HDFC Bank has introduced airline and hotel loyalty transfers for the HDFC BizPower Credit Card through SmartBuy, giving cardholders 22 transfer partners for Reward Point redemptions.
Until now, BizPower Reward Points were primarily redeemed through SmartBuy bookings, vouchers or statement credit. With this update, cardholders can now convert Reward Points into airline miles and hotel points across programmes like Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Accor ALL, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, Qatar Avios and many others.
For cardholders who put significant spends on GST, income tax and operational expenses, this opens up a completely new way to maximise the value of their Reward Points.
What Has Changed?
BizPower Reward Points can now be transferred to 22 airline and hotel loyalty programmes through HDFC SmartBuy.
The partners are divided into two transfer ratios:
- 14 partners at a 2:1 transfer ratio
- 8 partners at a 3:1 transfer ratio
A 2:1 transfer ratio generally offers better value, although the overall return still depends on how the airline miles or hotel points are redeemed.
HDFC BizPower Transfer Partners
The introduction of airline and hotel transfers significantly expands the redemption options available to BizPower cardholders. Among the 22 transfer partners, a few stand out for their redemption value and flexibility.
BizGrow Credit Card Airline Transfer Partners (16)
2:1 Ratio: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer • Flying Blue • Avianca LifeMiles • United MileagePlus • Turkish Miles&Smiles • Finnair Plus • AirAsia Rewards • Lotusmiles • SpiceClub
3:1 Ratio: Qatar Airways Avios • British Airways Avios • Air Canada Aeroplan • Cathay Asia Miles • Etihad Guest • Air India Maharaja Club • Thai Royal Orchid Plus
BizGrow Credit Card Hotel Transfer Partners (6)
2:1 Ratio: Accor ALL • IHG One Rewards • Radisson Rewards • Wyndham Rewards • Club ITC
3:1 Ratio: Marriott Bonvoy
How the New Transfer Partners Affect Your Reward Rate
This is where the update becomes meaningful.
The HDFC BizPower Credit Card earns:
- 5 Reward Points per ₹200 on regular retail spends
- Up to 25 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible 5X categories, including income tax payments, GST payments and other accelerated spends
Until now, most BizPower cardholders would redeem Reward Points through SmartBuy, the Business Catalogue or statement credit. Airline and hotel transfers introduce another redemption option that can potentially deliver better value.
| Redemption Option | Value per BizPower Reward Point | Regular Retail Spends* | 5X Categories (Income Tax, GST, etc.)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statement Credit | ₹0.15 | 0.38% | 1.88% |
| SmartBuy Flights & Hotels | Up to ₹0.50 | Up to 1.25% | Up to 6.25% |
| Business Catalogue | Up to ₹0.65 | Up to 1.63% | Up to 8.13% |
| Airline & Hotel Transfers (Example: Accor ALL) | Up to ~₹1.00 | Up to ~2.50% | Up to ~12.50% |
*Based on earning 5 Reward Points per ₹200 on regular spends and up to 25 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible 5X categories.
**Assumes the transferred airline mile or hotel point is redeemed at approximately ₹2 each, such as Accor ALL. Actual value varies by loyalty programme and redemption.
Among the transfer partners, Accor ALL stands out because of its fixed redemption value. Since 2 BizPower Reward Points convert into 1 Accor ALL point, and each Accor ALL point is worth roughly ₹2 towards hotel stays, a BizPower Reward Point can effectively deliver around ₹1 in redemption value. This is significantly higher than the card’s existing SmartBuy travel and Business Catalogue redemption options.
Airline programmes such as Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Flying Blue and Qatar Airways Avios can also provide excellent value, particularly for Business Class and First Class award bookings. However, unlike Accor ALL, there is no fixed value for airline miles. The actual return depends on the route, cabin, award availability and cash fare on the day of booking.
For cardholders who regularly earn Reward Points through GST and income tax payments, this update introduces a more rewarding redemption option than the card has previously offered. The value, however, will ultimately depend on choosing the right transfer partner and redeeming points strategically.
Which Transfer Partners Stand Out?
Not every programme offers the same value.
- Accor ALL is arguably the easiest programme to use because points have a predictable value towards hotel stays.
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is attractive for travellers who redeem Business Class or First Class awards.
- Flying Blue regularly offers promotional award tickets that can significantly increase redemption value.
- United MileagePlus remains useful for Star Alliance redemptions and generally does not impose carrier surcharges on partner awards.
Among the 3:1 partners, Marriott Bonvoy and Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Avios) are likely to be the most popular, although the higher transfer ratio reduces the overall return compared to the 2:1 partners.
Should You Transfer Your Reward Points?
Airline and hotel transfers generally deliver the best value only if you already understand loyalty programmes and have a redemption planned. Once Reward Points are transferred, they usually cannot be reversed, and the airline or hotel programme’s expiry rules will apply.
For users who travel frequently, this update makes BizPower considerably more rewarding. Those who prefer simple redemptions may still find SmartBuy travel bookings or vouchers to be the more practical choice.
Final Thoughts
Adding airline and hotel transfer partners fixes one of the biggest shortcomings of the HDFC BizPower Credit Card. Cardholders are no longer restricted to SmartBuy, catalogue redemptions or statement credit and now have the flexibility to convert Reward Points into miles and hotel points across 22 loyalty programmes.
For businesses that earn a large number of Reward Points through GST, income tax and other business spends, this opens up an opportunity to extract better value from their rewards. Programmes like Accor ALL offer predictable value, while airline programmes such as Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Qatar Airways Avios can deliver much higher returns when redeemed for premium travel.
It would also be good to see HDFC Bank extend the same transfer partner ecosystem to the HDFC BizBlack Credit Card. As the bank’s flagship business card, BizBlack already offers stronger earning rates and premium travel benefits. Airline and hotel transfers would add to those strengths and make the card even more rewarding for frequent business travellers.
As always, the transfer ratio is only one part of the equation. The real value depends on where the points are transferred and how they are eventually redeemed.
