If there are two credit cards that everyone aspires to get – those are Infinia and Diners Club Black. Given that HDFC Bank issues only one super-premium credit card, which one to opt for if we have both options. Here is a detailed comparison of fees, rewards, and benefits for HDFC Bank Infinia vs Diners Club Black.
Fees and Charges
| Fee | Infinia | Diners Club Black |
|---|---|---|
| Joining Fees | Rs 12500+GST | Rs 10000+GST |
| Welcome Benefit | Club Marriott membership for the first year 12500 RP if joining fees is paid | Annual memberships of Club Marriott, Forbes India, Swiggy One (3 months), Amazon Prime, MMTBlack, TimesPrime Smart on spending Rs 1.5 Lakhs in 90 days |
| Annual Fees | Rs 12500+GST | Rs 10000+GST |
| Annual Fees Waiver | Rs 10 Lakhs Spend | Rs 5 Lakhs Spend |
| Renewal Benefit | 12500 RP if the renewal fee is paid | Welcome benefit memberships get renewed on spending Rs 8 Lakhs |
| Issued as | Metal | PVC |
The key difference here is that Infinia gets a renewal benefit. On realization of annual fees, HDFC Bank credits 12500 reward points to the card. For low spenders, DCB makes more sense as the waiver is set to a lower limit of Rs 5 Lakhs.
Network and Card Acceptance
The key difference between Infinia and Diners Club Black is the networks on which these are issued. This has an effect on card acceptance both in India and outside India.
| Infinia | Diners Club Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Visa Infinite Mastercard World | Diners Club |
| Domestic PoS Acceptance (Metro/Tier 1 Cities) | Excellent | Very Good – Around 80% |
| Domestic PoS Acceptance (Tier 2/Other cities) | Excellent | Good (Around 60%) |
| International Acceptance | Excellent | Fair (Around 50%) |
Rewards
Both HDFC Bank Infinia and Diners Club Black have a similar rewards system and are eligible for 10X rewards on Smartbuy. All transactions (except wallet load, Easy EMI, and Fuel) earn 5 reward points on every Rs 150/- spend. But, there are some key differences in the additional rewards that the two cards offer.
DCB also offers a monthly milestone benefit. We get 2 monthly vouchers from Ola Select membership or cult.fit Live 1-month membership or BookMyShow or TataCLiQ worth Rs. 500 each every month on spends of Rs 80000.
| Category | Infinia | Diners Club Black |
|---|---|---|
| Base Rewards | 5 RP per Rs 150 spend | 5 RP per Rs 150 spend |
| 2X Rewards on Dining | NA | Weekend Dining only – Maximum 1000 RP per day |
| Insurance Transactions | Maximum 5000 RP per day | Maximum 5000 RP per day |
| Grocery Transactions | Maximum 2000 RP per calendar month | Maximum 2000 RP per calendar month |
| Wallet, Fuel, Rent, and Government Services | No Rewards | No Rewards |
Smartbuy Rewards
The February 2021 changes have completely tilted the scale in favor of Infinia as the top most card in HDFC Bank’s range.
- Infinia has a higher Smartbuy bonus RP cap at 15000 per month vs DCB at 7500 per month.
- Infinia also has a higher Smartbuy bonus RP cap at 7500 per day vs DCB at 2500 per day.
- Infinia gets a higher Smartbuy bonus RP multiplier for instant vouchers and Flipkart.
| Partner | Infinia | DCB |
|---|---|---|
| IGP.com | 10X ~33% | 10X ~33% |
| Flights | 5X ~16.5% | 5X ~16.5% |
| Hotels | 10X ~33% | 10X ~33% |
| IRCTC | 3X ~10% | 3X ~10% |
| Redbus | 5X ~16.5% | 5X ~16.5% |
| Instant Voucher | 5X ~16.5% | 3X ~10% |
| Apple Tresor | 5X ~16.5% | 3X ~10% |
| Flipkart | 3X ~10% | 2X ~6.6% |
Rewards Redemption
Both cards have the same redemption options. HDFC Bank offers a lot of ways to use up the reward points earned on Infinia and Diners Club Black. The preferred way is to use HDFC Smartbuy where we can book flights and hotels at a redemption rate of 1 point = Rs 1. This is also the way to get a good value for RPs. Another option is to transfer reward points to one of the Airmiles programs where we can get more value depending on the sector.
