When it comes to rewards and benefits, credit cards are way ahead of debit cards. But, there are several places where we cannot use credit cards. That is where debit cards are useful. Platinum and Millennia are two debit cards from HDFC Bank which offer good benefits on spends. In this article, we review the HDFC Bank Platinum debit card and its rewards & benefits.
Fees and Charges
- Annual Fee: Rs 750 plus taxes
- Issued free (without any annual fee) for Classic, Preferred and Imperia customers
How To Apply for HDFC Bank Platinum Debit Card
We can apply for Platinum debit card from HDFC Bank Netbanking. The navigation is Cards –> Debit Cards –> Transact –> Debit Card Upgrade.
Cashback on Transactions
- Telecome and Utilities: 1% Cashback
- Groceries, Supermarkets, Restaurant, Apparels and Entertainment: 0.5% Cashback
The maximum cashback across all spends is capped at Rs 750 per month. Any other category transactions except the ones listed above will not get any cashback.
The utilities category covers ALL spends done using the debit card on the ‘BillPay and Recharge’ facility on HDFC Bank Netbanking.
Cashback Redemption
Cashback can be redeemed from HDFC Bank Netbanking in multiples of Rs 250. The navigation to redeem is Cards –> Debit Cards –> Enquire –> Cash Back Enquiry and Redemption. Cashback is valid for 12 months from date of credit.
Smartbuy Rewards
Platinum debit card is also eligible for Smartbuy platform cashback like other HDFC Bank debit cards. The cap for Smartbuy cashback is Rs 1000 per calendar month. If you have exhausted the Smartbuy cap on HDFC Bank credit cards, this is a good second option.
| Shopping Category | Cashback on Platinum Debit Card |
|---|---|
| IGP.com | 10% |
| Amazon | 5% |
| Flights (Cleartrip and Yatra) | 5% |
| Hotels (Cleartrip) | 5% |
| MakeMyTrip (Hotels) | 5% |
| IRCTC | 5% |
| Redbus | 5% |
| Instant Voucher | 5% |
| Apple Tresor | 5% |
| Flipkart | 1% |
Complimentary Airport Lounge Access
Only Imperia variant Platinum debit cards gets this benefit. We get 2 complimentary airport lounge access every calendar quarter. Refer to this list for eligible lounges.
My View and Platinum vs Millennia Debit Card
We can get upto Rs 1750 cashback per month on the Platinum debit including Smartbuy and regular cashback. This is higher than what we get on the Millennia debit card. But Millennia gets higher cashback per transaction and that too on all spends. On Platinum, we get it only for selected categories.
If you want a debit card gives you cashback on all categories then go for Millennia. Opt for Platinum debit card if there are more spends on HDFC Bank BillPay and Recharge facility. 🙂
If you are an account holder with HDFC Bank, then there is no reason to choose any other debit card except Platinum and Millennia.
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HDFC Bank Platinum Debit Card
4 thoughts on “HDFC Bank Platinum Debit Card Review”
Preferred variant also has lounge access
Does hdfc visa platinum card have lounge access?
The card covered in this review is also a Visa Platinum card and has lounge access. What is the exact variant name you are looking at?
I am at airport ahmedabad at terminal 1 domestic ..and going for lounge as I have hdfc platinum card for breakfast but they told me this card is stop by bank …
Why you people not informed to your consumers…Pl reply. 9825279379