HDFC Bank – the pioneer in credit card industry has come up with a unique offering few years back for ultra rich Indians – the Infinia credit card. As the name says, HDFC Infinia Credit card denotes limitless possibilities in every aspect like Rewards, Lounge access, card linked benefits, etc.
This is one of the best credit card in India that every credit card enthusiast would dream of. It offers maximum benefit, starting from lounge access to golf courses and even the credit limit. Here’s the detailed review of the HDFC Infinia credit card:
Table of Contents
High Credit Limit
- Minimum Limit: ~8 Lakhs
Infinia Credit Card falls under “Visa INFINITE” or “Master Card World” and comes with a minimum credit limit of 8-10Lakhs. It might as well come at lower limit when the limit is split or when the ITR is not as expected.
Yet, there is no issue when it comes to Credit Limit on this card as it has unique NPSL* (No Pre-set Spending Limit) feature, which means they may “temporarily” increase the limit if you inform the “Infinia Support Team” prior. This feature is unique to Infinia and is not applicable to any other HDFC card.
Reward Points
You get 5 reward points for every 150.rs spent anywhere and everywhere – Wallets & fuel excluded. This gives you an equivalent amount of Rs.3.30 for every rs.100 spent, meaning you can easily save Rs.3,300 for every 1 Lakh you spend on the card.
Not just that, you can save 2X if you spend on dining & airvistara/hdfcbankinfinia website. That’s equivalent to Rs.6,600 in savings for every 1 Lakh spends.
- Default Reward Rate: 3.3%
- Accelerated Reward Rate: 6.6% (2X on Dining/airvistara/hdfcbankinfinia)
- Accelerated Reward Rate: 33% (10X with limited partners)
Unlimited Lounge Access
With Priority Pass membership, you can get unlimited access to airport lounges across the globe (both domestic & international). One of the biggest advantage of this card is that even the supplementary card member gets unlimited lounge access.
Note that your Priority Pass wont be charged even on domestic swipes, unlike other HDFC cards. Apart from priority Pass, you may also use your “credit card” itself to get access through Visa/MC Lounge Programme.
Lots of savings and peace of mind during travel by resting in a comfortable place. With Lounges, you have access to complimentary food, wifi, coffee, posh interiors, etc.
This is quite beneficial if you travel with your partner/children. Thinking of a World tour with family and free lounge access everywhere? Infinia Credit card is for you!!
Foreign Travel is Rewarding
- Foreign Currency Markup Fee: 2%+GST
- Reward Rate: 3.3%
- Net Gains: 1%
It has the lowest 2% foreign currency markup fee, making it the best card to swipe abroad. I should say, HDFC Bank Infinia credit card is the best credit card for international travel you can ever have.
Golf Benefit
You also enjoy unlimited Complimentary golf games at leading courses across India and select courses across the world.
Premium Customer Support
Connect faster with dedicated Infinia customer support who can really understand your queries, unlike regular HDFC support. Note that the Diners Black & Infinia share the same support and they’re usually knowledgeable.
Their personal Concierge service can save you a lot of headache with your travel planning. Be it limousine transfer or taxi or hotel or whatever.
I personally use concierge to redeem reward points, for ex: I just send them my big flight itinerary and let them book it all. I just need to say: yes, yes, okay – over the call 🙂
Attractive Cover
- Credit Shield: 9 Lakhs (in case of accidental death and permanent disability)
- Accidental death (By Air): 3 Cr
- Medical emergency cover: Up to Rs 50 lakh against medical emergencies during travel abroad.
So you don’t need to take a separate Travel insurance when you travel abroad – Infinia covers you all. Apart from that, you can also withdraw cash of upto 40% of your credit limit without any cash withdrawal charges, however, interests will be applicable.
Getting Approved
That’s a million $ question, though, after knowing good # of the Infinia cardholders for a while, i can say: its not a child’s game. Most HDFC Premium credit cards are issued/upgraded based on the credit limit, but Infinia needs more that just limit.
For Fresh Card: You need 45L ITR to get a fresh card. You might still need to open HDFC Savings A/c to process your request.
For Upgrade: They do relax the income criteria a bit with below expectation:
- High Limit on Existing HDFC Card
- Very High spends on existing card
- High Relationship value: More than “Imperia”
- Maximum exposure to other HDFC products: Current a/c, Demat, Insurance Policies, Loans, Family accounts, etc.
In other words, you need to be a real High Net-worth Individual, or, should have given decent profit to the bank in the past to get approved for Infinia.
So wondering why the rules are bit strict? Well, what if you swipe your lovely Priority pass 50 times a year? Who pays for it? Its surprisingly YOU 🙂
They give back what they have earned from your past relationship with the bank – those profits they made on interests, loans, insurance policies, etc.
Update: I recently got upgraded to infinia. Check out my hands on review of Infinia.
FAQ’s
What is HDFC Infinia?
Its an Invite only credit card by HDFC Bank
How to get Infinia?
You may apply for it based on salary requirements. But in most cases, an invite is sent out by the bank to the eligible cardholders.
What’s special with HDFC Infinia?
Its special because it comes with high rewards and unlimited lounge access.
Bottomline
Unless or until you’re so much bothered about air miles, there is no better credit card you can ever have in India except Infinia, especially for Priority Pass. However, as you see, getting approved for one is not that easy. If you’re finding it tough to grab one, consider going for Diners Black Credit Card as its even better with 10X rewards, yet acceptance is not guaranteed.
Next best is Regalia Gold credit card which stands one step below Infinia. Impressed about the features? Do share your views in comments below.
Still confused as where to start? Drop your comments below, or Catch me on call, i can come up with a bespoke solution based on your financial situation to help you get one. Check out my Consultation page.
You need to take the annual fees of the card when you gush about the 3.3% discount. Does not seem seem too great against a 30kfee to get in.
Annual fee is waived off on 8L spend. It surely make sense to have the card only for high spenders and airport lounge lovers 🙂
will there be additional annual fee for add on cards for other family members.
No, Add-on cards are generally free.
Hi Siddharth, The HDFC website says that the travel insurance on the INFINIA card does not qualify for obtains an travel visa. Also, the same is valid only for international travel for a maximum period of 30 days at a time. Will this apply to the medical insurance too. Kindly do advice.
Dear Siddharth, Pls let us understand that the Infinia Credit Card is being provided to limited or specified customers who are having good relationship with bank and falls under the category. I have got an offer to upgrade this card to Infinia Credit Card but why this card cannot be provided life time free. It really seems that the bank is trying to check the customer credit thats why charging so much higher yearly fees. Awaiting for your reply.
Didn’t understand your question in the first place.
Infinia yearly fees was 30K + 12% S.T before it was reduced to 10K.
Hi Siddharth
Thanks for Information I would like to clarify regarding 10x reward Point I recently upgraded to infinia card my bill cycle is on 12th
I purchased one laptop on 2nd March got 10x reward point on same and I want to ask again I bought two ac on 25th March does this transaction will be valid for 10x points as my bill generated on 12th March.
Thanks
The 9X Bonus points capping is per calender month and not per billing cycle. So most likely you would have exhausted the 9X and part of the purchase would not have got 9X Bonus points.
Yes but limited to 15000
The card is no longer offering the benefits it once used to offer. Earlier I could redeem the points easily to book air tickets. 1 point was equal to 1 rupee. Now the card has been migrated to smartbuy website, where 1 point is equal to half rupee. So it is a downgrade. I am planning to surrender the card.
Not true , just booked a flight ticket and hotel in hyderabad , both redeemed 70% of booking value at 1Rs/point on smartbuy…. i think you are referring to Gift vouchers which are valued at half rate for redemption
Annual fee is 10000 only.
Hi Siddharth,
Any ballpark income eligibility for a salaried individual with decent past credit history? Thanks
Vishnu,
12L+ on IT is a good number for them to consider,
But some guys i knew have received it as they have better relationship value with bank. Completely depends on the customer profile and HDFC doesn’t have any pre-set rule for the same.
Hey,
how can I apply for this credit card? I don’t see any option.
Thanks,
Pulkit
Pulkit,
Its invite only card. You should ask your RM or visit branch.
Dear Sidharth
you have said that annual charges are waived off if u spend 8L per year. i couldn’t find any such link anywhere. could u list the link on your website ? right now, i hold a Regalia card although my spends per year are much more than the desired limit
Manoj,
I can see that its not mentioned anywhere now. But i happened to see it earlier (an year back). maybe they’ve changed the policies now. Better to have a word with HDFC support for more info.
Update as on Oct 2019: Is now mentioned on website.
Have you heard cases where this card is offered as a lifetime free card? I currently have a regalia card on which I have spent about 6 lacs in the last 8 months that I’ve had the card. Wanted to know if I can get a lifetime free upgrade.
Drop them an email and give it a try. If your income on IT and relationship value is good enough, they may issue infinia as LTF.
Hi, when you say unlimited access to airport lounges it’s only for priority pass holders. The guests meaning spouse and children are not included? If you get an add on card for spouse then they will have their own priority pass but what about children? They will still pay?
Thats obvious you need one more card for children….you can use any other bank PP or credit card for access.
Prashant – how can you get a Priority pass for children?? I tried with SBI Prime and Regalia but they don’t issue PP to kids
My relation ship manager said one need 25 lakh plus ITR for Infinia , I have 14lakh and he said he will try but not sure. Fees is only 10,000 and not 30K . what are other 2 -3 cards which offer free unlimited lounge access worldwide and to add on card too. Thanks
You can get easily with that IT if you’ve used the other card with HDFC for an yr or so. They either need your usage history or sky high IT.
Citi Prestige has unlimited access as well.
Sir I do hold a regalia card with 10.00 lacs credit limit. I am Banking with HDFC since 2011 and using digital products of HDFC. IAM a salaried official and my GRoSS ANNUAL INCome is Rs. 14.00 lacs excluding additional rental income of Rs. 2.50 lacs. My net take home pay is Rs. 5.00 lacs p.a . My card is due for renewal in Sept 2019. I had applied for LTF Diners
black / infinia card. Will the bank consider my request.
Hi Sidhanth ,
I have a ITR of 16L yet was rejected for infinia, area head in Chennai says they need 40L ITR .
Just to add to Siddharth’s comments, Yes Exclusive card also have unlimited lounge access.
I GOT ADD ON INFENIA CARD FOR MY WIFE. WE DO TRAVEL. A PRIORITY PASS CARD WILL BE REALLY HELPFUL. SHE DID NOT GET Priority Pass card WITH THE WELCOME KIT. SHOULD I APPLY FOR IT.
Yes, for Add-on Cards, you have to request priority pass Card separately over Infinia Helpline.
thank you very much.
Finally I got invitation for infinia card after on after one year old regalia i got invitation call on my birthday date 2 August one thing I noticed that with hdfc bank that who use card very less like me they give more offers i got this card with only four years old credit history with hdfc bank and i have used only single card and one interesting thing I want to tell you i paid all of my credit card bill before the statement generated date and my use is on my regalia is only 1 to 5% of credit limit and while upgradation limit on my old card is 3 lakh and iam a farmer by occupation with no itr
Maybe they’re issuing as your 4 yr track record is good, also depends on how much balance you’re maintaining on your Savings A/c.
Sir my card is 14 years old & last upgrade to regalia was 8 years backs since then no upgrade What should i do to get infinia or diners black…My transaction worth 5 lakhs & above
I just got upgraded to inifinia through net banking, You please check your net banking credit card upgrade
Hi Sidhharth
Can I get this card on FD basis or new account open with 10L or more because neither I don’t have a/c in HDFC nor any credit card with them. I am using yes first exclusive and Amex Gold charge.
Bro i have 8 year perfect track record. And my annual usage is 12 lakh + but still stuck with 3.75 lakh limit and with regalia. Just now got offer for Regalia Gold. Now thinking of moving my spend to some other bank.
I tried hard to get Infinia card, however it has been rejected. I am an Imperia customer and holding Regalia from a very long time. My banking history is very good with very high balance maintained. Inspite of this, my request was rejected stating that take home salary should be 3.5 lakhs.
Hi Siddharth,
Thanks for the awesome blog post. I am a super high spender. (2-3L spend a month). Which card should I opt for (Infinia or Regalia).
Obviously infinia, if you’re eligible for it.
Hey Siddharth….a very informative forum indeed!
could you do an article on best credit cards for all categories please?
thanks.
Sure will do.
Hi Sid,
I already own an Amex Platinum Card.
Want to go for another Card with a premium feel but a Master/Visa that is accepted everywhere.
Which one shuld I go fr.. Spends on my new card will be ~2 LPA.. as I plan to limit my spends on AmEx to 4L.. for Maximum benefit seeking. Also, I splurge a lot o f money but dont like paying much for an Annual/Renewal Fee.
Was considering Regelia.. Heard they are downgrading it.. Still worth it? Or something else?
Regalia is still good. You can also checkout Yesbank/SBI cards. And of course Infinia if you’re eligible.
AMEX Platinum is a top of the line charge card in India. It comes for a cool ₹50K/annum fees. I guess, you wanted to say AMEX Platinum Travel Card.
Hi Siddharth,
Nice forum, I am a regalia holder i think since atleast 4 – 5 years. They have steadily increased limit to 6 lakhs which i presume is max for regalia. I want to upgrade to infinia but they say it is by invitation only. I am a heavy spender with good credit history with ITR of 13L. I feel there is not much clarity about eligibility especially after reading Sumit and VK’s case. It will be great if you can get exact information about eligibility criteria for infinia. Thanks.
Manu,
Talk to your branch. Only they can take approval if they’re okay with your usage/limit etc.
With this limit, you’ve more possibility to get Infinia. Good luck 🙂
hi siddharth i am an imperia customer with hdfc bank currently holding regalia with a credit limit of 11.5 lakhs.i also have an itr of 9 lakh rupees for the current year.i contacted my rm to see if an upgrade to infinia is possible, he explicitly mentioned that infinia is an invite only card or you need to submit an itr of 40 lakh plus.i have a good relationship with the bank can you suggest me any available options to try and see if i can get infinia, i have already spoken to the customer service people over the phone they were also helpless.
Since there is unlimited lounge access via priority pass do one gets the PP prestige/PP select or the normal one?
Its a normal one with unlimited access. Its like, HDFC buys a bulk amount of visits from PP and give away across multiple cards. PP don’t even know the limits/visits avail on your HDFC issued PP card.
Here’s a response PP gave me when i asked the free visits left:
According to the membership number you’ve provided, your Priority Pass card was issued to you by your bank or credit card. They issue their own Priority Pass cards and administer their own accounts so you will need to contact them directly for account information, charge information or material requests.
Hope it helps 🙂
Are you aware if HDFC can issue the Infinia as a Secured Credit Card, since HDFC does offer secured credit cards already. I have three extremely high value (upwards of 50L+ each) in name of three of my family members (seperately, of course) & I would like to avail the HDFC Infinia against these FD’s with 70-80% of total FD amount…
Am unsure about it. However, this is very high value. If you can talk to Branch Manager, he can get it for you without even placing lien on your FD 🙂
It all depends on how long you’ve been dealing with the bank.
Thanks for your answer brother. I’m in talks with the bank for this now, & I have no issues if they place a lien on the FD’s, in order to get me what I want 🙂
Hello Sid!
i just wanted to conform that Hdfc infinia card has a min limit of 10 L and there is no upper preset limit.
my query to you is, in the infinia card ‘statment’, what is the Crdit Limit printed\shown?
Only Infinia Holders will know it. Anyways, some Infinia cards are also given with <10L limit 🙂
I GOT WITH 8L LIMIT
I tried speaking with my RM today, and they mentioned that they need an ITR -> Taxable income of 36 lakhs to be eligible for Infinia, which I thought was absurd! Ive been holding a Regalia for 1.5 years, and an HDFC Classic banking customer for last 5 years. Not sure how do i negotiate with HDFC to get an Infinia card? Please help!
It depends on your Credit limit. What range are you in?
My credit limit now in HDFC Regalia is 5L, also hold a Yes bank preferred with limit of 3.5L.
I got it as a Director of a company. My income was below 10L and Company’s income was above 1 Cr. We are HDFC Bank customer for more than 13 years.
Glad to see a Infinia holder here 🙂
Yes, it should be possible because HDFC looks at the overall relationship with the bank.
My Regalia shows Upgrade available to Infinia.
1. Points will be reduced by 50% but as I can see points value on Regalia was 0.50 on their portal and for Infinia it’s 1:1 so I hope rewards devalue should not be a concern? what say?
2. RM said lifetime free also possible basis approval but after initial followup with product team he said only 1st year free possible. I read somewhere on renewal they give 10,000 points!
so does this still hold good?
10k+gst will somehow be compensated by 10k points, if true?
Did anyone get this LTF at all?
8L spends will get fee waiver.
What’s your thought Sid?
Hi A2Z,
How old your Regalia card was when it showed upgrade available to Infinia.
What is the average spend on the existing Regalia card for the period which played a key role for the upgrade to Infinia?
Hi A2Z,
How old your Regalia card was when it showed upgrade available to Infinia.
What is the average spend on the existing Regalia card for the period which played a key role for the upgrade to Infinia?
Hey Siddharth,
You said Infinia gives value of 3.3% but as per HDFC Reward Catalog.
Lets take Shoppers Stop GV example, to get 500 Rs you need 930 point (Category G)
for that one has to spend 27900 , then the value is coming as close to 1.79% instead of 3.3%.
Am I mistaken somewhere in above calculation
HDFC points are best used when you redeem in respective portals,
like in infinia portal in this case.
Where, 1 Point = 1 Rupee (for comparison, 1 point in Allmiles = 0.25ps now )
Catalog Redemption’s are poor yes.
I have hdfc regalia with limit of 530000 .using it from last 3 yrs. Is there is any to get infinia.
Limit is good enough for the upgrade.
They look into the usage too. Did u approach the branch?
A personal question out of curiosity. What is the credit limit on your Diners Black Card?
Obviously I couldn’t say that 🙂
🙁
Thanks,
I am finding American Express Gold Card best, Let me explain
Amex Gold Benefit are Amazon GV 11000 for 24000 Points.
for every 4 swipe of 1000 Rs you get 1000 point , so in a year you get 12000 easily.
To get rest 12000, you have spend 6 Lacs Ruppess (AMEX Gold gives 2 per 100),
So if you spend 6 Lac you get 11000 rs Amazon GV (There are other Gift but I am taking this as it give complete monetary value)
So its ~ 2% per 100 Rupee spent as compared to Infinia where its lesser value in Catalog redemption.
Well, with Gold charge card, you can get statement credit which is the best option than vouchers.
yes, i’ve explained this 2% value back on the respective Amex post.
Only challenge is the acceptance though.
Yeah , I am using from 2011 in Bangalore and Amex getting better and better.
I strongly advise AMEX Gold for anyone who ask for credit card.
Dear Lakota G,
What is the limit of Amex gold card
Not pre defined, means depending on your spend
I will be getting my Infinia card in few days so i was searching exact benefits of that my interest is more in Upgrade of my flights already Air india SBI card treated badly in this i transfered all my miles to Air india despite crossing Maharajah status miles barrier i was told i wont get any status well that was my mistake i should have asked before transfer of all my reward points anyways can anyone help me with exact Airmiles i will earn on annual spent of 20 lacs exact as in i mostly travel by Lufthansa , Emirates , Etihad and Turkish sometimes will this Infinia card gonna help me in that ? i have had Amex Platinum since decade along with hsbc platinum and SBI Air india none of them has ever gave me any kind of flying benefits but atleast Amex have been very very kind and they do pay attention towards every small thing customer ask back to help 🙂 i hope someone will guide me how to use this card for my travel .
Thanks & Regards
Pramod,
Use the card on 5x and 2x categories that HDFC is promoting these days. That will get you a lot of points which you can redeem for flights as revenue tickets.
Btw, good to see yet another Infinia member here.
Everyone would be interested to know your Infinia application process. Feel free to share the same 🙂
Hi Siddharth,
I recently shifted my business to HDFC and I am being offered either the Infinia or the Diners Club Black. Which one would you recommend?
Great job with the blog though. Hope to see more posts.
Regards
Depends on your spend areas.
I would recommend black if you travel/shop often to avail their 10X rewards.
Hi
I’m eligible to take Infinia or Diner black. My major spends are shopping and air tickets. IS Diner black better than Infinia
I am using dcb and my first card was issued in way back in 2006 which got on upgrading finally to dcb in 2017. Now i called my rm to give infinia without upgrading. So he was offering me 4 lac limit as i dont want to upgrade as i have a lot of points in dcb which inhave not used yet and he says if u upgrade ur points will be 25% less in infinia whether both reward ratio is same 3.3%. What should i do . Shud i upgarde or shud i take infinia with 4l limit as i dont want to close dcb as its in my credit history from 2006 and he is offering me ltf or shud i exhaust all points and go for upgrade with very gud limit . My dcb is not ltf
Hi Sid!
Happy new year.
I wanted to know why there is fuss about Infinia and difficulty getting it, when the Amex gold card is also having ‘NPSL’
being the only difference between them that one is a credit card and other is a charge card.
plz explain.
Infinia comes with a far higher limit & ongoing benefits compared to gold card 🙂
Iam a AMEX GOLD card user. Joining fee was Rs 1000+ST. In one year, the benefits I got are,
1) Rs 10000 statement credit for achieving 24000 MR points. This I did with so ease
a) 5000 MR joining points
b) 12000 on spending card 4 times (Rs 10000 plus)
c) 1000 points for a standing instruction + 2000 points for supplementary card+other regular spends
2) Got Rs 20000 Tanishq voucher for spending 2 lakhs in a month
3) Got Rs 15000 Taj vouchers
4) Saved Rs 1000 plus with 3% fuel cash back
On top of all, the priceless customer care
Hi Siddharth,
Post reading this comment, i asked my Dad (Classic account with Business dealings with HDFC) to apply for this upgrade.
And HDFC BM told he will have his Ragalia upgraded to Infinia for Free of cost(anyway existing is free he informed).
Also mine is upgraded to Regalia (first or plain – not sure, just got SMS)
Without these posts i wouldnt have known all these details. I said lot of thanks, but once again thanks.
Congrats!
Have a great time with Infinia & your Regalia 🙂
I am not sure how did you calculate 3.3% reward rate. Per their reward catalog, every point is normally worth of 0.5Rs (500 shoppers stop voucher for 960 points). So for 150Rs, you are getting 2.5 Rupee cash back. That means effectively 1.66% reward rate ?
Calculated with Infinia site redemptions
You really need to be loaded to get Infinia. You need a monthly post tax take home of Rs. 3.5 L. By contrast you can get DC Black at just Rs. 1.75 L take home.
Regards
Hi Siddarth,
I have a Regalia card with Rs 600,000 /- limit. Have been using this for the past 2.5 yrs. I spoke to my RM regarding the upgrade. He says only people with ITR of 45 lakhs or more are eligible. I am getting all kinds of offers on netbanking like Jumbo Loan of 10 Lakhs, Insta Loan of 450000 etc except for the elusive upgrade to Infinia. My Regalia is due for renewal this September. Should I wait until September and see if they offer me this upgrade ? any suggestions ?
That’s a nice limit Hari.
Talk directly to branch manager. If your other relationship value with the bank is decent, it will go through quite easily 🙂
Thank u. I will give it a try.
Hye Hari..have u got upgraded to Infinia….even though u had limit of 6 lacs,what were your average monthly spends when u tried to upgrade to Infinia
HI Siddharth,
I am not holding bank account with hdfc,but using hdfc credit card from the last 7 years and now holding regalia (holding from last 1 year)with 6Lakhs as limit.whenever ask for upgrade,they mention it is bank invite and I ask in bank they mention need to 30L + as salary.is it correct ?
With 6L limit, you’ve more possibility for infinia, if you have their other products like savings a/c.
Annual fee has been reduced to 10K these days.
Hi
can i use my personal hdfc diner club black card for my private limited company purchase ? and make the payment of my card from the company account
?
That highly depends on how you file your ITR, talk to your Auditor 🙂
Its confirtmed HDFC is not considering existing card limit for upgrade to Infinia.
The HDFC BM said the requirement of 3.5 lacs/pm income, is mandatory.
He said that this criteria is in place so that the exclusivility of the card is maintained.
Criteria is indeed very strict, though, they’ll consider your limits, spends and relationship value.
How does hdfc infinia compare with Citibank prestige? With regard to overall rewards, global acceptance and best return for money.
It depends on what kind of redemption you prefer. Citi Prestige is mainly for ppl playing the Points and miles game.
Dear Siddharth ,
Can I issue infania as a corporate card on my business itr which is 50L+
Proprietor Business? if so, you’ve a chance.
Else, its a completely new entity as it comes with a different PAN.
No Siddharth its a private LTD company.
Then you might get a chance if the said current a/c is with HDFC, which means more relationship value.
No I’m an sbi customer.
Hey Sid,
I have Axis Bank Visa Signature Credit Card since 2013 with good credit history, limit 1.9L. Recently acquired Regalia Business, limit 3L and an SBI Elite, limit 1L. Spends are usually 50K per month avg. Should I try hard to get Infinia or do you think I can make good with the above ?
Hi Siddarth!
Nice expert reviews. I have a question about HDFC Infinia card for you. Is it issued to both Resident Indian and Non resident Indian. I was informed by HDFC that only Regalia is for NRIs.
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Am not sure about this. Though, i don’t see any reason to differentiate as long as you’ve good Relationship with Bank.
I see from the HDFC website that Regalia Visa Signature variant is being issued to Non-Residents as NR Regalia (so Regalia comes as Regular Regalia, Business Regalia and NR Regalia) which seems to require a NRO account with HDFC. The card bill also needs to be settled by the linked NRO account.
I see, there is also another one, Doctor’s Regalia. 😀
Being offered both Infinia and Citi Prestige. My annual spend is 20L mostly corporate travel. Suggestion which one should I use? It seems Infinia has better reward returns?
Why not get both? 🙂
There is 20K fee for Citi and 10K for HDFC. Is there a benefit of getting both?
My spend is half flights and remain in hotel etc. As I understand Infinia will give 3.3% to 6.6℅ return where as Prestige will give only max of 3%. All other benefits seems quite same.
Citi is known for its Hotel Transfer partners and Prestige is known for the Limo benefit. If you don’t need these, then Infinia would do.
Nitin,
It is not just 3.3 -6.6%. You also get 5X with many merchants incl MMT. But if you need limo drops etc you canconsider Prestige as Sid says.
Regards
Hi Sid,
Currently i am holding Regalia with 4L limit (LTF) for past 1 year and HDFC credit card account for almost 8 years. Also, i am classic customer have saving a/c for almost 5 years. am I eligible for infinia? and what approach should i take to apply.
Its quite tough. You need Imperia range of relationship to get Infinia.
Hi Siddharth,
I currently am a preferred account holder with HDFc but am eligible for Imperia Banking as well. However the branch i have my account in does not offer imperia accounts. Therefore i will have to transfer my account to another branch in order to get my account converted to Imperia.
I currently have a Diners Club Premium card which is LTF. Should i transfer my account and get it coverted to Imperia ?
Will i be getting any extra benefits on that ?
Though my current income doesn’t qualify for Infinia but will converting to a Imperia account make me eligible for a Infinia (LTF) ?
Kaushik,
You can certainly get Diners Black with Imperia but Infinia is a hit or miss.
As i mentioned in the article, Imperia will help to certain extent, but you also need other to be strong in other aspects as i mentioned in the article.
You don’t have to transfer all your accounts to another branch just because you want imperia upgrade, Talk to the branch with has imperia program and they will remove preferred relationship manager and assign Imperia relationship manager, You will have bank accounts in your existing branch only but your imperia rm will be in new branch. I did the same so i know for sure.
