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HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card
HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card

Unlock luxury, rewards, and travel with every swipe

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Diners Club
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At a glance

Should you consider this card?

₹10,000 joining and annual fee, plus applicable taxes. The annual fee is waived on ₹8 lakh eligible annual spends.
Annual fee10000
Joining fee10000
Forex markup2% of the transaction value, plus applicable taxes.

Welcome benefit

Get complimentary annual membership of Forbes, Club Marriott, Times Prime, MMT Black, Amazon Prime, and Swiggy One (3 Months) on spending Rs. 1,50,000 or more in the first 90 days of card issuance
Earning and using rewards

Rewards that matter

How you earn

  • Base Reward Rate: Earn 5 reward points (RP) per ₹150 spent, translating to a 3.33% return (1 RP = ₹1 when redeemed for travel via SmartBuy). This is a solid base rate for a premium card.
  • Accelerated Rewards via SmartBuy:
    • Up to 10X RP (33.3% return) on hotel bookings and select partners (e.g., Jockey, PharmEasy, IGP).
    • 5X RP (16.6% return) on flights, bus tickets, and certain partners (e.g., Myntra, Nykaa).
    • 3X RP (10% return) on train tickets, gift vouchers, and Apple purchases.
    • Cap: 10,000 bonus RP per month on SmartBuy spends (an improvement over the plastic version’s 7,500 monthly cap).
  • Weekend Dining: 2X RP (10 RP per ₹150, capped at 1,000 RP/day) on standalone restaurant spends.
  • Caps: Total RP capped at 75,000 per statement cycle; 5,000 RP/day on insurance; 2,000 RP/month on utilities, telecom, and groceries.

How to redeem

  • Best value: 1 RP = ₹1 for flight/hotel bookings on SmartBuy (up to 70% of booking value via RP, rest via card).
  • Airmiles: 1 RP = up to 1 airmile with partners like British Airways, Etihad Guest, and Accor.
  • Vouchers: 1 RP = ₹0.50; Cash: 1 RP = ₹0.30 (less value).
Spend thresholds

Milestone benefits

Earn 10,000 bonus RP per quarter (40,000 annually) by spending ₹4 lakh each calendar quarter (Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec). This adds a 2.5% reward rate on milestone spends, making it a standout feature.
Cost and conditions

Fees and charges

Joining fee10000
Annual fee10000
Forex markup2% of the transaction value, plus applicable taxes.
Fuel surchargeFuel surcharge waiver is not applicable.
Annual fee waived on ₹8 lakh eligible annual spends.

What works well

High Reward Potential: The 3.33% base rate, up to 33.3% via SmartBuy, and 40,000 annual bonus RP make it one of India’s most rewarding cards for travel and lifestyle spends.
Travel-Centric Benefits: Unlimited lounge access, low forex markup, and generous insurance covers cater to frequent travelers.
Premium Perks: Golf games, concierge services, and complimentary memberships enhance the luxury experience.

Consider before applying

Acceptance Issues: Diners Club cards face lower acceptance compared to Visa/Mastercard, especially offline in smaller cities or with non-HDFC/Axis/Pine Labs POS machines. Online acceptance is better but not universal (e.g., Emirates and Adidas India don’t
High Fee Waiver Threshold: ₹8 lakh annual spend for fee waiver is steep, though justifiable for heavy spenders.
No Fuel Rewards: No RP on fuel, wallet loads, or rent payments, limiting its utility for some everyday expenses.
Travel, insurance and more

Benefits and privileges

  • Diners Club Black Metal is built around premium travel and lifestyle value: the welcome milestone can unlock Club Marriott, Amazon Prime and Swiggy One memberships, while the card’s strongest ongoing value comes from carefully planned SmartBuy flight and hotel redemptions. Availability, membership terms and accelerated-earn campaigns are controlled by HDFC Bank and its partners.
Before you apply

Eligibility and application

Who may be eligible

  • Salaried: Minimum income of ₹1.75 lakh/month (or ~₹21 lakh/year).
  • Self-Employed: ITR > ₹21 lakh/year (some sources suggest ₹30 lakh/year).
  • Existing HDFC Cardholders: Easier upgrades with a credit limit above ₹5 lakh and a strong banking relationship.
Check eligibility with HDFC Bank ↗
Our take

