This article will compare two of HDFC’s premium credit cards: HDFC Infinia Credit Card and HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card. Both are targeted at high-net-worth individuals, offering a range of exclusive perks, high reward rates, and lifestyle benefits. Here, we will highlight the key features of each card, followed by a detailed comparison table and insights to help you choose the card best suited to your lifestyle.
HDFC Infinia Credit Card
The HDFC Infinia Credit Card is a top-tier card designed for those seeking premium travel, dining, and lifestyle experiences. With benefits like unlimited access to international lounges, high reward points, and an expansive range of exclusive offers, this card caters to individuals who frequently travel, dine out, and seek luxury lifestyle benefits.
Key Benefits
- Reward Points: Earn 5 reward points per ₹150 spent on most transactions.
- Airport Lounge Access: Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders.
- Golf Privileges: Complimentary golf games across various courses globally.
- Dining Discounts: Discounts of up to 30% at premium restaurants.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver across fuel stations in India.
- Insurance Coverage: Complimentary insurance for air travel, health, and more.
HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card
The HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card is another high-end offering that provides exclusive benefits across travel, dining, and lifestyle categories. This card is a strong choice for people who value extensive lounge access, high reward points, and exclusive deals with luxury brands.
Key Benefits
- Reward Points: Earn 5 reward points per ₹150 spent on most transactions.
- Airport Lounge Access: Complimentary unlimited access to domestic and international lounges.
- Milestone Benefits: Additional rewards upon achieving specific spending milestones.
- Global Concierge Service: 24/7 concierge service for lifestyle needs.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver on fuel surcharge at fuel stations in India.
- Insurance Coverage: Comprehensive insurance cover for travel and health emergencies.
Detailed Comparison
Feature | HDFC Infinia Credit Card | HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
Joining/Annual Fee | ₹10,000 (plus GST), often waived on high annual spends | ₹10,000 (plus GST), waived if spending crosses threshold |
Reward Points | 5 reward points per ₹150 spent | 5 reward points per ₹150 spent |
Reward Point Redemption | Can redeem for flights, hotels, and cashback at 1:1 ratio | Redeem for travel, vouchers, and more at 1:1 ratio |
Milestone Rewards | Not specified | Up to 15,000 points on reaching specific milestones |
Lounge Access | Unlimited domestic and international lounge access | Unlimited domestic and international lounge access |
Golf Privileges | 6 golf games per quarter (including add-on cardholders) | 6 golf games per quarter (primary cardholder only) |
Concierge Services | Yes | Yes |
Dining Benefits | Up to 30% discount at select restaurants | Up to 25% discount with exclusive dining partners |
Insurance Coverage | High coverage for travel and health | High coverage, including travel inconvenience |
Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% across India, max ₹1,000 per billing cycle | 1% across India, max ₹1,000 per billing cycle |
Foreign Exchange Markup | 2% on foreign transactions | 1.99% on foreign transactions |
Eligibility | High-income professionals and business owners | High-income professionals and business owners |
Renewal Fee Waiver | Waived on annual spends above ₹8 lakhs | Waived on annual spends above ₹5 lakhs |
Key Features and Differences
1. Reward Points and Redemption
Both cards offer 5 reward points per ₹150 spent on most transactions. However, the Diners Club Black card provides milestone rewards, granting additional points for spending milestones, which the Infinia Card does not.
2. Lounge Access
Both cards offer unlimited lounge access globally, making them equally appealing for frequent travelers. However, note that Diners Club lounges may have limited acceptance at certain locations, and the Infinia card’s broader acceptance makes it slightly more versatile.
3. Golf Privileges
Both cards offer six complimentary golf games per quarter. The Infinia Card includes access for both primary and add-on cardholders, while the Diners Club Black only includes games for the primary cardholder.
4. Dining and Concierge Benefits
The Infinia Card offers up to a 30% discount at selected restaurants, which is slightly higher than the Diners Club Black’s dining discount. Both cards provide concierge services for assistance with travel bookings, reservations, and more, available globally.
5. Insurance and Foreign Exchange Markup
Both cards provide comprehensive insurance coverage for air accidents, medical emergencies, and travel inconvenience. The Diners Club Black Card has a marginally lower foreign exchange markup at 1.99%, compared to Infinia’s 2%, which can make a difference for frequent international travelers.
Pros and Cons
Credit Card | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
HDFC Infinia | – High reward rate – Unlimited lounge access worldwide – Golf privileges for add-on cards | – Higher eligibility criteria – Annual fee, unless waived |
Diners Club Black | – Milestone rewards – Slightly lower foreign exchange markup – High reward rate with redemption versatility | – Limited lounge access in some locations – Annual fee unless waived |
Who Should Choose Which Card?
- Choose HDFC Infinia if you prioritize globally recognized lounge access, high reward redemption flexibility, and family-friendly golf benefits (as add-on cardholders are eligible for golf privileges).
- Choose HDFC Diners Club Black if you’re a frequent traveler with a preference for milestone-based rewards, slightly lower foreign exchange markup, and are willing to explore Diners-specific benefits. It’s also suited for individuals looking for extra value on annual fees due to the easier renewal fee waiver threshold.
Our Recommendation
The HDFC Infinia Credit Card is ideal for users looking for a card with broad lounge access, family-inclusive privileges, and extensive flexibility in rewards redemption. On the other hand, the HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card appeals to users who may find value in milestone rewards, prefer slightly lower foreign exchange fees, and are comfortable with the Diners Club network’s unique set of global benefits.
Ultimately, the choice between these two high-end credit cards comes down to personal preferences regarding benefits, spending habits, and lifestyle priorities. If international travel, luxury lifestyle benefits, and a premium concierge service matter to you, either card will likely meet and exceed your expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both the HDFC Infinia and HDFC Diners Club Black cards come with a joining fee of ₹10,000 plus GST. This fee can often be waived if annual spending requirements are met.
Yes, both cards allow reward points redemption for cashback, travel, vouchers, and other categories, with a 1:1 redemption ratio.
Both cards offer unlimited access to domestic and international lounges. However, acceptance networks differ slightly, with the Diners Club network limited in some regions compared to Visa/MasterCard lounge access with Infinia.
The foreign exchange markup for Infinia is 2%, while Diners Club Black offers a slightly lower rate at 1.99%.
For the HDFC Infinia, the annual fee is waived if spending exceeds ₹8 lakhs in a year. For Diners Club Black, the threshold is ₹5 lakhs.
Yes, both cards provide six complimentary golf games per quarter. However, only the Infinia extends this privilege to add-on cardholders.
Ranjan is a dedicated finance writer for smartfinclub.com, where he specializes in comparing top financial products in India, including loans, credit cards, savings accounts & more. With a focus on providing clear insights into features, rates, and benefits, Ranjan aims to empower readers to make informed financial decisions customized to their needs.