Fuel bills are a large part of the monthly budget. You need a clever co-branded credit card that gives good rewards on fuel can help. IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ credit card is a fuel-focused card with perks beyond just refuelling. In this IDFC First Bank HPCL Power+ credit card review, you will learn:
- What rewards and benefits does the card offer
- What its costs and drawbacks are
- Who stands to gain from using it
- Whether it’s worth applying in 2025
Let’s dig in.
IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ Credit Card Review: Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card issuer | IDFC FIRST Bank (in partnership with HPCL) |
| Annual fee | ₹499 (waivable) |
| Welcome bonus / joining benefit | People with high fuel usage, those recharging FASTag, grocery, and utility spenders |
| Best for | People with high fuel usage, those recharging FASTag, grocery and utility spenders |
A few quick points before moving deeper:
- The card gives 5 % savings (via reward points) on HPCL fuel transactions (capped)
- Additional “Happy Coins” (1.5 %) are earned when using the HP Pay App for fuel transactions (subject to conditions)
- There are rewards on grocery, utilities, FASTag recharges, and “other expenses” too
- Other perks: lounge visits (domestic), roadside assistance, movie discounts, etc.
Now, let’s break down each benefit carefully.
IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ Credit Card Review: Key Benefits
Cashback / Rewards (or “Savings”)
- On HPCL fuel spends (authorized stations), the card offers 5 % savings via reward points (converted from 30× rewards) up to a cap.
- On HPCL fuel via HP Pay App (wallet or QR), you can get 1.5 % in Happy Coins in addition to the reward points.
- Capping: Fuel rewards are capped up to ₹12,000 of HPCL fuel spends per statement cycle for the points portion.
- Grocery and utility bill spends also fetch 5 % savings/rewards (again, with certain caps)
- FASTag recharges via IDFC FIRST FASTag get similar rewards (5 %)
- Other non-fuel, non-category spends fetch 3× rewards (i.e., triple the base rewards)
So overall, if most of one’s expenses cluster in fuel/grocery/utilities, this card yields good returns.
Travel Benefits (if any)
- The card gives one complimentary domestic airport lounge visit per quarter, if monthly spends reach at least ₹20,000 in that month.
- Roadside assistance (RSA) is offered; the card includes up to 4 complimentary RSA services per year (worth ~ ₹1,399)
- There is a personal accident cover (~ ₹2 lakh) as a benefit.
- Interest-free ATM/cash withdrawal until the due date (i.e., you don’t pay interest immediately) is a plus.
These add nice touches, especially for travellers or those who drive often.
Shopping / Partner Offers
- As a welcome, the card gives ₹500 cashback on the first HPCL fuel transaction of ₹500+ (within the first 30 days or the joining window)
- Movie ticket discount: 25 % off up to ₹100, once a month
- The reward points don’t expire (i.e., “Never expiring rewards”) — so one can accumulate without worry of expiry.
- There are various merchant offers and discounts, especially in tie-ups, that come with the card.
EMI / Big Spend Perks
- You can convert large transactions (above ₹2,500) into EMI.
- Special welcome benefit: up to 5 % cashback on your first EMI, up to a cap of ₹1,000.
- The card allows balance transfers, etc., though typical fees apply.
IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ Credit Card Review: Fees & Charges
Annual fee & waiver
- The base annual fee is ₹499 (plus applicable GST)
- Waiver condition: If the cardholder spends ₹1,50,000 in a year, the fee is reversed/waived.
So in effect, if one is a heavy spender (fuel, groceries, etc.), meeting the waiver should be feasible.
Interest rate (APR)
- The card carries a low and dynamic interest rate, starting around 8.5 % per annum, when balances are carried forward.
- Of course, no interest is charged if the user pays the full outstanding balance within the due date.
Other charges
- Late / default payments will incur penal charges (standard among credit cards) — the exact figure depends on the bank’s stipulation. (Specific number not clearly published)
- Foreign exchange markup/forex fees: Doesn’t appear to be a major selling point of this card, so expect standard fees if used abroad.