P.S your preferred RM will not tell you this because he will loose you as a customer so talk directly to imperia RM.
Kaushik,
Is Infinia LTF or no fee charged if annual spend is INR 8 Lakhs or above?
I have not
Siddharth
i have just been upgraded to Infinia. I do not have a salary of 40 lakhs and instead my gross annual income is Rs. 26 lakhs. if you would like to know the reasons for the upgradation, i guess the following could come in handy for anyone looking for Infinia. i have been a customer of HDFC Bank for nearly 17 years. i have also spent more than Rs. 12 lakhs with my Regalia during the current financial year. Besides, i work for the central government. my branch manager was of the view that Rs. 26 lakhs in govt is worth more than Rs. 50 lakhs in private sector( govt has no concept of CTC and instead every reimbursement other than salary is on actuals). btw, the limit that they have given on my Infinia is only Rs. 8 lakh. so i guess you were right on the money when you said that its the relationship that matters and not just the salary. Take heart, everyone !
Manoj,
Congrats on Infinia!
Yes, it does go in line with the pattern that i’ve seen with other Infinia card holders 🙂
Thank you very much for sharing your experience.
Here is a useful information on how to get HDFC Bank’s INFINIA CREDIT CARD.
I inquired about Infinia Credit Card while i was HDFC Bank’s preferred customer and my Preferred Relationship Manager said that I need 40Lacks ITR and there is no way around it, If i have lower ITR like 30 to 35Lacks then they maybe able to push for approval but there is no guarantee,
But I was recently upgraded to HDFC BANK’S IMPERIA PROGRAM, and i was assigned new IMPERIA RELATIONSHIP MANAGER, so i inquired again about INFINIA CREDIT CARD, and they said i need 21lacks ITR, But i has only 15lacks ITR so they offered me this card against FIXED DEPOSITE of 6 LACKS, 15LACKS ITR + 6LACKS FIXED DEPOSITE = 21LACKS, That is how they explained to me,
I have already completed documentation and awaiting for CREDIT CARD.
True with the said points.
Also, Interesting about the FD thing. Did they mark a lien on the card?
Since they issued this card against FD, I can not widraw this FD aslong as i hold this card, I have to surrender this card then only can i widraw FD.
Got it!
Do keep us posted about your experience once you receive it 🙂
Just received my Infinia Card, I didn’t have to cancel my regalia to get Infinia, Regalia gets canceled automatically when i got Infinia. My regalia was lifetime free this is not even tough its gives as an upgrade, anual fee of 10000 is charged but in return i get 10000 rewards so its practically free.
Congrats!
Thanks for sharing your experience with Infinia, especially the Imperia RM without change of branch part is very useful.
A quick qn, your regalia was non-FD based card,
and now you’ve got Infinia based on FD, likely @ 80% of the FD amount,
or, was it Regalia old limit+FD amount?
congrats Malav kumar for the INFINIA.
I just wanted to ask you,how is the procedure to get upgraded to IMPERIA? especially in your case.thanks
I am from Ahmadabad so i will share my experience about HDFC Bank Ahmadabad,
In Ahmadabad, only 4 HDFC bank branches have imperia Banking facility, other branches are preferred branches only, so if you have account in any of the imperia branch then only will you get your upgrade, otherwise its tough,
My account was in non imperia branch so i was stuck with preferred account, i asked for upgrade to imperia but they never gave me straight answer, but one fine day i learned from hdfc bank’s ex employee that preferred branch couldn’t give me upgrade to imperia even if they want to because they don’t have imperia RM, and if they change my RM to imperia branch(without transferring my account to imperia branch) then i would get imperia upgrade, so i went to imperia branch and talked to Imperia RM and he asked my Preferred RM about my wish to change RM and i was assigned new RM with imperia upgrade, Preferred RM was bit hesitant about letting me go as a client because RM’s usually get incentives from the products they sell to us(life insurance, car insurance, demate accounts), but i stood my ground and i got upgrade,
PS, you have to meet eligibility criteria for imperia upgrade which are as below
Maintain a minimum Average Monthly Balance of Rs.30 Lakhs across all your Savings and Fixed Deposit* accounts.
OR
Maintain an Average Quarterly Balance of Rs.10 Lakhs in your Savings account. OR
Maintain an Average Quarterly Balance of Rs.15 Lakhs in your Current account
I hold good relation with HDFC Bank’s ex employee because i bought lot of life insurances and opened many accounts for my family members, so we keep in touch even though he left a job at HDFC Bank, I will share what he told me, This is all insider information, and this may help you get Premium Credit Card with HDFC Bank,
Each HDFC Bank Branch has one credit card guy who will sell you credit card, one Life insurance guy who will sell you life insurance and all other employees like branch managers and backup branch managers and Relationship managers and Cashier, and receptionist etc, so every branch manager reports to Cluster Manager, what it means is if there are 20 branches in Bandra, mumbai then all those branch managers report to Cluster manager,
In the same manner every branch’s credit card guy has Superior, So if you live in Bandra, Mumbai then your branch will have credit card guy who reports to someone who is not Branch Manager, but we can call him credit card cluster manager, so when we make special credit card request for odd upgrades like regalia to infinia or floater card etc then those requests get sent to HDFC Credit Card Cluster Managers, some cluster managers are quiet relaxed about rules and some are not so one person on this blog may have obtained upgrade or shared limit credit card while other person’s request might be rejected, so if your request seems to get rejected then try to move your account to another branch that’s at some distance from your old branch then make new request and u may have it approved, my infinia card was approved after moving my relationship manager from Memnagar, Ahmedabad to Thaltej, Ahmedabad, All requests are not sent to chennai for process and some are processed at you city only.
Thanks for sharing in depth info on approval process. Little correction on the last part. All decisions are made at chennai only, but the said “cluster manager” or the regional manager or the credit card manager, say for Mumbai, has the ability to recommend you on their own risk to Chennai guys to approve it. And when such requests come, chennai gas can’t reject it unless there is a credit limit/CIBIL issue. Its like, chennai guys are like President and the branch/regional managers are like Prime Minister 🙂
But matter of fact is, these guys don’t recommend your request easily unless or unless you got enough relationship with bank. In your case, its FD linked card and hence there is no reason for anyone to reject it as there is ZERO risk.
They gave me 8 lacks credit limit on Infinia Card,
My regalia had 8 lacks credit limit before i got upgrade, and i have 70 lacks in fixed deposit with hdfc bank, 20lacks FDs X 3 and one FD with 10Lack, so I got infinia credit card against 10 Lacks FD,
so it could be my old credit limit of 8 lacks or it could be 80% if 10 lacks which is 8 Lacks, Tough to tell,
But one thing they told me is my credit limit will not increase based on spending because this card is against FD, but i am not worried because i don’t spend 8 lacks in one month.
PS, Before i came to know of your website, i Thought i had the best rewarding credit card (REGALIA), and my only credit card but your website has helped me a lot, After i started reading your website, i applied for three more credit cards, If you allow then I would also love to share my journey about how i got regalia card and how my credit limit increased from 2,25,000 to 8,00,000 in two years with detailed spending pattern and and time between each credit limit increase and amount spent between two credit limit increases.
Glad that i was able to help 🙂
Sure, i’ll drop you an email shortly, we may put it as a separate article.
Good Info.. thanks for sharing…..I didnt get Inifinia… so finally ended up in Yes Exclusive LTF….
Dear Mr. Malav, thanks for sharing.
I am in Ahmedabad and eligible for imperia at my Vejalpur branch. But what is the advantage except zero locker rent ?
As per there website they charge Rs 100 plus tax every quarter programme fees same as preferred programme. It was waived off / revered last year after after written request.
Even after imperia member, no guarantee to get Infinia credit card. – LTF.
Imperia program does not guarantee to get Infinia Credit Card but It certainly does help, Imperia RM usually has more authority then Preferred RM and he is usually more knowledgeable,
While I pay for 100rs + tax every quarter as program management fee for being imperia customer but you get lot more value in return, I will explain below.
100+tax=115*4=460
so I pay 460 rs every year for just being in Imperia program every year,
i get RENT FREE LOCKER for life as long as i am part of imperia program, I have the largest locker which my HDFC BANK branch provides, Locker rent is 15,000+tax every year and i get it for free, so 15000 saving against giving 460rs as program management fee, some branches also have locker that is huge and rent is 40,000 and its also free for imperia customer,
I also have demate account with hdfc bank, they charge 800rs or so for opening it but i got it for 499 rs so 300 rs saving there, yearly rent for demate account is 750 rs but its lifetime free for me,
they also charge 15rs every quarter for messegs received on mobile for account transaction like cash deposits and withdrawals etc and that is also free for me so 60 per year saving there
they also charge for international debit card but its free for me, premium debit card like platinum card cost 750 rs per year and i have it for free, there are no free debit cards with hdfc bank, they charge minimum 150 rs for debit card for non premium customers,
they also charge 200rs or so to replace debit card if you loose it or damage it but its free for me,
they charge 500rs to issue Forex Multi-currency Card but i got it for 250 rs because i am travelling to USA and it may help,
I also get preferential rate of intrest for all types of loans like car loan or home loan etc,
AND MOST IMPORTANT IS, IF YOU ARE HDFC BANK’S CLASSIC PREFERRED OR IMPERIA CUSTOMER AND YOU SPEND ON YOUR CREDIT CARD ON WEEKENDS THEN YOU GET DOUBLE REWAR POINTS, SO MORE SAVINGS THERE(this scheme ended on 31st march but they may come up with new scheme in future)
SO your total saving is
40,000 for largest locker rent
750 for premium debit card
60 for sms alerts
750 anual demate charges
250 forex card
800 demate opening charge
200 for debit card replacement
So your total saving is 42,810, Now you tell me weather its worth it or not.
Thanks Mr Malav for in detail IMPERIA programme. It is the highest premium account at HDFC bank.
As a preferred customer I am getting all this benefits except locker rent ( I have to pay 50% rent ).
My programme management fees were waived off last year , so I am saving Rs. 460 also on this. You can try to get is waived off by calling and writing to your RM.
Mr Malav, your Infinia card is life time free – same as Regalia ??
Thanks Malav for sharing this info.
However, what is the eligibility for having imperia relationship? On website it is given 10l in savings account. Are you maintaining it in this or some other way?
Thanks Malav for sharing ur experience regarding IMPERIA n INFINIA.
Its nice to learn all internal process at HDFC bank cards.
Mr Malav, your Infinia card is life time free – same as Regalia ??
No it is not life time free, It has anual fee of 10,000 rs per year but in return i get 10,000 reward points worth 10,000 rs so its practically free.
Hi, you may need to pay 18% GST tax around 1800rs for 10000rs annual fee.
So this 10000 rewards points, we can redeem for credit card bill payment ? Or we need to purchase some other things like flight or anything from catalogue ??
Flight and other redemptions usually.
You can use 10,000 reward points to purchase thing from reward catalogue, recharge mobile and dth, book flight and hotel etc, but its best used and valued when used for hotel booking or flight booking and dth and mobile recharges.
Malav, I am also shifting my account from Bodakdev to Thaltej-hebatpur road branch ( but they don’t have imperia programme). Do you pay 11800 annual credit card fees and against that points you can redeem to buy amazon / shoppers stop vouchers of same value or less value ?? You can buy Rs 10,000 value goods from rewards point or only flight and hotel bookings ??
Rs 1800 tax is not refundable from rewards points ??
I have a Housing Loan with HDFC and will fall in to their definition of HNI, will I be eligible for infinia card?
Just housing loan won’t help. Depends on lot other factors. Talk to your RM.
How is infinia better than hdfc diners black. I am planning to go for diners black (even though I am eligible for infinia)?
Can you please assist?
Infinia should fine as they’ve recently added 10X to all cards on smartly spends.
Thanks Siddharth
Is infinia like a pure superset of diners black then?
If not in what terms is it better? I have heard plenty about the features in diners black as far as lifestyle is concerned i.e 10x reward points, bookmyshow offers unlimited, unlimited lounge access, can use it for uber, Amazon etc.
Do we enjoy the same privileges if we hold infinia?
If you’re more of a person who needs 10X benefits, go for Black. Else, if you’re happy with unlimited PP and limited 10X benefits, Go for Infinia.
Thanks Siddharth. Will go for Diners black then.
Will upgrade to infinia if I get a better offer there.
I have recently upgraded from Diners Black to Infinia, mainly because the conversion rate in infinia is much better than Diners Black. Diners Black charges like almost 1 re more for each USD when compared to infinia.
I dont find any difference between the 2 except the 10X points offer in Diners Black. So diners black is better till the offer.
I see other blogs that hardly update content but you update regular and best part take time to reply to every comment here that users put, much appreciated mate great quality content with outstanding support. I took your consulting and after 3 months I drop an email with some query and you answer that in no time which is really sweet.
Keep up the great content
Cheers
Thanks for your kind words Yazi. Stay tuned!
Does HDFC Infinia gives 5X points for fuel purchase at gas stations ?
Okay, latest update regarding upgrading to Infinia. I hold a Diners Black from HDFC. Spoke to the relationship manager and inquired about an upgrade to Infinia. He said that was possible only if I had such an offer on my card. It wasn’t there on my card and I asked for alternates. He said that for salaried personnel the monthly income must be 4L and for self employed an ITR showing at least 40L.
Hi Sidharth
I am NRE and holding a Regalia card. I don’t use the card much, however, I enquired about the Infinia card, and I wan told that I should have one of my FDs lien marked for 12 Lacs. I will check with my RM if there is an initial fee for the first year or not. But if they charge me 10K, then how do I get back that money (in terms of other benefits?)
You can use the points for flights.
But first of all, 12L on FD is not a right choice to park your money unless you plan to use Priority pass to the tune of 100 visits or so a year. I’ll write a detailed article on this in sometime.
Hi Sidharth,
HDFC want me to change my resident Regalia to NR Infinia but with INR 8 lac FD lien. My annual spend is approx. INR 12 lac. Shall I opt for it or go with SBI Prime / SBI Elite?
I feel SBI Prime’s reward points for insurance payments is 5% and my annual payment for insurance is around INR 10 lac. Another benefit I see with SBI Prime is I can pay dues using reward points which is not possible in Infinia.
Please suggest.
Hi Siddharth,
Compliments on a great site! I have a query re Infinia vs Amex Plat travel as below:
– My primary card is Amex Plat Travel credit card, which I have been holding since last 7 years (Amex KF before that). Annual fee was waived off every yr because of spend patterns (arnd 5L+ every yr) This year they are refusing to waive off, even though spend is 6.5L. I am thinking of cancelling this card as I dont want to pay the fee. I use the MR points heavily for air travel (Indigo) – family vacations, and this has been a big reason for this to be the primary card.
– Other card is HDFC Regalia – used wherever Amex is not accepted. Guess the spend will be 1 – 1.5 lakhs a yr also. This is LTF due to relationship wt bank, credit limit 6L. Have Priority Pass card, which is also used. However, not a fan of the rewards program and have not used it much really.
I can get the HDFC Infinia with condition of 8L annual spend (therefore no cost). Hence my question is:
1. Should I cancel Amex Plat travel card to avoid the fee (6k incl GST)? Will I miss the vouchers (now Spicejet or their own travel portal)?
2. And if I cancel, will the Infinia have similar or better benefits than Amex travel (I am looking at travel vouchers mainly).
Would be great if you can respond at the earliest, as I need to make a decision fast.
Thanks,
Tanmoy
Amex plat travel still has good reward rate. They seem to waive off on spends north of 10L these days. IF you’re limited to yearly spends of ~7L i guess you should continue with Amex as you also get travel offers.
There are many other factors to decide though. For ex, if you fly intl often, then Infinia might help due to unlimited PP.
You can use your MR points to waive off the charges.
Hi There,
i currently own a Regalia Credit Card and thinking of upgrading it to Infinia but i don’t use my card that much.will it be of any use if i upgrade or should i stay with Regalia??
If the PP usage is not much and card is generally used for shopping and travel with annual spend around 8L. Is Infinia card still good choice given that now I have an option to get one? or there are other cards that offer greater benefits?
Cancelled my Diners Jet because lack of acceptability.
Currently using combination of Amex Travel and HDFC Jet World.
Given that after 4L spend there is no incentive to use Amex platinum Travel
Hey all . I recently got the email to convert my resident regalia to NR card . I applied on the online form with the FD made and there was radio silence for a week . When I checked up with the branch and phone banking , no one could give me an update on the application status . The branch said that NR infinia does not exist and the phone banking guys told me to talk to the branch .the branch also advised me to apply for NR regalia . When I mentioned about the email I got , they told me that a “central team “exists which sends the mail and they have also the authority to grant cards .they apparantly work parallel to the branch cards division. I am not an imperia customer with HDFC nor did I have a high credit limit with my old card . Any ways long story short I got my infinia card yesterday . I honestly don’t know what criteria they use to accept as it appears very random .
Do you maintain high-value Relationship value with HDFC? As in FDs?
I have been using Infinia since more then 4 years and I feel it’s still the best card available in market after Amex centurion. I travel a lot and often use the Priority pass program. This card helped me earned lakhs of rupees free of cost In form of points. And finally kudos to sidhart fir opening such a wonderful forum where people who share the same passion for cards and travel can share their views
How many guest are allowed along with the priority pass issued with Infinia card
Hdfc bank is funny. They rejected my application for a Regalia in spite of an Itr >50lpa for last 3 years and a 800+ score. At that time I was having a Citi Premier miles with a limit of 6.3l and annual cc spends of about 10l. However they offered LTF regalia to my wife who has an Itr of 4lpa and has an existing HDFC bank savings account jointly with her mother. Now they have offered LTF Infinia to her and I am still stuck with Citi PM. Citi won’t give me a prestige because I have moved to Jaipur. So now my wife takes me in as a guest whenever we are travelling abroad while she earns around 10% of me 🙂
Not sure if it’s relevant but the year I took my first salary, I had applied for a SC rewards card with zero annual fee and was rejected but was given a Citi PM as I had a Citibank account. Not sure what are my past sins but my cibil is absolutely clean.
Infinia for 4L P.A !!
I wonder what triggered the upgrade. Do you(wife) maintain high Relationship value with HDFC?
Coming to your case, consider dropping an email to escalation. You could get Infinia right away!
Keep up the great work Siddharth & Abhishek !
This site of yours is a blessing 🙂
Here’s an Infinia update (my experience)
1. I have regalia and diners black.
2. Previously when I asked my RM for an upgrade to Infinia, was told ‘ITR less than 30L will not be considered. If its falling short by 5L or so (against benchmark of 40L) then RM can push for Infinia’
3. Since I was in the 35L ITR range I asked my RM to bump me up to Infinia.
4. Not possible RM said after doing max negotiations with credit card team. (I believe my RM).
Apparently HDFC now DOESNT consider anything in the range of 40L good enough to upgrade to Infinia. It should be 40L ATLEAST or I should give up my black to get Infinia. (Asked them to take a hike:)
5. Also limit enhancement when one holds two super premium cards is NOT possible.
(My current limits regalia: 2L, black 4L).
{Though I can see a 4L to 5L enhancement option in my account online & even received a call from CC informing of it.}
But limit enhancement option, for card on card for Yes Exclusive, too nipped in the bud 🙁
So that’s my Infinia story.
Like someone in Citi Prestige thread option mentioned…maybe time to either move from HDFC in toto and become a Citi Gold Client (with its associated pro rata bonus + renewal bonus via Prestige) or just move onto Prestige for now and wait out/work out for ITR to get Infinia friendly.
(Last weeks’ news)
Cheers !
S&S
Another Infinia update by an Imperia Customer
1. Nov 2018 (2L limit. Holding card since April 2016.)
Got my Regalia blocked suspecting fraudulent transaction and got a new one reissued
2. Jan 2019 (4L > 5L > 8L limit. Holding card since August 2016).
My DCB was blocked for using it on a virtual currency site. I transacted inadvertently.
My RMs supervisor has assured me he will get a new one issued once my points claims are
settled.
3. Today found Infinia upgrade option for Regalia when I logged in. 8L Limit.
Promptly upgraded.
Didnt take screen shot post confirming upgrade, so wondering if calling HDFC CC will help.
Also hoping Infinia upgrade doesnt affect DCB reissue.
Any tots wise followers of the very wise Sid ? 🙂
Great show man !
PS: Not happy with my RM, so the question here.
Thanks
S&S
Hi SM,
HDFC won’t offer Infinia offer an ITR of 4 LPA, there must be something else on the basis of which Infinia was offered. It can be Imperia relationship with the bank or very high uses on existing HDFc credit card.
Can you share the exact reason for Infina for your wie?
Hi SM,
HDFC won’t offer Infinia offer an ITR of 4 LPA, there must be something else on the basis of which Infinia was offered. It can be Imperia relationship with the bank or very high uses on existing HDFc credit card.
Can you share the exact reason for Infina for your wife?
I’m also dying to get HDFC Infinia. I spoke with the RM but no luck. I own Regalia with 6.8 L limit and also a Yes First Exclusive with 5 L limit (Both LTF). I read though all the replies and I suppose gradual upgrade , better relationship and spending pattern along with your existing limit holds the key.
Hello Siddharth,
I have HDFC credit card for almost 6-7 years and upgraded to Regalia in last two years with CL of 5.3L.
I have kept good credit scores and scheduled repayment of all the outstandings. My annual income is around 13L. Will I be able to get Infinia or Diners Black? I do not have an RM, hence please advise how to approach.
Send IT papers to Chennai address for Diners Black. You’ll mostly get it as its above the floor limit. Infinia is impossible at this stage.
I have a 9 year relationship with HDFC Bank. I started out with the Gold card and now have a LTF Regalia with a limit of slightly more than 9 lakh. I have an ITR of 36 lakh. 800+ CIBIL score. No other relationship with the bank.
a)What are my chances of getting Infinia LTF?
b) I plan to write to them that I don’t want to use Regalia any longer because of the devaluations that’ve happened. Does that sound like a decent reason to request upgrade to Infinia?
Hey
quick question – does Infinia allow access to domestic lounge as well via PP? The visa infinite variant does not have access to all the domestic lounges it seems.
Not PP. You can also get MC variant on Infinia.
hey sid , really wanted to hdfc infinia or hdfc dinner black ..which is best among the 2.. the only draw back is most overseas payment dont accept dinner card …were only visa or master work…so which one is better among the 2.
Looks like you already have the answer 🙂
is it possible to upgrade Business Regalia (CL 3.6L , age 1year) to Infinia ? i do not hold much high relationship value with HDFC consisting if a SB account (downgraded to regular ) and the Business regalia card , i have Yes Bank first exclusive with credit limit of 2.5 lacs , ITR of >40lacs…since i have no RM now , who should i consider talking to?? post their devaluation of rewards , i have moved most of my spends to YB First exclusive and SBI Elite
CL is too low to aim for Infinia. RM is essential for Infinia as the application has to go through RM/BM.
The HDFC Regalia is my secondary card – my primary one is Citi PremierMiles. However, I have a fairly high CL on the Regalia – it is just over 15 lacs. I don’t have an account with the bank. How do I go about getting it upgraded to an Infinia?
Interesting. Never heard of Regalia with limits like 15L. Reg. upgrade, Infinia is usually processed for approval from branch side. You might need to email HDFC or just visit the nearby branch to know the upgrade process for your case.
Thanks. I didn’t apply for any limit increase – they just have done it gradually over the years. I find the CB PremierMiles the best card for tickets – do you reckon there is a better card for air miles? I’d happily change that to my primary card. Appreciate your response.
Airmiles – depends on what airlines you’re interested in.
Hi! I posted this query earlier but my comment did not get moderated. Im not sure why.
Please advise whether MasterCard variant of Infinia is better than the Visa variant of Infinia in terms of lounge access, offers, foreign currency spending conversions etc.
In real world usage the variants you choose doesn’t matter much. I have visa infinite variant but I am able to access domestic lounges not covered under visa program using the Priority Pass. The PP usage in domestic lounges comes complementary only with the Infinia card across the HDFC CC product portfolio. However, I have read that there is a slight advantage in foreign exchange conversions using the MC platform as opposed to visa.
In terms of lounge access, MasterCard is indeed better than VISA because of the range of lounges to which you get access. VISA isn’t even close to MC. Regarding offers, VISA Infinite is indeed one of the best cards to have. It has a lot of perks with BookMyShow etc. Foreign currency spending will be similar to MasterCard as the currency exchange rates of MasterCard and VISA are quite comparable. Most of the places in the world accept both VISA and MasterCard alike. So you won’t run into much problem when you consider that. But just to be safe. ALWAYS keep 2 or 3cards preferably all on different platforms. If you have one VISA and one MC, I’m sure you won run into any problem.
Get Visa Infinite if you don’t already have one. It is a tier above MC World, you get things like:
1. Visa Infinite BMS offers.
2. Visa Luxury Collection hotels. You get $25 food credit. This is similar to Amex FHR.
3. Visa Infinite Concierge. This is important because Infinia concierge is probably the worst in the country.
4. 2 stays to Hilton Gold.
5. Car rental discounts.
6. Access to Visa Infinite travel desk.
7. Discounts on meet and assist services.
If these benefits aren’t useful to you, I would reconsider getting Infinia in the first place. If you’re looking into it for Vistara Gold, Axis Vistara Infinite is a far better card to have. But keep in mind the service level that Infinia provides is bad and is not even in the same zip code as Citi Prestige and Amex Platinum. So it has never been a luxury card in my book.
Visa/MC won’t matter for forex rates with HDFC as HDFC buys USD in blocks and you get same rates, depending on when transaction is finalised. Most people who claim MC is better do two transactions one after the other and then compare. But that’s not how it works as forex rate you get is the one that is applied when transaction is finalised and pulled, not when you actually swipe. MC has slight edge over Visa in domestic lounges. Infinia PP will not work in domestic lounges anymore.
If forex, offers, and lounges are concern for you, get Diners Black instead.
Thank you Amex guy for that insightful response. I wanted to pick your brains for the best card in terms of rewards and features between HDFC Infinia, Yes bank First Exclusive, Citi Prestige. Not considering Amex Platinum because of the 50k annual fee. Are there any other cards out there that you would recommend?
Visa amd master almost have the same lounges but master has slightly more choices. I have heard that currency conversion charges are slightly less in MC. Rest they are same except for bookmyshop one on one offer which is available on visa. If you dont have any visa card you can go with master. I have both world mastercard and visa signature.
Not sure how many infinia holders are aware of it but there is a fastastic MMT offer of flat Rs 5000 discount on domestic flight bookings of Rs 10000 and above. Excellent offer to redeem on rock bottom flight fares!
Thank you Amex guy for that insightful response. I wanted to pick your brains for the best card in terms of rewards and features between HDFC Infinia, Yes bank First Exclusive, Citi Prestige. Not considering Amex Platinum because of the 50k annual fee. Are there any other cards out there that you would recommend?
Hi Amex Guy,
Why do you say ‘Infinia PP will not work in domestic lounges anymore’? I’ve been using Infinia PP to access domestic lounges without any issue (the latest usage was today). I have the MC Infinia (I hadn’t specifically asked for it but thats what I got). Would you recommend switching to Visa Infinite. Does HDFC perform such a switch for an already-issued card?
Thanks
I have been offered a Business Infinia by the local hdfc branch. Are the features and perks same as a personal Infinia?
Got my Infinia card last week. I noticed the add on cards i received this week did not have the Priority Pass cards. Does anyone if these need to be applied separately?
