The Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card is a premium lifestyle credit card designed for high-income individuals who value luxury travel, dining, entertainment, and exclusive experiences. With an annual fee of ₹20,000 plus applicable taxes, it competes with cards like the HDFC Infinia, HDFC Diners Club Black Metal, and ICICI Emeralde Private Metal.
While the card offers unlimited airport lounge access, premium concierge services, golf privileges, and curated Times Black experiences, its overall value depends on whether you can maximize these premium benefits.
In this review, we’ll break down the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card’s features, fees, rewards, travel benefits, pros, cons, and eligibility to help you decide if it’s worth adding to your wallet.
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card: Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Type | Super-premium lifestyle credit card |
| Card Network | Visa Infinite Metal |
| Joining Fee | ₹20,000 + GST |
| Annual Fee | ₹20,000 + GST |
| Annual Fee Waiver | Renewal fee waived on annual spends of ₹25 lakh |
| Welcome Benefits | Choice of ₹12,000 Lohono voucher or ₹10,000 EaseMyTrip voucher, visa service benefits, CribLife concierge requests, Toni&Guy voucher, Zomato Gold membership, and other lifestyle benefits |
| Reward Rate | Up to 12 Reward Points per ₹100 on eligible spends |
| Reward Redemption | Flights, hotels, vouchers, Air India Maharaja Points, and more |
| Airport Lounge Access | Unlimited access to 1300+ airport lounges worldwide for the primary cardholder |
| Golf Benefits | Complimentary golf rounds and lessons (subject to terms) |
| Forex Markup Fee | 1.49% + GST |
| Best For | Frequent travelers and high spenders seeking premium lifestyle benefits |
| Not Ideal For | Users primarily looking for the highest reward rate or cashback |
The Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card isn’t designed to compete on reward points alone. Instead, its value proposition revolves around curated experiences, premium travel privileges, luxury memberships, and milestone benefits. If you can utilize the welcome benefits and consistently achieve the spending milestones, the card can justify its ₹20,000 annual fee. Otherwise, cards like HDFC Infinia, HDFC Diners Club Black Metal, or ICICI Emeralde Private Metal may offer a stronger overall value proposition for many users.
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Fees and Welcome Benefits
The Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card comes with a joining fee of ₹20,000 plus applicable taxes. The same amount is charged as the annual renewal fee from the second year onwards. However, the renewal fee is waived if you spend ₹25 lakh or more in the preceding membership year.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹20,000 + GST |
| Annual Fee | ₹20,000 + GST |
| Annual Fee Waiver | On annual spends of ₹25 lakh |
Welcome Benefits
Upon payment of the joining fee, cardholders can choose between a ₹12,000 Lohono voucher or a ₹10,000 EaseMyTrip voucher. In addition, the welcome package includes benefits such as visa services through Atlys, six complimentary CribLife concierge requests, a ₹3,000 Toni&Guy voucher, and a complimentary Zomato Gold membership.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Lohono Stay Voucher | ₹12,000 voucher for luxury villa stays (choice benefit) |
| EaseMyTrip Voucher | ₹10,000 travel voucher (alternative to Lohono) |
| Atlys Visa Services | Benefits worth up to ₹10,000 |
| CribLife Concierge | Six complimentary concierge requests |
| Toni&Guy Voucher | ₹3000 salon voucher |
| Zomato Gold | Complimentary membership |
Are the fees justified?
The welcome benefits can offset a significant portion of the joining fee, especially if you already use partners like Lohono, EaseMyTrip, Atlys, or Zomato. That said, these are partner-specific benefits rather than flexible rewards or statement credits.
The annual fee is easier to justify for cardholders who spend at least ₹25 lakh a year and can take advantage of the card’s travel, lifestyle, and milestone benefits. For users with lower spending or those who prefer higher reward earnings, competing premium cards may offer better overall value.
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Reward Points
The Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card offers a straightforward rewards program with higher earnings on international spends and accelerated rewards through ICICI Bank’s iShop platform. While the base reward rate is competitive, the card delivers its best value when used for travel bookings and voucher purchases via iShop.
Reward Points
| Spend Category | Reward Rate | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic retail spends | 2% | Utility, insurance, education, and government spends are capped at 5000 Reward Points per statement cycle. |
| International spends | 2.5% | — |
| Flight bookings via ICICI iShop | 12% (6X) | Accelerated Reward Points capped at 8000/day and 15,000/month. |
| Hotel bookings via ICICI iShop | 24% (12X) | Accelerated Reward Points capped at 8000/day and 15,000/month. |
| Voucher purchases via ICICI iShop | 12% (6X) | Accelerated Reward Points capped at 8000/day and 15,000/month. |
| Excluded transactions | — | Fuel, Rent transactions do not earn Reward Points. Other exclusions apply. |
Reward Point Redemption
| Redemption Option | Value |
|---|---|
| Flights, hotels, eligible vouchers and merchandise | Up to ₹1 per Reward Point |
| Air India Maharaja Points | 1 Reward Point = 1 Maharaja Point |
| Cashback | ₹0.40 per Reward Point |
The reward structure is easy to understand and offers decent returns on everyday spending. However, the biggest value comes from booking hotels, flights and vouchers through ICICI Bank iShop, where you can earn significantly higher rewards. If you rarely use iShop, the card’s premium travel and lifestyle benefits become the primary reason to justify its annual fee.
