HDFC Bank has been cornering interest from the Indian credit card market with its aggressive posturing in the market. Ever since it got back on the market after the lift of the RBI Embargo, HDFC Bank has issued over 400,000 credit cards already and re-launched three credit card products. However, as I mentioned earlier, HDFC Bank skipped on the (re)launch of a metal form factor card which was scheduled to be a part of the original announcement.
HDFC Infinia to be issued as a Metal Form Factor card going forward
While this is still to be officially announced by the Bank and will most probably be offered from next week onwards, HDFC Bank Infinia will now on have a new form factor, a metal card, which looks strikingly similar to the Chase Sapphire range in the USA.
Update: The Infinia Metal Edition is now live, and the only edition available for the Infinia going forward.
Here are some of the features of the new Infinia:
- Complimentary Club Marriott membership in the first year (existing feature)
- 1+1 complimentary buffet on weekends at participating ITC Hotels
- 2+1 complimentary nights at participating ITC Hotels
- 1:1 Rewards Redemptions for Tanishq vouchers and Apple products
All these features will be valid for the existing PVC Card as well (the plastic card). However, with a change in the form factor, a couple of new changes will be introduced. The fees will be INR 12,500+GST going forward for the metal card. If you choose to keep your existing card in plastic, you keep the old fee till the metal card comes around for you. (Update: The 2X points on Dining benefit on Infinia Plastic will go away from December 1, 2021, onwards as well.)
Secondly, for a cardmember to get the fee waiver going forward, HDFC Bank will ask for a minimum spend of INR 10 Lakhs going forth, which is 25% more than the INR 8 Lakhs minimum spend per annum for now.
I see this as a very good update on the card, on very reasonable terms. Infinia has been one of the most sought after credit cards in India, largely due to its excellent reward ratios. So, for a small update in the fee, perhaps to cover the cost of the metal card, the card will now offer much more for the travel and lifestyle consumers.
The upgrade for existing cardmembers has already been rolled out to some cardmembers via net banking. If you swap to the new card, your points will be carried forward 1:1
Bottomline
HDFC Bank Infinia has transitioned to a metal form factor with added features. ITC Hotels will offer complimentary room nights and 1+1 on Buffets for the cardmembers, the fee goes up 25% and the minimum spends for a free card also go up 25%.
What do you make of the HDFC Bank Infinia refresh? Would you go for it as an existing customer?
(The initial version of this article was posted on October 1, 2021. An updated version has been posted on October 18, 2021 as the Metal Edition card has gone live)
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I got an upgrade option from Business Regalia to Infinia in Internet banking dashboard. Excited to use this card.
Ajay can you throw some light on the matter of what will happen post expiry of PVC cards will we have to get 12k metal cards or will we be reissued 10k pvc cards or will we get metal cards for 10k?
Had a word with DVP Card S&M HDFC Mr Gill about my INFINIA. The cards which are LTF will remain LTF and after expiry they will be issued again as LTF. The card which is FYF “My card” will come again as a PVC card post expiry or I will be asked for permission for fee adjustment.
My INFINIA will expires in 2023 and was thinking of getting the metal card earlier but the 3k extra is not worth it so will continue with the current PVC card till 2023 and see what comes up non the less great news for LTF holders that the card will be reissued post expiry as a LTF card.
They will give 12,500 points on payment of annual fee, won’t they ? My regular Infinia at present is LTF. So I will have to think more once upgrade is offered.
Got the upgrade mailer today (18th Oct) at 8pm.
It upgradable from Netbanking>Login>Cards>Credit Cards>Request>Credit Card Upgrade
It also says First Year Free
I have a Diners Black card with good amount of unused Reward Points . My RM told me today that I might be upgraded to Infinia. Does anyone know if RPs on DCB are transferred 1:1 to Infinia or not?
Yes 1:1
First of all thanks a lot for such contents.
Is it worth to upgrade to Infinia Metal from Diners Club Black.
DCB is offering more or less same feature except for ITC and smartbuy cap of 15k. DCB have advantages like 10x, Prime, Zomato pro etc.