- Redemption charges: Redeeming reward points may involve a fee (for example, many IDFC FIRST cards charge a ₹99 + GST for reward redemption) — check terms.
- Fuel surcharge waiver: The card includes a fuel surcharge waiver up to 1 % on fuel spends (subject to terms) — that benefit is common on fuel cards.
As with all cards, users must read the detailed T&Cs before using aggressively.
IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ Credit Card Review: Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent reward rate on fuel (5 %) and on grocery/utility spending
- Bonus Happy Coins via the HP Pay App adds incremental value
- Annual fee is modest and waivable
- Domestic lounge access and roadside assistance add lifestyle value
- Reward points never expire
- The welcome bonus gives immediate benefit
Cons
- Fuel reward capping (₹12,000 spend per cycle) limits the benefit beyond that
- Must meet monthly spend threshold (₹20,000) to unlock lounge access
- Redemption charges may eat into returns
- Some users report issues with redeeming points via the portal or “technical issues” during redemption
- If one’s spending pattern is low or doesn’t include fuel/groceries, returns may not justify the fee
- Card’s foreign usage/forex advantage is weak (not a travel/premium card)
Who Should Apply for the IDFC FIRST HPCL Power+ Credit Card?
Best for:
- Drivers/car owners who refuel frequently at HPCL stations
- People recharging FASTag regularly
- Households with regular grocery & utility expenses
- Those who meet moderate to high monthly spends and can hit waiver/lounge thresholds
- Users who prefer a blend of fuel + lifestyle perks
Not ideal for:
- Occasional users or those who don’t drive/refuel much
- People whose spend is mostly in categories outside fuel/grocery/utility
- International travellers wanting strong forex/travel perks
- Users averse to handling reward redemption and T&Cs
How to Apply for the IDFC FIRST HPCL Power+ Credit Card
Eligibility criteria
- Age: Generally 21–60 years (standard for credit cards)
- Income: Must meet the bank’s minimum income requirement (varies by city and credit profile)
- Good credit history/score
- No recent defaults on loans or credit cards
Documents required
- Identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, etc.)
- Address proof (utility bill, passport, driving licence, etc.)
- Income proof (salary slips, ITR, bank statements)
- Passport-size photo
You can apply via the IDFC FIRST Bank website under the “HPCL Power+ Credit Card” section. (Later, you may place your affiliate link here.)
FAQs about the IDFC FIRST HPCL Power+ Credit Card
Q1: Do reward points expire?
A: No, the rewards for this card do not expire.
Q2: Can I use the fuel rewards at non-HPCL petrol stations?
A: No, the special fuel reward rates apply only at authorized HPCL fuel stations (using merchant IDs that HPCL has shared).
Q3: How many free lounge accesses do I get?
A: You get one complimentary domestic lounge visit per quarter, but only if your monthly spend reaches at least ₹20,000.
Q4: What is the fuel surcharge waiver?
A: The card offers a fuel surcharge waiver (up to a certain percent) for fuel transactions (subject to terms).
Q5: Can I convert any transaction into EMI?
A: Yes, transactions above ₹2,500 can be converted into EMI (subject to terms).
Conclusion & Verdict
The IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ Credit Card is a solid choice for those who frequently drive, refuel at HPCL, and have regular grocery and utility spends. The 5 % reward on fuel, coupled with additional Happy Coins via HP Pay, plus rewards on other spends, gives it an edge over many standard cards (for the right user).
Yes, you must handle caps, redemption rules, and spend thresholds to extract full value. But if that sounds manageable, this card offers good value for money.
If someone spends heavily on fuel, groceries, FASTag, and utilities, this card can save you thousands per year. For example, for a household refuelling ₹12,000 monthly at HPCL and having ₹5,000 monthly grocery/utility spends, this card could yield returns that offset the annual fee and more.