Reward Point Exclusions
Reward Points are not earned on fuel transactions, rent payments, or transactions converted into EMIs. Additionally, reward earnings on utility, insurance, education, and government payments are capped at 5000 Reward Points per statement cycle. Accelerated Reward Points earned through iShop are also subject to separate daily and monthly caps.
Our Take
The Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card isn’t a rewards-first credit card like the HDFC Infinia or HDFC Diners Club Black Metal. Its standard reward rate of 2% on domestic spends and 2.5% on international spends is respectable, but the real value lies in the accelerated rewards available through iShop, where hotel bookings can earn up to 12X Reward Points.
If you frequently book travel or purchase vouchers through iShop, the rewards program can be quite rewarding. Otherwise, the card’s appeal comes more from its premium travel, lifestyle, and exclusive Times Black benefits than from its everyday reward earnings.
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Milestone Benefits
The Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card rewards cardholders at multiple spending milestones throughout the membership year. Unlike many premium cards that offer a single annual milestone, Times Black provides benefits at different spending levels, making the card rewarding even if you don’t spend ₹25 lakh annually.
| Annual Spend | Milestone Benefit |
|---|---|
| ₹2 lakh | ₹10,000 Klook voucher for overseas travel and experiences |
| ₹5 lakh | Choice of a luxury airport transfer with BLADE India, Avis, or Indian Travel House (worth up to ₹10,000) |
| ₹10 lakh | ₹10,000 Tata CLiQ Luxury gift card |
| ₹20 lakh | Complimentary one-night stay at Ayatana Resorts (worth up to ₹20,000) |
| ₹25 lakh | Annual fee waiver for the following membership year |
The milestone benefits are one of the strongest reasons to consider the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card, especially if you can organically meet the spending thresholds. Unlike many premium cards that reserve meaningful rewards for very high spends, this card starts rewarding you from ₹2 lakh in annual spends.
The ₹2 lakh milestone offers a ₹10,000 Klook voucher, which is excellent value if you frequently book tours, attractions, airport transfers, or hotels through Klook. Since the voucher is redeemable across a wide range of travel experiences, it’s one of the most practical milestone benefits on the card.
At ₹5 lakh, you can choose premium airport transfer benefits, including chauffeur-driven sedan transfers or other travel-related options, depending on the prevailing catalogue. While this isn’t a benefit everyone will use regularly, it adds a touch of luxury to your travel experience and can be valuable for frequent flyers.
The ₹10 lakh milestone provides a ₹10,000 Tata CLiQ Luxury voucher, making it useful for cardholders who already shop for premium fashion, beauty, watches, or lifestyle products. If you don’t shop on Tata CLiQ Luxury, however, the actual value of this benefit may be lower than its face value.
The ₹20 lakh milestone is arguably the highlight of the program. Cardholders can choose between a ₹20,000 Lohono Stays voucher, redeemable across Lohono’s luxury villas in India, or a complimentary stay worth ₹20,000 at Ayatana Resorts. While both are premium travel benefits, their usefulness depends on your travel plans. Lohono has a wider portfolio of luxury properties across India, whereas Ayatana currently operates resorts in Coorg and Ooty, making it a better fit if you’re planning a trip to South India.
Overall, the milestone benefits are thoughtfully designed and can add substantial value if you naturally use the partner brands. However, since most rewards are partner-specific rather than flexible cash credits or reward points, their actual value ultimately depends on your spending habits and travel preferences.
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Airport Lounge Access
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Domestic Airport Lounges | Unlimited complimentary access for the primary cardholder. |
| International Airport Lounges | Unlimited complimentary access to over 1300 lounges worldwide through the Visa Airport Companion program. |
| Guest Access | Complimentary guest access is not included. Guests are charged as per the lounge operator’s prevailing rates. |
| Add-on Cardholders | Lounge access benefits are available to eligible add-on cardholders |
The lounge access offered by the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card is on par with other super-premium credit cards in India. Unlimited domestic and international lounge access ensures you don’t have to worry about quarterly spend requirements or visit caps before your trip.
However, unlike some competing premium cards that include complimentary guest visits, the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card primarily focuses on the cardholder’s access. If you frequently travel with family or colleagues, you’ll need to factor in the cost of guest access unless your companions have eligible cards of their own.
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Pros and Cons
Like any premium credit card, the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card has its strengths and limitations. Whether it’s the right card for you depends largely on your spending habits and how well you can utilize its premium benefits.
