Unbiased Review: Is the HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card Still Worth It in 2025?

For years, one name has dominated the conversation around premium credit cards in India: the HDFC Bank Infinia.

For many, it has been the undisputed king of travel cards—the benchmark against which all other premium cards were measured. Its legendary lounge access, flexible reward points, and solid earning rates made it the default goal for any serious travel hacker or high-spending professional.

But in 2025, the game has changed.

With new competitors entering the market, banks devaluing reward programs, and travel patterns shifting, a crucial question arises: Is the Infinia still the best premium travel card in India?

Welcome to our deep dive. In this unbiased review, we’re cutting through the hype to give you the real story. We will analyze Infinia’s benefits, its hidden costs, and how it stacks up against the competition today. Our sole goal is to provide you with the clarity you need to determine if this iconic metal card still deserves a place in your wallet.

Who Is This Card For?

Before we delve into the extensive list of benefits, let’s be clear: the HDFC Infinia is not a card for beginners. It’s a premium product with a significant annual fee and high eligibility requirements, designed to provide maximum value to a specific type of user.

This card is the perfect fit for you if you fall into one or more of these categories:

• The Frequent Traveler: You travel often, both domestically and internationally. The unlimited lounge access for you and your add-on card members is arguably the single most valuable perk of this card.
• The High Spender: To justify the annual fee and make the most of the reward points, you should be routing a significant amount of your monthly spending (for both personal and business needs) through your card.
• The Value Maximizer: You understand the basics of points and miles and are willing to transfer your bank points to airline partners to get the best value. If you only plan to redeem points for direct cashback, this card is not the optimal choice for you.
• Traveling Families: Because the best perks (especially lounge access) extend to add-on card members, the Infinia is an incredibly powerful tool for families who travel together, providing a luxury experience for everyone.

If you see yourself in this list, then read on. The benefits we’re about to cover are tailor-made for you.

The Core Benefits (The Pros)

The HDFC Infinia has built its reputation on a foundation of solid, high-value perks that cater directly to the needs of frequent travelers and high spenders. Let’s break down the most important ones.

Excellent Earning Rate on All Spends

• Base Rate: You earn 5 Reward Points for every ₹150 spent on all retail purchases, which is a solid earning rate for a premium card.
• Accelerated Rewards: The real power comes from using the HDFC SmartBuy portal. When you book flights, hotels, or buy major retailers’ vouchers like Amazon, Flipkart, Jockey, Myntra, etc, through SmartBuy, you can earn up to 10x the reward points, dramatically accelerating your earnings.

Unbeatable Airport Lounge Access

This is the star of the show and arguably the single best perk of the card.

• Unlimited Access: You get unlimited complimentary lounge access at over 1,000 airports worldwide for the primary cardholder.
• Guest & Add-On Access: Crucially, this unlimited access benefit extends to add-on card members as well. This is a huge perk for families or business partners, making travel significantly more comfortable for everyone.
• Program: This is facilitated through the Priority Pass program, which is the global standard for lounge access.

Powerful Points Flexibility

HDFC’s reward points are incredibly valuable because they are not locked into a single airline.

• Airline Partners: You can transfer your points to a curated list of international and domestic airline partners, including United, Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer), and many more, through the Star Alliance and Oneworld network.
• Hotel Partners: You can also transfer points to hotel programs like IHG and Accor Live Limitless.
• Direct Redemptions: Points can also be redeemed directly for flight and hotel bookings on the SmartBuy portal, often at a very high value of 1 point = ₹1.

Your Points, Your Passport to the World!

Ready to turn your hard-earned HDFC Infinia points into plane tickets and luxury stays? This isn’t just a list of partners; this is your personal launchpad for global adventures. Think of each partner below as a special key that unlocks a different kind of trip.

Let’s find the right key for you!

(Pro Tip: All transfers are done via the HDFC SmartBuy portal & Netbanking( Redeem Rewards). Ratios can change, so always double-check before you transfer!)

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✈️ Airline Partners: Your Gateway to the Skies

Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer)

• The A-Lister’s Choice ✨
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 1 (Excellent Value!)
• Best For: Booking that legendary Singapore Airlines Business or First Class seat you’ve been dreaming of. This is your key to luxury long-haul travel to Asia, Australia, or the USA!