Yes, you need to call up the customer care and ask for them to be sent
Hi everyone…I am holding a Diners Black Card, I am interested in getting a Infinia Card in addition to my DCB…Does anyone in the group holds both DCB & infinia , my RM has said as per HDFC policy this is just not possible irrespective to ITR/Salary requirement
He is correct. I hold infinia and have DCB as addon. This is probably the only workaround.
Hi, what do you mean by having DCB as an add-on? Do you mean that both share the same credit limit?
What I meant was my mom holds a the DCB and I use it as an add on card holder.
I have the Infinia. Here are some notes:
– You need to have salary upwards of 45L to be eligible for this one
– the annual fee is waived if spending is > 8 L in a year.
– They also have some issues giving the ‘unlimited’ credit option if you’re below 30, you can call them up and ask for an temporary (30 day) extension of limit (upto 50 L)
It’s a fabulous card to have.
Thanks for sharing your experience. 50L limit seems to be the interesting part 🙂
Good to know. Recently I checked on my RM for Infinia eligibility. He said, monthly Take home of 3.5 Lacs is essential. As per him he tried a case where Take home was 20-30k lesser, however the card didnt get approved, even though customers CTC was 50 Lacs ( yearly) but take home was lower
Hi..
Firstly thank you for all the info on your site..very helpful…a lot of research i must say..
So, i’ve just received my HDFC INFINIA card.. and i was wondering how you calculated the 3.3% return rate..when i checked the reward catalogue it was coming to less than 1.5%.. still better that my ICICI DIAMANT card..Pls let me know what’s the best way to spend the points as i have a lot of spends this year and i might as well get the maximum out of it.
Also.. would you suggest i use the HDFC INFINIA or stick to my ICICI DIAMANT.. i also have an AMEX PLATINUM RESERVE Credit Card but its capped at 3lacs/month whereas my other 2 cards are capped at 20lacs/month.
Thank You in advance.
Hi,
I currently hold an HDFC Regalia and have been offered an upgrade to either the HDFC Infinia (Visa Infinite) or HDFC Diners Black by my bank.
I travel frequently and my primary attraction for getting these cards is that both offer unlimited lounge access across domestic & international airports. I already hold Visa Signature (SBI Elite) and a Mastercard World (ICICI) cards..so the lower acceptability of Diners at some outlets will not be an issue for me.
The the Diners Black has been offered free for lifetime, however the Infinia would be free only for the first year and renewal fees of 10k will be applicable from next year onwards. My annual spends on this card would be approx 4L hence I will not qualify for the renewal fee waiver on the Infinia.
Which one should I pick and why?
Hi,
My take would be that you go for the Diners Black since the 10X program is unmatched by any other card. Also since you already own the premium variants of VISA and MasterCard, having a diners variant would be advantageous at times. I have been holding DCB for a year now and I am completely happy with it.
When compared to the Infinia, the only disadvantage would be the lack of unlimited lounge access for the secondary card at international lounges. My secondary card is accepted at all lounges in India but not abroad. Infinia provides unlimited priority pass for secondary card as well. But in your case you will end up paying 10K for the unlimited lounge access since you were mentioning that your spends wont exceed 4lacs and you will end up paying the annual fees.
Hope this helps
Hi Vikash,
Nice that you got an upgrade. Could you tell how much usage you had on Regalia on annual basis to qualify for upgrade.
I got an upgrade to Infinia with almost no transactions on my regalia card during past 1 year. My father actually got a diners black last year, so we only used DCB after getting add on cards. But they still kept increasing the limit on my regalia, and once my limit was increased to 10L, within a month I was offered Infinia through net banking. My payment record is flawless, and have very good banking relationship with HDFC. Though my experience says banking relationship is not a criteria for automatic upgrades. Relationship does matter when you’re applying, but upgrades are system triggered.
Hi
I have applied for infinia credit card based on itr criteria. Its more than 40 days now. Can the experienced forum members tell me how long does it take? And where should i contact to get the application status as the branch ppl are very casual.
Thanks
Contact customer care through both email and phone. Put pressure on the branch people.
If it is a straightforward case and no issues with the background checks (CIBIL etc.) then it takes a maximum of 1 week to 10 days for them to process. It is better to pursue it with the credit card acquisition team since your RM will also be taking their help for processing your application. Take his name and number from your RM and followup with him for exact status.
Hi Siddharth (& Team),
1st of all, thank you for creating this space. I discovered this website only a few weeks ago and have been feeling like a new world of knowledge has opened up.
I have never enquired or checked about what I can do with my Credit Card. I currently hold a basic HDFC ALL-MILES.
However, I’m a high-end user (3-5L/month) and my Credit Limit is 8Lakhs. (And about 3L unused Credit points. Before coming here I didn’t even know how to look for them.)
Now, For the 1st time, after reading your work, I’m keen on upgrading my card.
2 years ago, I closed a 10L+ Loan with HDFC.
Have an ITR in the range of 25-30L in last few years. And now I have started a new job with 3.5L/month package. Do you think I could straight away ask for an Infinia? (I’m a 15 year old customer with a very good relationship.)
Else, I realised that through Netbanking they want to offer a Regalia.
Please suggest.
Thank you once again.
You can try for infinia but will definitely get diners black…ask your RM and branch for infinia.
They are saying that for Infinia, ITR should be in the range of 40L. So now what They are offering (and I am considering) is splitting my card into 2 cards.
Diners Club Black with limit of 5Lakhs
And Regalia with limit of 3Lakhs
Reading the review of Diners Club Black on this website, I’m planning to say yes. Your thoughts?
Hi Utkarsh
I had a 6L regalia limit.
When I opted for DCB, they split it into 4L for DCB and 2L for regalia.
I would suggest go for the split offered.
Over time with your spend levels your DCB limit can go up substantially.
I now have an 8L limit on DCB alone. Regalia remains at 2L. I hardly use regalia.
Since you seem to be closer to the 40L requirement for Infinia, you can in due course upgrade regalia to Infinia.
My experience has been – If one doesn’t meet Infinia requirement but still wants it, they ask you drop DCB.
Have fun with DCB while the party lasts!
Cheers
S&S
Hi can you tell me the fees charged while splitting will both cards come LTF
Utkarsh…..thats how most people do….split into diners blach and regalia….go for it……i am actually waiting for my limit to cross Rs8L and then try an upgrade for yes prefered to exclusive.
You should do exactly what bank has suggested you,
Split your AllMiles 8,00,000 into two cards and get Diners Black with 5,00,000 and Regalia with 3,00,000 limit, The good thing about HDFC is that your cards will not be share limit and you will have separate credit line from both cards and your credit limit will increase in both the cards according to your usage,
Eventually you will have two credit cards from HDFC and both will have 8,00,000 limit so total of 16,00,000.
Hi
I’ve one doubt regarding splitting the credit card limit. How to get it?
My DC Black limit recently increased to 9 lakhs. I would like to split a portion of the limit either to regalia or jet signature.
I would say it’s a good decision and go ahead!
Thank you all… I have applied for the same.
They say cards will be here in a week’s time.
Good Day.
Hi
Thanks for your opinion members. Still struggling to get the card. Today i had to fill the upgrade form again for infinia application.
Just wanted to know that in card upgrade do they transfer the points from my old card to new or do i have to use the points in my card before upgrade as nothing was mentioned in the form and RM had no idea so he said to use it or you may loose.
Thanks
Hi Siddharth,
I have a Regalia card with a limit of 8 lacs (recently enhanced). My spends in the last year were around 14 lacs. My ITR is around 24 lacs with a 820+ Cibil score. In addition I have a business account with HDFC – FDs in excess of 3 crore. Can I expect to be approved for the Infinia card? Many thanks.
Your ITR is a bit on the lower side for Infinia but given your NRV they may very well offer it to you. Talk to your RM.
Hello Anoop E S,
You can simply walk into your HDFC Bank Branch and talk to Credit Card Guy there or RM or BM and tell them that you are interested in splitting your credit limit into two cards because Diners Club cards don’t have good acceptance ratio and you need backup visa or master card,
Then they will make you fill form for the new card that you want like Regalia etc, and on plain paper they will take request for limit splitting and you are done,
First your limit on DCB will be decreased and then you will be issued your desired card.
Thank you. I’ll update after trying this method…
Is Infinia, with benefits curtailed off late, still one of the best credit cards in India?
(No more Taj Epicure membership
No 10x reward points as in Diners Club Black
Limited Domestic lounge access, although international lounge access is unlimited)
what is the domestic lounge access limit ? i have used 4 within a month , no charges yet .. can you please also share where you got this information from … my RM is clueless when asked this question and the welcome letter just said Unlimited without any * mark present
Happy and excited to share that finally my Infinia has reached me, with an add on card for my wife and and priority pass for both of us!
Still learning how to put it to best use, and would appreciate guidance from this forum regarding the same.
@Agrim, the equivalent of your current points gets transferred upon upgradation. So no need to spend the points prior to upgrading.
I have an offer to upgrade to Infinia.
My current credit limit on Regalia is 9.5 lacs and I do spending in excess to 8 lacs p.a. on this card.
I also hold An Amex platinum travel card where I spend an equal of 8 lacs (cr. Limit – 5lacs).
Given the recent reward program upgrade on Regalia where you are eligible for a bonus of 15k points if your spends exceed 8 lacs in a card calender year; I would like to ask the forum here does it still make sense to upgrade to Infinia. I think it might reduce the reward rate on a large extent?
upgrade with your eyes closed , inifinia also has an option to get your fees waived when spend crosses 8 lacs p.a
If you do the math, You will see that you will only gain and don’t lose anything.
Let say you are spending 9 Lakhs per year. You are not spending on 10x partners too, just for simplification.
By Spending 9 lakhs per year, You will get 9,00,000 / 150 = 6000 * 5 = 30,000 points which is equivalent to 30,000 rupees
Whereas in Regalia, you will get 9,00,000 / 150 = 6000 * 4 = 24,000 + 15,000 (Bonus reward points) = 39,000 points which is equivalent to 19,500 rupees.
In Infinia, 1 RP = 1 Rupee whereas In Regalia, 1 RP = 0.5 Rupees, that makes the difference
When you spend on 2x partners and Smartbuy (10x), you will reap more.
Congratulations for your upgrade!
How much limit is required on existing card for upgrade to infinia. I have a limit of 8.05L on DCB.
Based on one of the interactions I had with an HDFC CC representative, it should be possible with 8L+ credit limit.
you will now have to surrender DCB to get an infinia if they find you eligible
Is it possible to get DCB changed to infinia but without having HDFC bank account?
I’ve Never heard anyone holding Infinia without a great relationship with Bank.
I have both DCB and Infinia without an HDFC account.
And 1 DCB in my wife’s name as well (not add-on) – she doesn’t have an account either, though we had to open a FD to get her a DCB.
How many months back the second card was applied?(DCB/Infinia). From the last 5-6 months, there have been some policy changes and it is very difficult for someone to get a second card now?
Amar,
If you can share your experience of holding both premium cards without any other relation with HDFC Bank. It would be good inputs for us.
they have stoppped issuing 2 cards now , i had asked them
Not true. I have both Infinia and DCB with a split limit (8.5L and 5L)
How did you get infinia without account? I have DCB without account and it was purely because of an RM in HDFC. My friend has HDFC account, and his RM processed DCB for both of us.
How much FD is needed to get DCB ?
Put pressure on your RM , if not now , then in december when they are usually under pressure to meet their yearly targets , or towards the end of the quarter , high chances they will work for you….dont bend into pressure of FD very easily ….they just make you put FD to get to their desired target , it can be even a worse option (like selling you a bad ULIP)… we should not feel that we are desperate to get a card , they should feel that we deserve this card
i do not have any savings current or FD with hdfc, i only held regalia for 2 years with 9.89 limit. now in the process ofupgrading to infinia visa intl as per their offer . i used to spend only abt 3L a year on regalia.
they will get you one , i got mine after having regalia for just 6 months , but the trick was that my RM was desperate to meet his savings account opening target , so my wife’s savings account opening + desperate RM = upgrade to infinia
p.s i am preffered customer only , and maintain just above the required min balance requirements , but heavy CC spender
Hi Mrinal,
Any idea about how much you have spent in the 6 months? Did they ask for any ITR to process the upgrade?
can you use priority pass in domestic lounges for free?
Why would you want that GK? DCB is the best card IMHO, except for the lounge access for the add on card. Even if you were to pay for the lounges sometimes, you will still end up getting more benefits (in terms of points) by using DCB. Instead of swiping DCB for Infinia, just go for another card like from Yes Bank, who would give access to Add on card members also.
@sid – I think it’s time for an updated review.
what about cash withdrawal ? For ex: if the limit is 10 laks with 40 percent limit , can you withdraw 4 laks every month?
you can withdraw , but you will end up paying the interest from the day you withdraw , cash withdrawals do not have interest free period on them , 3% p.m is a very expensive rate to borrow cash
Hey Siddharth,
I currently have Regalia card (only 3 months old account) with limit as 5 lacs. I am a government doctor with annual income around 24lacs. What chance do I have of upgrading to Infinia?
Also I do not have HDFC account.
8 Lacs+ limit on Regalia needed for an invitation to Infinia OR HDFC account with FDs over 50 Lakhs or ITR of 45 lakhs+
WooHoo! Received an upgrade offer to Infinia! Eagerly awaiting to get it in my hands!
@Shivi
Congrats on Infinia.
If you feel comfortable, please answer following–
1. Earlier hdfc card type
2. Using hdfc cc for how many years
3. Earlier hdfc card limit
4. Account status- Preferred/ Imperia
5. Latest ITR value (salary/ business)
6. Any more information you would like to share that may help
Thanks in advance.
Thank you!
Response to your queries is as under:
1. Earlier hdfc card type – HDFC Regalia.
2. Using hdfc cc for how many years – 5+ years. Started with Regalia itself.
3. Earlier hdfc card limit – 8,50,000.
4. Account status- Preferred/ Imperia – Preferred (1L in savings account AQB). My brother in law holds Infinia on Classic Programme.
5. Latest ITR value (salary/ business) – 3,00,000 salary per year. (3 Lakhs/year)
6. Any more information you would like to share that may help – My Regalia was due for yearly credit limit enhancement. Found this Invitation in the net banking section. Had MC World Infinia before. Changed to Visa Infinite Infinia version now.
Cheers,
Shivi
@ Shivi
Thanks for replying in detail and congrats once again.
Wow Shivi lots of congratulations. So you have only 3 lakhs of annual income and you are holding one of the greatest card. Amazing. Please manage some of your time to answer following questions :
1. How much was your annual spends ?
2. Where do you spend ?
3. Do you have any car, home, business, etc. loan with HDFC ?
@ Captain. Response as under:
1. How much were your annual spends? – About 3-4 Lakhs/annum
2. Where do you spend? – On everything except fuel. Mobile recharges, grocery, dining, coffee, departmental stores, movies, DTH, online/offline, flights, International spends, furnishings etc.
3. Do you have any car, home, business, etc. loan with HDFC? – Nope.
Congratulations on the upgrade Shivi! Amazing to know these details.
Wanted to know what limit did you start with and how many years did it exactly take to upgrade to Infinia? Also is Infinia offered to you as Lifetime Free card since it is by invitation? Also was your Regalia card Lifetime Free?
Thanks, GTMAX. Response to your queries is as below:
Wanted to know what limit did you start with and how many years did it exactly take to upgrade to Infinia? ~ 5 years.
Also is Infinia offered to you as Lifetime Free card since it is by invitation? – Not LTF.
Also was your Regalia card Lifetime Free? No, it was not.
I received Regalia in 2013 when it was for 5k annual charge. Infinia, that time, was for 30,000 annual charge.
Thanks for the response Shivi.
What limit did you start with on Regalia in 2013? And if you remember, can you please share what was your approx annual spend and biannual/yearly credit limit enhancement in each of the following years till 2018? Was it always auto credit limit enhancement or did you manually request anytime in these 5 years by sending CL enhancement form to Chennai?
And as mentioned by you in your next comment, why did you close your YFE assuming it would have been offered as LTF?
Thanks for the response Shivi!
What credit limit did you start with on Regalia 5 years back? Also did you apply for any LE by sending a form to Chennai or you just waited for the auto LE to kick in? Also did this LE happen every 6 months or 1 year? Also during these 5 years what were your approx annual expenses on the card and what was exactly was your credit limit in each of these years? Asking a lot out of curiousity, but this information will certainly help. Thanks in advance.
Hi Shivi,
I also received offer for infinia credit card and i have received the infinia credit card also, can you tell me what difference it will make with visa infinite and MC world, presently i have MC world infinia credit card.
Hi Gabriel. You need to compare the offers of Visa and MC and their specific variants on the respective card sites and see which suit you the most. Most of the offers pertain to the hotel brands. I held YFE on MC platform (closed now) so decided to take Infinia on Visa platform.
congraz shivi,
was ur regalia card ltf.??
if yes, then after upgrade is infinia also ltf , since they sent u upgrade offer on nb
@ AshishR ~ Thank you.
Regalia was not LTF. Infinia is not LTF
Hi Shivi,
It seems that Earlier hdfc card limit – 8,50,000. was the trigger for Infinia.
As I have DCB and preferred relationship with AQB 2 Lakhs but my RM is unable to get approval for Infinia. The limit on my DCB is less than 8L
Congratulations Shivi.
I just upgraded to hdfc regalia from regalia first. Earlier in march got handsome amount to limit increase to 4X.
It is shown under net-banking. I am preffered customer. My spends were very high from past 3 months say approx 5-7 lacs.
Just wanted to know how much time should i wait for LE or card upgrade? Should i manually request after 6 months/ one year or wait for Auto LE/ Card upgrade offer for DCB/Infinia.
I can’t really say without constructive inputs from your end! What’s your Regalia limit? HDFC card member since when? Take-home monthly salary/ITR? Business/Salaried? 4X limit of what?
Sid, you’ve given such in depth reviews of all the cards going around. However, you’ve missed 1 very cool program offered by hdfc – their Global value program. They charge you Rs. 200, give back 500 points (which mean Rs. 500 for diners and infinia). After this they give u 1% back on all international spends, thus making effective international markup fee only 1%. Add to it 3.3% points back, meaning a net gain of 2.3%. For diners, even better as you get 33% point back on pos transactions, but diners acceptability is a big problem internationally. Will be great if you could add this program info to all your hdfc cards reviews. Good work, keep going.
Actually, RM, the net return on Infinia after Global Value Program would be 1.97% and not 2.3% as there is an 18% GST on the markup fee which effectively takes the 2% to 2.36%. Also, you missed out on the 2k Yatra flight voucher you get on spending 150k Internationally under the GVP!
Hi, Anybody used the card for golf programme?
Please provide review if anybody used, what are the charges involved.
Thanks in advance
There are no charges for doing the golf booking from bank.
I’ve used the golf programme in 2 courses. The card covers green fee however caddie/biggie fee has to be paid by you. It’s pretty good however eg. If you’re booking Prestige Golfshire in Bangalore the total fee including the buggie costs you Rs. 2999 on weekdays around 5k on weekends. This card gives it to you at Ra. 500 only
Thank you for this great site!
I hold both Infinia MC variant & DCB (both on first holder basis.. yes thats possible)
DCB is the best till the offers last.
Alarming update: 4 complimentary lounge access per quarter through Infinia Visa/Mastercard Card Lounge program – UNLIMITED NO MORE!!
Do advise on Any other card with comparable benefits that I can consider, as loyalty lies now with the bringer of best deals!
Thanks Siddharth for the regular updates and keep sharing!
Cheers
@ Dev – Check out StanChart Ultimate, SBI Prime, SBI Elite and CitiBank Prestige credit cards or AmEx Platinum Charge Card. Just depends what you are looking for. It made more sense to me holding SBI SimplyClick so I downgraded from SBI Prime.
Thanks Shivi
Exploring now! Already hold a SBI Elite. Checking out the others
If you are holding Infinia, Can’t you use your Priority pass in domestic lounges too?
Yes you can use it in the domestic lounges as well
@dev. Hi I got a offer in netbanking to get diners club black. I spoke to customer care and finally after few weeks I have escalated the matter due to poor response. I have been using hdfc credit cards from past 9 years and currently have a LTF Regalia. Now the worst part is manager says that by default they send to all customers regarding diners club black card upgrade 🙂 and I am not eligible for it. Also bank said they no longer give 2 cards. In comments I have seen people holding infinia and black. Does pre approved card means it is still not approved?
If bank denies black then I will ask them for infinia. Does smart buy has 10x for infinia too?
Hi Rohit
The DCB is against FD. Infinia was issued as upgrade to Regalia.
This is the way one can hold 2 super premium cards from one issuer.
Not sure if i answered your query though.
I have been drawing 10x benefits on smartbuy using infinia for flights, amazon, flipkart..
rest i use DCB – uber/swiggy/ zomato etc
Hi Dev
when did you get those cards issued. HDFC might have stopped giving two cards now but would have been giving at earlier times. I hold DCB(7.75 lakhs CL) and I thinking if I can get Infinia as well or not!!!
I dont think thats true as you can use priority pass with domestic lounges as well and that would give you unlimited lounge access. Am i missing anything?
Hi thanks for your post… I’ve been invited for the Infinia card by my bank. And they’re ready to make it ” lifetime free” for me. However, I doubt that.. Also if I don’t happen to spend a lot using that card, I wonder if they will stop waiving off the annual fee …and make it paid… instead of lifetime free…
What do you think?
Ask the bank people. Never met anybody holding Infinia LTF without a clause attached to it!
@Rajesh
May i know what card were you using before ? Also you said your usage was low with previous CC .May i know how much you spent. I have doubt that if we spend more then HDFC would not upgrade the card thinking that they have to give more reward points 🙂 . By the way if they are offering LTF infinia make sure you get it confirmed through mail. And if there is any condition they will definitely let you know before dispatching the card. Also can you share your reason to get invited ? Thanks
@ GT Max, posted on Jan 31, 2019:
What credit limit did you start with on Regalia 5 years back? – 3 Lakhs.
Also, did you apply for any LE by sending a form to Chennai or you just waited for the auto LE to kick in? – No application sent for L.E; only the auto LE offer.
Also did this LE happen every 6 months or 1 year? – Auto LE was every 1 year, not 6 months. The LE offer used to be there on the net banking page.
Also during these 5 years what were your approx annual expenses on the card – 2 Lakh to 4 lakh.
what was exactly was your credit limit in each of these years?- Started at 3 lakh, auto L.E was 30% increment of previous year’s limit. So 300k, 390k, 507k, 659k, 859k~ and Infinia.
Asking a lot out of curiosity, but this information will certainly help. – No problem.
Thanks in advance. – You’re welcome 🙂
Thanks a lot for such a detailed response Shivi. Really appreciate it! 🙂
Hi Siddarth,
Is there is there any difference in offers or rewards between Infinia Master Card World & Infinia Visa Infinite. Which variant would be more beneficial.
Depends what perks you are looking for. Go through Visa and Mastercard cards sites and see the benefits of the variants to decide.
While upgrading from REGALIA to INFINIA are the RP get reduced by 50% and deposited like they do incase of REGALIA to DCB upgrade?
Yes, Ajay, they do.
Confirmed its 2:1 like DBC which is very sad because my old CLUBMILES did 1:1 when upgraded to DCB and its suppose to be a equal/lower card to the REGALIA. In a perfect world it should be a 1:1 transfer with respect to INFINIA.
It should be 1:1 in perfect world. In infinia 1 point is equal to 1 Re and in regalia it is 50paisa. This also explains the conversion.
Technically, officially, and as per rules they should.
However, my father’s regalia upgraded to DCB – 18000 regalia Points converted to 18000 DCB points. When asked on phone about this to CC executive – he said – as a prestigious member, our special gesture to you.
Further, my regalia converted to Infinia – same. 14000 points converted to 14000 only.
I was kicking myself for redeeming the points on both cards earlier.. But it also may be possible that since points were not too much, they did nothing..
Moral – As everywhere in life, Don’t be too greedy.. 😉
I have ITR of Rs 83 Lakhs and hold HDFC Diners Black so can get this because I cannot get any options for upgrade on internet.
you will need to give up your DCB for infinia…call up customer care and say i want infinia (dont mention the ITR part unless they absolutely insist on the documents)
Talk to Hdfc bank RM/BM
With club vistara benefit also going away this month, I guess this card is no longer elite now. Only benefit seems to be PP and less forex markup now
A diamond is forever 🙂
Upgraded from women’s solitaire card to INFINIA in 2 years. RP transferred @ 25%. Spends on Solitaire card were hardly in the range of 10-20k per year!
Is there any cap on monthly rewards in infinia? Although I can’t find anywhere. Recently I got to know HDFC Dinners Black had capped max monthly and cycle rewards. I have spending of Rs 42 Lakhs on my commercial electricity bill. Will i get 3.33% reward on it? So will i get approx 1.33 Lakh if i use infinia or dinners black?
No bank wants to reward those who’re using personal cards for commerical use, especially when the spends are so high, like this.
There is no cap.. I have been spending a lot on Infinia..
Hi All, Shiv
Quick Query… how are the points redeemed for Infinia? If the rewards platform similar to Regalia – like redemption options only for hotel, flights etc?
I hold Regalia & Diners Premium but usage is low because of limited redemption offers (flights, hotels are no no for me). My most spends are with Yes First Exclusive which gives me like 2.5% rewards and then I use for Gift Vouchers.
HDFC Infinia is offered to my wife (paid version) but wanted to be sure of it before applying. Need to be sure that 10K points which one gets of fees payment can be utilized effectively.
@Gagan – Reward redemption for Infinia is on the same lines as that of Regalia. You may look at the standard chartered bank Ultimate credit card for your needs of redemption vouchers. That too gives you 3.33% return, on pro-rata basis.
Thanks Shivi for the feedback. Will explore Ultimate Card.
I have SCB Visa Infinite LTF already along with SCB Manhattan (paid).
I have a Diners Black with 8 lakhs limit for the past one year, Regalia with 5 lakhs limit, several family accounts and demat accounts. I also opened a current account, a few trading accounts and a locker with the bank this year. I also bought a couple of health insurance policies with the bank. We were imperia customers in the past but have been preferred customers with the bank for the last 5-6 years. I asked for the Infinia in May 2018 but was told about the high ITR criteria. i was instead offered the Diners Black with limit of Rs 5 Lakhs and Regalia LTF with limit of Rs 5 lakhs in place of my existing Regalia with a limit of Rs 10 lakhs. In the last year I had spendings of over Rs 9 lakhs on my Diners Black and my limit was increased last year itself based on an online offer to increase limits.
I called up the call centre. They checked up and told me that they do not currently have an offer to upgrade the card to Infinia. They asked me to tell the branch to forward my application. Would it work out this time because I have a good relationship with the bank but I do not have a high ITR?
I too had been trying for Infinia but was just falling short on ITR and was making do with DCB and regalia. Recently an inadvertent transaction caused me to lose my DCB… It was blocked.
In no one time I saw regalia to infinia upgrade option in my account. I took it with both hands.
Spoke to my RMs supervisor to reinstate the DCB.
The credit card guy told me since I already have the infinia they can’t reinstate DCB at my current ITR levels due to the exposure they have on me.
But he said on a 5/6 lakh FD he can get me the DCB.
Yet to make a move on it.
I’m sure you get the drift :)?
All the best
S&S
5/6 Lakh for DCB is fine. But, do you have any idea of how much FD value is required for getting Infinia. Coz, Infinia is far better than Diners in terms of acceptance both online & offline especially when we need to do high value transactions ie. > 1 lakh. Apart from that Infinia has NPSL.
Hi Siddharth,
Excellent info – great site!! I have one question about Infinia which I just got recently. Do I need to pay for my minor child for lounge access?
Thanks,
Bala
Depends on lounge to lounge @Bala. How “minor” are we talking of?
