Heads up to all HDFC credit card users. Starting July 1, 2025, several key updates are coming that could impact how you use your card — especially for rent, wallet loads, fuel, and utility payments. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of what’s changing.
New Fees You’ll See
- 1% convenience fee + GST on:
- Wallet reloads (Paytm, Mobikwik, etc.) beyond ₹10,000 a month
- Online gaming payments beyond ₹10,000 a month
- Utility bill payments beyond ₹50,000 a month
- All rent payments (no minimum cap)
- Fuel spends exceeding ₹15,000 per month
- Education payments via third-party apps
Changes to Rewards
- No reward points on online gaming transactions
- Monthly caps for insurance premium points:
- Infinia/Infinia Metal: up to 10,000 points
- Diners Black/premium metal/business: up to 5,000 points
- Other cards: up to 2,000 points
Lounge Access Adjustments
From June 10, 2025, lounge access on cards like Tata Neu variants will shift from on-swipe entry to spend-based vouchers.
What This Means
If you use your HDFC card for rent, wallet top-ups, utilities, fuel, or insurance premiums, it’s time to reassess. The added fees and reward caps mean those transactions won’t give you the value they once did.
Final Thoughts
These changes seem aimed at curbing high-volume, low-margin spends. While most everyday users may not feel much, those who relied on these categories for rewards or milestone targets will need to rethink their strategy. Keeping track of your monthly spends will now matter more than ever.
Source: Economic Times article on HDFC Bank credit card changes