SimplifyCards take
A quick decision view before the full facts.
Good fit if: you want a card built for travel, lounge, and lifestyle.
Why it can work
It combines complimentary airport lounge access, a low 2% forex markup, and accelerated rewards on SmartBuy hotels.
Where value may drop
The renewal fee is waived only on Rs 4 lakh of annual spend. Fuel, rent, and wallet loads don't earn rewards. Monthly reward caps apply on the top categories.
Quick facts
The key fields before the full details.
Reward calculator
Enter your monthly spend to estimate how many reward points you earn and what they are worth.
Milestone rewards
Milestone value is estimated and only counts once you reach each spend threshold.
What your points are worth
Same points, very different value depending on how you redeem.
How you earn it
| Category | Monthly spend | Reward Points/yr |
|---|---|---|
| Other spends | Rs 8,000 | 2,400 |
Estimates only. Reward rates, caps, and redemption values follow each bank's current terms and can change.
Best for / avoid if
Who this card suits — and who should skip it.
Best for SmartBuy Hotels
Up to 10X Reward Points (50 RP / Rs 200 spent via SmartBuy)
Best for airport lounge access
18 complimentary lounge visits a year across domestic and international.
Best for international spends
A low 2% forex markup keeps overseas and forex transactions cheaper.
Best for travel and redemptions
Earns reward points you can put toward flights, hotels, or transfer partners.
Avoid if your spend is low
The Rs 2,500 fee waives only at Rs 4 lakh/year, and some benefits can be spend-gated.
Avoid if you spend big on fuel, rent, and wallet loads
These categories are excluded and won't earn rewards.
Avoid if you expect uncapped rewards
Top reward categories are capped each month, so very high spends don't scale linearly.
Rewards and redemption
Earn rates, caps, and how points convert to value.
| Category | Rate | Daily cap | Monthly cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| smartbuy hotels | Up to 10X Reward Points (50 RP / Rs 200 spent via SmartBuy) | 2,000 reward points | 2,000 reward points |
| smartbuy flights | Up to 5X Reward Points (25 RP / Rs 200 spent via SmartBuy) | 2,000 reward points | 2,000 reward points |
| smartbuy gyftr | Up to 5X Reward Points (25 RP / Rs 200 spent on instant vouchers via SmartBuy) | 2,000 reward points | 4,000 reward points |
| smartbuy train | 3X Reward Points (15 RP / Rs 200 spent via SmartBuy) | 2,000 reward points | 4,000 reward points |
| select lifestyle brands | 25 Reward Points / Rs 200 (5X Reward Points) | - | 5,000 reward points |
| others | 5 Reward Points / Rs 200 | - | 50,000 reward points |
Redemption
| Airline | Programme | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | Aeroplan | 3:1 |
| Air India | Maharaja Club | 3:1 |
| British Airways | Executive Club | 3:1 |
| Cathay Pacific | Asia Miles | 3:1 |
| Etihad Airways | Etihad Guest | 3:1 |
| Qatar Airways | Privilege Club | 3:1 |
| Singapore Airlines | KrisFlyer | 2:1 |
| Air France / KLM | Flying Blue | 2:1 |
| Turkish Airlines | Miles&Smiles | 2:1 |
| Thai Airways | Royal Orchid Plus | 3:1 |
| Hotel group | Programme | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Accor | ALL (Accor Live Limitless) | 2:1 |
| Marriott | Marriott Bonvoy | 3:1 |
| IHG | IHG One Rewards | 2:1 |
| Wyndham | Wyndham Rewards | 2:1 |
Lounge and milestone rules
The spend conditions worth knowing before you rely on a benefit.
- 12 complimentary visits per year (max 3 per quarter).
- From 1 July 2026 access is spend-gated: requires Rs 60,000 of spend in the preceding calendar quarter to unlock the next quarter.
- Complimentary Priority Pass membership on request after 4 retail transactions.
- 6 complimentary visits per calendar year outside India (primary and add-on cardholders); extra visits charged at US $27 + GST.
Exclusions
Categories that earn no rewards on this card.
- fuel
- rent
- wallet loads
- government transactions
- cash withdrawal
- emi transactions
- fees and charges
- online skill-based gaming
- education payments through third-party apps
Benefits and fine print
Welcome, renewal, and other listed benefits.
Joining benefits
- Complimentary Swiggy One and MMTBLACK Gold membership as welcome benefits on spends of Rs 1 lakh in first 90 days
Additional benefits
- Boarding Edge Programme: Upload boarding pass on SmartBuy to choose 2 complimentary perks per quarter (spa session, buffet, room upgrade, or Rs 750 Uber voucher)
- Dining privileges via Swiggy Dineout with up to 25% savings
- SmartEMI conversion after purchase
Additional details
- Reward Points earnings are capped at 50,000 per statement cycle
- Reward Points on grocery transactions are capped at 2,000 per calendar month
- Reward Points on utility transactions are capped at 2,000 per calendar month
- Reward Points on telecom transactions are capped at 2,000 per calendar month
- Reward Points on insurance transactions are capped at 2,000 per calendar month (effective 1 July 2025)
- Redemption of reward points for flights and hotel bookings on SmartBuy is capped at 50,000 per calendar month
Latest updates
Recent changes to this card.
- Effective 15 May 2026, HDFC Bank has revised the base reward points earning rate to 5 reward points for every ₹200 spent on eligible transactions (previously 4 points per ₹150).
- Effective 1 July 2026, domestic lounge access is spend-gated.
- Cardholders must spend at least ₹60,000 in the preceding calendar quarter to unlock 3 complimentary visits for the next quarter.
- Effective 15 May 2026, HDFC Bank has revised its Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) markup fee to 1.75% on INR-denominated international transactions or transactions with merchants registered overseas.
Eligibility
Check this before you apply.
Salaried
- Indian national
- Age 21 to 60 years
- Net monthly income greater than Rs 1 lakh for government employees
- Net monthly income greater than Rs 1.5 lakh for non-government employees
Self-employed
- Indian national
- Age 21 to 65 years
- ITR greater than Rs 18 lakh per annum
Compare before you decide
Alternatives based on what you might want instead.
HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit Card
Best for premium travel, lounge, smartbuy.
HDFC Bank Diners Club Privilege Credit Card
Best for dining, movies, smartbuy.
ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card
Best for lifestyle, movies, lounge.
Tips
Practical notes from verified sources.
Activate HDFC Global Value Program to get an additional 1% cashback on international spends.
The best redemption option is transferring to Accor Live Limitless (ALL) at a 2:1 ratio. Since 1 Accor point is valued at Rs 2.2, this yields an effective value of Rs 1.1 per HDFC reward point.