15 yr old. Cannot get an add-on credit card also at her age.
That’s not minor in lounge language. She’ll be charged as per guest charge.
Hi All
Assuming acceptance of DCB is not an issue for me, except for Unlimited Priority Pass access, what are the other aspects where Infinia is better than DCB?
Thanks
Ajay
As long as 10x continues DCB is the best. Infinia doesn’t have anything special benefit over DCB apart from lounge access you said which also if you think is not a big deal. Also infinia doesn’t have diners specific 10x program.
If someone is not looking for 10X partners then Smartbuy gives 10x for Amazon, Flipkart & other partners which is why I opted for Infinia.
I could not get DCB but now I am fine with Infinia. 🙂
Smartbuy 10x for Amazon, Flipkart is available for DCB as well. Isn’t it?
So there is basically no real benefit of Infinia over DCB (except unlimited PP access).
Infinia is well accepted overseas. Diner is hit and miss.
Add to it 2.36% forex – 3.3% reward rate, one get rewarded even for foreign spending.
looks like a lot of people are getting hold of Infinia/DCB now , HDFC may consider downgrading the benefits sooner or later…. make the most of the cards till the high rewards last
Will i get 10x on infinia through smartbuy. Ideally i should.
Also, what is the upper limit of 10x points infinia. Diners has 25000 per month as of now.
Wife has diners club black, yes exclusive and SC ultimate cards…..we have imperia account and i have 8L on my regalia….was thinking of getting infinia.
Hi Sid, nice article!!
I have DCB for last 1 year and now have been approved for Infinia, do suggest if I should go ahead or not
I was approved Infinia Visa Infinite Variant 6 weeks ago. Here are the details:
I am a government doctor with professional experience more than 30 years. I did not have any credit card before HDFC’s Credit Card which was offered to me in August 2018. My CIBIL was high but there was only one entry which was a closed auto loan I took in 2010. My first credit card was HDFC Regalia.
I have been HDFC’s customer since August 2018 and did not have any account with HDFC. I opened a joint account with my wife as sole owner and I the second owner. The account was categorised as ‘Preferred’. I have been Regalia with 5 lacs limit since August 2018, this is my earliest association with HDFC. Have been using Regalia, average spend per month was around Rs 87,000. I had sent an email to the Customer Service to upgrade my card in November 2018. They asked for last two ITRs and the computation sheet as well. They sent a representative to collect my ITR and the computation sheet. The most recent ITR was for Rs 36,00,000 and the previous one was for Rs 21,00,000. It almost took 2 months for them to get back to me and approve the card after I talked with one of the higher-ups.
Now the limit on my Infinia is Rs 8,00,000/-. Upon asking my RM why I was approved the card despite not having required relationship with the bank, he said that they treat Government Employee in a different way than they would treat a private sector employee, as the former has highly stable source of income and are reasonable to deal with.
Have been using it for a month. The reward is just crazy. The 10x Reward Points offer is simply awesome as it offers 33% rewards back when shopped via SmartBuy, I just hope it continues post 31st March 2019.
If you have a query, do let me know.
Dr. BKM
Got hold of Infinia today. Had no plans of applying for it (even though I met the income criteria but was not keen on paying the joining/renewal fees and not a heavy spender as well so spend based renewal is not an option) However to my surprise when I visited the branch for some paperwork, my RM mentioned that there is some special year end offer and I can get this as a LTF variant. After getting a written confirmation of the same applied same day and I received the card in less than a week with a healthy 10L limit.
Received Infinia as my first ever CC around 2 months back.
Cashback points coming are good and redemption on HDFC Infinia’s Reward website is where 1 point = 1 Rs, so all in all a very favorable card.
Also getting it as LTF was a cherry on the cake.
@NightHawk
It would be great if you can share how did you manage to get it as LTF?
My RM shared with me about the offer which HDFC is having for ‘new’ high customers. I just needed to refer somebody to open a savings account with HDFC and they also got the preferred banking directly since I already had preferred banking.
Hi , just an update on the Infinia.
The Club Vistara Gold Membership seems to be gone away and replaced with a Club Mariott Membership after 31st March.
Please update the article accordingly.
Source ~ The benefits & privileges booklet relieved with the card.
Gobsmacked to see the auto limit enhancement available today on my Wife Regalia CC from 3.75L to 8L !!!
Had received it as a pre-approved LTF card in Dec 2017 basis banking relationship with HDFC with a limit of 3L. Received auto LE from 3L to 3.75L in Dec 2018. Did 3 transactions cumulatively of 21K on 20th Apr and received this auto LE post that. Total spends on this card in the last 15 months were just around 60K as all of my spends are directed towards my DCB.
Happy as the next auto LE should ideally trigger an upgrade to Infinia! 🙂
Congratulations GTMAX. Can you please explain in details what banking relationships you have ?
Have a preferred banking relationship with a savings and PPF account. This is the only credit card in my wife name with extremely high experian score of 895. No EMI, No Loans, nothing else from the bank.
I received infinia LTF. it is the great experience with infinia.
Hi Arun,
Can you share on what basis the bank offered you Infina as LTF?
I had a very high limit on Regalia. I asked RM to upgrade, but he said LTF Infinia is being offered only to high value ‘new’ customers. So I told him to cancel my Regalia and get me Infinia by showing me as a new signup. I had to : 1) Open a savings account (minimum balance – INR 10 k), 2) Open an FD (11 k), 3) Refer one more person for a savings account. I’m told my Infinia is on its way. Hope to get it within a week.
Hi Rohit,
Can you confirm if the FD amount is 11,000 or 11,00,000 Rs. Thanks in advance for the clarification.
11lakh , 7 lakh for DCB
did you recieve the card yet.?
Rohit,
Have you received your Infina?
Also request you to clarify the question by AJ i.e. Can you confirm if the FD amount is Rs 11,000 or Rs. 11,00,000?
Hi Rohit,
Request you to share your RM details.
Hi Arun,
Request you to share on what basis the bank offered you Infina as LTF?
Today, I got the offer to upgrade from Regalia to Infinia. I have been HDFC CC user since 10 years and have been using Regalia for 4 Years. My Regalia is Life time Free. I spoke to my RM and he advised against going for Infinia as I get 6 lounge visits for free even in Regalia. Also, i feel he does not understand the complete benefits of the card.
I am eligible for the first year waiver. Next year onwards I have to pay for it. Also, Vistara gold membership is not being offered anymore.
Whats your take on Regalia LTF vs Infinia. My CC limit is also high on Regalia at 8.7 Lakhs.
Infinia bro , anyday , reward rate itself is higher , unlimited PP access for primary and supplementary , if you use smartbuy , straight savings jump of 15% (18-33%) , if you keep spending above 8lakhs on infinia a year , its free for you
I need to ask some questions
1 how much time it takes to reflect the reward points in my account.
2 if i make payment like mobile recharge, Broadband recharge will it get reward , as rs150 = 5 rp
3 wallet is excluded , is that means adding money to wallet like paytm , Amazon etc.
3 also in dinning it is written stand-alone restaurant , what it means , will be applicable over restaurant like haldiram etc.
4 if use infinia website will there be any additional charges like there are in reward redemption site( they are charging rs 99 for redemption)
1. The 1x points you get when the transaction settles (T+2 ), the bonus points 2x,5x,10x is offer dependent
2. No points for recharges/bill payment/ utility payment
3. Most of them are 2x , specifically haldiram i am not sure of , try it once and calculate and see… standalone by definition means not a chain like dominos , mcd , etc , haldiram may be there
4. All wallet excluded , you have mentioned the liat yourself , they dont give for their own payzapp also
5. No additional charges on redemption ( sure for flight tickets and hotels , not sure on merchandise)
had a quick query . Whether restaurants in the hotels are regarded as stand-alone restaurants?
Whether the cap of 25000 is applicable even on the 2X rewards ?
Whether restaurants in the hotels are regarded as stand-alone restaurants ?- No, as the billing is under Hotel name.
Whether the cap of 25000 is applicable even on the 2X rewards – No cap for dining spends. 25K limit is only for spends originating on/through SB
No points for recharges/bill payment/ utility payment where it is written i even called their customer care they said fuel transaction, wallet money loading and easy emi is excluded only.
if i make a bill payment through their app payzapp will i get 10x reward points for that or simple 1x points for that(added credit card in payzapp app)
also please tell if i use promo code will i get rewar point for that.
need clarification
please tell
My current month utility bills are due , will pay and see if i get points , will update on that from my side unless another member beats me to it… my opinion about paying via payzapp (not sure if they give 10x points on utility payments , but BILLPAY promo code should get you 5% cashback upto 250rs per month, additional GROCERY promo code will be extra cashback per month)
Also i need to ask , the customer care guy told me that on reward redemption site they do not charge rs99 reward redemption fees on infinia credit card is it true.
hey, always impressed with your detailed analysis. any update on the current comparison of HDFC DINERS BLACK & HDFC INFINIA in 2019 ?
Hi,
I have been a Regalia customer since 3 years and last month got notification to upgrade to Infinia. My Regalia credit limit is 10L+. My Regalia was LTF. Initially I was skeptical to pay 10K every year but what I see is that if you dont hit the Rs 8Lakhs spend to waive the fee, you do get 10K membership points (worth Rs 10K since 1RP = 1Rs) . Few questions I had:
– What is GST on the Annual Fee? Is it 6%?
– For rewards points, I could only see that there would be no earnings for Fuel. Is that right?
– For insurance payments, there is a cap of 2000 points per transaction. Does this mean that we get rewards on insurance payments upto Rs 60K per transaction?
– I see in comments above that “No points for recharges/bill payment/ utility payment”. I could not find that in terms and conditions anywhere. Can someone point me to that?
– Can someone help clarify: “No rewards points for e-wallet loading transactions”. Even if I do not have say cash in Paytm or Phonepay…when I scan a code to make payment via credit card, I’m assuming it still gets credited to one of the wallets first before moving to the end client. So in summary can we say that no rewards points when making payment using any wallet?
– How about PayZapp. PayZapp is more of a transaction gateway. Do we get rewards points for transacting via PayZapp?
Had a bad experience with HDFC bank.
10 days back got a call from hdfc bangalore Kmangala branch that I have an offer for LTF Infinia offer for the salary I have mentioned. I already have a regalia with >8L limit. They sent me an executive who told me to open hdfc saving account where i need to maintain 1L quarterly balance. The executive told me that i need to close by regalia card.
My saving account got opened immediately and my regalia got closed.. However my infinia credit card app got declined. 🙁
Nithin – just write an email straight to the Nodal Officer and explain the whole thing.
.. Finally after nearly a month, I got it 🙂
@Nithin
Excatly same thing has happened to my card. But only difference is they said I could continue using my regalia and there is no concept of cancelling and applying. In general card gets upgraded transferring all reward points.
I have already informed the person who told me about this card and carried out paperwork. Whom should i contact if that person stops responding ? I just hate this type of false promises 🙁
@Rohit
I was in touch with RM. He pursed it and finally ensured it get approved.
@Nithin
Unfortunately for me RM of the branch asked me to write a wriiten complaint to the manager. Next day i got a call from manager stating that their staff has done a mistake and I am not eligible for the card. It looks like bank has done this just to open an account since there might be many like mine and your case. I am considering this as a case of fraud since no institute can raise funds by giving false commitment to customers.
I would like to know since it was a pre approved card for you whether there was a token number generated for your customer ID since Infinia is only through invite.
I have a token generated and 2 of their staff said its pre approved offer with no proof required but manager has denied and said he is not going to approve it . If you dont mind may i know approximately for how much ITR you have shown . Thanks for your time.
@siddarth
Please add a notification trigger since we will not know if some one posts a reply in your site nor it notifies others if we have query. Thanks.
Does Infinia also have 10X benefits that Diners black has with partner brands like – MMT, UBER, Swiggy etc ?
I know it has 10X with Smart buy but does it have with other partner brands ?
Infinia doesn’t have any 10x partners other than Smartbuy
Hi Siddharth,
Nice forum. Wanted to know how do you calculate the Rewards % for every card?
How can i get contact from representative. I need to apply credit card which have international lounge access specially in Europe along with at least 2 add on cards. I am working with Tata Consultancy Service so hoping to get corporate benefits.
HI sid
i am one of the hdfc regalia first customer with 10L limit.
i am using for the past 13 yrs.
is possible to upgrade to infinia now with LTF?
ram kashyap
Hi sid,
I have HDFC Infinia and it just wonderful..
Using since 8 months ans got reward point about 1lak + Free golf 3 times in month.
after 6yr using Regalia they offered me. Best card as you said that…
Hi,
suggest a card for me.
At present, I am using Yes Bank First Exclusive. Annual spend is around 9+ lakhs. I use my credit cards across my spending including groceries, dining, hotels, etc. (flights are booked by corporate)
Stanc ultimate, hdfc diners black, hdfc infinia and any of amex cards.
Hi, I must say great website with everything one needs to know about cc.
I have been offered both Infinia as well as Diners Black Card lifetime free by hdfc by virtue of my banking with them. Which one should I accept?
Btw I already have Amex Personal platinium card which I use for most of my expenses business as well as personal, I am attempting to qualify for amex black. I also have ICICI visa platinium as back up.
Hi Sid
I have a HDFC Diners Black with 12.5L credit limit. I want to upgrade to Infinia and wouldn’t mind having only Infinia. I recently heard that ITR must be above 45L and that is the only criteria they are looking for.
Any tips on how I can get the Infinia ?
I recently got the Infinia. The RM was 99% certain I will get the Visa Infinite variant, but I got the MasterCard World version instead. It seems they may not be giving out the Visa Infinite variant now. Did anybody recently get that variant of Infinia?
@Rohit,
I too got MC world. But I requested my RM to change it to visa infinite variant. Its converted now.
Hello All,
Finally after 5 months of reading this blog I’ve received my Infinia. I was going for Diners Black but something misfired in the upgrade process and HDFC Branch people put a case for Infinia for me, even though I was not eligible for Infinia on ITR basis. I’m really looking forward to using my card well. Thanks to Siddharth and all the members for sharing their experience and knowledge.
I do have some queries regarding insurance payment and school fee payments using infinia. Are these payments covered towards reward points? My daugther’s school accepts fees through PayTM or PayU. Is PayU a wallet too. I’m under the impression it’s a gateway. PayTM doesn’t have a surcharge for me, but PayU has 1% surcharge. I’ll use PayU only if it is going to count towards RPs. Also, according to folks here what is the best card for making insurance payments?
Looking forward to your suggestions.
Thanks,
Mohit
Hi,
Congratulations on such a wonderful forum about details and feedback on CC.
I have been using HDFC Regalia LTF from last 8 years or so with my present limit being 8 Lakhs. I also hold an imperia relationship with the bank. Recently, I was offered an upgrade for Infinia card from HDFC on my net banking account. Since I was not sure about the benefits of Infinia card and also the fact that below the upgrade, there were annual charges mentions so I thought why go for a paid card when Regalia is working fine as LTF. So, I did not accept the offer for Infinia card and now after reading the details on this forum , I checked once again on my net banking whether the Infinia upgrade option still exists or not. But now, they have removed the upgrade option from my net banking accoint
But as I read this forum , I realise that Infinia is one card which is something rare to get and is given to few chosen ones only. So, I want to know if I have really missed out on something precious. And if yes, is there a possibility to get it back?
Do I have to get in touch with the bank or bank will again make me another offer for Infinia card just the way they did last time??
Please share your views and feedback on how should I proceed with it.
Hi All,
Inspired by all credit card point minters here, I got Infinia card today after upgrade from regalia. Thanks to Sid for all the guidance.
My friend who is BM opened my account and I had to submit ITR of 35+ to get that. Although its not LTF only joining is free.
I have few questions –
1. I know wallet and fuel transactions dont accrue points bu do they count towards annual milestone spend. If I cover my paytm additions, I can easily cross 8 lac.
2. Is there any benefit if I link all insurance to auto pay on HDFC card ? I have 4 insurance and do we get some x points on autopay ?
Please guide.
So I went from Diners Black to Regalia because I required Add-on card lounge access via Priority Pass for wifey on our Euro trip. My RM at the time had promised an upgrade to Infinia LTF after an year of Regalia usage but now that particular RM has left HDFC and I had to escalate it with the BM and my new RM.
They say that for Infinia LTF I will have to wait for a offer thru HDFC Netbanking but will surely get it soon since my overall spend via the Regalia is 19lac.
My question’s are:
1. Is this really true?
2. I thought the RM is suppose to initiate a mail or something for LTF Infinia was I wrong
3. Is there really a Infinia LTF card?
Siddharth you or anyone in the know kindly answer my questions and also tell me what is the real process of getting a Infinia LTF.
Hi, I am holding Regalia (LTF) for more than a decade and I also hold Yes First Exclusive (LTF), Amex Plat Travel Card, SBI Prime, ICICI RubyX VISA and couple of other banks LTF cards.
I recently got an offer to upgrade my card to Infinia, though I am excited to get it but its annual fee is holding me back. Does it make sense to upgrade to Infinia keeping in mind I do have unlimited lounge access on YFE and for Infinia fee reversal I need to spend more than 8 lacs per year and 15 lacs in total to get most out of these 3 cards (Infinia, Amex Plat and Prime)?
Any thoughts will be appreciated.
Thanks.
Hi Saurabh,
I paid 570 Australian Dollar = almost 28000 Rupees just to get my Priority pass only for me, a single card. Since, I am travellling a lot from Australia to India, minimum I use the Priority pass 4 visits per return flight. Yes, I used Priority pass in Australia(departure) and in malaysia (transit). While Returning Chennai was awsome, they have kingfisher beer, south Indian foods, Juices, water and all. I was really happy using this Priority pass.
Just think of you get Unlimited two cards from HDFC bank primary and supplementary cards, both unlimited. Really, Really worth holding this cards if you are in more travelling.
* Cost to spend on airports to the annual fees
* Cost of the Insurance they provide
* Cost of the points you collect
*Other benefits
This is Really Worth. Last time my transit in Malaysia was unfortunately more than 6 hours and I just tried swipping the card two times in different lounges and it works, no addtional cost billed sofar( 1 month ).
For me Its good card. So I am planning to invest 11 Lacs in FD and want to get this card.
Hi Siddarth,
I am an NRI and my earning are good, spending yearly say more than 10 lakhs on travel and purchase. I had a home loan in 2006 and settled down completely within 4 years out of 15 years. How possible I get this Infinia creditcard Straight away?
Cheers
Vel
Since you’re an NRI, the only way that you can get any credit card is to make an FD with the bank. The minimum limit on Infinia is 8L I believe. You get 75% of the credit limit of the FD. So I guess about 11L FD minimum.
Hi,
I have Regalia for over 5-6 years now. My limit on Regalia is 11.5 lacs and avg yearly spend is around 7 lacs. I also have savings account for the past 9 years but the balance in that is not high.
Do you think there is a possibility they might upgrade? If yes, I will definitely visit the Branch.
Hi
I would like to share about my Infinia card invitation.
I was using Regalia card (LTF) since Jan 2015. Every year, my CC spend keep on increasing from 5 lac to now 12 lac plus (this year). one or two times i have attempted for INFINA card thru my relationship manager (i am a classic ac customer). But no positive response recd. I am maintaining the HDFC ac for the past 20 years and also maintained it as salaried ac for the same duration . Due to this relationship, my Regalia credit card limit been upgraded thru net banking few times. Last mth only it was upgraded to 6 lac to 7.8 lac, with in 15 days again it was upgraded to 10.14 lac. Now they invited me for the Infinia card last week. Hope bank relationship and credit card payment status ( no default till date and CC due amt get paid before the due date ) will always give advantages by increasing CC credit limit as well as CC up gradation.
Hello Sidharth,
A really helpful article.
A suggestion is to have a comparison option.
I have HDFC Jet Word card with CL of 9.38 Lac. Ever since Jet has gone bust it doesn’t make sense for me to use this card anymore. However every time I go to “credit card upgrade” section on my net banking it says
“We apologize, but this facility is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later.”
Does anybody have an idea if this is standard message if no upgrade is available or something is wrong with my account?
I dont have an RM assigned and currenty a virtual RM from Ahmedabad answers call and he says he will send some guy with forms and all but that process isnt going anywhere since last 20 days.
Send upgrade form to Chennai.
Thanks, I was just upgraded to Imperia account by clicking on offers in net banking. Have been appointed a new local RM so will just wait and push him to get me an Infinia. My ITR is only abt 9lacs but limit on my current card is 9.38L and am joint/ second holder in about 4 business accounts and about 12-14 personal savings accounts(my parents, brothers, sisters and their entire family including their and mine kids), so let see if I can armtwist my RM.
Hi Mr. Patel,
I use to have HDFC Jet Privilege World Card with 10 Lac limit past 2 years and RM called me for upgrade and it was done over phone with OTP and got the card in week time. I also wanted to change my card after Jet stop flying and many times I requested for card upgrade I use to get same “We apologize, but this facility is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later.” message.
I was a JP member with Platinum and now I started flying Vistara and with this Infinia card I found its one of the best card specially when it comes to reward points and also Infinia help line. Every 150 spend you get 5 reward and its equivalent to Rs. 1/- I have been calling Concierge team redeem reward point booking Vistara flight and its counted as revenue ticket which will help you get tire point and retain Vistara tier if you are Club Vistara member.
I am sure with your credit limit and relation with bank as written by Siddharth you should get call back from bank saying it has been approved. Just ensure your RM has requested for approval. I also did not pay joining fee.
Hi Parth Patel, Yes this is standard message if no upgrade is available. Dont worry.
This is standard yes.
Sometimes it will give you a ‘Notify me’ button to click on.
Hi
I came across this website while doing research on credit cards with good rewards program. Thanks Siddharth, for such an exhaustive site with loads of information and tips.
I am holding HDFC Regalia Card since last 7 years and with a CL of 9.75L. This is the only card that I have and my annual spend is in excess of 10L. I am not very savvy person when it comes to managing rewards and miles. However, going forward I would like to get more mileage out of my spends.
I would like to seek feedback from this forum which is good card to have for travel rewards. Most of my travel is international for short business trips. I have HDFC Imperia account – should I talk to my RM ask for an upgrade within the HDFC product base or apply for some other card.
Please suggest
I just received Infinia Mastercard world with a credit limit of 8 Lakhs. I don’t intend to have such high card limit. Is there a way to reduce the card limit temporarily to say 2-3 lakhs and whenever need arises increase the same in future.
Also, if I have an add card whether the rewards will be capped at 25000 for both cards or it is 25000 points for each card ?
From Internet banking, you can reduce the card limit (goto Card tab).
I have a DCB with a limit of Rs 8 lakhs and a regalia with a limit of Rs 5 lakhs. The RM is asking for an fd of Rs 13 lakhs despite being an inperia customer and having trading and demat accounts and saving accounts of my whole family and my business current account with the bank.
Should I directly approach branch manager or should I cancel the diners black card and convert it back to regalia to maybe trigger an invitation?
I do not have a very high ITR but have good spends on the HDFC cards .
Please advise.
Dont do anything, continue to use your cards as usual, RM is probably trying to fit in his monthly target
In my monthly Infinia statement, I see some points getting deducted under the Adjusted/Lapsed head. Can anyone shed light on these deductions?
Some transaction may be reverted (Credit back) and points for the same will be adjusted e.g. order etc got cancelled.
Please check if any of your transactions having ‘Paytm’ on it. Even if you use Paytm as payment gateway, HDFC cards will mark it as ‘Wallet loading’ and you won’t get (in statement words ‘Lapsed/Adjusted’) a single RP. But don’t worry, call customer care (Infinia) and you’ll get the legitimate RP within 2 days (they’ll say 7 days).
Hello Siddharth,
I’m HDFC Bank Classic Customer with 4 family Savings accounts, FDs, RDs, Demat, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, 2 credit cards and a Business Loan. I’m holding Moneyback CC with limit of INR 6,25,000 and my annual income is INR 20,00,000. I want to upgrade to Regalia or infinia. Can I get anyone of these ??
I like this Credit Expert website, its all info and blogs, so much. Thumbs up.
@Sunil
U could definitely get Regalia and even Infinia. Check netbanking for upgrade.
I recently upgraded from Moneyback to Regalia with 5.42L limit and lesser ITR than yours.
All d best.
@ Praveen Katiyar
Thank you for the info brother. Presently net banking showing no offers related to card upgrade. Hope I’ll get it soon. Will also contact my Branch.
You will need to push hard for an infinia , regalia and DCB they will happily upgrade you to with your current relationship and income levels
@MT
Thanks for the info. Wait for sometime, else will contact my branch for upgrade.
The reward rate of 3.3% is always not applicable. For example, if I want to redeem points for gift voucher, each point is equal to 50 paise only. So, the reward rate also becomes half i.e 1.65 approximately. The card is definitely useful to people who often travel by flight as it gives excellent complimentary longue benefits. But otherwise, LTF regalia only is better in my opinion.Because of 10000 annual fee on infinia if 8lakhs not spent in an year. Even hdfc gives 10000 reward points, they are equivalent to Rs 5000 only if redeemed to vouchers or adjusted in credit card balance. So you will end up paying 6k plus as annual fee(10k annual fee+ gst -5000(10000 reward points equivalent money) ). Hence, i am reluctant to upgrade to infinia card even though I have the offer to upgrade to infinia from regalia. Correct me if i am wrong.
Hi All,
I’m currently holding DCB LTF with 7. 5L CL. I have been offered dual card Regalia LTF along with existing DCB LTF with limit split between the two. Or I can choose to get myself upgraded to Infinia LTF with 8+ limit but then it’s not being offered as a dual card.
Any thoughts/suggestions as I have 3 options
1. Retain DCB LTF with 7.5L limit
2. Dual card – DCB LTF with 4.5 limit and Regalia LTF with 3L limit
3. Get DCB upgraded to INFINIA.
I found DCB to be better in terms of rewards with 10x partners and unlimited lounge access. However, Infinia offers unlimited lounge access (International) to primary and add on cards. Domestic lounges are capped I believe..Also infina offerers 2X on Dining. Holding DCB and Regalia specially Visa variant will fill in for the PP and BMS offers.
Need your inputs please
I would stick with #2, unless your spends are huge and you aren’t worried about Diners acceptability – in which case you could go with #1.
#2, depending on your DCB spends over time, can reach #1 levels.
Maxing out Visa spends regularly and ITR increase over time may just, JUST, tip the scales towards getting an Infinia upgrade in due course.
Regalia also covers the acceptability angle with #2.
6 International lounge accesses are covered by Regalia’s PP.
Domestic too is covered twice per qtr? by Regalia.
So unless you are a massive lounge user, locally and internationally, #2 should still do.
Regalia (Signature) almost always has similar ‘significant’ Visa offers as Infinia (Infinite).
Visa India website offers section can help.
(Happy to be corrected).
Ex. Offers for Hilton Gold and Hyatt Dining Club are alike.
Uber Premier 10x is same for all HDFC credit cards.
What are you gaining with DCB over Infinia?
1. Vendor Partner 10x
2. Miles transfer to more airlines and a hotel
3. International 10x (fixed period) on and off.
Substantial if you know the sweet spots on British Airways, Vistara, etc.
What are you losing with DCB vs Infinia?
1. 10K RP per month
2. Acceptability
3. Free domestic lounge access for Add on card
10K RP is the only game changer here in my view.
These are some top of mind thoughts.
Hope it helps!
S&S
Hey S&S
What do you mean by
3. International 10x (fixed period) on and off.
Is there any specific period where HDFC run accelerated rewards(5X/10X) in a year!!!
I have been out of India for last two months but they haven’t had any campaign. I am coming back on first week of next month. Is there any chances they will run such offer?