Credofly review

The HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit Card is a powerhouse for rewards and travel benefits, offering exceptional value for high spenders who can navigate its acceptance limitations. Its quarterly milestone bonus (40,000 RP/year) and unlimited lounge access stand out, making it a compelling alternative to the Infinia for those who don’t mind carrying a backup Visa/Mastercard. If your annual spends exceed ₹8 lakh and you redeem points strategically via SmartBuy or airmiles, this card delivers a premium experience worth the price tag. However, its Diners Club network may require planning, especially offline or abroad.
Answers before applying

Frequently asked questions

What is the HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit Card?
It’s a premium metal credit card from HDFC Bank, offering high rewards (up to 33.3% via SmartBuy), unlimited lounge access, travel insurance, and lifestyle perks like golf and concierge services.
How is it different from the plastic Diners Club Black card?
The metal version has a premium design, a higher SmartBuy bonus cap (10,000 RP/month vs. 7,500), and a higher fee waiver threshold (₹8 lakh vs. ₹5 lakh annual spend).
What is the annual fee, and can it be waived?
The joining/annual fee is ₹10,000 + GST. It’s waived if you spend ₹8 lakh in the previous membership year.
Who is eligible to apply?
Salaried individuals with ₹1.75 lakh/month income (~₹21 lakh/year), self-employed with ITR > ₹21 lakh/year, or existing HDFC cardholders with a strong banking relationship (e.g., ₹5 lakh+ credit limit).
How do I earn reward points (RP)?
  • 5 RP per ₹150 spent (3.33% return).
  • 10X RP on SmartBuy hotels (33.3%), 5X on flights (16.6%), 3X on trains (10%), capped at 10,000 bonus RP/month.
  • 2X RP on weekend dining (10 RP/₹150, capped at 1,000 RP/day).
  • 10,000 bonus RP quarterly for ₹4 lakh spend (40,000 RP/year).
What is the value of 1 reward point?
  • 1 RP = ₹1 for flights/hotels on SmartBuy (best value).
  • 1 RP = up to 1 airmile with partners (e.g., British Airways, Etihad).
  • 1 RP = ₹0.50 for vouchers; ₹0.30 for cashback.
Are there any caps on reward points?
Yes: 75,000 RP per statement cycle, 5,000 RP/day on insurance, 2,000 RP/month on utilities/groceries, and 10,000 bonus RP/month via SmartBuy.
Do reward points expire?
Yes, after 3 years from the date of accrual.
How do I redeem my reward points?
Log into SmartBuy (www.hdfcbankdinersclub.com), select flights, hotels, or vouchers, and use RP at checkout (up to 70% of travel booking value). For airmiles, transfer via the same portal.
What lounge access is provided?
Unlimited access to 1,300+ domestic and international lounges for primary and add-on cardholders, using the card directly (no Priority Pass needed).
What is the forex markup fee?
2% + GST on foreign currency transactions, competitive for premium cards.
What travel insurance is included?
₹2 crore air accidental death cover, ₹50 lakh emergency overseas hospitalization, and ₹55,000 baggage delay cover (max $10/hour, up to 8 hours).
How do I apply for the card?
Online via HDFC Bank’s website, through Net Banking (if pre-approved), at a branch, or by calling 1860 267 6161. Submit ID, address, and income proof (e.g., ITR, salary slips).
Where is the card accepted?
Accepted at merchants with Diners Club affiliation, online where Diners is supported (e.g., Amazon, Flipkart), and via HDFC/Axis/Pine Labs POS machines. Acceptance is lower than Visa/Mastercard, especially offline in smaller cities.
What are the welcome benefits?
Complimentary annual memberships to Club Marriott, Amazon Prime, and Swiggy One if you spend ₹1.5 lakh within 90 days of issuance.
How do I contact customer support?
Call 1860 267 6161 or the concierge at 1800 118 887 (toll-free) or 022 42320226 (landline).

Fees, rewards, availability and eligibility can change. Verify the issuer’s current terms before applying. Record last verified: 0000-00-00. View issuer source ↗