HDFC Infinia Metal Edition: Is it the Best Premium Credit Card in India?

With HDFC Infinia Credit Card, you can earn:

• 5 Reward Points per Rs. 150 spent across all retail categories including insurance, utilities and education
• Up to 10X Rewards on travel and shopping spends made via HDFC Bank’s SmartBuy Platform
• 12500 bonus reward points on joining and renewal fee payment

Reward Redemption

• 1 RP = Rs. 1 on flights and hotel bookings via SmartBuy
• 1 RP = Rs. 1 on purchasing Apple products and Tanishq Vouchers via SmartBuy
• 1 RP = 1 Air Mile when converting through net banking
• 1 RP = Rs. 0.50 for vouchers and product purchase on SmartBuy
• 1 RP = Rs. 0.30 on cashback conversion

HDFC Infinia Credit Card Reward Points Transfer Partners

Cardholders can convert their accrued reward points into the following transfer partner points via the Rewards360 platform:

Important Terms and Conditions associated with HDFC Infinia Rewards Program

• Fuel, EasyEMI, e-wallet loading, rent payment, property management services like rent, maintenance, packers and movers, etc. and government transactions will not earn any reward points
• Reward points earned will be reversed if a transaction is converted into SmartEMI
• For travel bookings, Tanishq vouchers and Apple Product purchase via SmartBuy, a maximum of 70% of the value can be paid via reward points. The balance will need to be paid via credit card.
• Maximum 2 Lakh reward points can be earned in a statement cycle
• Maximum 2000 reward points can be earned on grocery spends
• Maximum 1.5 Lakh reward points can be redeemed in a calendar month for travel booking via SmartBuy/air mile conversion

Effective 1st Sep 2024

• Reward earnings on utility and telecom & cable spends will be capped at 2,000 points each
• Education payments made through third-party apps will not earn any reward points

Effective 1st Oct 2024

• Maximum 50000 reward points can be redeemed in a calendar month for purchase of Tanishq voucher on SmartBuy
• Reward redemption against Apple products through the SmartBuy Platform will be capped at one product per quarter

HDFC Infinia rewards program deserves all the applause for three main reasons. One, the earning rate is decent but with a redemption ratio of 1:1 across travel booking, air mile conversion and premium purchases, users can accumulate significant rewards. Two, several leading airlines like Etihad, Air Canda, Air France, British Airways, Air Asia, etc. are a part of HDFC Bank’s Miles Transfer Program. Users can transfer their points in 1:1 ratio, which could give substantial value-back to frequent travellers. Apart from travel, several premium brands like Emporio Armani, Fitbit, Bose, etc. are also a part of HDFC Bank’s rewards catalogue. Three, categories like insurance and utilities that are excluded from most credit card’s rewards program, accrue rewards on HDFC Infinia. Overall, it is one of the best reward rates among premium credit cards.

On spends of Rs. 1.15 Lakh, you will earn reward points as shown in the table above. Now, let us see what you can get on redeeming these rewards

While reward points should not be the only grounds for comparing super-premium credit cards, they do give a fair understanding of how much value would the user get for their spends. When compared with premium cards like Axis Magnus and ICICI Emeralde Private, HDFC Infinia offers highest value to the users, due to a better redemption ratio. Despite offering the highest number of reward points, Axis Magnus gives lowest value among the 3 as redemption ratio stands poor at 40% for miles conversion and 20% for product catalogue. And, on the flipside, ICICI Emeralde’s earn rate is lowest among the 3 but it still gives good value-back since the redemption is strong.

Complimentary Lounge Access

• Unlimited domestic lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders
• Unlimited international lounge access via Priority Pass for primary and add-on cardholders
• Priority Pass membership card also provided for add-on cardholders

Hotel and Dining Benefits with ITC Hotels

• Book stay for 3 nights at participating ITC Hotels and pay for 2 nights only using HDFC Infinia Credit Card
• Get 1+1 complimentary buffet at participating ITC Hotels

Club Marriott Membership

• Complimentary Club Marriott membership for the first year as welcome benefit
• This membership entitles users to up to 20% off on food and beverages (for maximum 10 guests), 20% off on stays and 20% off on spa services at participating Marriott hotels in Asia Pacific region.
• Cardholders also get 2 one time use certificates for upgrade to the next category of rooms and up to 30% off on accommodation at the best available rates

Low Forex Mark-up Fee

• Forex mark-up fee of 2% on transactions made in foreign currency

In addition to a rewards program that provides maximum value to travellers, additional travel benefits on HDFC Infinia enhance its value manifold. While most premium cards come with unlimited lounge access feature, not many extend the benefit to add-on members. Benefits with ITC hotels further add to the travellers’ savings. Though Club Marriott membership is offered as welcome benefit, new users who travel frequently can maximize this benefit. However, it would have been better if the Marriott membership came with a yearly renewal, even if it were spend based.