If you go through the Diners Black pages you’ll even now see, June Intl 10x for world cup spends in UK.
I was alluding to such fixed period offers.
S&S
Why not wait till 31st Dec to see if 10X is extended ? Earning potential for DCB right now is higher than Infinia.
More so, if lounge access with family isnt very frequent & can be managed by some other cards, I would still hold on to DCB & then at a later stage take a call to upgrade or not ?
@SJ
Assuming myself in ur place, I would have taken DCB + Regalia (Option 2).
The reason i would have done that cos i hold Yes First Exclusive (LTF, upgraded from LTF Yes First Preferred in just 6months of moderate use).
What i see in general, only usable benefit of infinia over DCB is higher smartbuy limit, unlimited PP even for add on and high limit. Golf etc i dont use and other are minor differences (considering 5k saving in annual fee or lesser spends target for fee reversal). I can think of following three option for u:
Option 1: You dont need Add on Unlimited PP – straight away apply for DCB + Regalia
Option 2: You need Add on Unlimited PP (& have time before your next intl. trip) – before splitting DCB limit apply for Yes First Exclusive LTF, based on ur current limit you would get it LTF ( even if you get LTF Yes First Preferred, you can upgrade it LTF Yes First Exclusive). Any Yes First card, LTF are good as long as you get LTF.
Option 3: You need Add on Unlimited PP but dont have time – Take Infinia
(in 2nd & 3rd options i have assumed Add on cannot get PP on their own).
Do enlighten us with your final choice and reason to help all.
Hope it helps..!!
Hi SJ,
It would be great if you can share how were you provided with an option of dual cards when the RM or most other people from HDFC keep saying that it is no longer possible for a single person to split their card limit and hold 2 card variants.
Did you receive these options in your Cards section under netbanking or any other medium or did you request for it through RM/Branch?
Hi SJ,
Same question as GTMAX. Even my RM outright refused saying HDFC has stopped the practice now.
Does Infinia and diners black provide reward points on utility bill payments ?
@S&S, @Praveen & @Neo,
Thanks for your well thought out inputs.
HDFC has offered me dual card option – DCB LTF with priced Infinia. However, I’m not interested in the priced Infinia as I’m already holding an equivalent LTF super premium DCB. The discussions are on. Have asked them to consider offering me a dual card option with Regalia Visa variant LTF with fresh min. limit (and not split out from DCB).
Let see how it goes. But I agree giving up DCB for Infinia isn’t a great idea atleast at this point. If they agree to offer me Visa signature variant of Regalia, that would serve the purpose and not only cover for DCB’s accessibility issues but also provides other benefits like PP, VISA signature offers – BMS etc. This looks to be a good combo.
I would certainly like to target Yes first exclusive but then it needs to have 8+ lakhs limit on one’s existing card for which I need to wait for another 6 months or so. Also, with current downward spiral of Yes bank, I doubt if it will be able to offer the same level of benefits as they currently do on exclusive and private cards. Somehow I feel, it’s just a matter of time before they announce a downgrade for their premium cards.
@SJ
Great.. Option.. why not try Yes First Exclusive with current limit, once.. no harm as the card is LTF before u split etc.. just a thot though..
Visa Signature strategy is great, i would have liked it in my case, but they gave pre approved net banking offer for MC only. I do have a Visa Signature though..
All d best from all of us, do keep us posted on final cards u get..
I would say go with Infinia priced unless you can negotiate on it.
With DCB free your annual fees will be only for Infinia.
10K miles for 10K annual fees at 1:1, and more than compensate if you transfer it to airline partners.
Plus if you reach 8L pa spends, Infinia too becomes free.
Happy to help 🙂
S&S
@SJ: You still can bargain for DCB LTF and Infinia LTF. My RM asked me to open an FD for adding Infinia LTF. I was holding DCB from 2016. The whole process on Infinia….negotiations and bargaining took around 5 months…but was worth the wait.
DCB LTF, Infinia Visa Infinite LTF and Yes First Excl. LTF (most preferred would have been upgraded) is possibly on eof the best combos to have.
@SJ, LTF DCB plus Priced Infinia is a no brained if ur spends are high enough. I will take it with my eyes closed. BTW how did u recewd Dual card option? Through RM or Netbanking?
3 days before i got upgrade offer for my account in netbanking…it said you are eligible for account upgrade from preferred to imperia account…i filled form from redirecting from net banking and select the different hdfc branch instead of my home branch as it doesn’t support imperia relationship…so how much days will it take to imperia relationship? And after imperia relationship do you all think that it will be easy to upgrade my dcb to infinia? Please reply …thanks Dr.Hardik Patel
Hi Hardik, can you please confirm how long after meeting the criteria of Imperia relationship did you receive the offer in the netbanking section? Did the netbanking offer got triggered after 1 month of maintaining AMB of 30 lakhs or after say, 3 months or so?
I have been holding HDFC regalia since 2yrs. Recently after reading these blogs i applied for DCB through payzapp giving my account details (classic account with many HDFC products). Now i am holding both cards and both are active. However I am disappointed with discontinuation of payzapp as diners partner.
Hello everyone,
Want to know about international lounge usage using HDFC Infinea credit card.
Is it chargable if i use infinea credit card for international lounge use instead of Priority pass
Thanks
Yes, international lounge usage using HDFC Infinia credit card is chargeable
I AM USING INFINIA FROM LAST 2 YEAR AND YES ITS ALWAYS COME WITH INVITATION ONLY…..
NO DOUBT INFINIA IS BEST CREDIT CARD WITH ALL UNLIMITED BENEFITS AND BEST IN CLASS REWARDS POINT
IF U ARE HIGH SPENDER LATER OR SOON YOU WILL GET INVITATION FROM HDFC FOR INFINIA IN MY CASE AVG USE WAS 2 LACS PER MONTHS FOR 2 YEARS FOR INVITATION ELIGIBILITY FROM REGALIA TO INFINIA
Not necessarily a high spender. You get Infinia on low spends also. I got it at approximately 3 lakh yearly spends on Regalia. My sister got it at 8k~ per month on Solitaire card.
And to top it off, my Infinia was recently converted to LTF second year onwards.
Hey are you a classic or preferred customer with the bank? Do you think classic or preferred banking helps in getting the upgrade sooner?
@ Vipy:
Being a preferred customer surely boosts your chances of getting Infinia. If you are a classic customer, it would not help at all. Try upgrading to Preferred programme.
Hi Shivi,
Can you please share details on how your Infinia was converted to LTF from 2nd year onwards?? Is it possible to get a non-LTF card converted to a LTF card with HDFC??
Not much details ; only received a call from HDFC credit card customer care department informing me of the second year onward LTF since the first year was free in any case.
That’s really cool! No requests made & no consideration of spends done in the 1st year and the bank did it on their own.
Wanted to know about the same as a family member has received a pre-approved offer for a new Infinia card in netbanking, but I am not able to view any fee related details for it in T&C document & the application.
Now thinking of just going ahead and applying it & then check the fee details from customer service team after receiving the card.
Got my HDFC infinia card today (VISA Infinite). It was a journey from Regalia -> DCB -> Infinia. I know DCB currently has a higher earning potential with partner 10x program but my wife already has DCB so I have requested a DCB add-on for myself and an Infinia Add-on for my wife.
Hi, whether following feature is still applicable on HDFC Infinia Credit Card, specially spends on hdfcinfinia website ?
Accelerated Reward Rate: 6.6% (2X on Dining/airvistara/hdfcbankinfinia)
Dining valid , 2x on standalone restaurants… airvistara and hdfcinfinia not tried bcoz smartbuy gives 10x already
Been waiting for Infinia for several years. A single swipe of 8L on Regalia did the job.
Superb and congrats! How long have you been using the Regalia and can you tell the limit on it?
Deepak – did u buy a car or something? What did u swipe 8L for if you could share
Did you call them for upgrade or they offered on there own
I have a savings account with HDFC Bank for the past 5yrs. Haven’t used the account much. Just a couple of small FDs. Did not even log into netbanking for the past 2yrs.
A few days back I logged in and saw a banner for pre approved credit card. Applied for it and got Infinia card today with 8 lacs credit limit. Nobody contacted me from the bank for any documents etc. This is my first proper credit card ever. Had an ICICI instant credit card against FD before this.
Thats awesome.. Would you be able to share the approx FD amt you had?
Total 3 FDs of 5lacs each.
The idea is to not have a credit card with HDFC. They might be good at customer acquisition but very bad with customer upgrade.
Hey I had a similar experience.
Got a pop-up in my NetBanking last week and went click click click. It gave me two options of Diners Black and Infinia. It even gave me the option to select some service of Smart Buy and the card would be Lifetime Free.
I chose the Infinia and card got delivered today with 9L limit, and I’m only impressed with the packaging, honestly. Checked the exclusions, Fuel, Wallet Loading and EMI transactions are not eligible for points – disappointing.
At the time of redemption 1 point is = 1 Rupee only for Flight and Hotel bookings via Smart Buy website. Everything else the redemption value of 1 point is = 50 paise.
Checked with the Call Centre and the card will become Lifetime Free after 90 days automatically. I also have a Standard Chartered Ultimate and that’s a far better card, no transactions are exempt and all points are 1 Rupee at the time of redemption.
Only downside of the Ultimate to the Infinia is no unlimited Priority Pass Lounge visits, and that’s really okay.
Was excited for this card Infinia, but intial feedback is very disappointing.
Hi Mandheer,
What Smartbuy service did you opt for to make it lifetime free? Or was it Smart Pay?
Even I had applied a week back on 13th Nov through Netbanking for pre-approved Infinia, but did not find this option to make it LTF in the application form by registering for any such add on services.
Hi, pls excuse the typo in earlier post. The card online registration process gave me a screen which provided me option to select one of the two service/product of Smart Pay or Smart EMI and the card would be Lifetime Free. (LTF)
I chose Smart Pay, which basically meant I will enroll my monthly bill and policy payments. I missed taking a screenshot in time, and the screen changed. I have configured Smart Pay on my Infinia account via netbanking now.
I called again and even the 2nd CC exec I checked with said this LTF will come into play post 90 days of card usage – thereafter they will assess my usage and how many of HDFC products like Smart Pay etc I utilize. So now waiting for February to confirm.
@Mandheer
Only reason I look forward to have Infinia or DCB is 10x points through Smartbuy.
My IT is 1.2cr 40lakh tax 🙁 had imperia banking with hdfc and hdfc securities and mutual fund more than 2cr. Was using regalia card with 20lakh limit and 8 lakh cash withdrawal on cc. Got automatically upgraded to infinia credit card with limit of 25lakhs. Never asked for the upgrade. Just got the card today.
You settled for way less then! Take a dig at CiTi Ultima Infinite if your lifestyle matches what the card has to offer.
– Invite only to Citibank Private Clients only
– Minimum ITR of 6cr required for Ultima
– 2L Annual fee (no waiver)
Ah well, he still has a long way to go for that card then! Annual fees is 2.5 L imo
I have Regalia since 3.5 years, but have not been using it much since I received YES Bank Preferred.
Now that YES bank rewards you 1% instead of 2%, I wanted to switch to a better card and hence wanted to apply for HDFC Infinia.
My HDFC RM is remotely located and she’s of no help. Basically Virtual RMs are operating out of Call Centers. If you have a Virtual RM, please get it changed to Branch RM.
Went to branch and they said Branch RM is on leave and shall reach out to me in 15 days once he’s back.
I enquired about to card to my cousion who works in HDFC Mumbai, he asked the Branch Manager to call me. I explained my desire for upgrade to this Manager and he asked me for some documents which were collected by his junior.
As per the junior, my application along with relevant documents have gone for processing/approvals. As per Branch Manager, the case is with Zonal Head for approval. 7 working days have gone past and I haven’t got any revert if they are either offering me Infinia or not.
I am willing to ensure 8 lakh or more spends on the card, but I guess HDFC is too snobbish to bureaucratic while offering anything to their existing customers.
If not approved, I will close my Salary Account and stop Insurance payment from them. Soon, I will cancel the Regalia Credit Card as well. Except for 10X smartbuy and redeem-points-to-flight, the rewards in Regalia are lesser than both YES First Preferred as well as ICICI AmazonPay.
How do u get a virtual RM changed to a Branch RM ? I contacted a branch RM near my office & they told me to maintain very high QAB/ FDs which i wasnt interested in.
I have a salary account with them & thats about it.
Really don’t know how you work out Yes Preferred or AmazonPay to be better than Regalia ~ Yes Preferred WAS better than Regalia for about an year before Yes Bank downgraded this card.
Regalia still gives you 13% returns as reward points to spend on hotels/flights and or 6.5% cashback for monthly transactions of approx. 38.5k via smartbuy on amazon/flipkart/compare and buy etc. So, yeah, AmazonPay makes sense if you spend more than 38.5k~ per month, every month on Amazon India site as an add-on to Regalia but not as a stand-alone.
Further on, for every Rs. 1 lakh spent internationally, Regalia charges just INR 60 (0.06% for calculation) as the actual out-of-pocket expense after the adjusting the reward rate and GVP . This is only surpassed by 2/3 (Super-Premium) cards as of now – HDFC Infinia, CiTi Prestige (Only if you have Citi Gold Account) and occasionally, Amex Plat Travel. I have not added Diners Club Black here as DCB fx rates are pretty high compared to Visa/Mastercard
Hi,
I am having salary account with HDFC bank(Gross Salary ~20LPA).
Also I am holding Diners Clubmiles Credit Card (Limit 6.3L).
Will i get this card?
Thanks
Rahul
Call up HDFC customer care and ask or visit your main HDFC bank branch. Every city/town/branch and location has different requirement.
Even in my case this card I received against my salary account with HDFC. Just check your HDFC netbanking under credit cards. I randomly checked mine and it took me to a page where it gave me option of pre-approved Diners Black and Infinia.
I immediately chose Infinia.
Had earlier checked with my BM and he said net take home required is 3-3.5 LPM for eligibility, and 3 LPM was the relaxed figure in some cases.
Hope this helps!
I have been trying to upgrade from my Regalia to Infinia for the last one year. My spends cross 12L per year and have about 7L limit on my card. Salary is about 2L/m – Do you think i have a chance on the upgrade, or do I have i to just wait? ITRV ~30L.
Happy to share my Infinia experience with this great blog by enthusiastic team. I recently got my Infinia card ( Visa Infinite, contactless, 10L credit limit) and Priority pass together in a beautiful box.
MY JOURNEY TO INFINIA:
Infact this is my first HDFC credit card. They denied 2 years back when i am new to the branch even with eligible income. I am a doctor by profession with eligible ITR of 45LPA. Recently i applied through bank credit card person (different guy, did the job for me) who got approval from his boss and finally got a president seal at Chennai office. At the time of approval i had >10 L FD, HDFC life insurance along with saving account with salary credit (~2yrs).
Need few suggestions from Siddarth or experts.
1). Should I retain Amex platinum travel card ( got first yr free) or switch to LTF MRCC card ( I travel once or twice a year with family)?.
2). What are the useful and must have complimentary cards along with Infinia if eligible to get?
3). Should i apply for one of e-commerce cards (ICICI Amazon pay/ Flipkart axis card/Paytm city) ?
4). Which is the best fuel card?
This fantastic blog by great minds is useful to many. Many thanks.
Regards,
Dr Mahadev
Call your RM and ask him to push your case.
In the same boat.
Been following up for a month now. Fingers crossed!
Had the regalia and premier miles and Amex plat travel card for a long while. Used to max out Amex plat travel card in 4 months .. Never seen a card which gives more benefits or earn rate than Amex Plat travel with the Taj voucher and spicejet points. Just saw a upgrade offer on my Net banking to Infinia. The Golf green fee waiver and the add on card priority pass and lounge access are attractive. Has any of you Infinia card holders tried to use the Golf benefit ?
Hi Siddartha,
Thanks for all your reviews. Had read most of them and it really helped me lot.
I am salaried professional with 16 LPA salary. At present I am holding below cards:
HDFC Regalia — 4.6 L Limit
Amex Platinum travel card — 3 L Limit
Amex Gold charge Card — 10 L spending power.
HSBC Visa Platinum card — 2.25 L Limit
Citi Rewards card — 1.5 L Limit
Standard chartered manhattan card — 3.75 L Limit
I looking to get premium cards but LTF. Please suggest whether I can get HDFC infinea or SCB ultimate.
Can my gold charge card help to get premium cards. It has 10L spending power but it wont reflect on statement. Please suggest best possible way to get HDFC Infinea card.
Hi Ms all super premium cards come with fee. U cant get DCB and Infinia ltf also infinia is invite only card. You gold card will not help you in getting any card. First try to get Regalia limit above Re5L and then try for DCB upgrade but it is chargeble and apply for Ultimate on limit basis.
I dont know why people have fascination for ltf. They want everything but do not want to give anything.
I have LTF Infinia and I know a few others who are on the LTF platform for Infinia as well as DCB. However, I have absolutely no clue as to what triggered the LTF offer – It was free for first year after upgrade from Regalia and LTF second year (present year) onwards!
hi Frnds.. i am in the process of upgrading to infinia from regalia after holding it for about 2 years… now i have been told first year charges are free and 2nd yr onwards it is 10000 plus GST with no reward points on renewal.. how come? i will pay for renewal and will not get reward points? and how u guys ae getting infinia LTF. kindly throw some light
Infinia LTF is possible with a substantial NRV, think Imperia and higher. I believe by no reward points, they mean there wont be a welcome benefit. They might offer you fee waiver depending on your spends.
Consider going for Diners instead, easier to procure and merchant rewards make it worth if your spends on the portal would be around 50k, the DCB is capped at 15,000 point/month.
I now have both Infinia (9 lac limit) and SCB Ultimate (5 lac limit), and these are the only two cards I intend to retain.
The cards I closed are AMEX Platinum Travel (10 lac limit) Citi Premiermiles (10 lac limit)
I will strongly suggest you move your spends from all these various cards to Regalia and get Manhattan upgraded to Ultimate. HDFC will over time assess your higher spends on Regalia and consider upgrade to Infinia easier. Infinia annual fee is waived off on 8 L spends, so that’s free too.
The Ultimate is effectively LTF – they give 5000 reward points against 5000 INR annual fee, each point is equal to Re 1/- at the time of redemption.
Hope this helps!
You have given “Rs.3.30 for every rs.100 spent”, that means you have straight away considered reward points equal
to rupees, is it really the case? When you try to redeem these points, do we get stuff where 1 reward point is equivalent to 1 rupee?
Yes it is the case. The stuff you get is Airline ticket and Hotels and now activities too.
Actually its 5 points for every Rs 150 spent , when redeeming for bookings on smartbuy portal for flights and hotels , 1point = 1rs , for merchandise or cash credit , its 1point = 0.5 rs
I got this message in my statement today: AUTO DEBIT* WILL BE ATTEMPTED UNTIL PAYMENT REALIZATION FROM THE PAYMENT DUE DATE -EFFECTIVE 15TH DEC19.* IF APPLICABLE
Anyone!
Yeah it’s just an update to their terms and conditions ~ HDFC bank will continue making collection efforts (auto-debit) of the outstanding amount on your credit card (MAD or TAD, as you signed up for) from your savings account till the figure comes through (Until Payment Realization).
Hi Sid,
I have 10 savings and current accounts with hdfc and 7 demat accounts. I have been a credit card holder with HDFC since 2000 and slowly was upgraded to Regalia. I have been holding Regalia for 6 years now. Two years back, I had a limit of Rs 10 lakhs on Regalia. So, I applied for Diners Black. The credit limit was split in half and now I have a Diners Black with a credit limit of Rs 8 Lakhs and Regalia with a limit of 5 lakhs. My spends on Diners Black are high while that on Regalia are negligible. My attempts to upgrade to Infinia have not been successful.
Meanwhile, my mom’s regalia limit suddenly increased from Rs 2 lakhs to Rs 10 Lakhs despite minimal usage. So, she applied for a diners black with a split limit like me but her application was rejected because as per new policy HDFC issues only one card to one person. So she went to the branch and the credit card team called up the call centre who offered her an Infinia. So she now has an Infinia.
Meanwhile, my relationship manager was pursuing me to get my dad a credit card since he did not own one. He filled up a form for business regalia, but was then informed that there is an offer for LTF Business Regalia online so he should accept the offer online. When we went online, there was an offer for Diners Black as well. We chose that offer and my dad was issued a Diners Black as his first ever credit card.
I felt that one of the things that is going against me getting an upgrade offer to Infinia is that I hold two cards despite the combined limit being Rs 13 lakhs. So I decided to cancel my Regalia card as 1. I was hardly using it for the past two years as Diners Black was my primary card, and 2. I was told that you can get an upgrade offer against my Diners Club Black card as well.
Finally cancelled my Regalia card after owning it for 6 years. I have good memories of it before it got devalued.
Guys, I am holding HDFC Infinia and planning to travel in Q1 2020 to Sri Lanka (my international vacations are very rare, this is after 6-7 years). Can you please suggest if it would be wise to just carry some USD (which I will convert to LKR in SL) in cash and Infinia card with me or should I carry some USD + any Forex card? Please suggest, as I am finding it difficult to understand the benefits of Forex card over my Infinia. Pls let me know if I am missing something.
1. Best option is Infinia. Net earnings on Infinia while using it abroad= 3.30% – 2.35% = 0.95%. So, its always beneficial to use Infinia. Activation of HDFC’s Global value program prior to the trip will yield another 1% cashback on all abroad transactions. (Capped at Rs. 1000/monthly cycle).
2. 2nd best option is Niyo FX card. It’s on a visa platform, so anyone accepting cards will surely accept this card. Load INR into the card and freely spend in whatever currency you like. There are no charges for FX transaction.
3. 3rd best option is to take HDFC FX card. Load INR into it. Withdraw cash in ATM in SL. Charges will be 2.35% + any ATM withdrawal charges, which will still be cheaper than buying LKR (cash) from India.
By taking USD and then converting into LKR, you are incurring conversion charges twice: INR to USD and USD to LKR. Hence, USD is not advisable.
If you have time in hand, I suggest wait for a week for the HDFC Forex Card offers to get updated.
HDFC has 10X offer on loading HDFC Forex Card with HDFC Credit Card on a minimum loading of 1000 USD. Max. bonus points – 5000.
You could call for a Multi-currency forex card. When you swipe in hotels or big restaurants, ask them to swipe in USD if option is available. This will help in reducing any kind of conversion fee.
@Harshal, @Tejas Ghongadi
Thanks so much for your detailed inputs. This is indeed very helpful.
Just got a call from hdfc chennai that my regalia can be upgraded to infinia…was eagerly waiting for this to happen.Having salary account in hdfc and spending around 10-12 lakhs so far per annum on my hdfc regalia card..just could not believe my ear….
Time to rejoice..
Thanks siddarth for your great effort here
what is ur current regalia limit?
11.90L
Hi guys…..I was looking for infinia from long time only because it has 1 point equal to 1 Rs. Now I can see in my login that there is a upgrade offer for me for infinia, however they charge 10000 from second year then I don’t feel it is worth to convert from regalia to infinia. I don’t find any other benefits as real benefits because I have yes exclusive card which got me all lounge access free and both regalia and yes exclusive both are ltf.
Now I am confused what shall I do? I don’t want to keep burden on my head for 10000 from second year. There is no guarantee that I will use 8 lakh per annum when we have plenty of cards. What are the other real time benefits which you guys are really using?? Now I am feeling there is no as such real luxury credit cards for a salaried person, as most of the luxury cards just offer free unlimited visits to Lounges. Ideally I think they should come up with real good offers on membership of luxury hotels with 60 to 70% off membership or on room etc. Please help me decide.
Hello guys,
I see most of the guys who got upgrade offer to Infinia are from Regalia, any idea if DCB card holders also get invite for Infinia ?
P.S : I am DCB card holder with a limit of 7.5L and eagerly for waiting for Infinia, my spends are around 30L per year.
When your credit limit will cross 10lakh plus,you will get a call from hdfc for upgrade..Even for limit increase,they will call you and please accept the offer and ask them for upgrade (worked in my case regalia to infinia)i had 5.95L limit and limit increased to 11.9L along with upgrade..For better chances, spend maximum possible amount with in a statement cycle and see the things in your favour
My Upgrade Path was Regalia for 3 yrs(limit 560000), manually filled up upgrade form and sent to chennai; got upgraded to Diners black in Oct 2018. Then in Oct 2019 with Diners Limit of 1500000, I again sent upgrade form to chennai, specifically mentioning I need Visa Infinite Variant, and I get Visa Infinia.
My Annual Spends are to the tune of 7-8 Lacs, with Salary Account maintained in HDFC Bank.
No need to wait for Upgrade Offers. If your spends are good, you should get upgraded.
Did you send IT return or salary slip along with upgrate forms? Was it in the range of 42Lac / annum for infinia?
Thanks
I sent my latest salary slip. No, it was not.
Does your diners reward point adjusted with infinia in same ratio.As my rm was saying that only diners point cant be shifted when upgraded. They had to be consumed or they will lapse when upgraded to any other variant from diners to any visa or mastercard
Hello guys
I have Diners Club Black and i am exploring if i should upgrade to Infinia or continue to hold Diners black. I am Imperia customer so upgrade shouldn’t be a problem. I want to know which is card is better to hold between Infinia and DCB. Btw i have made over 2 lac points in a year on DCB.
I am a DCB card holder since 6 months and got an upgrade to Infinia for my Regalia Which i am holding since 7-8 yrs.
My ITR would be in the range of 40 but my RM told me initially that to have both the superpremium cards ITR should be more than 60
I’ve been trying to upgrade my Regalia First to Regalia/Infinia for a few months to no avail. The online Upgrade page just shows a generic message, and the RM has been pretty clueless too.
For context, I have Imperia account status, my parents both hold personal Infinia cards, my Regalia First has a limit of 5 lacs, and my personal income is in the 15-20 lpa range. Last year, my spending on the card was around 8 lacs. We have been banking with HDFC for over 10 years now.
I’m already holding an addon Infinia card, but getting a primary card would be better.
Any pointers on how I can expedite this ?
Using HDFC INFINIA Card for some time. They have a limit of 2000 reward point per transaction, which I found quite annoying. Also redemption, is too long a process. They should straightway made adjustment to the statement like Indusind Pinnacle.
AFAIK, 2000 reward point limit is only for insurance transactions. Else, I haven’t seen any such condition – anyone else kindly confirm?
Not sure why you are facing issues in redeeming points but it is pretty straight forward on Infinia microsite (for flights, hotels, bus) and can even also be done via HDFC netbanking (for statement credit and gift vouchers). Statement credit would mean that each reward point value will be only 0.50rs and even at this rate, when compared to the pinnacle, the reward rate is higher on Infinia (1.66% from regular spends and 16.6% with accelerated rewards)
Not true bro , i have swiped for large amounts at one go and still received more than 2000 points (5 points per 150rs ), pls ask infinia customer care abt the 2000 point limiting transaction
2000 RP thing is limited to insurance spend
Hello,
I have Amex platinum charge card and other high end cards.
I really want to get the Infinia, but currently have the Diners Club Miles card with an online upgrade offer to Diners Black.
I am wondering what the best route to Infinia would be for me: should I switch to the Regalia card and start spending more there or get the DCB and spend a bit more there? I’d prefer to get a Visa card as all my non MC/Visa spends go on the Amex. But happy to hold DCB and spend a bit there if I can ease into Infinia faster.
Right now I don’t use the Diners Club Miles card a lot but they keep increasing limit on their own.
I have a question, I’m sure I’m missing something but here goes.
If infinia card gives 1% net benefit on foreign spends, then can a NRI use this card abroad until the 8 lakh limit.
