HDFC Bank Companion Debit Card – Benefits, Fees & Eligibility

Introduction

The HDFC Bank Companion Debit Card is a specialized offering from HDFC Bank, meticulously designed to enhance accessibility and provide a seamless banking experience for visually impaired customers. It stands out with its unique accessibility features, including Braille markings and a physical notch for easy identification and orientation, comprehensive insurance coverage, and the convenience of no-cost EMI options on a wide range of purchases.

Fees

• Joining Fee: Nil
• Annual Fee: Nil
• Replacement / Reissuance Charges: ₹200 + applicable taxes
• Fuel Surcharge Reversal: Not applicable for transactions done on HDFC Bank swipe machines at government petrol outlets (HPCL/IOCL/BPCL), effective January 1, 2018.

Rewards

Accessibility Features

• The card features raised Braille dots for easy identification and independent reading.
• A rounded notch opposite the chip helps cardholders identify the correct card orientation when using ATMs or POS machines.
• HDFC Bank ATMs are equipped with voice guidance support, accessible by inserting headphones, providing step-by-step audio instructions for independent transactions.
• Braille-enabled keypads at ATMs further assist users familiar with Braille for confident input.

Insurance Benefits

• Death Cover by Air / Road / Rail: Sum Insured up to ₹5,00,000.
• Additional International Air Coverage: Flat ₹25,00,000 on purchase of air tickets using the Debit Card.
• Fire & Burglary Insurance: For items purchased using the Debit Card (up to 6 months), with a sum assured of ₹2,00,000.
  • Condition: For claims to be accepted, the cardholder must have conducted at least 1 purchase transaction using the Debit Card within 3 months prior to the event date.
• Loss of Baggage Cover: Up to ₹2,00,000.
• Personal Death Insurance Cover: To keep the free Personal Death Insurance cover active, all Debit Card holders are required to use their Debit Card at retail or online stores at least once every 30 days.
• Note on Multiple Cards: If an insured person has multiple cards, the insurance policy shall be applicable only for the card with the highest Sum Insured / limit of Indemnity, or the highest POS amount.

Banking Limits

• Daily Shopping Limit: Up to ₹1.25 lakh.
• Daily ATM Cash Withdrawal Limit: Up to ₹0.25 lakh.
• Cash Withdrawal at Merchant Outlets: Up to ₹2,000 per day and ₹10,000 per month.
• Zero Liability: Applies to any fraudulent Point of Sale transactions conducted using your Debit Card up to 30 days prior to reporting the card loss.

EMI Benefits

• Enjoy no-cost EMI on leading brands across categories such as electronics, furniture, apparel, and smartphones.
• Convert any purchases above ₹5,000 into EMI.
• To check the pre-approved eligible amount on your Debit Card, SMS "MYHDFC" to 5676712 from your Bank Registered Mobile Number.

Digital & Contactless Features

• The card is enabled for contactless payments, facilitating fast, convenient, and secure transactions at retail outlets.
• In India, contactless payments are allowed for a maximum of ₹5,000 for a single transaction without requiring a Debit Card PIN.
• For transactions equal to or higher than ₹5,000, the Card holder must enter the Debit Card PIN for security reasons.
• Exciting offers are available on the HDFC Bank Companion Debit Card.

Card Eligibility Criteria

• Who Can Apply: Visually impaired customers maintaining an HDFC Bank Savings, Salary, or Current Account.
• How To Apply: Eligible customers can apply by visiting a bank branch in person or by requesting a bank official visit to their residence to complete the required formalities.

Card Review

The HDFC Bank Companion Debit Card is an exemplary product tailored specifically for visually impaired customers, demonstrating HDFC Bank's commitment to financial inclusion and accessibility. Its unique design features, such as Braille dots and a rounded notch, along with voice-guided ATM support and Braille-enabled keypads, significantly empower users to conduct banking transactions independently and securely. The card further enhances its value proposition with comprehensive insurance coverage, including death, international air, fire & burglary, and loss of baggage, providing substantial peace of mind. The absence of joining and annual fees, coupled with no-cost EMI options and generous daily spending and withdrawal limits, makes it a highly beneficial and cost-effective choice for its target audience. This card is ideal for visually impaired individuals seeking a debit card that prioritizes their specific needs for independence and security in banking.

Important Product Details

• Personalised card designed for visually impaired customers with exclusive accessibility features.
• Features raised Braille dots for easy card identification and a rounded notch for correct orientation.
• HDFC Bank ATMs offer voice guidance support and Braille-enabled keypads for independent transactions.
• Comprehensive insurance coverage includes Death Cover (Air/Road/Rail) up to ₹5 lakh, Additional International Air Coverage of ₹25 lakh, Fire & Burglary for purchases up to ₹2 lakh, and Loss of Baggage cover up to ₹2 lakh.
• No-cost EMI options are available on purchases above ₹5,000 from leading brands.
• High daily shopping limit of up to ₹1.25 lakh and daily ATM cash withdrawal limit of up to ₹0.25 lakh.
• Offers Zero Liability for fraudulent Point of Sale transactions reported within 30 days.
• Enabled for contactless payments, allowing quick transactions up to ₹5,000 without a PIN.
• No Joining Fee and No Annual Fee.
• Replacement / Reissuance charges are ₹200 + applicable taxes.
• Fuel Surcharge is not applicable for transactions on HDFC Bank swipe machines at government petrol outlets (HPCL/IOCL/BPCL).
• Eligibility is restricted to visually impaired customers holding an HDFC Bank Savings, Salary, or Current Account.
• As per RBI guidelines effective October 1, 2020, all new Debit Cards are enabled only for Domestic usage (PoS & ATM) by default; Domestic (E-commerce & contactless) and International usage can be enabled or modified via NetBanking, Mobile Banking, WhatsApp Banking, or customer care.

Other Details

• HDFC Bank is committed to customer convenience, financial inclusion, and compliance with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines on barrier-free banking services.
• Debit Card limits can be changed via NetBanking to suit individual needs, up to the permissible limits.
• Terms and conditions apply to all benefits and features, and debit card approvals are at the sole discretion of HDFC Bank Limited, subject to documentation and verification.
• The Most Important Terms and Conditions for banking offerings are available on the bank's website for thorough understanding.