Along with providing good value through rewards and multiple travel benefits, the following benefits add to Infinia’s premium appeal:

• Global concierge service providing assistance with travel reservations, airport VIP services, golf, private dining, international gift delivery, etc.
• Unlimited complimentary golf games at participating golf courses in India and abroad

If you are looking for other credit cards that offer benefits similar to Infinia, then you can refer to the cards mentioned below:

HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card

4_/5

Joining fee: ₹10000

Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹10000

Unlimited airport lounge access for primary and add-on members

High base rewards rate of 3.33% with 5 reward points per Rs. 150 spent

Travel

Reward Points

Check Eligibility

Product Details

• Up to 10X reward points on SmartBuy and 2X on weekend dining with up to 1:1 redemption ratio
• Annual memberships of Club Marriott, Forbes, Amazon, Swiggy One (3 months) and MMT BLACK on joining
• Low forex markup fee of 2% and renewal of annual complimentary memberships on Rs. 8 lakh annual spends
• Any 2 vouchers of Rs. 500 from Ola cabs, cult.fit Live, BookMyShow, or TataCliQ on Rs. 80,000 monthly spends
• 6 complimentary golf games in a calendar quarter

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Axis Magnus Credit Card

3.5_/5

Joining fee: ₹12500

Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹12500

Unlimited international & domestic lounge visits with 4 additional guest visits

Up to 60 EDGE reward points per Rs. 200

Travel

Reward Points

Check Eligibility

Product Details

• Low forex mark-up fee of 2%
• Conversion of rewards into Air Miles or Hotel Loyalty points (5:2)
• Luxe gift card/ The Postcard Hotels/ Yatra voucher worth Rs. 12,500 on making the first transaction within 30 days from card issuance

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ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

4_/5

Joining fee: ₹12499

Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹12499

Taj Epicure & EazyDiner Prime memberships

Unlimited airport lounge visits

Travel

Reward Points

Check Eligibility

Product Details

• Rs. 3,000 EaseMyTrip vouchers on reaching each annual spending milestone of Rs. 4 Lakh and Rs. 8 Lakh
• Unlimited golf lessons or rounds every month on creating a Golftripz account
• EazyDiner membership, up to 50% off on dining in India & Dubai; 2,000 EazyPoints on joining
• Buy 1 ticket and get up to Rs. 750 off on the 2nd ticket on BookMyShow bookings, twice a month
• 1% fuel surcharge waiver of up to Rs. 1,000 per month on fuel transactions below Rs. 4,000

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Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

3.5_/5

Joining fee: ₹50000

Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹50000

Unlimited domestic & international lounge visits via Priority Pass

Low forex mark-up fee of 1.5% with 2X reward points on international spends

Travel

Reward Points

Check Eligibility

Product Details

• Up to 30 EDGE reward points for every Rs. 200 spent
• B1G1 offer on BookMyShow tickets with up to 5 offer tickets per month
• ITC Culinaire, Accorplus, Club Marriott & EazyDiner Prime memberships & offers on Postcard & Oberoi hotels
• 50 free golf rounds every year across select golf courses in India

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IDFC FIRST Private Credit Card

4_/5

Joining fee: ₹50000

Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹50000

Unlimited international & domestic airport lounge access

Up to 10X rewards with multiple redemption options

Travel

Lounge Access

Check Eligibility

Product Details

• Zero forex mark-up fee
• Curated Taj Epicure membership and 2 lakh reward points as joining bonus
• 24 complimentary golf rounds per year, 2 per month
• Up to Rs. 750 off on movies, non-movies & food combos via BookMyShow, twice a month
• 2 cover claims of up to Rs. 50,000 on hotel and flight booking cancellations

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Compare (2/3)

Since HDFC Infinia is an invite-only card, you will only be able to get it if the bank finds you fit and sends you an invitation for the same. The criteria on the basis of which HDFC Bank selects its Infinia users may include one or more of the following:

• Very high annual income
• High relationship value with HDFC Bank and exposure to its multiple products
• Already using a premium card
• Very high limit on existing credit cards

As said above, HDFC Infinia is an invite-only card so you cannot apply for it. However, if HDFC Bank has invited you to avail it, you should consider a few things.

First, the benefits on this card are designed around rewards and travel so you will be able to make the most of it if you are a high-spender. By putting high-value purchases on your card, you will earn substantial reward points, which give a good value-back when you choose to redeem them on travel.

Secondly, if you already have a premium or super-premium credit card that charges a high annual fee and covers most ground (rewards, travel, memberships, lounge access, etc.), you may not need a new super-premium card. Evaluate and choose accordingly.