Sure you get hit with the conversions and tax.but the reward points accumulated will pay for flights home.
You get 1.94% net benefit till Rs. 100,000 and 0.94% return after 1 lakh. Yeah u can use it abroad till your whole card limit per month, every month. Having said that, Diners Black card sometimes give you whopping 30% return when they are running international spends offers time to time.
HDFC or Visa/Master etc. also has 1-2% markup built into the currency conversion rate that they give you. Check HDFC forex rates here
@SG – The conversion rate while using the credit or debit card is not charged by the bank but the card issuing platform. On the other hand the rate link you are referring to, SG, is when u take a forex card from HDFC bank.
One will never get the mid market rate which u see on xe or other sites. That is inter Bank rate only!
Hi Siddharth,
I am Infinia card holder & wanted to know if there’s any expiry period for points earned ? Also wanted to know if it’s possible to get points from other card holders ?
1. Points Expire after 3 Years from the date of credit.
2. No. You cannot transfer points from other card-holders.
Got upgraded to Infinia from DCB. I had sent forms to chennai address exactly one week back. Today got confirmation message that my card got upgraded. Still I confirmed with customer care about the upgrade as my DCB is getting renewed next month.
Thank you so much Siddharth… Without your blog, I would be still holding Regalia. And the journey to DCB and subsequently to Infinia would not have been possible.
Anoop .which form did u sent. I cant find the infinia upgrade form online.
Pls down load the upgrade form from the following path in HDFC website.
Forms Centre -> Personal -> Credit Cards -> “Application for limit increase or Credit card upgrade – For Customer”
Got it thanks looks like they have updated the forms in 2020.
Normal limit enhancement cum upgrade request form has the option for infinia upgrade.
Anoop can u plz tell me that did ur reward point were shifted to infinia as my rm was saying that they will not be shifted from diners to infinia and if yes in what ratio thanks in advance
no confusion in that… it is 1:1
You should have waited for the renewal and got the memberships and then send for the upgrade, that way you get both the benefits.
might be. but I felt this is the best time to send upgrade request. means just before auto renewal
Hi siddarth
Am using Regalia from past 5 year limit 7.2lacks but still i am not get invitation for infinia any suggestion pls
whats your yearly spends like on regalia??
That’s irrelevant imo; my yearly spends on regalia were in the range of 1-3 lakhs & here i am holding LTF Infinia now. He should just let the credit limit increase to above 8 lakhs and then send an upgrade form to Chennai
How did you manage Infinia LTF? Was it Regalia LTF upgraded to Infinia LTF ? In my case my Regalia LTF was shifted to DCB with fee 🙁 and now I am stuck with DCB with no upgrade happening to Infiinia despite repeatedly asking to RM/CC.
I have no idea at all. It was first year free after upgrade but close to renewal date it was made LTF. IndusInd Legend and ICICI Sapphiro were also LTF. I closed Legend and will close Sapphiro soon I guess.
My spending is average every month 5to 6 lack
Get hold of UI then!
Can that be the reason? 5-6 lakh monthly spending on 7.2 lakh credit limit.
Just wondering.
I had upgraded to Regalia in Oct 2019 from RF. Since then i have spent 5.87 lacs. My CL is 4.39 lacs. My last CLE was around Sep 2019 so i am expecting my next LE anytime soon. The question is do i have a chance for an infinia upgrade once i reach 8 lacs spend(which will be in another 2 months). If not any tips to push for the upgrade? I had recently opened a savings account with HDFC and also availed a personal loan. My CIBIL score is 809 but the only downside is my ITR is much lower than the required ITR for infinia
CL over 8 lakhs needed for Infinia. ITR is irrelevant if you are following the upgrade course to Infinia. ITR along with NRV is needed if either of those two are bit less than the actual cut off limit for the card. Personal loans don’t help you with the credit bureau as it’s unsecured loan.
Either of those two ? Could you pls elaborate it with more clarity ? I have dcb with 10.90 lakhs limit , will I get infinia if I send Upgrade request form to Chennai ? My ITR is less for infinia upgrade as cc executive told 40 lakhs Is the requirement
Either of those two = ITR and/or NRV
Just send upgrade form to Chennai. You’ll get Infinia. ITR/NRV is irrelevant in this case
8L CL om Regalia will qualify you for an upgrade. Check with your RM
Dont count on CLE much. Its very sporadic. I got a CLE within 4 Months of Regalia usage (Maybe 2-3 Lacs Spends), but on the DCB despite spending over 5 Lacs in 2 Months of DCB usage, I haven’t got any CLE in the last 9 months.
As for upgrade from Regalia to Infinia, its a hit or a miss. Infinia upgrades are now highly in control of the RM. The upgrade request form no longer lists Infinia. So a person cannot directly send the upgrade request form by courier to Chennai office.
Finally got the card. Thanks for your excellent review.
Congratulations. Welcome to the unnecessary expenditure group.
😀 Nice one !! But than CCs overall accused to be so. But I am sure readers of this blog are different and disciplined lot.
I saw my first year’s expenses, after getting Infinia, go up by 3x. All other card expenses shifted to Infinia. Closed 3 existing cards, will close another one soon and will be holding just 2 now. Reduced headache, increased CIBIL.
Curious.. What is the other card that you plan to retain?
I have been a two-card guy for a while. Citi Prestige + DIners club black. Tried Amex plat travel in between for a few months, but too little real-world acceptance, and hassles of yet another card meant I surrendered it before a full year. RM offered to replace DCB with Infinia, but I declined. Perhaps in a few more months…Prestige for intl travel + DCB for domestic travel is serving decently… Cibil has always been over 800 too!
I also ruthlessly close card irrespective of whether it is issued “free” or not. To my surprise my credit score has actually gone up. I’ve closed Yes Preferred, HDFC Diners ClubMiles and SBI Prime recently.
@ Sree – March 10, 2020
I am now holding on to Carbon along with Infinia.
Closed Sapphiro too. 4 cards closed in 2 months. Only 2 left.
Hi sid,
I have HDFC diners Black card and I am looking for another card. I will be crossing 5 lacs spend and think I should have another card. Do you think it make sense to take HDFC Infinia or any other card?
What should be the expected ITR, if I need to enhance my Credit Limit on Infinia between 15-25 Laks…
Above 15-20 lakhs per month, for salaried, net after all the deductions. Higher for self employed 🙂
15-20 lacs per month is just absurd for credit limit increase. Infinia limit will depend on mostly NRV with HDFC and your spend sectors over the last few months more than your ITR.
Hey, I just replied to his query. There are other simpler workarounds that I am aware of but he didn’t ask for my opinion ~ he just posed a question!
15-20 Lakh per month ??? That would be a package of around 3-4 Cr (Gross). You really meant that or 15-20 Lakhs per annum (Why my spell checker is not accepting annum as valid word ??) 15-20 L/month net sounds too high and 15-20 L/annum sounds too low (for even getting Infinia) For Salaried, I believe an ITR of 80L – 1 Cr, you should be able to bargain for 20L limits. (Purely speculating, don’t even have Infinia. Based on my exp, I’ve seen HDFC giving limits of 5x of your monthly net. So a monthly net of 4-5 L you may get 20L limit if old customer. But than HDFC says, for min net 3L in hand you are eligible for Infinia and min Infinia limit should be 10L+ that makes it around 3.5x of monthly net. But in reality it depends a lot on ur relationship with Bank, NRV, business to bank, Card usage, Credit history etc etc and your RM as well.)
As I said before, my reply to his query is solely based upon his question which was ITR based 25L+ limit on Infinia.
My Current ITR is of 1.2 Crores, and my current limit is 12 Lakhs, and the card itself a L.T.F and I will try for enhancing my limit anyway.
You seem heavily stuck on increasing Infinia’s CL! If you shop close to 12L i.e your card’s limit, HDFC will increase the limit automatically by 50-75%.
The highest limit i have seen is on Sapphiro card, not Infinia/Prestige!
Same question, I have hdfc infinia with 15L limit, what’s the max limit the card can have? please let me know if you have already got any ideas.
12-18 L seems to be the initial limit. A few on this blog have north of 25L limit.
I vaguely remember one of the card holders having said he has 23 lac of limit.
After that I guess it would be NPSL based on your ITR.
Cheers,
Kiran
NPSL is not based on ITR; maybe they go case by case basis but they never asked me ITR.
Holding Regalia since 6 years and CL is 7.7 lakhs , should i wait for 8L limit upgrade or can i send now itself and upgrade form to infinia to chennai please suggest. Sal post deduction is approx 1.8L per month.
Finally i have infinia.
Today my wife’s card was upgraded to infinia (visa infinite). So now i have LTF DCB 🙂 and infinia.
Just confused about what to do with SCB Ultimate as it was the backup of DCB. Should i close it or use it as it was used for just wallet loads and school fee payments (which can be done via infinia now).
The process to upgrade was simple – filled the upgrade form and within 1 week the card was upgraded.
The card upgrade progression has been fast:
-Womens solitare in June 2018 was upgraded to Regalia with a limit of around Rs.2L.
-Subsequent limit upgrades to more than Rs.5L and upgrade to DCB in April 2019. i did achieve the Rs.5L milestone also.
-Lots of spending along with limit upgrade to Rs.10 l and finally Infinia in March 2020.
Congrats Prashant.
Do we need to send latest ITR Or salary slips along with upgrade form or just selecting to upgrade existing card to infinia is enough ? I have dcb with credit limit of 8.90 lakhs and thinking to send upgrade form to Chennai for infinia but my ITR is less for infinia requirement.
Hi,
You need to send the la 2-3 months salary slips along with the upgrade form.
I m self employed, my itr is very less for infinia, so will they consider to upgrade dcb to infinia even after sending itr or Sending only upgrade form Is enough? I hold dcb with 10.9 lakhs limit
Prashant Gupta,
Great,Enjoy the benefits.
I am talking to my RM and CC Manager also close to a month but seems not moving in the right direction.Have DCB with 7.1L and preferred account for over a decade
Thanks,
You can do 2 things.
1. First increase the credit limit beyond Rs.8L.
2. Try to send the upgrade form to chennai directly.
I think better to close SCB Ultimate. You can now make school fee payment by RedGiraffe and get points. Maybe use Amex MRCC + Gold Charge card for wallet loads.
Hi,
I dont think RedGiraffe accepts school payments. The school has its own erp portal for payment linked to payu and only accepts Visa/Master.
Congrats Prashant. Did you provide income documents along with upgrade form. If yes can you share how much was your wife’s annual income ?
Thanks. Ya i sent last 2 months salary slips . The gross annual income is in 7 figures and may qualify for DCB standalone but not for Infinia.
Do we get RP for waller loads on Infinia ? I don’t think so…so still Ultimate useful in that sense !
Nope. No Rps for wallet load on any HDFC cards ~ mentioned in TnC
Congratulations!
Congratulations Prashant. How did you get LTF Diners Black. Is Infinia also LTF. Was upgrade available through NetBanking or applied manually.
Thanks Ankit. DCB LTF is through their top institute program where if you have done MBA or studied from top institutes in their list u can get the card LTF. I applied for infinia manually by sending the upgrade form to chennai.
Thanks so much for the update. HDFC really should put this top institute program on their website. But I guess they want to increase the number of customers and keep this hidden. The agenda of increasing customer base points that the benefits of 10X may not stand for a long time.
Sid, Prashant and all : Any insider process of getting LTF Infinia.
Got credit limit enhancement today from 890000 to 1090000 for dcb , strange to see credit card upgrade popped up to new dcb card with 10k annual fee instead of infinia, so what are the chances of upgrading to infinia by sending upgrade form to Chennai with new credit limit ?
To begin with opened my hdfc account in may-19. Got business regalia with credit limit of 5 lakhs In oct-19 on card to card basis of sbi elite whose limit was 4.2 lakhs, and have spend 11 lakhs in last 6 months . Holding imperia relationship and have also increased my relationship by investing in hdfc Super income life insurance plans By committing 5.3 lakhs per year ( me and my wife combined) for next 8 years and have opened a 5k RD too on RMs insistence in the hope he will be my torch bearer to infinia one day. 🙂
Having done all this, now i want to knw that when can i expect limit enhancement? All payments are on time and cibil varies from 775-780. Should i upgrade to diners black or wait for limit enhancement to 8 lakhs . How is hdfc when it comes to limit enhancement?
So what will happen to the points that are to be accrued in 90 days for amazon 10x if the existing dcb is upgraded to Infinia in the mean time ?
Any idea on this scenario? Will the due 9x points that are to be credited into dcb In 90 days will get credited to Infinia if dcb is upgraded to Infinia during that 90 day period? Or simply hdfc deny that 9x points ? I have 10k points to be credited for amazon smartbuy purchase done in the month of February 2020, now contemplating to send upgrade form to Chennai for Infinia.
1)How much points you can redeem at a time of Infinia portal.2)is there a cap.As i read points are 1rs only on portal otherwise on catalogue its not that attractive .3)also does point have expiry.
No cap on redemption @ Infinia Portal.
Infinia card points have expiry period of 3 years
Hi Siddharth, since this comment is coming significantly after the post was made, I don’t know whether to expect a reply, but I’ll give it a go!
I currently have an Amex Platinum Reserve, an LTF Regalia and an LTF Citi Rewards. I also have an LTF Yes First Privilege, but given the current situation, I don’t know if that s relevant 😛 My annual spends are about 6-7L, most of which I direct to the Platinum Reserve, since the AMC is waived off for spends over 5L. My ITR is somewhere around 60. For me and my family, domestic travel is almost weekly. International travel, about twice a year, mostly to the US.
I have had the Regalia for very little time, around four months, and the credit limit is 5L. How can I get upgraded to LTF DCB? Or LTF Infinia, if that’s a thing. ( I am specifically looking for an LTF DCB since I’m not sure if I’ll be able to spend 5L on DCB, given the limited acceptability of Diners Club)
Thanks Sid for the excellent work.
I have been eyeing for Infinia and finally got it today. I got Diners black and Citi Prestige in 2016 and since been planning to get upgraded to Infinia mostly due to low acceptance of diners. I have not been using much of the prestige card benefits and 20k fee has been mostly a waste (forgot last year to apply for 10k Taj/ITC voucher – yes u don’t get unless u make the request and it lapse if not requested intime). But I needed two cards for travel purpose and low acceptance of Diners.
For the interest of the group, I tried through customer service few times but never had a positive response. So 2 weeks back walked into nearest HDFC branch and met the manager. My business card (MD title) and ITR (7 figure) got the branch manager really excited. I don’t do much business with HDFC only a savings account with bare minimum balance. He requested some special bank account to open (5l initial deposit) and 25k min balance afterwards. I thought it to be a good deal as I can get rid of the Citi prestige. I made it conditional to getting the Infinia. Initial idea was to get additional card (Diners + Infinia) but he came back that only one card possible hence bumped to Infinia. All points have been transferred to Infinia at 1:1 ratio. CL is same as diners ~ 10l. Same on prestige.
Any suggestions which card to keep as secondary? Not interested to pay annual fee. My CC expand is roughly 20l (business travel).
Anyhow, thank you for this great blog. Very helpful. I got Diners and prestige after reading this blog. I had Amex before.
Hi Siddartha
I have 10.30 lack limit with Regalia is there any possibility to get invite or any suggestion for upgrade
contact RM/BM or send upgrade form.
Thanks / shiv
Rm / BM is not responding properly
Now i have 1038000.0
Limit how to upgrade to infinia kindly suggest the ways
Send upgrade form to their Chennai Head Office. Address is mentioned on the upgrade form.
HOWEVER with the current lock-down and proposed extended lockdown scenario you can easily expect delay of 2 months or more depending on their priority work module.
Shivi
Rajesh here
I have regalia with 375000 limit. I am stuck on this limit for over one year. No offers for lE/upgrade. Have spent 15L+ last year. Have a fantastic payment record. Also having good relationship (preferred) with the bank.
My ITR is north of 6L. i can’t share ITR with them as they will decrease the limit. what can i do?
Post in relevant thread.
Folks! In the post-covid world, What changes in card benefits do you foresee in the near future.
For eg. Most of Infinia benefits – such as Priority Pass, Golf sessions, Club Marriott might not be the most attractive
The answer varies with the answer to the question: “When will the Coronavirus leave the planet?”
Highly unpredictable 🙂
If it is POST-COVID, and covid is no more, I dont see any changes.
Priority Pass, Golf sessions, Club Marriott all will be as attractive as it were before.
We’ll have to live with it. There is no “covid is no more scenario”
Hi Siddharth,
Just wanted to share my experience on Infinia, I have been using HDFC cards since 2012 and was upgraded to Infinia recently(Jan 20) from Regalia. I had ~10 Lakhs as CL on Regalia, I didnt put in any request and my RM reached out and mentioned that I was eligible for an upgrade and had the card in 2-3 days.
I have about ~14L ITR and been a Salary account holder with HDFC since 2012. so I guess relationship and high spends(above 15L per year) helped with the upgrade.
My experience with the card has been great till now, great reward rate and also lot of promotions. though due to Covid current scenario I think, it might be useful to have some more redemption options with 1rs – 1 point conversion. Also, with multiple promotions, I am not able to track the bonus rewards, something I miss badly on HDFC, there is no points statement that you can access. like Amex Rewards. Otherwise this is a great card, that I use as my primary.
Hi,
Could you please please help me in choosing between Diner Club black and Infinia. Although I thought Infinia would be better due to more acceptance than Diners card and 25,000 point cap with a smart buy instead of 15,000 cap with DCB. but looking to more details, I see DCP has a better welcome gifts in the form of membership and subscriptions compared to Infinia card and additional partner 10x program for capped at 25,000(although I am unable to find the latest list of partners). I don’t play golf at the moment, so limited golf from Infinia has limited value to me. If I need to learn, 6 in a quarter should be sufficient for me.
I am confused regarding which card would offer me better value. My priority is rewards points. Does smart buy offer even daily products like groceries bought from amazon? I also have Yes bank First exclusive credit card.
Since you have experience with both the cards, could you please suggest which one should I go for
regards,
Priyesh
Read write-ups on both & decide. You can also take up his exclusive paid service which i highly recommend.
Hey, I have a Diners Black and have the option to upgrade it to Infinia. Just want to check though if the points I have accumulated will get transferred or not? No one really knows and I have got mixed answers in the past
@Sharang
Points from Diner to Infinia will be transferred in 1:1 ratio.
Sharang,
Did you get the automatic offer on netbanking from diners balck to infinia or How did you get Infinia Option?
Hey Sharang
What is your current credit limit in Diners Black? How much approximately spent in past one year so that Infinia upgrade triggered?
Has anybody availed the 50 lakhs medical insurance cover on international travel, fully or partially?
Hi guys,
Would like to share an interesting story of a pre-approved infinia credit card offer in my wife’s account.
We have 10 grouped accounts for family and business with HDFC and are in Imperia category. I have sadly been stuck with hdfc jet with no upgrade offer partly because of not so great ITR and partly because I stopped my spends on that since jet stopped it operations. CL on that card is 4.8L. My dad has regalia with 11.18L limit and was upgraded from jet to regalia in Dec 2019 after lot of insistance to BM but infinia was refused flat out as ITR was not great and spends were less too in last 6 months. Since then SC ultimate has been our go to card except for few regalia 10X spends but not anymore on that as well because of devaluation.
Since 22nd march due to lockdown our money in business was sitting idle and so we invested substantial amounts in FD, mutual funds and stocks during market fall from our individual HDFC account. My dad, my wife and I each had around same level invested in all these since march end from HDFC online account only. I used to check upgrade offers in all our accounts as I had a feeling this might help.
In 1st week of June in my My wife’s account, who has no credit card till now in any banks, was offered a pre-approved Infinia with 1st year free (if we register smartpay or add-on while accepting and filling out online application). I straight away applied for the same with add-on for my dad and I. I got a message next day saying my application is approved but there will be delay in delivery due to limited staff and operations. About 8 days after application infinia card with few last digits and 8l limit is being shown on net banking account. Though we still have not received the card, its been over 2 weeks since application was approved but no message or e-mail with dispatch details have been received. I am in no hurry either and frankly I don’t have any big spends in coming months as well.
Sadly there are still no upgrade offers in my or my dads credit card. What I think is that if you don’t have a CC with HDFC they take into account your NRV with bank to offer you card and if you already have a CC they consider card spends for upgrade offer. I am happy my wife has it, its as good as my card, lol.
It has been years since I am using the Infinia Card. Let me help some and break up the whole thing for others.
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The best advantage is the unlimited lounge access which we get thru priority and there is no second doubt about this. So no matter how many airports u cover in a day all priority lounges will be honoured. Even people with add-on cards of infinia will enjoy the same.
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The rewarding system is good but the redemption part is what I did not like. Sure you can book hotels and flights with the ratio of 1:1 with money:points but thats all. If you are fixed with your dates and if there r no changes or cancellations then all is good. But as soon as there is cancellation or changes everything goes for a toss. you loose points. you loose money. you loose even more than what you shud actually loose. U will end up getting nothing even on refundable flights. i found there to be no help.
SECONDLY – i still do not understand why they do not consider as 1:1 for even the products. points r points and everything we buy is a product. then why all this drama. i did not like it.
THIRDLY – they have stopped giving reward points on fuel. why? Infinia customers shud be kept away from all this. u r earning a lot from over or 8 lakh plus of transactions then why r u even putting a break on goodies for Infinia card holders.
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With Concierge I had a bad experience. They say they can do anything and that too anywhere in the world but thats not the case. I wanted to get a whole trip of Australia booked for my family and they outrightly said NO. Thats the job of a Concierge. In fact in the whole trip of 10+ lakhs you people could have also earned but all u do best was say a big NO. Come on you cannot do basic things then how would u even book a yatch on the other side of the earth. Or how will you provide some assistance across 10 seas. So that broke all my pride of owning an Infinia.
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Golf thing I never used but I am sure it will be a marketing gimmick too. If there is someone who has used this service plz enlighten me.
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As for Insurance Cover – Never got a chance to try but my guts say even this will create infinite problems and embarrassments. If someone has ever used this plz enlighten.
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Rest all features and benefits are financial. You are good to calculate, evaluate and judge.
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As much as we feel this is the most premium card in India i do not have good feel with this card. The only 2 best things are lounge access and reward earning rate which is supposed to be the highest. Rest everything is either a gimmick or not much of use. This makes me always looking for a better card but sadly no other card is good enough.
You my friend, need to be introduced to American Express. Everything about them is premium. Today I called them for some basic info and ended up talking for about 30 mins on the corona virus. They know their stuff and will take good care of you.
Try their Plat Travel card first, ask for the MRCC as a free add on card and then upgrade to Platinum charge if you are confident. They treat you like royalty.
Fully agreed on Amex, earlier I felt Amex charges way more than they give ! but now I feel for the kind of promotions and service they provide, that’s worth !
Golf benefit for almost all cards (as obvious AmEx Plat is exception) are difficult for users to avail (if not impossible) All card golf benefits have minimum flight requirement of 2+. Easy, you’d say…. well only 1 can be card member other have to golf club member 😛 So if you were thinking that you and your colleague can go and play… uummhmm
AmEx Plat (atleast earlier) had min flight requirement of 1.
All you Infinia aspirers, your dream to get the card can easily be a reality.
Let me share my journey.
I opened my first and only salary account with HDFC, around 8 years ago.
After a few months I was given a Platinum Credit Card with a limit of, (don’t laugh) Rs. 20,000 only. Limit kept increasing to around 70K, when I was offered a Superia. I used it for a few years.
5 years ago, I was offered a Regalia, LTF which at the time was a dream come true for me. To own a super premium card, that even the head of my company owned at the time, was a superb thing. The same year, I also bought one 5 year ULIP with a premium of 50K PA, and a term Insurance with a cover of from HDFC. I also got the Amex Gold Charge and MRCC cards, which combined have given me around 40-50K of returns in 4 years, just by their monthly bonus points.
Around 3 years ago I opened a demat and a current account with HDFC, which I haven’t used much since I found other stock trading platforms much cheaper and better. Soon my account was converted into a Classic.
My spends in the last two years with my Regalia went well above 25 lacs. Last year along they were around 10 lacs. Over the years, my limit kept increasing from 3 to finally 6.75 lakhs in end 2019/early 2020.
A month ago I casually called my RM to ask her to get me an Infinia since I was making so many spends with the Regalia, she didn’t seem too serious as she was more eager to sell me a loan, and I didn’t think she would do much about it anyway, because my RM’s been changing constantly. So none of my “relationship” managers have had a “relationship” with me.
Then magically on June 21st, 2020 I got a WhatsApp message from HDFC saying that my limit could be increased to 8.75 Lakhs. I got a sense that the moment had arrived. So immediately I logged into my net banking, accepted the limit enhancement, and checked the upgrade section.
Lo, and behold – Infinia offer was right there. 1st year free and 10K+GST in subsequent years. I jumped with joy and accepted it.
While I still haven’t received the physical card yet, I see it on my netbanking. Can’t wait to actually get my hands on it and start spending it.
So all it took was, a few years of using Regalia as my main card, while maximising the bonus points from the two Amexes. A couple of insurances, a running salary account, an idle current account, and an idle demat account.
Now I’m not the biggest fan of paying annual fees to credit card companies, and haven’t paid even a rupee in the past 8 years. And mostly I got only the LTF cards, except Amex. The guys at Amex are generous enough to waive off the fee every year with just one phone call.
So with Infinia I will be aiming for the 8L spend PA to waive off the annual charges, I also do my rental payment through it so hopefully that shall cover more than 50% of the requirement. I might even close some of my other cards.
Now all these cards – Infinia and DCB are degraded and more degradation on the way.
Only 15000/7500 9x pts and only 5X on Amazon or 3X on FK.
Due to covid flight tickets and lounge access is useless for another 2 years.
They may also reduce conversion ratio of 1RP=50Paise to 30 soon(my guess)
Still they give only useless OlaSelect/BMS vouchers for monthly milestone. Only Tatacliq voucher is useful
Not worth paying fees now.
DCB currently has no private partners and smartbuy is your only bet. This could change in a few months. HDFCs customer care executive suggested not to upgrade from DCB to infinia as it will end up being a lot more valuable than Infinia in the long run
Don’t take his words. They don’t want to loose Diners customers since they get a lot from Diners (Infinia can be liability for the bank as for some case RP returns are more than what bank earns, not the case for any diner’s except 10x/5x)
If you don’t get fee waiver (LTF/spend based) 10k is not worth it.
Hi Siddharth,
I recently got Infinia, I would like to know which one is better VISA Infinia or MasterCard Infinia w.r.t. domestic and international travels?
Infinia is easy to get with ITR, and dont need bank account also. Just get hold of an RM, and RM can get it done with easily. what I have realized with HDFC is that you just need the right RM to process your application
We realised something very interesting, I think there is no criteria bigger than NRV with HDFC.
Here is our story:
My wife and I hold a Imperia relationship with HDFC (upgrade from preferred to imperial 1 month back, with an offer in net banking). We have separate saving accounts and I also have a demat account in my name. We also have quite a few FDs in my wife’s account. Wy wife is a housewife for a few years and has never held a credit card in India.
I called my RM to see if he could help me get my DCB upgraded to Infinia, he said sure np, just send me last 2 months pay checks and I will tc of it. I sent him the pay checks.
He called me back in 15 mins and said, he can get my card upgraded or we can get a Infinia for my wife as there is a invite for her. We went to net banking to accept the offer, there were no documents asked for, only a few basic things like confirm address (pre-filled) and a OTP. It also had a screen to fill in options branch and employee ID and a few more fields, which we filled with info from the RM (assuming it gets him some incentive).