Other options are available in the HDFC Rewards Catalogue where we can order electronics and gift vouchers in exchange for points. The reward point redemption falls to around 20-35 paise in these cases. As with other HDFC Bank credit cards, redeeming for statement credit/cash is not a good option. The value of 1 RP falls to 30p in these cases.
| VALUE OF 1 RP | Infinia | Diners Club Black |
|---|---|---|
| Smartbuy (Flights/Hotels) | Rs 1 | Rs 1 |
| Tanishq Vouchers | Rs 1 | 50 paise |
| Apple Products | Rs 1 | 20 paise to 50 paise |
| Airmiles | 0.5 to 1 Airmiles | 0.5 to 1 Airmiles |
| Rewards Catalogue (Including Vouchers) | 20 paise to 50 paise | 20 paise to 50 paise |
| Cashback | 30 paise | 30 paise |
Transfer Partners
Infinia and DCB gets a whole new set of transfer partners now. Etihad Guest, British Airways, United MileagePlus and AeroPlan get a 2:1 ratio. So, two RP become 1 mile. Everything else is 1:1.
| Transfer Partner | Transfer Ratio RP:Miles |
|---|---|
| Air Canada – AeroPlan | 2:1 |
| Air Asia – airasia rewards | 1:1 |
| ALL – Accor Live Limitless | 1:1 |
| Avianca LifeMiles | 1:1 |
| British Airways Executive Club | 2:1 |
| Etihad Guest | 2:1 |
| Finnair Plus | 1:1 |
| Flying Blue | 1:1 |
| Hainan Airlines – Fortune Wings Club | 1:1 |
| IHG One Rewards | 1:1 |
| Vietnam Airlines – Lotusmiles Program | 1:1 |
| Turkish Airlines – Miles&Smiles | 1:1 |
| United MileagePlus | 2:1 |
| Wyndham Rewards | 1:1 |
| Singapore Airlines – KrisFlyer | 1:1 |
| Vistara Airlines – Club Vistara | 1:1 |
| InterMiles | 1:1 |
Airport Lounge Access
Both Infinia and Diners Club Black offer unlimited airport lounge access within and outside India for primary and add-on cards. What may differ is the list of lounges to which you are allowed access. In the case of Diners, the card itself doubles up as the lounge access card. Infinia has tied up with Priority pass for lounge access.
Which card is better – HDFC Bank Infinia vs Diners Club Black?
When to choose HDFC Infinia
- Annual spends are greater than 8 Lakhs to get a fee waiver.
- The majority spends are on Smartbuy. Infinia gets 2X the cap of DCB for SmartBuy bonus reward points.
- Offline spends are in Tier 2/3 cities. DCB acceptance at PoS terminals is quite low even in metro cities.
- Frequent travel outside India where foreign spends are on the personal credit card.
When to choose HDFC Diners Club Black
- Annual spends are around 5 Lakhs to get the annual fee waiver.
- Spends are primarily online and PoS in metro cities in India. DCB acceptance can be challenging sometimes.
- No/Less foreign travel and if you have an alternate card for foreign spends when traveling. DCB’s international acceptance is quite less.
35 thoughts on “HDFC Bank Infinia vs Diners Club Black Credit Card”
I have a HDFC Millenia card with 3 Lakhs Limit and SBI Cashback with 4.5L Limit. I spent 18L last year in SBI cashback card and got 45K as cashback. I am planning for a Infinia card. I need airmiles as I am planning to travel abroad with family once in an year. I guess I am making the right choice by opting for Infinia card. Your advice would be highly appreciated.
Yes, that is the right move. Get the Infinia and use SmartBuy to earn accelerated rewards on your spends.
I am holding Infinia Metal Card (upgraded from Regalia) from the last few months. What can be the next upgrade? On which card that I can aim at?
Nothing above Infinia for now
Hi
I am holding DBC card with 5 lakhs limit + I have my additional credit cards i.e. Axis Magnus (10 lakhs limits) + ICICI Sapphiro (14.60 lakhs limit)
I am also started my banking relationship with HDFC and open preferred banking saving account…
I have requested my hdfc RM / BM to upgrade my DBC to Infinia but they said it’s not approved from back end.
