HDFC Bank Doctor’s Superia Credit Card Review

The card offers 1000 reward points as a welcome benefit. Since the welcome benefits are offered in reward points, you can use them as per your discretion without limiting yourself to any particular brand. Thus, welcome benefits offered via rewards are a better benefit in comparison to brand vouchers or cashback. Also, the quantity of reward points offered is pretty good at 1,000 reward points. 

Apart from the welcome benefit, you also get a renewal benefit each year via complimentary 1,000 reward points. Though this is an add-on benefit, note that the 1,000 reward points= Rs. 300 , as 1 reward point=30 paisa. This clearly doesn’t match the renewal fee you pay of Rs. 1,000. Thereby, the renewal benefit holds less value than the renewal fee you pay.

With the HDFC Bank Doctor’s Superia credit card, you get 3 reward points on every Rs. 150 spent. As per the reward value of 30 paise per 1 reward point, the card offers a very low reward rate. Also, no reward points are offered on transactions less than Rs. 150. This is a drawback since various low-fee cards also offer benefits on every Rs. 100 spent instead of Rs. 150. 

The benefit offered here is that you can redeem the accumulated reward points for air miles across more than 20 international airlines or on any major domestic airline. In addition to that, the reward points can also be used across the HDFC reward catalog to avail exciting gifts. However to avail this benefit you might need a large number of reward points to access this facility since 100 AirMiles = 667 Reward Points. 

Apart from that, even when the rewards offered are low and hold less value, they also come with an expiry period and can be used only within two years. Thereby, when it comes to rewards redemption value, the card does not offer a very good reward structure.

HDFC Bank Doctor’s Superia Credit Card offers dining benefits as well. With this card, you can earn 50% more benefits on dining. However, this benefit is not accessible 360 degrees, wherein you can claim it everywhere. The benefit can be availed only on dining transactions recognized under ‘Restaurant’ and not ‘Hotels’ as per the Merchant Category Code. Therefore, the 50% additional reward on dining is applicable at selected dining establishments. Even if selectively valid, the card lets you avail 50% more rewards, which in itself is a good benefit.

HDFC Bank Doctor’s Superia credit card offers Professional Indemnity insurance to help you get over any discrepancy that occurred due to professional negligence. The cover provides protection up to Rs. 20 Lakhs that can help you cover legal costs and defense expenses. Note that, all benefits offered by this card, are general credit card benefits. However, the insurance cover adds the exclusivity factor for the concerned segment-Doctors. The insurance cover is useful and holds importance keeping in view the nature of the medical profession. Thus, this option gives you a reason to choose HDFC Bank Doctor’s Superia Credit Card. 

• The card offers a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs. 400 and Rs. 5,000 at all fuel stations in India. Thereby, you get a benefit here, as the fuel surcharge waiver is not limited to specific fuel stations, as in the case of most credit cards with a low annual fee.
• The card offers zero lost card liability, whereby, you are not liable for any fraudulent transactions made with the card if your card is lost. However, ensure that you report the loss of your card immediately at the call center. 

Read full details of HDFC Bank Doctor Superia Credit Card here.

You should consider getting HDFC Bank Doctor’s Superia Credit Card if:

• You are new to credit cards and need a basic card to understand how it functions
• You are a doctor looking for a low annual fee credit card
• You are new in the medical field and do not have an insurance cover for Professional Indemnity. Opting for this card, you can avail credit and insurance at the same time.

You should check other credit cards if

• You are looking for a premium credit card
• You are looking for a credit card that offers benefits across a specific category such as fuel, shopping, dining, golf access, etc
• You are looking for a card with a high reward rate
• You already have a medical professional indemnity cover, but need a credit card for other benefits

Suggested Read: Best Credit Cards in India

HDFC Bank Doctor’s Superia Credit Card is amongst a few credit cards that are specifically designed for  professionals like doctors. The card more or less functions as a very basic credit card with a low reward rate, 1% fuel surcharge waiver and dining benefits at selected restaurants. Note that the card does not provide any airport lounge access, or to the golf course that many cards with Rs. 1,000 joining fee provide. However, to keep the exclusivity alive for medical professionals, the HDFC Doctor’s Superia offer an insurance cover, yet notably, all other credit cards for doctors provide this feature, with other benefits, and that too at comparatively low fees.

On a concluding note, it is advisable that you either explore other credit within this annual fee range if you are looking for good benefits on a credit card and already have insurance done from a third party. Also, even if you are looking for a card with insurance, you can check other options that may provide you if not better,  but similar benefits at a low fee.