We got the e-card in 3-4 hours and the actual card was dispatched in 2 days (delivery currently delayed by Bangalore lockdown).
I didn’t bother to check if it’s FYF or not.
Vishal,
Getting an Infinia is a delight! 🙂
I got approved and recently got the InstaCard (eCard)
It has an interesting line in the letter.
“ Any Wallet loading transactions will be charged at 2.5% of load value. T&C Apply”
I’m curious if you got that line as well – or if there is a change in T&C
Or is it just easiest to call the infinia helpline and ask?
I think all ecards are getting this (line)
My wife’s Millennium also has this… Though Millennium card features mention 1% on wallet load.
Yes, I got that line as well. I didn’t worry too much coz I have stopped using pre-paid wallets. For anything which can’t be paid by card, I do cash now. I have stopped using gpay also coz of transactions getting stuck in processing (it’s rare but creates very weird situations). Also the safety on wallets is crappy. I lost Rs. 6500 on free charge wallet long back and couldn’t get it back, Free charge executive told me, our security is perfect, you must have given your credentials and otp to someone and that almost all frauds are done by users themselves to try to cheat wallet companies.
I have a feeling that HDFC is giving out infinia lot more easily over last few months, and that’s why they diluted the benefits so much. With NO other credit card on her and only interest income, giving my wife a infinia shows HDFC is getting lenient.
Hi VIshal
I also got Infinia card aprroved. But as you have mentioned I havent received the Instacard . When I contacted the customer services they are telling that they do not have e-Card facility for Infinia Varient. After approval how long it took to receive the instacard?
Thanks
i got an invite for Infinia card, currently using Regalia card, my ITR is around 12lakhs PA but my association with HDFC is for 7-8 years with high spends and good relationship. Just the 10K PA is what i am looking to go with Infinia or not?
Kindly Suggest.
It’s actually the tax only as they will give 10K points for fees
You should go with infinia considering all cards have been devalued and infinia being the topmost card. You will get 10k points but will have to pay Rs.1800 as taxes.
I recently got Infinia approved. I already hold DCB. Now which card should I make my primary? Should I divide my spends on both or should I just spend on one. Off course, I will atleast spend the threshold to get the fees waived. My annual spend is approx ~INR 25L. Thanks.
@Unknown
Try finishing DCB’s target first. Wherever DCB isn’t accepted, use Infinia. This way you will be able to cross annual spend requirements for both, considering 25L approx spends and no annual fee has to be paid. Hope it helps.
You have both DCB and Infinia on same HDFC customer id? I was denied the same a while back, though I qualified for both of them by a good margin.
My wifes card was converted into ltf yesterday approximately 50 days after account opening. Also received 5000 bonus points. So now both DCB and Infinia are ltf for me now 😀. Only SCB and amex gold/mrcc are paid cards with me now.
Hi Prashant,
Any tricks and tips to get DCB & Infinia cards LTF ?
@Rakesh
DCB- the card was converted to ltf under top institute Alumni offer.
Infinia- was converted to ltf after i opened a savings account. Before applying i the RM check backend and said that the card no. is eligible for ltf.
Did you get the savings account opening offer in email or did someone mailed you?
@Anbu
I got it on my email, now the offer says ltf applicable for both infinia and dcb with 5000 points.
LTF due to opening savings account? My wife also got an infinia due to 12 lac FD, but RM saying LTF is stopped
I envy you… 🙂
How you managed to get it converted to LTF? Please share the details.
Very nice. Exceptionally good deal to have DCB and Infinia for LTF
Do they convert it to ltf? I asked them but they said clearly no.
Any idea how to get it converted to ltf?
MY RM says no LTF for infinia. only first year free. please clarify.
Hey guys…I also got an email from HDFC to open a savings account and get my Infinia converted to LTF. Took the offer and you can see the happiness on my face 😁
Now only chargeable cards are AMEX Plat Travel and SBI Prime.
Hi Prashant
I also got a similar offer on email from HDFC branch directly in which they were offering to open a Savings account and get my Infinia converted to LTF and also get 5k bonus points. Took the offer by opening a Savings Max account and now I am really happy 😀
Now like you I also hold Amex Plat Travel and SBI Prime as the only chargeable cards with me.
May I ask your income above 40lakhs or below?
No dear…it’s less than 40 lacs. I guess I got lucky due to long term relationship on CC.
Anyone knows if I can use Infinia Visa for lounge access at lounges which do not accept priority pass but accept visa?
For domestic use visa card and for international use Priority Pass.
Hi Vishal,
Yes you can!
Feb this year, at Bengaluru, my connecting flight was in 4 hours. As the maximum occupancy time is 2 hours, the lounge guy asked me to use 2 cards. I used PP and Infinia (Mastercard).
Hope this helps.
You can use but outside India they are chargeable on Infinia. Even within India some places would charge you for using Infinia if not a part of the Infinia or PP lounge networks
Definitely
Got the infinia converted to LTF today along with 5000 bonus points. All I had to do was open a HDFC Bank Savings account.
Today I got confirmation to upgrade Infinia
Thanks for giving valuable Guidelines
@Chetan can you please share your upgrade experience . how did you get limit enhancement in the previous cards , which spending pattern trigger the infinia invite . And pro tips for others to get an invite .
Hi chetan,
Can you share your journey how you got your upgrade?
please share your experience
HDFCB has offered to increase my limit on DCB to > Rs. 12 lacs. Is an invite to Infinia in the offing?
Already achvd Rs. 8 lacs spend milestone.
Credit limit doubled! Wondering if they are thinking of introducing a new card.
Hi Shivi
Is it doubled in one go. means 100% auto LE ? HDFC generally offer 30-50% . I have regalia with 6.5L limit, Is there any chance of getting upgraded to DCB or Infinia ? Should I wait for upgrade offer on netbanking or sending physical upgrade form to chennai will increase my chance.
Thanks.
Doubled in one go 100% auto LE.
Earlier they used to offer 30 percent and occasionally 20% auto LE.
I think waiting for limit of around 8L would be good.
100% auto LE.
8L and above CL needed for upgrade to Infinia or a high NRV over the past year.
Hi shivi, I have 4 lacs limit on DCB. Spended 7 lacs in 7 months yet limit enhancement has not been triggered. Any suggestion to increase ?
Sorry, no idea!
@Shivi
Same for me on both my HDFC cards.. consecutive months..
I read it here on card expert.. come card expected above Infinia.. it was planned Apr/May.. delayed due to Covid.
I hold a DCB and have a salary account. I spent approx. 6+ lacs last year and sent physical application request to Chennai office and Viola! Got my card.
I had pent 2.5 lacs in the current DCB cycle and with the new card the cycle date is changed with the new card issue date so 2.5 lacs wouldn’t count towards the 8 lacs for Infinia
I was in doubt and yet sent the application during lockdown. It took 3 weeks to reach Chennai as Chennai was also in lockdown. But, I tried and got it. I stated VISA variant on the card and got the same.
My take: Try and don’t just wait. Worst case app will get rejected. Definitely don’t wait on RMs. My RM couldn’t do it for a year and I took the matter in my own hands
Finally, after two years of relationship with HDFC, got my hands on the Infinia last week. Started with the Regalia back in August-2018, upgraded to DCB in May-2019 and now upgraded to Infinia this month. DCB was an extremely good card. Too bad its acceptability was just getting worse and worse. Pushed my RM for the Infinia to get Infinia approved for me through any higher authorities within HDFC as maybe required.
Please provide information about points tranfer and what happens to pending points in old diners card?
Any kind of card conversion has points transfer as per the Matrix on the upgrade form. For DCB to Infinia, it is 1:1.
Pending Points credit needs to be seen. Will come to know next month.
Diners Black Acceptance is deteriorating..
MAX Bupa doesn’t accept Diners on their payment portal.
Tried to pay the school fees but didn’t work on their app or the website.
Local machines at general shops/medical shops are also in the list.
Payzapp also doesn’t support Diners.
I have Black with 6L CL & waiting to increase the limit. Once done, I’ll try for Infinia.
Hi guys.
I got approved for Diners black in Dec 2019.
Till now I have spent almost 9 lakhs or more on this card. In spite of this there were multiple times when this card wasnt accepted.
I definitely do not meet the income criteria for Infinia (hell I dont even meet for Diners black).
I recently got LE to 7.5 lakhs or so.
Is it a good time to apply for Infinia? How do i go about it as its an invite only card.
I also have an auto loan of Rs 15 lakhs on HDFC taken in Dec 2019. Are there any chances that I could get approved for Infinia?
For limit based you need 8L limits. Talk to an RM a combination of savings account + limit + your existing loan might help.
If you have DCB LTF, why do you want to shift to Infinia. DCB is an awesome card. You can think of moving to Infinia if you are holding a priced DCB.
Just got this card in the mail without applying for it.
I’ve had a Jet Privilege Select card for 5yrs that started out at 80k limit and steadily increased to 11 lakhs over time. I don’t nearly spend more than 1-2LPA on it. It wasn’t even expiring and the only update was the billing statements to intermiles earlier in the year.
Been with HDFC for 8yrs or so. Car Loan, FD and Liquid Funds products. Checked on the reason why with my RM who said he has idea and it’s automatic invitation.
I guess they go by the banking relationship because I don’t nearly make close to what some of y’all are claiming to be the base salary requirement for this card.
Sad that I got this during the Covid era and my business travel and dine-out is non existent. I guess it’s time to cancel the SBI elite card and I really hope not to see a ₹10k fee this year as my previous card annual fees were ₹500 which was amazing for 11L credit limit.
Also underwhelmed by the welcome kit. The SBI Elite kit was much more impressive.
But thank you HDFC. I finally get to talk to an actual representative with a functioning brain stem from now on.
FYI….I spoke with the Infinia priority support rep. My query was why was I upgraded without applying for the Infinia. Apparently my JetPriv card is being phased out by next quarter and people will automatically be migrated. I was migrated to Infinia based on my CL of 11L. The good news is migrations are LTF with no spend milestones.
@Adi Murty – Interesting to see that migrations are LTF. Thanks for the information.
As far as I know, Infinia is a first year free card not LTF as confirmed by hdfc sr. Mgmt.
Just curious to know if there are other folks like you who hold Infinia LTF.
I am holding Infinia LTF since Dec 2019 after it was FYF in Dec 2018
thats great, how did you get Infinia LTF?
I got my upgraded new Infinia card and i was already having 87908 rewards points but after getting infinia card it reduce mentioning adjusted/lapsed and now my balance reward points is 43954 without using. I don’t agree with this.
what was the previous card you got upgraded from ?
(I got upgraded from DCB to Infinia and the same number of reward points were given)
Hey Everyone! So i have been using Regalia for 9months now. Did transactions of 8L in that time. Had a 4.25 L CL. Got a CLE to 8.5 a couple of days back. I unfortunately donot have a preferred account. Any chances of getting bumped to Infinia? Was ok to go to DCB, but with the falling acceptance and rewards, i would prefer infinia. Any pointers.
New Offer on Card ~ i guess it’s different for everyone: Spend 67K and get 5K worth of vouchers (amazon etc) between 07 Sept – 30 Sept.
Thanks a ton for this post. I recently got an Infinia card upgrade and was wondering about the steep fees which I did not want to pay. Will call the customer care tomorrow to confirm.
Hi Sid and others,
I am a LTF Regalia card holder for 3 years with 7.5 lac credit limit. I want to upgrade to Infinia. I sent an email to customer care of infinia and got a reply that I am not eligible for upgrade as it is an invite only card. ITR>40lac and annual spend on this card is 10-12lac/annum. I don’t have any other CC. I don’t have any relationship with HDFC bank except CC and also not keen on any of their product due to their pathetic customer service. Most of my spends are non air travel related . Is there a way to get Infinia? Would it be worth if in case it comes with annual fees?
Can’t believe, at 40L+ ITR they don’t want to give Infinia.
It Regalia is free, stop using it for 6 months, I am damn sure they’ll start rolling out carpet (offers+upgrade)
But for fee u get 10K point which are worth 10K only on air travel , do keep that in mind. (Just don’t fall for Diners, you’ll be stuck.)
It wouldn’t make sense to hold infinia if you don’t use RPs on travel.
Annual fees is the last thing Infinia/Super premium card aspirants think of imo.
A query to other infinia users.
Currently have DCB with 10l limit.its LTF.
Positive have chances of upgrade.
Assuming I might not be able to spend 8 lakhs yearly for fees waiver, does it make sense to upgrade infinia? I mean apart from higher smartbuy limit and acceptability, what other benefits for 10k fees I would need to pay?
Would love a response.
I enjoy its smartbuy limit and perks for International traveler including but not limited to forex mark-up, merchant partner offers & some on-and-off offers in Shopping Malls. If you travel Internationally, Infinia is over and above any other card at present (taken at base value, not including lifestyle cards of AmEx and CiTi)
Hi Priyansh, I am in the same situation as yours. Have a good limit in LTF DCB. But skeptical on upgrading because I will end up with paid version of the card. Have you tried dropping an email to upgrade to infinia at LTF?
that would solve all your problems.
Questions for you to answer:
are you reaching the 7500 10 X limit frequently
are you facing acceptance issues that could have led your expenses on the card increase by 1-2L (or even more).
Any planned large purchases that dont accept diners? (insurance, large appliances, education fee
any upcoming international travel?
If answer for the above questions are no, then i think you are better off with DCB rather than Infinia. Another thing to keep in mind is HDFC is planning to launch a ultra super premium card above infinia with 5 points per 100rs 5% reward rate along with 10X. I have read in forums of this card being launched in late 2020/early 2021. In case you want that card at any cost, having infinia can make upgrading to the new card easier. Seems HDFC is accepting more upgrade applications to DCB and Infinia from lower variant card holders so that some of existing Infinia members can be shifted to the new card when launched.
Infinia is total worth it due to higher acceptance than Diner’s , higher 10X, 5x reward points limit. Fees may sound higher but you will get 10000 points in lieu of annual fees which is 11800 including GST so effectively Rs1800 Annual fees.
Simply put you are getting 10,000 Reward Points against the annual fee. If you use it well, the card costs you only about 1800 Rs.
Better acceptability considering it will be a Visa / Mastercard Platform. Rest pretty much stays the same.
You get points worth 10k on payment of 10k for card renewal, so it should not be an issue.
If your DCB is LTF why give it up for a chargeable Infinia? Contrary to many peoples opinion I find DCB has great acceptance online and offline, and has milestone rewards better than Infinia, you don’t need to carry a separate priority pass in airports. Yes it has a smaller 9x quota than Infinia but one rarely needs more than that. Wait for 9x partner brands to return.
Infinia is better than dcb anytime.
I am sure that you can get access using the Infinia cc as well, hope someone clear this up.
have they now blocked multiple user IDs but same credit card number to buy amazon vouchers for more than 5k in a month through gyftr smartbuy website? i am getting error message when i try to buy amazon voucher stating ‘transaction failure’. When i called GYFTR helpdesk, they mentioned that ‘transaction denied due to risk’, and they are saying it is from the bank’s end. But if i try to buy other vouchers such as myntra or spencers etc. transaction is proceeding further. I called infinia helpdesk and they are not able to resolve. This defies logic. If the bank has to block, they would block any transaction from gyftr website and not only those transactions from gyftr website for amazon pay voucher (as i dont think payment gateway will have the visibility to find out what i am buying from this website). So there must be some program built in at the back-end at GYFTR to figure out whether any purchase over 5k value is made through one single credit card using multiple mobile numbers, and they must be blocking them. Anyone experienced this recently in the last 1 week?
Please let me know when the 10x reward points are getting credited now a days. I am yet to receive 10x for transactions done on Aug and Sept. Should I wait for 90 days from the date of transaction. Previously for my DC card the 10x points was getting credited within 3-4 days of transaction. For Infinia what’s the normal time period. Thank You
Hi Abin
Its 90 days from the end of the month of Transaction
I am planning to apply and the bank people said i have the eligibility. i want to understand the following.
1. Joining fees always needs to be paid or I can ask for First Year Free(FYF)
2. Do we get renewal benefit of 10k points, even if we do not have to pay renewal fee of Rs 10k because of 8L spends in previous year?
2. No renewal benefit of 10k if you don’t pay fees
Thanks for the confirmation 🙂
@Akash:
– Usually Infinia comes as FYF. A few here have it LTF too.
– Renewal benefit is there ONLY if you have paid the fees.
Thanks for the confirmation 🙂
1. HDFC is giving Infinia as FYF currently. Most likely you wouldn’t need to ask for it.
2. No. 10K Points is received only if you end up paying the 10K Fees for the card in case of spends less than 8 Lacs in the previous year.
Thanks for the confirmation 🙂
I have the infinia applied for a an add on card for my son. Can he avail the complimentary golf rounds as an add on card holder? Thanks.
Please call up Infinia helpline and confirm.
Update Nov’20 – Complimentary golf rounds and/or green fee waiver is only for the primary card holder.
Hi Sidarth,
Thanks for inputs on Infinia CC.
I have recently taken Infinia CC.
1. Under Smartbuy – Instant Vouchers whether I am eligible for 10× RP for all offers including Spencer’s and Groffers.
Other than Amazon and Flipcart ( max Rs 5000), no other offers are having purchase limits I.e. if required we can do shopping upto Smartbuy limits ( 15000 RP / month) for 9×RP advantage . For purchases over and above it Infinia CC holder will get RP @ 5 for Rs 150 transaction.
2. I spent almost Rs 20000 on fuel. How some RP can be earned on it. Since I am paying it through Infinia CC, is it getting added to my spends to qualify for spending Rs 800000 for CC fee waiver?
When I visited the card section of HDFC Bank internet banking, I was offered a “free for life” credit card. On selecting the options I was offered the Infinia Card. This was in the month of August 2020. In the month of October 2020 I have been debited Rs 10000/- towards membership charges. When I took up the matter with the Bank they were first surprised and said Infinia is never offered “free for life”. I sent them screen shots to prove that the same was offered to me “free for life” . They said they would take up the matter with the Card company and revert . Now they are refusing to withdraw the membership charge. Are they right in doing so. What remedy do I have.
Drop and email to pnohdfcbank [at]hdfcbank[dot]com.
This is the principal nodal officer. Usually the best bet for resolving complaints. you can also try PriorityRedressal.CreditCards[at]hdfcbank[dot]com
The principal nodal officer forwards the email to the given email. I would suggest going with the pno email as it’s the highest level of complaint at HDFC. Elaborate and attach Screenshots. While Infinia is not given LTF, you can try arguing. If you get a negative reply ask for a DCB LTF.
Similar concern here. At the time of upgrade from regalia to Infinia the annual membership fee mentioned on their site was Rs. 1000 (One thousand Only), hence I upgraded. When I confirmed with HDFC they said it was due to a ‘technical issue’ the membership fee was displayed incorrectly, the annual membership fee remains Rs. 10,000.
Anyway it is free for 1 year, will cancel it before the renewal.
You need to wait 6 months to an year before initiating any new downgrade request although afaik you can’t go back to your old credit card (same variant)
Simple n straightforward – I call up credit card customer care n ask 🙂 Try it; really works!
Hi Sid,
Great review and strong content up there. Just a quick question. I just got a new HDFC regalia business card with cl of 2.25L upon FD of 3L.
This is my first credit card and I’m planning to charge 1.5L per month, so approx 15-16L p.a.
will my credit limit increase?
And will I be able to upgrade to infinia?
I took it on based on FD since I don’t have any credit history and it was the best way to start one.
Your advice would be great!! Thank you!
CL won’t increase in cards set up against FD. You can instead take Infinia against FD itself.
Also, business variants of credit cards do not have same benefits as personal credit cards.
My DCB CC against FD is currently at 150% of the FD amount in a year time. It started from 75% of FD.
Regular uses, sometimes used to the tune of 1-1.5L per month.
That’s new
Hey ! just noticed something new in Infinia page, hence posting here .
NOTE: For card sourced starting 01-11- 2020, Below T&Cs are applicable
1. If the Card remains inactive and is not used for effecting any transaction for a continuous period of 3 (Three) months, the Bank reserves the right to revoke the benefit of Life Time Free status of the Card and Bank also reserves the right to levy yearly renewal fees second year onwards with no fee being charged for the first year only.
2. The Bank reserves the right to cancel the Card in case the Card remains inactive and is not used for effecting any transaction for a continuous period of 6 (Six) months after prior written notice sent on the email address and/or phone number and/or communication address, registered in the records of the Bank.
This only applies to Infinia if issued as LTF against ongoing offer. The latest TnC and MITC of Infinia (v 1.70) doesn’t have such clause(s).
Can you share more details of the ongoing LTF Infinia offer you are referring here?
Hi Friends,
Currently I am holding the Regalia CC from 2 years with the Credit limit of 12L. I am using the HDFC CC from past 12 years and I am Preferred Net Banking customer. I have requested them to upgrade to Infinia CC multiple times and they are not processing as my monthly income is lesser than the eligibility criteria (1.75L per month) mentioned for Infinia CC. Is there any other option to upgrade.
Dont approach bank guys. In case you haven’t tried this, just fill in the upgrade from and drop in ATM. That might work.
Just the upgrade form filled or with income documents.
Hi I have a regalia with limit of 9.97L, would I be eligible for infinia ?
Seek your answer in this blog and you shall find it multiple times!
Dear all – are you still able to buy more than 5k worth Amazon / Flipkart instant vouchers in a calendar month and earn 10x points, using multiple phone numbers but same infinia card? Thanks in advance.
No Gyftr hve strted to block all those cards. Which were doing the same. My Own INFINIA card got blocked doing the same. Had to re-issue my card saying “I have lost it”
Ok Thanks. I experienced the same and the worst is the block is not getting released in the subsequent month, and as a result had to request them to re-issue a new credit card.
After re-issue, were you able to buy from multiple accounts?
Yes but only up to 5k , and when you try to buy more than 5k vouchers using multiple mobile number it get blocked again. Frustrating from the point that in the next month it doesn’t get unblocked. So have to again request for a new card issue the next month.
They will decline the transaction (happened in my case)
Always try to use different mobile number with different HDFC card.
Does gyftr login have to be with same mobile number that’s the registered mobile number with HDFC Bank? For example, if I have 1 DCB and 1 Infinia card with same registered mobile number for OTP etc, can I still create 2 gyftr website logins with 2 different mobile numbers and use 1 mobile number for DCB amazon 5K instant voucher redemption and another mobile number for Infinia amazon instant 5K voucher redemption?
I was checking points redemption option. It is currently 6660 points for INR 1000 Amazon pay voucher. Am I looking at the right website? This translates to very poor redemption rate. Any idea how to make best use of those points?
Redemption Option for 1000INR Amazon/Flipkart is 6660RP. Rest of the redemptions ratio remains the same 1000INR :2000RP
Use smartbuy website>privileges for points redemption
Redemption against travel vouchers or air miles is the best.
No , look via smartbuy portal
Thanks. I managed to order. How long does it take to receive? Do they send the gift card by email or courier?
What is the maximum limit that anyone has on infinia?
I currently have 25L
Little shy of 30. Increased during pandemic CLE offer
How are your monthly spends like? and how long have you been holding the card?
I have Diners black and I have been using it almost rs 2L per month from a year now yet the CL is only 6L which was increased from 4.68L to this in August 2020.
I know you might hesitate but I just want to know how to get there with such high limits. I am in no means be using that much credit limit of course but it just shows that how much bank trusts you with their money and your overall net worth and it’s kind of proud feeling to be able to have that much limit which I also wanna feel one day 🙂
Since 1 year its 15L. How did you get LE to 25L?
Yes! same here with me. It ended up at 15L round figure. All my earlier limits were multiples of hundreds. But after the last limit increase it was capped at exactly 15,00,000.
Sir I have hdfc money-back credit card with limit of 57,000 since one and half year..I got it by pre approved offer.i have 10 lakh fd in bank n I have normal 5000 ₹ maintenance saving account.is there anyy chance that I will get upgrade or credit limit enhancement due to fd … pls 🙏 reply sir..
if you have 10 lakh FD in bank then you will certainly get Infinia based on FD
I am eligible for an Infinia is what my RM told me. My spends per year is around 2-3 lakhs only. Would it be worth to upgrade for Infinia? As it is gonna be of yearly charge and not LTF. I know I will be getting 10k points, but I am not sure about this. Looking for some guidance
I currently have Regalia, Citi Rewards, Amazon pay Icici.
Ask your RM , usually they claim LTF but its only FYF, only if you want travel benefits of club mariott for 1 year and unlimited lounge access , go for it , otherwise dont , the bank is just trying to increase their revenue base , and RM obviously works for the bank and not you
My HDFC Regalia credit card usage currently is between 3-5 lk per annum . CL is at 15L and i have an option to upgrade to HDFC Infinia with FYF and renewal fee from second year onwards. Is it worth it to upgrade with renewal fee..
Go for it if you can recover the fees second year onwards , breakeven in my calculations is arnd 3,58,000 in order to recover the 11,800 fees (though they will gove you 10k points) so only you are paying 1800 as GST a year , the recovery can be even faster if you take advantage of 10x points scheme … if you think you cant manage the above , dont go for it
Take it only if you travel & and can redeem points on domestic/international flights/hotels & tours as the cash/voucher redemption rate is too low & you’d be better off in other cards if you want cashback in lieu of reward points. Also see if the payment on fees isn’t going to pinch you or make you question your decision.
Hi Guys, I see HDFC Infinia has been degraded recently (end of 2020). Has anyone observed the same?
I have been using this card since ~3years.
I see the following degradation
> Redeem Cash : 1 point = 30 paise
> Amazon Voucher : 6660 point = 1000 Rs
> Myntra Voucher : 4000 point = 2000 Rs
The low conversion rate for Amazon Voucher is not explainable
For sure, Infinia benefits are on path of silent decline.
The downgrade is not recent but it’s been in effect since July 2020. A LOT of things have changed so do update yourself
Received an upgrade offer today, from Regalia to Infinia.
Annual membership fee was mentioned as zero. Upon calling HDFC customer care, they confirmed its LTF.
History with HDFC as follows (No other relation with HDFC (Savings/RD/FD/ Demat) except Life insurance):
June 2016: Issued Regalia LTF. CL: Rs. 3 lakhs.
Jul 2017: CL increased to Rs. 3.6 lakhs.
Sep 2018: CL increased to Rs. 4.32 lakhs.
Total cumulative spends till FY19 were very nominal, since had other cards having better reward ratios.
May 2019: Bought an HDFC FX card. (Technically, the 1st business given to HDFC). CL immediately hiked to Rs. 5 lakhs.
June 2019: Used it abroad.
Nov 2019: Availed the Global value program. Again used it abroad.
16 March 2020: CL increased to Rs. 8.76 lakhs. (FCY spending abroad and/or FX card might have done the trick for a bumper hike in CL)
Overall spending in FY2020 was high.
2 Jan 2021: Free upgrade to Infinia LTF.
Other points which may be helpful to readers:
a. All payments always cleared few days before due date. No outstanding ever. I have also ensured CIBIL score of 800+ at all times.
b. All CL enhancements done through net-banking. Calls to HDFC call centre didn’t help.
c. We expressed desire to move all family accounts to HDFC bank (FD + Savings + Trading + Demat). Despite being eligible for Imperia banking, RM/BM didn’t help much and could offer only Preferred banking. No CL enhancement/CC upgrade would have been offered despite opening up preferred banking account. Hence, I refused them.
