn 2 Reward Points on Rs.100 Spent
Lounge — domestic8 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Year6 Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge Access Per Year
Lounge — internationalComplimentary Priority Pass Membership Worth US $994 Complimentary International Lounge Access Per Year
Welcome benefitWelcome Gift of 10000 Membership Rewards PointsRs.1000 Cashback As Welcome Rewards
Milestone benefitEarn 15000 Membership Rewards points on Spend of Rs.1.90 Lakhs; Earn 25000 Membership Rewards points on Spend of Rs.4 LakhsEarn 10000 Reward Points on Spend of Rs.1200000
Foreign currency markup3.50% - Foreign Currency Transactions3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions

Which is better for rewards?

The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card stands out for rewards, offering 3X points on a wide range of popular shopping brands like Flipkart and Myntra, with a base rate of 1 point per Rs.50 spent. It also provides milestone bonuses including up to 25,000 points on higher spends and a Taj stay voucher worth Rs.10,000. In contrast, the HSBC Travelone Credit Card offers a simpler rewards structure with 2 points per Rs.100 spent and 2X points on car rentals, plus 4 points on foreign currency and flight spends. Overall, American Express is more rewarding for diversified spenders who shop frequently at its partner brands.

Which is better for travel?

For travel benefits, American Express provides 8 domestic lounge accesses and a Priority Pass membership for international lounges, enhancing airport comfort globally. HSBC offers 6 domestic and 4 international lounge visits, slightly fewer but still valuable. Additionally, HSBC includes complimentary golf lessons and rounds, appealing to travelers who enjoy golf. Both cards have a 3.5% forex markup, so neither has an advantage there. Overall, American Express offers more extensive lounge access, while HSBC adds golf perks to its travel benefits.

Which has lower effective cost?

Both cards have similar joining and renewal fees around Rs.5,000. However, HSBC offers a renewal fee waiver if you spend Rs.8 lakhs annually, which can reduce effective costs for high spenders. American Express does not list any fee waiver in our data. The fuel convenience fee structure on American Express is also notable, with 0% fee on fuel transactions below Rs.5,000 at HPCL, whereas HSBC's fuel surcharge waiver is not listed. Considering these factors, HSBC may be more cost-effective for frequent high spenders seeking fee waivers.

Milestone Benefits Comparison

American Express offers multiple milestone rewards including 15,000 and 25,000 points on spends of Rs.1.9 lakhs and Rs.4 lakhs respectively, plus a Rs.10,000 Taj stay voucher on Rs.4 lakhs spend. HSBC provides a single milestone of 10,000 points on Rs.12 lakhs spend. American Express's milestones are more accessible and diverse.

Golf Benefits on HSBC

HSBC Travelone Credit Card includes 12 complimentary golf lessons and 4 complimentary rounds of golf per calendar year, benefits not listed for American Express. These perks add value for golf enthusiasts who travel frequently.

Who should pick American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card?

Consider American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card if you want higher accelerated rewards on popular shopping brands, more complimentary airport lounge visits including Priority Pass access, and valuable milestone benefits like a Taj stay voucher. This card suits those who spend across multiple lifestyle and travel categories and seek premium travel perks.

Who should pick Hsbc Travelone Credit Card?

Consider HSBC Travelone Credit Card if you prefer a straightforward rewards program with decent points on travel-related spends, value golf-related benefits such as complimentary lessons and rounds, and want the possibility of an annual fee waiver by spending Rs.8 lakhs. This card is suitable for travelers who also enjoy golf and want to manage fees through spending.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the joining and renewal fees for these cards?

Both cards have joining and renewal fees around Rs.5,000. American Express charges Rs.5,000 for both joining and renewal, while HSBC charges Rs.4,999 for each.

Do these cards offer any fee waivers?

HSBC Travelone Credit Card offers a renewal fee waiver if you spend Rs.8 lakhs annually. American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card does not list any fee waiver in our data.

Which card offers better airport lounge access?

American Express provides 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits and a Priority Pass membership for international lounges. HSBC offers 6 domestic and 4 international lounge accesses per year.

What are the forex markup charges on these cards?

Both cards charge a forex markup fee of 3.5% on foreign currency transactions.

Are there any unique travel-related benefits on these cards?

American Express offers a Taj stay voucher worth Rs.10,000 as a milestone benefit. HSBC includes golf benefits such as 12 complimentary lessons and 4 complimentary rounds annually.

What is the rewards rate on these cards?

American Express offers 3X reward points on select shopping brands and 1 point per Rs.50 spent generally. HSBC provides 2 reward points per Rs.100 spent, with accelerated 2X points on car rentals and 4 points on foreign currency and flight spends.