HDFC Bank Foodplus Prepaid Card – Benefits, Fees & Eligibility

Introduction

The HDFC Bank FoodPlus Prepaid Card is a specialized prepaid card issued by HDFC Bank, primarily positioned for corporate use to streamline employee meal allowances, reimbursements, and incentive programs. It offers seamless food payments across India, including online platforms like Swiggy and Zomato, and provides enhanced benefits to employees such as hassle-free usage, easy replacement if lost, and zero lost card liability.

Fees

• Issuance Fee: ₹100 plus applicable GST.
• Annual Fee: ₹100 plus applicable GST.
• Reissuance Fees: Nil.
• ATM Cash Withdrawal Fees (HDFC Bank & Other Banks): Not Applicable (N/A).
• Balance Inquiry Fees (HDFC Bank & Other ATMs): ₹10 plus applicable GST per transaction.
• Cash Withdrawal at POS: Not Applicable (N/A).
• All fees are exclusive of applicable taxes.
• ATM usage charges were effective from March 1, 2020.

Rewards

User Benefits

• Use the card across India at all food and beverage outlets.
• Accepted for E-com transactions, including Swiggy and Zomato, specifically for food and beverage purchases.
• Maximise savings through exclusive discounts at affiliated food outlets.

Employee Benefits

• Can be used online for food-related E-com transactions (e.g., Swiggy, Zomato).
• Beneficiaries are protected with zero lost card liability after reporting a loss.
• Easy replacement of lost cards.
• Eliminates the risk of lost or damaged paper vouchers.
• All transactions are captured electronically.

Convenience

• One-time card distribution, replacing monthly paper vouchers for corporates.
• Hassle-free use compared to paper vouchers.
• Instant updates in demographic details.
• Seamless online transactions.
• Effortless loading of funds via E-net, direct debit, or cheques.
• Transaction alerts via SMS/email for every purchase.
• Ease of balance inquiries at any ATM across India.
• Easy regular balance checks and robust security measures ensure convenient card and fund management.

Banking & Management

• NetBanking and PhoneBanking facilities are available with every card.
• SMS alerts for all transactions.
• Check card balances easily through the Prepaid NetBanking portal.

Rewards Redemption Guide

Card Management & Controls

• Administer your card with ease via the Prepaid Card NetBanking Portal.
• Track your balance, peruse your transaction history, manage your spending limits, subscribe to e-statements, alter your PIN, and secure your card.
• A single unified platform for Credit Cards, Debit Cards, FASTag, and Consumer Durable Loans is available (general HDFC Bank platform feature).
• Simple interface to track all your spends.
• View and redeem points (This may be a generic statement for HDFC cards, as FoodPlus is a prepaid card and typically does not accrue traditional reward points).

Checking Card Balance

• You can check your Food Card balance for free using the HDFC Bank Prepaid Card NetBanking portal.
• Balance inquiries can also be made at HDFC Bank ATMs and other bank ATMs for a fee of ₹10 plus taxes per transaction.

Getting Card Statement

• After logging into the Prepaid Card NetBanking portal, select "Account" >> "Request Statement" >> "Submit" >> Select Date Range >> "Submit".

Changing PIN

• After logging into the Prepaid Card NetBanking portal, you can change your PIN using the "Account" and "Set ATM PIN" option.

Updating Demographic Details

• For Mobile Number / Email ID: Log in to the Prepaid Card NetBanking Portal, click on "Manage My Profile", go to "Contact Information" and select "Edit". Enter your new mobile number or email ID and verify changes using an OTP. Details will be updated instantly.
• For Address Update: Visit your nearest HDFC Bank branch and submit a signed application for "Change in Address" along with documentary proof of your new address (bring original documents for verification). The mailing address will be updated within 7 working days.

Reporting Unauthorized Transactions / Lost/Stolen Card

• If you detect any unauthorized transactions, inform HDFC Bank without delay and have your card blocked or hotlisted to prevent further misuse.
• Contact Phone Banking service at 1800 1600/1800 2600.
• You can also block your card through the Prepaid Card NetBanking Portal under "Account Tab" >> "Block lost/Stolen card".
• Zero lost card liability is available on fraudulent transactions if reported immediately.

Card Activation

• Activation of the FoodPlus Card is required for transactions. You can activate your card using internet banking or by contacting customer service.

