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

Introduction

The InterMiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card is a co-branded credit card issued by HDFC Bank in partnership with InterMiles.com, primarily positioned for travelers. It allows cardholders to earn InterMiles on their spending, which can be redeemed for flight and hotel bookings. Key differentiating benefits include complimentary domestic lounge access and a spend-based waiver of the annual fee.

Welcome Benefits

• Earn 1,500 InterMiles upon spending ₹3,000 within the first 30 days of card issuance.
• Earn an additional 1,500 InterMiles on total retail spends of ₹50,000 or above within the first 90 days.
• Receive a flight discount voucher worth ₹500 for the first year.
• Receive a hotel discount voucher worth ₹1,000 for the first year.

Fees

• Joining Fee: ₹1,000 plus applicable taxes.
• Renewal Fee: ₹1,000 plus applicable taxes.
• Spend-Based Waiver: The renewal fee can be waived off if ₹2.50 Lakhs or more is spent in the previous year (within 12 months from card setup/renewal date).
  • Note: In case of a fee waiver, the member will not receive flight/hotel discount vouchers.
• Foreign Currency Markup: 3.5% plus applicable taxes.
• Interest Rates: 3.6% per month (equivalent to 43.2% annually). This revolving credit interest rate is effective September 01, 2020.
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all petrol pumps across India on a minimum transaction of ₹400. The maximum waiver is capped at ₹250 per billing cycle.
  • Note: InterMiles will not be accrued on fuel transactions (effective April 15, 2016). GST charges on fuel surcharge are non-refundable.
• Cash Advance Charges: 2.5% of the amount withdrawn or ₹500, whichever is higher.

Rewards

• Retail Transactions: Earn 4 InterMiles for every ₹150 spent on retail purchases. Only retail purchases above ₹150 qualify for InterMiles.
• Flight and Hotel Bookings (via InterMiles.com): Earn 8 InterMiles for every ₹150 spent on flight tickets booked through flights.intermiles.com and hotels booked through interbook.intermiles.com.
• Etihad Airways Privileges:
  • Get a 5% discount on Etihad Airways Economy class tickets booked through flights.intermiles.com.
  • Earn an additional 2.5X InterMiles for Etihad Airways tickets booked on flights.intermiles.com.
• Dining Benefits: Up to 20% discount on dining bills paid via Dineout Pay through InterMiles. The maximum discount is capped at ₹1,000 per transaction, per customer, per month.
• 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. A nominal fee may be charged for card validation.
• Insurance Transactions: Cardholders can earn a maximum of 2,000 InterMiles per day under insurance categories.
• Reward Exclusions: Cash advances, fuel transactions, fees, easy EMI transactions, e-wallet loading, and other charges are ineligible for earning InterMiles. InterMiles accrued will be reversed if a retail transaction is converted into SmartEMI.

Rewards Redemption Guide

• The InterMiles earned can be easily redeemed through www.intermiles.com.
• InterMiles can be redeemed against flight and hotel bookings made through the InterMiles website.
• InterMiles once credited to the customer’s InterMiles account cannot be converted to Reward Points.

Card Eligibility Criteria

For Salaried Indian Citizens

• Age: Minimum 21 years, Maximum 60 years.
• Income: Net Monthly Income greater than ₹30,000.

For Self-Employed Indian Citizens

• Age: Minimum 21 years, Maximum 65 years.
• Income: Annual Income Tax Return (ITR) greater than ₹6 Lakh.

Documents Required to Apply

• 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.

Card Review

The InterMiles HDFC Bank Platinum Credit Card is an excellent choice for travelers, offering exclusive benefits and rewards in the form of InterMiles that can be redeemed for flights and hotels. It provides complimentary lounge access and attractive offers on travel and dining. With an affordable annual fee that can be waived based on spending, it presents good value for individuals seeking significant travel and lifestyle benefits.

Important Product Details

• Welcome benefit of up to 3,000 InterMiles and discount vouchers on hotel and flight bookings.
• Earn 4 InterMiles on every ₹150 spent on retail purchases.
• Earn 8 InterMiles for every ₹150 spent on booking flights and hotels through the InterMiles website.
• Receive a 5% discount on Etihad Airways Economy class tickets and 2.5x InterMiles for Etihad Airways tickets booked through the InterMiles website.
• Enjoy 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits every year (2 per quarter).
• Annual fee waiver on spending ₹2.50 Lakhs or more in the previous year.
• Zero Liability Protection ensures no liability for fraudulent transactions if reported immediately to the 24-hour call center.
• Offers revolving credit at a nominal interest rate of 3.6% per month.
• Provides an interest-free credit period of up to 50 days from the date of purchase.
• Allows for up to 3 add-on cards for immediate family members (over 18 years). Note that all card features are applicable only for the primary cardholder and not for add-on cardholders.

Other Details

• Renewal Benefits: Upon paying the renewal fee, cardholders receive 1,500 InterMiles on spending ₹3,000 within the first 30 days of the anniversary date, along with a Flight Discount voucher worth ₹500 and a Hotel Discount voucher worth ₹1,000. These vouchers are not applicable if the renewal fee is waived.
• Card Management & Controls: Cardholders can manage their credit card controls (e.g., enabling/disabling online, contactless, international usage, setting transaction limits) through multiple channels including Netbanking, Mobile Banking App, MyCards portal, PayZapp app, WhatsApp Banking, and HDFC Bank's toll-free IVR numbers (1800 1600 or 1800 2600, available 8 am to 8 pm; for overseas travel assistance: 022-61606160).
• 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 registered email address, phone number, or communication address.
• Application Process: The online application process involves providing and validating phone number/Date of Birth/PAN, confirming details, selecting the card, and submitting the application. In certain cases, uploading documents and completing video KYC might be required.
• Non-Payment of Dues: If the minimum amount due or 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.