HDFC Infinia Credit Card Review: The Ultra-Premium Credit Card

I have been a credit card enthusiast for well over a decade.

I started my journey in 2008 with a no-frills credit card from Canara Bank. When I moved to Pune, I started using the ICICI Jet Privilege card. Later, I upgraded to HDFC Regalia when I moved to Bangalore.

For the past year, I have been using the HDFC Infinia card – the most premium credit card offered by HDFC Bank.

HDFC Infinia Credit Card Review

In this HDFC Infinia credit card review, I will tell you how to qualify for the card, the benefits the card offers, and whether you should apply for this card.

Benefits of HDFC Infinia Credit Card

With a premium card, comes premium benefits. Here are some of the main features of the card.

#1: One of the highest reward rates for credit cards in India

For your retail spends, including Insurance, Utilities, Education, and Rent pay, you get points.

For every Rs 150 spend, you get 5 points.

For bookings made through the Smartbuy website, you stand to earn 10X reward points or 5% cashback. The cashback is limited to Rs 25,000 per calendar month for Infinia.

Please note that reward points are not applicable for fuel, easy-EMI, and wallet (Paytm, Freecharge, etc.) transactions.

If you are looking to book flight tickets, you can redeem the points for all flights- not just specific airlines. This sets the card apart from other airline co-branded cards.

Pro Tip: The value of Infinia points is highest when you redeem them for flight or hotel bookings through the Smartbuy website. 1 point = Rs 1. If you redeem for other vouchers, the value is only Rs 0.50 for 1 point.

#2: Priority Pass + Unlimited access to airport lounges

If you are a frequent traveler, you’ll undoubtedly benefit from the Priority Pass and Master Card/Visa airport lounge access.

Your Infinia card comes with priority pass access with unlimited access. That’s right – no more 1 per quarter or other random restrictions.

Pro Tip: Add on cardholders also enjoy the same travel benefits as the primary cardholder. Apply for an add-on card for your spouse. Both of you can avail of unlimited airport lounge facilities.

#3: Free insurance

If you hold an Indian Infinia card, you are entitled to free insurance powered by HDFC ERGO.

You receive the following benefits:

1. Accidental death: In case of death caused due to an air accident, the nominee gets a compensation of Rs 3 Crores. A 12-month window is provided for injury resulting in death
2. Medical emergency cover: If you are traveling abroad, Rs 50 lakh medical emergency cover is provided
3. Credit shield: Rs 9 lakh outstanding amount is covered in case of accidental death or permanent disability
4. Card Liability: Cover up to Rs 9 Lakh available for Primary Card Holder in case of fraudulent transactions.

You can update your Nominee details by clicking here. The Air Accident cover is only valid if you make the payment using your Infinia card. Also, the insurance is not valid for NRI-cards.

#4: Low foreign currency markup

Your card comes with a low 2% markup for foreign currency transactions. GST will also be charged on your transaction.

If you need to make infrequent foreign currency transactions, like paying for your website, Infinia is an excellent option.

Pro Tip: During international travel, I recommend using a Forex Card instead of your Infinia credit card. Forex cards are cheaper and safer to use internationally.

#5: No pre-set spending limit

Usually, the credit limit on your Infinia card will be upwards of Rs 8 lakhs.

However, if you have a large upcoming purchase, you can inform the bank, and they will remove the spending limit on your card.

Technically, that means you can even buy a luxury car using your card.

Pro Tip: I recommend that you retain a limit. Depending on how the bank reports your credit limit, it may negatively impact your credit score.

#6: Club Marriott Membership

You can get access to a one-year Club Marriott membership for free with Infinia. It gives you a booklet that has coupons you can redeem.

The coupons offer up to 30% discounts on food and spa, room nights, etc.

Club Marriott is different from the Marriott Bonvoy membership. I am a member of both, and I find the Bonvoy membership to be more rewarding.

The Club Marriott offers have so many clauses and limited participation from Marriott hotels. You’ll receive better offers from aggregators like MakeMyTrip or Agoda. 

Note: You do not get the Club Marriott membership along with your card kit. You’ll need to apply separately by clicking this link.

#7: Golf Club Access

If you are into Golf, or you want to experience the sport of the rich, you are in for a treat. Infinia comes with free Golf access to a host of Indian and foreign Golf courses.

Golf lessons include:

1. Green Fees to access the golf course or driving range
2. Instructor’s fees
3. Free 50 golf balls per lesson

You can also choose complimentary golf games if your basics are covered.

Note: You’ll need to make reservations through the Golf Concierge Assistance services before you can access the service. Golf dress code is mandatory, and equipment rentals are charged extra.

#8: Concierge Services

HDFC offers a concierge service exclusively for Infinia cardholders.

The concierge service offers assistance with the following:

1. Golf course referral and reservation
2. Car rental and Limousine referral
3. Hotel referral and reservation
4. Business services – conference service referral/arrangement and translation service
5. Flower and gift delivery
6. Courier service
7. Dining referral and reservation
8. Entertainment related event information

When HDFC mentions referral, it means that they will give you information on request. This is more like you talking to Alexa or Google Assistant – but only with a real person.

Pro Tip: I recommend that you use the concierge service only if you really need it. E.g., you are in a different country, and you are unable to understand the local language.

Not DIY means that you might lose some opportunity to get the best deals. E.g., flower delivery through a local store might be cheaper and faster than the vendor concierge has on file.