Card Replacement (Expired/Lost/Stolen)

• If your card has expired, is lost, stolen, or damaged, and you have a balance, liaise with your corporate SPOC Admin. The request for card replacement should flow to the Bank via the Corporate SPOC Admin.

Balance Transfer (Old to New Card)

• For balance transfer from an old card to a new card, liaise with your corporate SPOC Admin, as the request should flow to the Bank via the Corporate SPOC Admin.

Card Inactivity

• As per RBI guidelines, cards with no financial transaction for a consecutive period of 12 months shall be made inactive by the bank after sending a notice to the cardholder.
• If inactive, the card will be temporarily blocked. To unblock, visit the Prepaid Card Portal or call Phone Banking at 1800 1600 or 1800 2600. The card should be used before 12 am or it gets locked again after unlocking.

Card Eligibility Criteria

• Eligibility Rules:
  • All corporations engaged with HDFC Bank, whether new or well-established, can secure a FoodPlus Prepaid Card for their team members.
  • Companies can opt for the distribution of meal cards to their employees based on their compensation plan.

Card Review

The HDFC Bank FoodPlus Prepaid Card is an excellent solution for corporates aiming to provide meal allowances and manage related expenses for their employees efficiently. It serves as a modern, electronic alternative to traditional paper vouchers, offering significant administrative ease for businesses and convenience for employees.

• Who should apply: This card is ideal for corporations looking to streamline employee meal benefits, reimbursements, or incentive programs through a digital, secure, and widely accepted platform. Employees of such corporates will find it beneficial for managing their food-related expenses.
• Pros:
  • Widespread Acceptance: Usable at all food and beverage outlets across India, both offline and online (including Swiggy and Zomato).
  • Hassle-Free & Convenient: Replaces paper vouchers, offering one-time distribution and easy management via NetBanking and PhoneBanking.
  • Enhanced Security: Features zero lost card liability, protecting beneficiaries from unauthorized transactions if reported promptly.
  • Easy Management: Employees receive SMS/email alerts for transactions and can easily check balances and manage card details online.
  • Corporate Benefits: Simplifies corporate financial transactions, reimbursements, and incentive programs, saving time and effort.
  • Potential Tax Benefits: Food purchased using the card may not be taxable for employees under specific Income Tax Act conditions (cost to employer ₹50 or below per meal, 2 meals/day, 22 working days).
• Cons:
  • Restricted Usage: Strictly for food and beverage purchases; cannot be used for cash withdrawals at ATMs or POS terminals.
  • Fees: Incurs issuance, annual, and balance inquiry fees.
  • Inactivity Clause: The card becomes inactive if unused for 12 consecutive months, requiring re-activation.

Important Product Details

• Card Type: Prepaid card designed exclusively for meal-related expenses.
• Issuing Bank: HDFC Bank.
• Usage: Accepted at all food and beverage outlets across India, and for food-related E-com transactions (e.g., Swiggy, Zomato).
• Cash Withdrawal: Not permitted from ATMs or POS terminals.
• Maximum Balance: The card can hold a maximum balance of ₹2 Lakh at any given point in time (for full KYC cards).
• Validity: Valid for 5 years, up to the last working day of the indicated month.
• Non-Transferrable: The card is non-transferrable.
• Corporate Issuance: Companies issue these cards to their employees for meal allowances.
• Security: Features Zero Lost Card Liability for fraudulent transactions reported immediately.
• Management: Accessible via Prepaid Card NetBanking Portal for balance checks, transaction history, PIN changes, and other controls.
• Alerts: SMS alerts are provided for all transactions.
• Fees: Issuance Fee (₹100+GST), Annual Fee (₹100+GST), Balance Inquiry Fee (₹10+GST).
• Activation: Card activation is required for transactions.

Other Details

• The Most Important Terms and Conditions for HDFC Bank's banking offerings are available and should be thoroughly reviewed to understand the terms and conditions applicable to the product.
• Prepaid Card approvals are at the sole discretion of HDFC Bank Limited and are subject to documentation and verification as per the Bank's requirements.
• Per Section 17(2)(viii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, food purchased using a non-transferrable paid voucher usable at food outlets is not taxable if the cost to the employer is ₹50 or below, per meal (considering 2 meals a day, 22 working days in a month for the employee).