Should one upgrade from DCB to Infinia Metal?
Any thoughts/clarity on what will happen to the reward points which will be added within 90 days to the card on Smartbuy purchases of August or September (and Extra Savings Days purchases). Will they be added to the new metal card or since the CC number changes, we have to lose them?
@Raghu, your points should be fine.
There is absolutely no worry for pending points as HDFC does credit all points for upgraded cards without fail.
So if I request a card reissue today, I will get the Metal version? Or I have to request it with my RM?
@Ajay,
You have mentioned the 2x dining benefit will be discontinued on the PVC version starting December 2021.
Does that imply, the benefit will be available on the metal variant?
As someone who dines out about 6 times a week, it could incentivize me to upgrade sooner rather than later.
Ok, pls ignore.
Should have read on the HDFC site before asking 😛
@Sameer, Yes, saw it this morning. Will this apply for the lifetime free HDFC Infinia Cardholders and holders of Mastercard variant. Will they be eligible to get the metal card with all the benefits included ?
As per my couple of discussions with HDFC CS, HDFC is going to send email and SMS with the upgrade link to mostly all Infinia customers in next 2-3 days. (they are still talking about some criteria which I don’t know, maybe they will offer it to high spenders first etc.)
The email was supposed to get triggered today morning at 6am but as we all know how HDFC IT works, it was not done. (or at least I did not receive any)
On the lifetime free stuff, all what I’m hearing is Metal Infinia will be offered in only paid version, no more LTF.
But now if we consider the 1:1 rewards conversion ratio, it should not make much difference as we can still get the 12,500 renewal points converted to Tanishq or Apple vouchers. The only amount you will end up paying is INR 2,250 as GST. This is a fare deal looking at all the rewards we get with this excellent card.
Tanishq or Apple also have 70:30 rule applicable
Hi All,
Infinia Metal is now live and available on HDFC Bank website. We already know all the stuff through numerous leaks so nothing to add now.
Time to send renewal/replacement request.
Hi,
I visited HDFC Branch for some work. Asked my RM about Infinia Metal. He mentioned its gonna be launched but he doesn’t have more information.
When I enquired more, he showed me an mailer which he received about newly launched Millenia cards. At the bottom of that email, it was mentioned that Infinia Metal is launching on 5th October.
Annual charges for metal card have been added in credit card document.
Also the card is featuring in payzapp 3x offer.
Did you already get one??
This document also mentions something about another Super Premium card – Galaxia (Metal Titanium) – with an annual fee of 20k and waiver on 25L.
Great information as always Ajay. Do you think its worth upgrading from Diners Black to Infinia? And any idea if the points get transferred?
What about those who hold the current Infinia life time free ?
I have lifetime free HDFC Infinia Card. Will I be eligible to get the metal one lifetime free with all the benefits included ? The upgraded benefits are awesome.
@Nitin, answers will be out hopefully next week!
Thanks Ajay !
I can already smell the ability to rack up Marriott nights using this feature 🙂
Could you please share your thoughts ?
I have DCB so got club marriot , mmt black elite membership with it. I hardly see the edge of having CM unless there is points transfer feature.
Some of the ITC hotels have a tie-up with the Marriott Luxury Collection. So stays at those properties earn Marriott points and room night credits and can also be use for redemption.
Okay! I’m not much of a traveler. I was under the impression that you can get Marriott nights only when booked from their App or site.
Apologies to fellow readers as my query is offtopic.
Unlikely. ITC booked via HDFC should not earn Bonvoy night, generally speaking.
@Amex Guy, I wouldn’t give up on it without trying. At check-in, they always reconfirm about where I want to put the points, and maybe that is an opportunity to change? Let’s have this go live and then will try it out.
I have had the same experience at ITC Maratha, I was able to provide my Bonvoy number to accrue points/nights.
I did not work the last time i tried at Mumbai. Only when booked through their application/website it gets accrued.
@Shiva, Reward multiplier takes to the website only. What are you talking about?