InterMiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card – Benefits, Fees & Eligibility

Introduction

The InterMiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card, issued by HDFC Bank, is a co-branded credit card designed primarily for travelers. It operates on the VISA/MasterCard network, positioning itself as a mid-range travel-focused card. Its key differentiating benefits include earning InterMiles on everyday spending, complimentary domestic lounge access, and discount vouchers for hotel and flight bookings.

Welcome Benefits

• Earn up to 3,000 Bonus InterMiles as a welcome gift, based on your spending.
• Receive 1,500 InterMiles upon spending Rs. 3,000 within the first 30 days of card issuance.
• Receive an additional 1,500 InterMiles on total retail spends of Rs. 50,000 or above within the first 90 days.
• Get a flight discount voucher worth Rs. 500 for the first year.
• Get a hotel discount voucher worth Rs. 1,000 for the first year.

Fees & Charges Breakdown

• Joining Fee: Rs. 1,000 plus applicable taxes.
• Renewal Fee: Rs. 1,000 plus applicable taxes.
• Spend-Based Waiver: The renewal fee can be waived off if you spend Rs. 2.50 Lakhs or more in the previous year (or within 12 months from the card setup/renewal date).
  • Note: In case of a fee waiver, the member will not receive flight/hotel discount vouchers.
• Reward Redemption Fee: Not applicable.
• Foreign Currency Markup: 3.5% plus applicable taxes.
• Interest Rates: 3.6% per month (equivalent to 43.2% annually), effective September 01, 2020.
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all petrol pumps across India on a minimum spend of Rs. 400. The waiver is capped at a maximum of Rs. 250 per billing cycle.
  • GST charges on fuel surcharge are non-refundable.
  • InterMiles will not be accrued on fuel transactions, effective April 15, 2016.
• Cash Advance Charges: 2.5% of the amount withdrawn or Rs. 500, whichever is higher.
• Add-on Card Fee: No fee for up to 3 add-on cards for immediate family members (over 18 years).

Rewards & Cashback Structure

• Earning Rate:
  • Earn 4 InterMiles for every Rs. 150 spent on retail transactions.
  • Earn 8 InterMiles for every Rs. 150 spent on flight and hotel bookings through intermiles.com (or flights.intermiles.com / interbook.intermiles.com).
  • Earn 2.5X InterMiles for Etihad Airways tickets booked on flights.intermiles.com.
  • Retail purchases above Rs. 150 will be considered for earning InterMiles.
• Exclusions from InterMiles Accrual:
  • Cash advances, fuel transactions, fees, easy EMI, e-wallet loading, and other charges do not accrue any InterMiles.
  • InterMiles accrued will be reversed if a retail transaction is converted into SmartEMI.
• InterMiles Cap: For insurance transactions, cardholders can earn a maximum of 2,000 InterMiles in a day.
• Reward Redemption:
  • The InterMiles earned can be redeemed against flight and hotel bookings if booked through www.intermiles.com.
  • InterMiles can also be redeemed for dining vouchers, merchandise, and more.
  • InterMiles once credited to the customer’s InterMiles account cannot be converted to Reward Points.

Travel, Lounge & Lifestyle Perks

• Domestic Lounge Access: Enjoy 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per calendar year, with a maximum of 2 visits per quarter, through the VISA Lounge Program/MasterCard Lounge Program. Access is available at select lounges at airports in India using your boarding pass. A nominal fee may be charged for card validation.
• Etihad Airways Privileges:
  • Get a 5% discount on Etihad Airways Economy class tickets if booked through www.intermiles.com/flights.
  • Additionally, earn 2.5X InterMiles for Etihad Airways tickets if booked through flights.intermiles.com.
• Dining Benefits:
  • Receive up to a 20% discount on dining bills paid via Dineout Pay through InterMiles.
  • The maximum discount per transaction, per customer, per month is capped at Rs. 1,000.
• Zero Liability Protection: Cardholders are not liable for any fraudulent transactions that occur after the loss of the card, provided the incident is reported immediately to the 24-hour call center.
• Insurance Benefits: The card offers comprehensive insurance coverage for travel and emergencies.