Pros
- Attractive welcome benefits that can offset a significant portion of the joining fee.
- Reward rate of up to 24% on hotel bookings made through ICICI Bank iShop.
- Earn 2% Reward Points on eligible domestic spends and 2.5% on international spends.
- Unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access.
- Well-structured milestone benefits starting from ₹2 lakh in annual spends.
- Annual fee waiver on annual spends of ₹25 lakh.
- Low forex markup fee of 1.49%, making it suitable for international spending.
- 1:1 transfer of Reward Points to Air India Maharaja Points.
Cons
- ₹20,000 annual fee may be difficult to justify for moderate spenders.
- Accelerated reward rates are largely limited to bookings made through ICICI Bank iShop.
- Most welcome and milestone benefits are partner-specific rather than flexible cash or travel credits.
- Reward Point earnings on utility, insurance, education, and government transactions are subject to a monthly cap.
- Fewer airline and hotel transfer partners compared to some competing premium credit cards.
Overall, the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card is best suited for high spenders who can maximize its milestone rewards, welcome benefits, and travel privileges. If your spending is relatively modest or you prefer flexible rewards across a broader range of travel partners, other super-premium cards may offer better overall value.
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card: Other Benefits and Charges
While the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card is primarily known for its rewards, milestone benefits, and airport lounge access, it also includes a few additional features worth considering.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Forex Markup Fee | 1.49% + GST (effective rate of 1.76%). Combined with a 2.5% reward rate on international spends, the card offers a competitive effective cost for overseas transactions. |
| Zero Cancellation Charges | Covers cancellation charges on eligible domestic flight and hotel bookings made using the card. The benefit is available for selected 4-star and 5-star hotels, with up to two claims per calendar year and a maximum reimbursement of ₹12,000 per claim. |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% fuel surcharge waiver on eligible fuel transactions, capped at ₹1,000 per statement cycle. |
| Air India Maharaja Transfer | Reward Points can be transferred to Air India Maharaja Points at a 1:1 ratio, making the card more rewarding for frequent Air India flyers. |
These benefits add incremental value to the card, but they aren’t its key differentiators. The low forex markup is particularly useful for frequent international travellers, while the Air India transfer option provides additional flexibility when redeeming Reward Points. The remaining benefits are nice-to-have features rather than compelling reasons to choose the card over other super-premium credit cards.
Accelerated Rewards with ICICI Bank iShop
HDFC Bank SmartBuy has long been a trendsetter for accelerated earnings on credit cards -something ICICI Bank had been missing. With ICICI iShop, users can earn up to 24% in reward points, significantly boosting returns on select purchases.
The Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card has a higher annual fee than the ICICI Emeralde Private Credit Card but offers lower accelerated rewards on iShop and a lower cap on bonus points. This makes it less rewarding for everyday spending, especially for those looking to maximize their benefits. A higher earn rate or better bonus cap would have made it more competitive.
| Regular Reward Rate | Flight Bookings/Gift Vouchers | Hotel Bookings | Bonus Points Cap in iShop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2% | 6X RP ~12% | 12X RP ~24% | 15,000 RP |
Should You Get the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card?
The Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card is a compelling option for affluent individuals who value premium travel, curated lifestyle experiences, and exclusive milestone rewards. Its welcome benefits, unlimited airport lounge access, competitive reward rates, and well-designed milestone program make it a strong contender in India’s super-premium credit card segment.
That said, the card isn’t for everyone. The ₹20,000 annual fee means you’ll need to actively use its travel and lifestyle benefits to justify the cost. While the rewards program is competitive, much of the highest earning potential is tied to bookings made through ICICI Bank iShop, and many of the welcome and milestone benefits are partner-specific.
If you’re a high spender who can comfortably meet the annual spending milestones—particularly the ₹25 lakh threshold for the annual fee waiver—the card offers excellent value. However, if your priority is maximizing flexible rewards or accessing a wider range of airline and hotel transfer partners, alternatives like the HDFC Infinia or HDFC Diners Club Black Metal may be a better fit.
Overall, the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card is best suited for cardholders who can fully utilize its premium travel, lifestyle, and milestone benefits. For the right user, it can easily justify its annual fee. For everyone else, there are stronger options in the super-premium credit card segment.
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card
Great to both strengths and limitations covered objectively. Times Black offers a strong premium proposition with benefits like unlimited airport lounge access, low forex markup, concierge services, and curated lifestyle privileges. That said, it’s not a card for everyone. If your lifestyle involves frequent travel and you value premium experiences over maximizing reward points, the overall package can be genuinely worthwhile.
Also, you can’t use Klook Voucher for Domestic redemptions and is only for international use, which might not be good for Domestic users.
You can find the T&C at the end of this page: https://www.klook.com/en-IN/tetris/promo/times-black-offer/