If you have arrived in life and don’t want to chase basic cashback cards, the HDFC Infinia credit card might just be the one. This premium card promises high rewards, unlimited lounge access, travel comforts, and elite-level lifestyle perks. In short, it’s for people who spend big and want returns to match. This HDFC Infinia credit card review will walk through everything you need to know: what the card brings to the table, how the fees stack up, who it’s ideal for, and who it isn’t.
HDFC Infinia Credit Card Fees and Quick Overview
Card issuer: HDFC Bank (India)
Annual fee: ₹12,500 + GST (approx)
Welcome bonus: ~12,500 Reward Points (value ~₹12,500)
Best for: Frequent travellers, high spenders, premium lifestyle seekers
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reward rate | ~3.3% on regular spends, much higher on select SmartBuy categories (up to ~33%) |
| Lounge access | Unlimited domestic & international for primary & add-on cards |
| Other perks | Golf privileges, hotel & dining offers, concierge service |
| Eligibility | Invite only; very high income or banking relationship required |
HDFC Infinia Credit Card Benefits and Reward Rate
Cashback/Rewards
This is where the card truly shines — if you understand how to use it. On normal spends, you earn 5 Reward Points (RP) per ₹150 spent, which works out to ~3.3% value if you redeem smartly.
But the big leap comes when you use the bank’s “SmartBuy” portal: hotels, flights, vouchers — you can earn up to 10X or more rewards (which is ~33% effective return) in some categories.
That said, there are caps and conditions. For example, the bonus rewards have limits per month or per transaction.
Travel benefits
If someone travels often (domestically or internationally) you can use this as a travel credit card:
- Unlimited lounge access: both domestic and international, for cardholders and add-ons.
- Very low foreign currency markup (~2%) on overseas spends, which is among the best in the market.
- Hotel & hospitality perks: for example, complimentary nights or buffet offers at select luxury hotels (e.g., ITC) and a complimentary membership to Club Marriott in the first year.
- Golf privileges: unlimited complimentary games/lessons at premium golf courses, both in India and abroad.
Shopping/Partner offers
Beyond travel, the card offers lifestyle benefits: access to shopping portals, special dining offers via partner apps, and premium concierge services. For example: deals at luxury brands, vouchers, etc.
These give an extra dimension beyond just travel and regular spending.
EMI/Big spend perks
While the main focus is not on EMI or big spend specifically, the high reward structure means that if someone has large spends (travel bookings, luxury purchases) the return can be significant. Also, the concierge service and lounge/holiday benefits often reward the big-spender lifestyle.
HDFC Infinia Credit Card Fees and Charges
Let’s look at what it costs and what one needs to bear in mind.
Annual fee (and waiver conditions)
The annual (joining) fee is about ₹12,500 + GST.
The renewal fee is similar, but there is a waiver if you meet certain spend criteria (for example, spend ₹10 lakh in 12 months), so effectively you could waive the fee if you use the card extensively.
Interest rate (APR)
As with most credit cards, the standard interest rate applies if you carry forward balances. Exact percentage depends on the bank’s prevailing rate and your profile — the published materials focus more on benefits than APR. Always check the current rate before applying.
Late fee, forex markup, etc.
- Foreign currency markup fee: ~2% + GST, which is very competitive.
- Late payment fees: standard as per HDFC Bank’s terms.
- Reward exclusions and caps: important to read the fine print. For instance, certain spends (fuel, rent, etc.) may not earn bonus points.
HDFC Infinia Credit Card Pros and Cons
Here are the key strengths and drawbacks to help someone make a quick call.
Pros:
- Excellent reward rate when used strategically (especially via SmartBuy)
- Unlimited lounge access (domestic & international), including add-ons
- Travel and lifestyle perks (hotel stays, golf, concierge)
- Low forex markup — good for overseas spending
- Works well if someone spends heavily and uses the benefits
Cons:
- Very high annual fee — needs big spend to justify
- Invite-only / strict eligibility — not open to all
- Many reward accelerators and benefits only apply in specific ways — you’ll need to plan usage
- If someone spends little or infrequently, returns might not justify the cost
- Some exclusions, caps and fine print that reduce the effective benefit in everyday use
Who Should Apply for the HDFC Infinia Credit Card?
Best for:
- Frequent travellers (international & domestic) who will take advantage of lounge access, hotel perks, and low forex fees
- High spenders who are comfortable with large monthly spends and can redeem the reward points optimally
- People who prefer a luxury lifestyle, perks, concierge services, golf, premium dinners, etc.
Not ideal for:
- Casual spenders who spend little or irregularly — the cost may outweigh the benefits
- Someone who wants basic cashback or a fuel card; for those simpler cards may offer better value
- People who don’t redeem points carefully or don’t benefit from partner offers — you won’t unlock the full value of this card
How to Apply for HDFC Infinia Credit Card
Eligibility criteria:
- It is largely invite-only. You need to have a strong banking relationship with HDFC, high income/turnover, and an excellent credit history.
- Some indications: ITR (income tax return) above ~₹45 lakh in some cases, existing HDFC credit card with a good limi,t or high TRV (Total Relationship Value) with the bank.
Documents required:
- Proof of identity (PAN, Aadhar, etc)
- Proof of income (ITR, salary slips)
- Banking relationship details with HDFC (existing accounts, credit history)
- Standard KYC as per bank norms
Link to apply:
Since this card is invite-only, one cannot always publicly “apply” — usually, one awaits the bank’s invite or upgrades from another premium card. It is worth speaking to your HDFC relationship manager and expressing interest.
FAQs about HDFC Infinia Credit Card
Q1: Is the Infinia card open for general application or by invite only?
A1: It is typically invite-only. While some existing customers may request an upgrade, simply applying like a regular card often won’t work.
Q2: What is the effective reward rate I can hope for?
A2: On standard spends, you can get ~3.3% value if you redeem smartly. On selected categories via SmartBuy (flights/hotels/vouchers), you can push much higher (up to ~33%). But you must execute correctly and work around caps/terms.
Q3: Can the annual fee be waived?
A3: Yes — if you meet the spend criteria (for example, ~₹10 lakh in 12 months), you may get the renewal fee waived. But you’ll still need to have made large spends to hit that hurdle.
Q4: Does the lounge access include add-on cards?
A4: Yes — both primary and add-on cardholders can enjoy unlimited lounge access (domestic & international) under this card.
Q5: Is the Infinia card good for overseas travel?
A5: Yes — thanks to the low foreign currency markup (~2%), unlimited lounge access, and premium benefits, it is among the better cards for overseas usage — provided you use the benefits sufficiently.
HDFC Infinia Credit Card Review: Verdict
So what’s the verdict of the HDFC Infinia credit card review? The HDFC Infinia Credit Card is high value, but only if the cardholder uses it the way it was built for. If you spend heavily, travel a lot, enjoy premium lifestyle perks, and are capable of redeeming reward points smartly, this card can offer returns that justify its high fee. On the other hand, if someone spends moderately, uses it like a basic card, and ignores partner offers and lounges, then they may not get their money’s worth.
If you shop a lot, travel often, care about premium benefits, and have the credentials, this card can save you significant money (in terms of value of rewards + privileges). If you don’t tick those boxes, there are likely simpler cards that make more sense.