Fees

#1: Joining Fees

The first-time fee for the Infinia card is Rs 10,000 + GST. Reward points worth Rs 10,000 are credited to your account on the payment receipt.

The fee was waived off for me on request. That means no bonus reward points credit.

#2: Renewal Fees

Renewals cost Rs 10,000 + GST. As for first-time, 10,000 reward points are credited on receipt payment.

The renewal fee is waived off if your spend is > 8 Lakhs for the previous 12 months.

#3: Cash Advance Fees

0% for Infinia. For other cards, it’s 2.5%.

0% does not mean it’s free money. There are finance charges associated with cash advances. For Infinia, the charges are 1.99% per month or 23.88% annually. Unless it’s an emergency, do not use the cash advance feature for any credit cards.

#4: Other Charges

1. Add-on card fee: 0 for Infinia
2. Late payment charges: 0 for Infinia; Up to Rs 950 for other cards
3. Over-limit charges: 2.5% of the over-limit amount

How to Qualify for an Infinia Card?

Infinia is a super-premium credit card. As such, qualifying is not easy.

HDFC does not openly publish the qualification requirement. However, based on my personal experience and what others shared, here’re the qualification criteria.

If you have an existing HDFC Credit Card:

1. A high credit limit: When I qualified for Infinia, my credit limit for HDFC Regalia was around Rs 7 Lakhs
2. A good history with your bank: My HDFC bank account was more than seven-year-old, and it was my salary account
3. High spending on your existing credit card: My Regalia spends were more than ten lakhs per year
4. Good credit score: My credit score was 790

If you don’t have an existing card:

If you are new to credit cards or do not hold any HDFC cards, the following criteria might help.

1. High Salary or Business Income: Salary of Rs 40 Lakhs or ITR filed f0r Rs 45 Lakhs + as part of business income
2. Bank FD: FD of 10 Lakh+ with the bank will increase your chance of qualifying
3. High credit score: Score of 750+ is good. 800+ is excellent. High scores clubbed with a long credit history increases your chances

Upgrade from Existing HDFC Card to Infinia

If you are eligible for an upgrade, the option would be available in your Net Banking.

All your accrued points will be automatically rolled over to your new card based on the points value.

For my Regalia card, the maximum value of one point was Rs 0.50. However, for Infinia, it is Rs 1 for each point. During the rollover, they retain the overall value of your points, although you might have a lesser number of points.

HDFC Infinia Credit Card Review Verdict

You should opt for this card if you meet the following criteria:

1. High income – Rs 30 Lakhs + per annum
2. High annual card spends – Rs 8 Lakh +

However, if you are not a high-spender, you should choose a card that caters to your specific needs.

FAQ:

How do I access the Golf Concierge Assistance services?

Call 022-42320226 (toll) or 1800 118 887 (toll-free) for assistance with Golf.

Do reward points expire?

Unfortunately, Yes. The reward points expire after 3 years. If you make a purchase on 1 Jan 2020, your reward points earned for that transaction will expire on 31 Dec 2022.

If your card remains inactive for 365 days, this triggers the nullification of any points earned.

How to avail the Priority Pass benefit on this card?

The Priority Pass card will be provided along with the welcome kit. There is no need to activate the Priority Pass separately.

When you go to the airport lounge, hand over your priority pass card for them to swipe. That’s it!

One more advantage of Infinia is that Priority Pass can be swiped in Indian airport lounges as well. Other cards that offer Priority Pass typically charge you $27 per guest for swipes in India.

What is a foreign exchange markup fee?

Typically, when we make a purchase using the card, it will be billed in INR – the Indian currency. However, if you purchase in a different currency, say USD, the bank will charge you a foreign exchange fee.

E.g., Let’s say you spent $100 while you were on a trip to the US. Assuming Rs 70 is the going rate for a USD, your actual bill was Rs 7,000.

However, banks will charge you a forex fee for converting your USD purchase into INR. For Infinia, this is 2% + GST.

In your case, you will be effectively paying Rs 7,000 + Rs 140 (2% Infinia fee) + Rs 45 (GST) = Rs 7,185.

The GST slabs are currently defined as follows:

1. Up to Rs 1 Lakh – GST from Rs 45 to Rs 180
2. Rs 1 Lakh to Rs 10 Lakhs – GST from Rs 180 to Rs 990
3. Rs 10 Lakhs + – GST from Rs 990

What is the customer care number for the HDFC Infinia card?

For credit card related queries, you can call 1800-102-3310 (toll-free), 1800-266-3310 (toll-free), or 022-61717606 (toll).

For concierge service, call 1800-118-887 (toll-free) or 022-42320226 (toll).

If you prefer email, you can reach them at infinia.services@hdfcbank.com.

How can I claim insurance?

Intimation of Claim should be provided within 60 days to HDFC Ergo. The relevant documents should be submitted within 130 days.

Contact details:

For Emergency Medical Expenses

1. Toll Free: +800-08250825 (International Toll Free – accessible from outside India) / 01204507250 (Chargeable)
2. Email: bankclaims@hdfcergo.com
3. Address: A&H Claims Inward Team, HDFC Ergo GIC Ltd., 6th Floor, Leela Business Park, Andheri Kurla Road, Andheri East. Mumbai 400059

Can I choose between Visa and Mastercard for Infinia?

I and most others I know received a MasterCard. If you want a Visa, you can request the bank while you place the request for the card. The card falls under Visa Infinite and Mastercard World. Generally, Visa infinite is more rewarding than Mastercard World.