HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card

Unlock luxury, rewards, and travel with every swipe

5.0

Network: Diners Club | Type: Rewards | Reward: Reward Points

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HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card
HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card
5.0

Fees & Charges

  • Joining Fee: 10000
  • Annual Fee: 10000
  • Waiver:
  • Foreign Markup:
  • Fuel Surcharge:
  • Redemption Fee:
  • Late Payment Fee:
  • Interest Rate:
  • Cash Advance:

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.

Rewards & Earnings

  • 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.
Redemption Options:
  • 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).

Benefits

  • Welcome:

    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

  • Milestone:

    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.

  • Renewal:
  • Lifestyle:

    lounge domestic, lounge international, golf benefits

Why We Like It

  • This card is ideal for:
    • Frequent Travelers: Unlimited lounge access, airmile conversions, and travel insurance make it a top pick.
    • High Spenders: Those spending ₹4 lakh+ quarterly can maximize the 40,000 bonus RP and justify the ₹10,000 fee.
    • Lifestyle Enthusiasts: Golf, dining discounts, and premium memberships appeal to luxury seekers.
    It’s less suited for those prioritizing universal acceptance or fuel/wallet spends.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

  • 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.

❌ Cons

  • 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.

Eligibility & Application

Eligibility:

  • 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.

How to Apply:

FAQs

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).

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02/28/2025

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