What is the option to upgrade the DBC to Infinia?
For upgrade to Infinia, you need a limit of at least 10L on your DCB.
I checked with customer care in nov 23 and they said that visit the branch take the upgrade form and send to Chennai. If your spend is over 7.5 lacs in 6 months there is a high chance that infinia gets approved. Though I don’t see benefit of infinia as I am not touching monthly rewards cap anyway
My request approved by hdfc Bank and my Diners Black got upgraded to Infinia Metal…
Thank you….
How to get LTF dinners black card?
through alumni offer
I have PreApproved FYF offer for DCB. I originally held Diners Club Premium that later got auto converted to Diners Club Millennia when the former got discontinued. I am actually reluctant for going to DCB ultimate because I am enjoying better rewards rate from Diners Club Millennia due to its 5% cashback offers. Diners offline acceptance is still an issue even in metro city like Gurgaon, hence I am reluctant towards it due to high annual fee, although I have FYF offer.I already have SCB Ultimate as counter to match my offline needs.
I am waiting for similar offer on infinia for me. Just confused because my limit of 14lac has stuck since long, and not getting further limit approval offers apart from FYF DCB offer. Any recommendations?
You can email grievance and ask for upgrade to Infinia. Automatic upgrade offers are not always given.
Whats the email address?
Check this forum thread. It is mentioned there. Not mentioning it directly as it leads to email spam.
You missed out on mentioning the monthly benefits of Rs. 1K on DCB on spends of over 80K in a month, while there is no such monthly benefit in Infinia
Thank you! I have added it now.
Hi .. I have a Diners black (life time free) and I want to upgrade it to Infinia. I already have 1L points on DB. What is the best way to redeem the points before I get the card upgraded ? Is intermiles or club vistara a good option? Or should I go for something like Amazon vouchers? Or something else ?
Your points will get transferred at 1:1 ratio. No need to redeem.
Is that? The bank guy was saying that from Diners black to Infinia transfer will be of 50% value
You can point the upgrade form to them. It has the points transfer ratios on the second page.
I have a life time free DCB. Should I upgrade to Infinia?
If redemption preference is airmiles, look at Magnus first.
On smartbuy you can book a vacation any pay 70% using the RP. I RP equals 1Rs in that case.
Hi, how did you get LTF Diner’s Black?
better to use your RP to book air line tickets . this will give value of 1:1
How did you get DCB lifetime free?
Is upgrading from LTF DCB to paid Infinia worth it? I already have Magnus as well.
Depends on your redemption goals. If you want to transfer to one of the exclusive partners of HDFC or book revenue flights at 1:1, you can still look at Infinia.
How many points one earn on Jewellary purchases on DCB/ Infinia?
Is it under exempted catagory? if not, any limits are there?
5 RP per Rs 150. No limits.
I have been a imperia customer for HDFC.. on 22nd August they reduced all the benefits of Lounge access on my Platinum debit card and regalia card. Very few lounges covered. Diners club still gets all the lounge access. I have closed down my regalia card. It doesnt make any sense. Amex rewards now has better returns of around 4% if u spend well. Plus i find my online shop needs mostly fulfilled by FK Axis 5%, Amazon Icici 5% and zomato RBL 5%. Basically by dividing my spends i earn a min 4% of return. All these cards are actually free except axis… but I manage to spend 1.5 lakhs a year so as in Amex. Regalia has become Regularia.
Off topic question:
Recently IDFC has launched a metal debit card. I am not a IDFC customer but I want to have a metal card. Do you know how can I get one ?
It says it is for IDFC private clients. What does it mean ? And, what kind of relationship are they looking for giving this card ?
Yes, it is for their savings accounts and right now it is by invite. The MAB requirement is quite steep and will be based on overall relationship value like loans, deposits, investments etc. The criteria is not in public domain yet but we can get info by calling the account RM’s or branch reps. Check below link for more info.
https://www.idfcfirstbank.com/personal-banking/wealth/First-Private#11
Go for OneCard. Its a basic, LifeTime Free card, but will take care of your metal card fetish.
True.
Metal card, LTF, with a high credit limit even to start off with.
The only grouse being the very low reward rate.
But you get 1% on the top 2 categories in a month.