I have an imperia account for past one year and denied upgrade to inifinia from my regalia with a CL of Lacs, Just checked my net banking and got upgraded to infinia today. But they clearly mentioned under as first year is free and the second year will be chargeable if you not spend more than 8 lacs, Otherwise spend 5 Lacs within 90days. Still confused,,,Is the a free life time or not?? Please clarify
You have answered your question on your own – “But they clearly mentioned under as first year is free and the second year will be chargeable if you not spend more than 8 lacs, Otherwise spend 5 Lacs within 90days.” It will be LTF only if you meet the second criterion!
How do you ensure you keep CIBIL over 800, as the algorithms are unknown?
Got an invite from HDFC Bank for Infinia LTF as confirmed by customer care. Limit is 9.60. Great start of the new year. My existing Regalia has a limit of 6.85.
Hi guys.
As per my msg above, I had applied for Infinia via email. My monthly salary is short of the eligibility for Infinia, however I have a loan of 15 lakhs for my car.
My CL was 7.6 lakhs. I was refused infinia as my CL was below 8 lakhs.
As luck would have it, I received LE of 9.8 Lakhs today. I confimed it via netbanking. Then tried to check if Infinia shows up in credit card upgrade, but it isnt showing. Should I wait for a few days or should I write back to HDFC info3ming them that me CL is now 9.7 Lakhs.
Great week for HDFC CC users .
Got one regalia in family with 8L Credit limit upgraded to Infinia LTF. CL jumped from 6L to 8L last months .
Another regalia with CL in 3-5L range got 30% CL increase.
All via netbanking
HI
I am getting upgrade offer from regalia first to infina but it is mastercard variant. is there any way to change it to visa variant.
How do you know which variant you are being offered? I accepted the upgrade on netbanking but I can’t see which variant it is.
In the upgrade offer, it is given. If it is Master Card variant, it is written MC World Infinia.
If your existing Regalia is a Mastercard variant you will get Infinia of Mastercard variant only.
If its Visa Regalia you will get upgrade to Visa Infinia.
BiL received MC Infinia from Visa Regalia
I just got offered the MC version of the Infinia card. Hopefully the features that have been offered will be useful to me.
I have one question: I have 11.2 lakhs credit limit. Will this credit limit change / be lowered in case this card is issued?
Received my infinia in a premium box. Limit is 9.60. Just read the brochure. It is like a dream come true. I am cancelling every other card that I have ( except Amex cards and Axis Bank Ace, for the time being ).
Lucky you. I have 14.55L limit on my DCB and still haven’t got the invite.
I got my Infinia in a plain old hdfc black cover… Felt so cheap 😛
On which date u upgraded
1) Is there a way to convert existing infinia card into life time free card?
2) I have an infinia already. Can i also request for DCB card?
3) After reading all the comments in this blog, I am afraid with the way they are expanding the membership base for infinia card. It may no longer be qualified to be a super premium card, if all those who were earlier holding Regalia are upgraded. Hope they bring in a ‘real’ super premium card category soon.
Is it possible to move master card infinia to Visa card ?
Will that kind of request accepted by hdfc ?
Ask HDFC……..
Where I can see the reward points for the unbilled transactions. I dont see it in netbanking portal.
It’s in netbanking portal under account information. Only the regular 1x though, not the incremental ones.
I recently got upgraded and got a message saying that the card delivery is delayed for three weeks. When I called the customer care they said it is due to about 2lakh customers being upgraded to infinia.
Why so many customers are being upgraded so quickly ?
Are we suppose to use the infinia card or PP in a lounge in india ?
Are PP swipe for Infinia charged if used in india ?
In India you should use your Infinia card whereas PP is for all the loungers under PP program.
Infinia PP is not charged in India too. Don’t use Infinia for International though
You do not get unlimited lounge access with this card. I’m a infinia card holder and I was facing issues with domestic lounge access using priority pass when I flagged this issue with HDFC Infinia support they clearly told me that Priority Pass is only for international (not domestic) lounge access. I have emai from their support which reconfirmed this. They asked me to use mastercard lounge access for domestic travel which is limited to 4 per quarter.
That’s a new development. Infinia PP was accepted in India, across many domestic airports, up till March 15, 2020 (Personal experience).
Not sure about this. I’ve used PP in domestic lounges 4 times in December 2020. Didn’t face any issues
I never had this problem. This must be unique to you.
I got an Infinia credit card. I never had any investments/fixed deposits or even their premium savings account.
I will use this card for 1 year for free and then will discard it.
That’d be a sorry loss
Hi Siddharth,
What are the things included in the Renewal benefits provided in 10k amount after paying the renewal fees.
Does anyone know ?
No renewal benefits except 10K reward points
What are the major difference between MasterCard and Visa variant of Infinia? In comments, I have seen people preferring one over the other.
Guys don’t miss out on the free Dineout annual membership (all cities worth Rs 2999) for the Infinia cards.
Yes, it’s a good deal & absolutely free.
Hi All,
Question here on Priority Pass card that came along with Infinia. The usage in domestic lounge is free or chargeable. I am confused hence looking for inputs from those who have used it recently.
Regards,
Balpreet Singh
Chargeable
For INFINIA, its free.
Enjoy unlimited complimentary lounge access at airports within and outside India at 1,000+ airport lounges using Priority Pass.
Benefit also available for add on Priority Pass holders.
Ref: hdfcbank.com/personal/pay/cards/credit-cards/infinia-credit-card
have a life time free HDFC diners black with credit limit of 6 lakhs and Jet Privilege signature card ( annual fee version) with total credit limit across these two credit cards of 9.78 lakhs. I am planning to close Jet Privilege card before card renewal. My spends on Diners Black would be 7-8 lakhs per year. My overall card spends would be 13-14 lakhs per annum including on Amex Platinum Travel and Amex MRCC.
I am planning to not use Amex and shift all expenditure to Diners Black so as to achieve higher spends on HDFC Cards.
With the above levels of spend woul it possible to get an Offer for Infinia and if yes will I have to give up Diners Black?
To keep both do I need to have credit limit of at least 13 lakhs (5+8) for Diners Black and Infinia?
Do not close Jet Privilege, instead convert it to Regalia/Regalia First(R/RF). Spend on Regalia/Regalia First and wait for its limit enhancement.
You are among few customers having 2 credit cards from HDFC.
Whenever you get an option to upgrade, then decide what to do. You can at a later stage after converting your Jet to R/RF transfer some limit (whatever is above 5L) to this card, so as to get an upgrade to Regalia from RF or Infinia from Regalia. But it is correct that you may have to wait for 8L limit on this one.
If I were you, I would have closed any of Amex to meet the fee waiver limit on HDFC cards.
Thanks..this is helpful…will swap for Regalia..given that I have DCB its too tempting to not use it…would be it possible to keep spending on DCB and get limit enhancement on the DCB card and transfer the increased limit to Regalia?
Yes it’s possible.
But you have to do some sacrifices and spend on Regalia/RF too.
I have similar situation, I have Infinia and Diners Club Miles, I do some spends on Club Miles too, even on the cost of losing value as reward points. If I want to have DCB upgrade, I need to sacrifice.
Hope it helps.
Hi All,
Which variant of infinia is better considering domastic and international spend? Master or Visa?
Visa for Domestic. MasterCard for International.
Hi Sidharth,
Is there any difference between Infinia Visa and Infinia Mastercard? Which one is better?
Would love to hear from you thanks!
Mastercard has good offers in select foreign countries, like Singapore.
Visa is good for India.
Hi – What are the best value redemption options other than flights? Any other option that converts at 1:1?
Can’t really book flights in this pandemic and have tons of points which i want to use in case any devaluation comes along.
Take vouchers at half the value or statement credit at one third the value (subject to gift tax above 50k per annum)
Also 1:1 for DTH recharge
Conversion to Air-Miles. Airmiles validity are minimum Two years and the options from Infinia are KrisFlyer Miles, Intermiles & Club Vistara Points.
If you have enough Reward Points, Conversion to Miles can get you KrisFlyer Gold Status and in turn Star Alliance Gold till Jan-2023.
@Uday
Although, not helpful for the number of points you are seeking to redeem, but still, DTH recharge gives a value of 1:1.
Hope it’s somewhat helpful.
Second best redemption is 2:1 against amazon/flipkart gift vouchers.
Flights & Hotels are the only option for a 1:1 redemption. See if there is an option to transfer the points as miles to an airline you are likely to use in the near future. Else, redeem for Amazon or Flipkart vouchers if you fear losing value due to an impending devaluation.
Dth recharge on Smartbuy.
Thanks MT, Praveen, Amman yeah DTH is a good option, just that only for few points.
Thanks Tejas, Krisflyer/Star Alliance gold is a good option, I’ll check out the conversion ratio rupee wise.
@sandeep, pointsredeemer: Amazon/FK is pretty bad value I was thinking. In that case is rather sir tight and hope there’s no de-val.
If we redeem points against amazon voucher do we again get points for buying amazon voucher ???
Reward points can be earned only when you make a payment.
Redeeming doesn’t involve any payment so no points on that.
Finally, upgraded to Infinia from DCB after 2X LE on DCB into 6 zero numbers. Started this journey with Doctors Superia in 2014. After getting introduced to “Cardexpert” upgraded to Diners Clubmiles in Jun 2018 followed by Diners Privilege in Dec 2019, then DCB in June 2020 & finally Infinia now in June 2021.
LE was from 1.3 to 1.8 to 3 to 5 to finally 10 Lacs. Thankyou Siddharth for this priceless and privileged blog helping lakhs of readers & followers.
@Ashish
Congrats..
Hi All,
Could someone share their experience of no cost EMI on Amazon? Would the transaction be eligible for 5X reward points? Thanks!
smartbuy terms and conditions have this line “Offer is applicable on Credit card Easy EMI Transactions on SmartBuy Amazon-exclusive store for transactions done from 1st October `20 onwards”
But, I did not get for the purchase in feb. Raised a compalint and escalated. Waiting for the respomse now.
Any idea if HDFC is issuing Add-On cards? Or that is also on hold due to the RBI stay?
I could see the restriction in the NetBanking portal.
On Hold.
Credit limit for infinia enhanced to 20 lacks , yesterday good for big purchases
Hi Sid,
I have been using Diners black for last 2 years and the credit limit is 13 lakhs, last week I have asked my RM if it could be upgraded to Infinia as i spent 30+ lakhs on diners black so far.
Today morning i got a call from RM and requested me to visit the branch, I been to branch and they asked me to sign on upgrade form that says Card upgrade and credit limit enhancement. Also they told me that all the reward points will be carry forwarded to new card.
They requested me to wait for 10 business days to get the infinia delivered to me.
Thank you for your guidance Sid
Anil
had ur card been upgraded to infinia . if yes does your points carry forwarded to infinia in 100% ratio becuase i was told that from diners black to infina no points will be carry forwarded. so i didnt apply as i have a lot of reward points in my diners black card. plz update thanks in advance.
Any moderators or sid have any idea if HDFC rejects application sent to chenai for infinia in-spite of a limit on regalia 11L + ? Never have heard such a experience, but just wanted to confirm
Yes, it does.
HDFC started add-on card issuing. You can put the request through netbanking. I got it in 2 days.
Can we get Infinia add on cards for father in law
No Thomas. Only to blood relations and spouse as per terms.
But I too don’t know if they take it strict. Others, if you know please let us know.
I got the add-on card for Mother-in-Law, by selecting mother in option
what are the documents required?
My sep’21 Infinia bill doesnt contain SmartBuy points for Aug. Earlier bills had a separate section with a line item with smartbuy points. I had purchased vouchers in August month but points are not reflecting. Havent contacted customer support yet.
Infinia gives 30days travel insurance upto-50L cover, has anyone ever availed this feature?
Its one common-Policy number for all Infinia Holders, so how does this work?
While at Immigration, if asked to show your Insurance documents, should I tell them that my Credit Card gives me complimentary coverage!
Or
Do I need to buy a separate Travel Insurance (medical) from any other company?
Kindly advise!
This is a group insurance and you cannot utilize it as a proof for countries that need travel insurance.
@Siddharth- So for any country that does not require a ‘mandatory travel insurance’, then this Infinia- insurance coverage should be sufficient enough for any unforeseen medical emergencies!
..Am I correct?
Yeap though I haven’t met anybody ever who has availed of this specific benefit.
I enquired the procedure for availing this with my RM and the branch-Credit Card team, as usual.. they were all clueless themselves!
They cared more about selling me ULIPs and other insurance products 😂
Luckily, my Emirates Flight gave me Complimentary Medical Insurance along with the Ticket.
I have diners black since last 3 years with credit limit of 12 lakhs, but I don’t have any bank account with HDFC. Is it possible to upgrade to Infinia? If yes, what’s the process?
Heard about new hdfc infinia metal card which has been soft launched already.
It has a new design and a metal card.
Any further insights?
I have 4 questions, I’m hoping you will answer all 4 🙂
1) What’s the difference between Infinia Mastercard World and Infinia Visa Infinite?
2) Which is better Visa Infinite or Mastercard World?
3) Do we get an option to choose between Visa Infinite or Mastercard World?
4) Which card Variant should we go for? Visa Infinite or Mastercard World
I have switched from infinia mastercard to visa. Not much difference between both except visa infinite movie offer. You have to call customer care and give your reason for switching. If approved, they will send you the new card with different number. All points remains same.
not much difference,
only diff you get
-mastercard offers on mc infinia,
-visa offers on visa infinite
lounge offers r better on mc and movie offers better on visa
check website for mc and visa for more active offers, they change from time to time
Got LTF Infinia a year back, but I do not get any targetted offers or promo emails from hdfc at all. AMEX throws offers left and right to my inbox. Am I not getting selected offers bcoz its LTF card?
Hi Sid,
I am currently having HDFC Regalia, Flipkart Axis, and ICICI Amazon CC with me. After reading your article, I am interested in INFINIA. Do you think I should try for it, is my efforts worth it since INFINIA is not running 10X rewards anymore.
If I have the option to get either Infinia or DCB which is better for consistent spend of 1 lakh every month? I see DCB has monthly rewards which is not preset in Infinia. Also DCB has few annual rewards as well like Club Marriot, Amazon Prime, Zomato Pro, Times Prime which is provided first year and will be renewed second year too. But Infinia just seems to have Club Marriot and Dineout passport membership available first year but not renewed from 2nd year onwards. Seems DCB is better in terms od monthly rewards and Annual complimentary memberships.
The catch is in the naximumnumber of points you can accumulate.
For Infinia its 15,000 per month and for DCB its 7500 per month.
In an ideal situation being able to earn maximum points this gives the Infinia an advantage of 7500 points = 7500 INR per month!
Beyond this of course the DCB has some freebies on renewal, but everything boils down to your usage, if you spend enough to be able to maximise the points capped at 15,000 then its a no brainer, Infinia is far better.
Even DCB got devalued further from 1st Feb with smarbuy reward caps and per day limit of 2500 RP.
Apart from what Sid had mentioned, I would like to add that Visa/MC – Infinia is far better in terms of acceptance vs Diners – DCB.
Go for Infinia.
Is Infinia eligible for 3.3% RP on gold purchases? If not, what is the best credit cards with % valueback for gold purchase?
I am going to use this in GRT stores for jewel savings plan emi
Hi Ragul,
3.33% RP is applicable on every purchases except fuel and EMI transactions.
I purchased (in-store) gold jewelries many times with Infinia and received 3.33% RP.
Infinia gives you 3.3% on gold purchases carried out in store *but* may not give it when you convert it to EMI & GRT stores might even put additonal charges on use of credit card.
That plan will give you negative benefits going forward though.
i had no problem with gold i got 3.3% no limit
Do we get 10K reward points benefit even if I spend more than 10L in a year?
Hi Sid,
Can you please clarify, if a loan on a credit card be treated as card spend or not.
Thanks,
Shankar
No. They are different but emi is treated as card spend.
Currently spending around 4-5 lacs annually, got an offer to upgrade from LTF Regalia to Mastercard Infinia at Rs. 12500 Annual fee. Not Sure if i should upgrade or not?
If your annual spending is 4-5 lakh, recommend not to upgrade to infinia.
Infinia does not have milestone benefit like regalia. Though reward rate is less in regalia, it compensates LTF vs annual fee on infinia.
Hi Siddharth, very informative article.
Does holding another premium card such as Citi Prestige or SCB Ultimate make it easier to get hold of an Infinia? I have heard that some banks will issue cards based on cards issued by other banks?
Got Infinia today. I had DCB earlier (LTF with 15L limit). Had sent the card upgrade form along with my CTC letter and last 2 payslips to HDFC Chennai address and they sent the new Infinia within ~5 days.
Since this would invite questions, I have a in-hand of just over 3L.
Since your DBC was already LTF, your Infinia is paid or LTF?
Last year I was offered an upgrade to infinia (LTF) from regalia (LTF). Looks like they are regretting now as for the last two months they are continuously sending me MobileApp notifications/Emails to upgrade to the Infinia Metal version with 12500 INR annual fee. Who will do this upgrade and start paying the annual fee????? Considering I am not in India for long and not using this card much.
and now HDFC has completely removed amazon from smartbuy program too, now no more 5x RP or 5% cashback for any hdfc cards for shopping on amazon.
what a downfall HDFC cards had in last 1 year.
Infinia seems to be scaling down the benefits. Even the Apple stuff on its SmartBuy platform seems watered down.
Yeah, many products have been removed, and the iPhone 13 is still listed at 79,900 points 🙁
Can we use add-on cards for lounge access? I’m aware priority pass is free for primary and add-on, but not sure about visa affiliated lounges, since the TC only mentions primary card holder for visa lounge access
Yes, it works for add-ons.
Has anyone received a renewed card recently? I just had my infinia renewed and the card that I recd is very shabby. The name is not embossed anymore, it is etched and even that is not sharp. In fact, the last 3 alphabets of my name are blurred.
Just wanted to know if its a one off case or it has become the norm now?
I have recived my brand new Metal Infina last month ( for me and my wife ) and it looks amazing . Has even logo of 75 years of Indian independence ( azadi ka amrut mahotsav)
My wife has an Infinia with me as add-on, and I have a Diners Black (with her as add-on) that I’m trying to get upgraded to Infinia. Is it worth having two Infinia cards in the family (from a reward points perspective), or should I get another premium card like Axis Magnus instead and get rid of the Diners Black. I’m thinking of getting rid of it because it is unfortunately still not accepted in many places, and the rewards have been devalued quite a bit over the years.
My situation was similar to yours (wife has Infinia, I had Diners Black), and I ended up getting both the Axis Magnus and the Infinia (replacing my Diners Black). The acceptability of Diners Black was really irritating after a point. The rewards were lesser too compared to Infinia. I got Axis for their offers on Flipkart, bookmyshow etc. There’s the 10K annual fee, but you get 10K worth of vouchers for tatacliq, so I thought it was worth it. But from a rewards perspective, nothing beats Infinia, especially if you use it for flight/hotel bookings.
Try getting Diners as LTF if they give otherwise get rid of it and shift to Axis Magnus
i got upgraded to infinia from diners but somehow i now think i made a mistake. Diners black has better benefits like amazon prime membership, every month 500 rs tata cliq and book my show voucher. On regular spend – both diner and infinia have same points. Infinia has upper hand (With 5X) in smart buy but my experience has been that smart buy is not much of use cause you will not be able to apply discount coupon codes in mmt and other places if you book via smart buy. And rates of hotels and flights are generally higher in smart buy. So overall on regular spend you get same in diners and infinia but you loosing milestones and monthly benefits which are better in diners. Priority pass is one key differentiating factor in infinia but mostly for folks who travel a lot.
Hi Sid,
This review is old now, and an update would definitely help.
Recently I received the following email on further redemption constraints including no rewards on rent payments amongst others.
“There is a revision in the Reward Points Program on your HDFC Bank Credit Card as below, w.e.f 1st January 2023:
1. On the HDFC Bank SmartBuy portal, the redemption of Reward Points for flights & hotel bookings will be capped at 1,50,000 Reward Points per calendar month.
2. On the HDFC Bank SmartBuy portal, the redemption of Reward Points for Tanishq vouchers will be capped at 50,000 Reward Points per calendar month.
3. Redemption of Reward Points against statement balance (CashBack redemption) will be capped at 50,000 Reward Points per calendar month w.e.f 1st February 2023.
4. Rent payments and government transactions will NOT earn Reward Points.
5. Reward Points earned on grocery transactions will be capped at 2000 Reward Points per calendar month.
Revision in the Fee structure w.e.f 1st January 2023:
1. For rent payments made through third-party merchants, a fee of 1% of the total transaction amount will be levied from the second rental transaction of the calendar month.
2. If you conduct a transaction (in-store or online) in Indian currency at an international location or with a merchant located in India but registered overseas, a dynamic & static conversion markup fee of 1% will be charged”.
Surprisingly its not live on the website yet. Do you think they would have made these changes specific for some cardholders.
Infinia Metal Limit Decreased?
Interesting, just heard that from someone else as well.
Same happened with me. Dropped by 25%
Has anyone received this email for Infinia for update on reward point structure ? I am particularly interested in point 2
Revision in the Fee structure w.e.f 1st January 2023:
1. For rent payments made through third-party merchants, a fee of 1% of the total transaction amount will be levied from the second rental transaction of the calendar month.
2. If you conduct a transaction (in-store or online) in Indian currency at an international location or with a merchant located in India but registered overseas, a dynamic & static conversion markup fee of 1% will be charged
Infinia dth reward point redemption option removed from november as well.
*Slow death of a legend*
There is a revision in the Reward Points Program on your HDFC Bank Credit Card as below, w.e.f 1st January 2023:
1. On the HDFC Bank SmartBuy portal, the redemption of Reward Points for flights & hotel bookings will be capped at 1,50,000 Reward Points per calendar month.
2. On the HDFC Bank SmartBuy portal, the redemption of Reward Points for Tanishq vouchers will be capped at 50,000 Reward Points per calendar month.
3. Redemption of Reward Points against statement balance (CashBack redemption) will be capped at 50,000 Reward Points per calendar month w.e.f 1st February 2023.
4. Rent payments and government transactions will NOT earn Reward Points.
5. Reward Points earned on grocery transactions will be capped at 2000 Reward Points per calendar month.
Revision in the Fee structure w.e.f 1st January 2023:
1. For rent payments made through third-party merchants, a fee of 1% of the total transaction amount will be levied from the second rental transaction of the calendar month.
2. If you conduct a transaction (in-store or online) in Indian currency at an international location or with a merchant located in India but registered overseas, a dynamic & static conversion markup fee of 1% will be charged.
Would you recommend this card even after the recent changes by HDFC in Dec’2022
Hey Siddharth, Just to let you know DTH tab is also missing on smartbuy website. I tried multiple times but I am unable to locate it. I think they are downgrading card slowly.
4. Rent payments and government transactions will NOT earn Reward Points.
This is a big downgrade for me, especially the govt transactions.
Got Infinia Card today. Thanks a lot Sid!
Anyone having Infinia Customer care number to call from abroad?
They have given tollfree number for customer care but toll free numbers cant be called from abroad.
Any suggestions on how to get the missing bonus reward points? There are many smart buy transactions ( I can pinpoint most of them) over the past 5-6 months for which I have not been given bonus reward points. Have called customer care 3 times over the past 2 months. They say they will revert but they have not yet. I hold infinia.
Write to HDFC grievance redressal cell. Just google for the same and you will get the link from where you can make the complaint. I also had an issue with bonus reward points not being credited for amazon pay vouchers. Regular customer care complaint yielded nothing. Then one mail to grievance redressal with previous complaint number as reference and things resolved within 5 days. Try this, it will surely work.
Hi siddharth,
Can we keep hdfc addon card without using. I mean will hdfc close the add on card if not used for very long. Primary card is used very often
Is there any limit to the number of add-on cards that HDFC gives for Infinia? My father already has one, and I want 2 more for my mother and spouse. is 3 add-ons + primary possible?
I have 3 add on cards for my Infinia. So, it’s possible
Yup. I have 3 addon cards with Infinia. Spouse plus Parents.
You can have a total of 5 cards, 1 + 4 addon cards.
reward redmemption is beneficial if u book redeem for flight ticket via smartbuy but then smart buy does not provide any option to avail cancellation charges by paying nominal fees which is available in all other platform like MMT, yatra, goibibo etc. So it doesnt make sense to use smart buy as lot of money can be lost if flight ticket is cancelled.
Hi everyone. My Infinia was approved & the card is delivered. but HDFC marked the Credit card as dormant & they have asked for biometric kyc from sahibnk mitra. Today the kyc is also done but my card is still not active. Will it take time to get active & also when I am checking with customer support they are saying card is permanently blocked & can only apply after 6 months. How can it be permanently blocked as I just recd it. Is it pending from HDFC to take action based on biometric kyc & it takes time or is it really blocked. Please reply.
HI Siddharth,
I am getting an upgrade from Regalia (LTF) to paid Infinia (Metal). I have already Axis Magnus, so Airport lounges are covered.
Is the upgrade worth considering?
Hi Siddharth,
May you please update this review, since this card has undergone some revisions and is now available as metal Infinia only?
Also wondering if it’s possible to get the metal Infinia LTF (currently HDFC Imperia account holder, with Infinia fyf).
Thanks
Got to know from a reliable source within HDFC at a top position that as a policy, HDFC has stopped giving any LTF cards from Sep 1st week of 2023 – basic or premium it doesn’t matter. Imperia or Preferred or basic saving account doesn’t matter as well. So as far as I know, even Regalia wont be LTF for newbies.
My office colleague got Regalia Gold LTF. His Regalia was upgraded to Regalia Gold. Welcome letter clearly stated in black and white that it is indeed LTF.
HDFC has no fixed rules and criteria. It all depends upon branch Manager and RM. If one is buying ULIP( most preferred as bank gets handsome margins on ULIP’s) through bank chances are bright. FD has no value
Infinia card is now charging 3.25%% plus GST for AmazonPay gift card and 2.5% plus GST for Amazon Shopping Voucher.
Per day capping of 7500 rewards removed from Aug 1 onwwrds
Hello Infinia users!
Wanted to check if anyone has used this card to withdraw cash overseas?
Does it work?
If yes what kind of charges are expected?
Got to know from customer care that there are no ATM withdrawal charges – But I am not sure if this is applicable abroad as well.
Apart from that there are forex markup charges (2%) and not sure if there will be interest charges? What happens to interest charges if I pay the equivalent INR amount immediately.
If this works where only Forex markup charges are levied on ATM withdrawal then no one needs a Forex card & no need to pay high markup on those.
Hi Siddharth ,
I just got an invite to be upgraded from diners club black to infinia metal edition. I had purchased ulips worth 2.5 lacs a year from hdfc. My rm asked me to put a request for infinia and imperia relationship status.
The strange part is I neither fulfilled the spend criteria of 6 lacs on my current card nor the current card had enough limit it was less than 4.5 lac nor did my salary meet their criteria.
I feel very lucky to have received the fyf upgrade offer based on my Rm’s recommendation.
ULIP are the worst financial instruments that all RMs promote..beware of such investments as you will end up losing a lot.
Received this email from HDFC today:
”As a valued customer, we are delighted to serve you with the unmatched Infinia experience. We request you to maintain a monthly spend of ₹1.5 Lakh on your Credit Card”.
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What will happen if we dont spend 1.5 lakh per month ?
I hold Infinia LTF card.
Looks like, HDFC has sent the same email in 3 types regarding 1.5 lakh monthly spend based on customers current spent level:
1) More than 1.5 lakhs – just an email to keep enjoying the rewards
2) Close to 1.5 lakhs – email with a request to maintain spends
3) Much less than 1.5 lakhs – email to maintain the spends along with “”low spend tag at the bottom””
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I received the 2nd one.
Dear sir
Kindly tell cash withdrawal charges for INFINIA and what will be the interest rate if I pay with in two days
Thanks in advance