Card Eligibility Criteria & Income Requirements

• Nationality: Indian citizen.
• For Salaried Individuals:
  • Minimum Age: 21 years.
  • Maximum Age: 60 years.
  • Net Monthly Income: Greater than Rs. 30,000.
• For Self-Employed Individuals:
  • Minimum Age: 21 years.
  • Maximum Age: 65 years.
  • Annual Income: Income Tax Return (ITR) greater than Rs. 6 Lakh.
• Required Documents:
  • Identity Proof: Passport, Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Driving licence, PAN card, Passport size photographs.
  • Address Proof: Utility bills (electricity, water, gas, or telephone), Rental agreement, Passport, Aadhaar card, Voter ID.
  • Income Proof: Salary slips (for salaried individuals), Income Tax Returns (ITR), Form 16, Bank statements.

Credit Card Review

The InterMiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card is positioned as a beneficial option for travelers, offering complimentary lounge access and attractive offers on hotel and flight bookings. With its InterMiles earning potential on retail transactions and dining benefits, it presents a decent value proposition. The card comes with an affordable annual fee that can be waived upon achieving a stipulated spending milestone. However, it is important to note that this card has been discontinued by HDFC Bank. Existing cardholders have been migrated to other HDFC Bank credit cards in a phased manner, and all product features on the InterMiles credit card were discontinued effective December 15, 2024. Therefore, while it offered good travel and dining perks, it is no longer available for new applications.

Important Product Details

• Card Status: The InterMiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card has been discontinued. Existing cardholders have been migrated to other HDFC Bank credit cards, and all product features were phased out effective December 15, 2024.
• Zero Liability Protection: Provides protection against fraudulent transactions if reported immediately to the 24-hour call center.
• Interest-Free Credit Period: Enjoy up to 50 days of interest-free credit from the date of purchase.
• Add-on Cards: Up to 3 add-on cards can be issued for immediate family members (over 18 years). All card features are applicable only for the primary cardholder, not for add-on cardholders.
• Safe & Secure Transactions: Supports safe transactions at any chip-enabled POS or non-chip POS.
• Card Management & Controls: Card controls can be managed through various channels:
  • Netbanking: Log in, go to Cards Tab > Select card > Manage card > Manage Domestic and International Limits. Enable/disable Online, Contactless, International usage, and update limits.
  • Mobile Banking App: Log in, go to ‘Cards’ section > Select card > Click ‘Manage Limits’. Enable/disable transaction types (Online, Contactless, International Usage) or set limits.
  • MyCards Portal: Visit mycards.hdfc.bank.in, log in with registered mobile number and OTP. For first-time users, enter the last four digits of the card. Click ‘Card Control’ tab to enable/disable features and set limits.
  • PayZapp App: Open PayZapp, tap ‘MyCards’ tab > ‘Go to MyCards’. Log in with registered mobile number and OTP. For first-time users, enter the last four digits of the card. Tap ‘Card Control’ tab to enable/disable features and set limits.
  • WhatsApp Banking: Add HDFC Bank’s official WhatsApp number (7070022222). Send "Credit Card", choose "Manage My Card", then select "Domestic / International/ Enhance limits" to enable/disable transaction types and set limits.
  • IVR: Contact HDFC Bank's toll-free numbers (1800 1600 or 1800 2600 from 8 am to 8 pm, or 022-61606160 for overseas travel assistance) to enable/modify limits for Domestic, International, Online, Contactless, ATM, and POS transactions.

Other Details

• Renewal Benefits (upon paying renewal fee): Upon paying the renewal fee in an anniversary year, you receive 1,500 InterMiles upon spending Rs. 3,000 within the first 30 days of the anniversary date. Additionally, you get a Flight Discount voucher worth Rs. 500 and a Hotel Discount voucher worth Rs. 1,000.
• Card Deactivation Policy: The Bank retains the authority to deactivate the Card if it remains inactive for a continuous period of six months, following prior written notice sent to the email address, phone number, or communication address registered in the Bank's records.
• Application Process: The online application process involves providing and validating your Phone Number & Date of Birth/PAN, confirming your details, selecting your card, and submitting the application. In certain cases, uploading documents and completing video KYC might be required.
• Non-Payment of Bill: If the minimum amount due or the total amount due is not paid on time, the bank will notify the customer and may report them as a defaulter to Credit Information Companies (CIC) if payment is not made within seven days. Late payment charges will also be levied.
• Terms & Conditions: The Most Important Terms and Conditions for the card are available for thorough review to understand all applicable terms.