Qatar Airways (Privilege Club)

• THE VIP JETSETTER ✨
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5 (Excellent Value!)
• Superpower: Flying in the legendary Qsuite—your own private suite in the sky. This isn’t just a flight; it’s the destination.

Air India (Flying Returns)

• THE MAHARAJA MAXIMIZER 🇮🇳
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5
• Superpower: Skipping layovers with non-stop flights from India to the world’s biggest cities. More vacation, less waiting!

SpiceJet (SpiceClub)

• THE WEEKEND WARRIOR 🚀
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5
• Superpower: Turning your points into instant weekend getaways across India. Goa on Friday, back on Sunday, for next to nothing.

Air Canada (Aeroplan)

• THE MASTER HACKER’S KEY 🇨🇦
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5
• Superpower: Unlocking complex Star Alliance trips with low taxes. This is the secret weapon the pros use to build dream multi-city itineraries.

AirAsia Rewards

• THE BACKPACKER’S BEST FRIEND 🌏
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5
• Superpower: Criss-crossing Southeast Asia on a shoestring budget. Your points become the ultimate pass to adventure from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok.

Avianca (LifeMiles)

• THE NO-FEE NINJA 🥋
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5
• Superpower: Snagging last-minute business class seats on top-tier European airlines with ZERO fuel surcharges. It’s the ultimate travel life hack.

Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles)

• THE PACIFIC CONQUEROR 🇭🇰
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5
• Superpower: Gliding across the Pacific in style. Your go-to for immaculate service on long-haul journeys to East Asia and North America.

Etihad (Guest)

• THE HIGH ROLLER 🇦🇪
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5
• Superpower: Booking a private “Apartment” in the sky. This is for when you want to experience the absolute peak of luxury air travel.

Finnair (Plus)

• THE NORDIC EXPRESS 🇫🇮
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 1 (Excellent Value!)
• Superpower: A sleek, one-stop portal to the beauty of Northern Europe. The fastest and most stylish way to get to your Scandinavian adventure.

Air France-KLM (Flying Blue)

• THE EUROPEAN DREAM-WEAVER 🇪🇺
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 1 (Excellent Value!)
• Superpower: Grabbing those insane monthly “Promo Awards” that can get you to Paris or Amsterdam for a steal. Your dream European trip starts here.

Vietnam Airlines (Lotusmiles)

• THE INDOCHINA EXPLORER 🇻🇳
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 1 (Excellent Value!)
• Superpower: Your personal key to unlocking the hidden gems of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos with incredible regional reach.

Thai Airways (Royal Orchid Plus)

• THE SILK ROAD TO ASIA 🇹🇭
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5
• Superpower: Effortlessly connecting through Bangkok to dozens of amazing destinations, all while enjoying legendary Thai hospitality.

British Airways (Avios)

• THE EURO-TRIPPER’S TRUMP CARD 🇬🇧
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5
• Superpower: Turning expensive short flights between cities like London and Rome into a cheap and cheerful hop using minimal points.

United Airlines (MileagePlus)

• THE NO-NONSENSE NAVIGATOR ✈️
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5
• Superpower: A rock-solid, easy-to-use tool for booking reliable Star Alliance flights anywhere in the world. No surprises, just great value.

Turkish Airlines (Miles&Smiles)

• THE ULTIMATE VALUE VAULT 🇹🇷
• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5
• Superpower: Unlocking business class seats to Europe for an unbelievably low number of points. This is probably the best-kept secret in travel hacking.

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🏨 Hotel Partners: Your Home Away From Home

IHG One Rewards 🏨 The Reliable Rest Stop

• Transfer Ratio: 1 : 1
• Best For: Topping up your account for a stay at an InterContinental, Holiday Inn, or Crowne Plaza in almost any city in the world.

Accor Live Limitless (ALL) ⚠️ The Risky Bet

• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5
• Best For: Honestly? This transfer is rarely a good deal. Accor points have a fixed cash value, so you usually lose significant value. We recommend this only in an emergency to top up for a specific stay. Your points are almost always more valuable elsewhere!

Club ITC THE MAHARAJA’S ESCAPE 🇮🇳

• Transfer Ratio: 1: 0.5
• Superpower: Living like royalty in India’s most breathtaking palaces and hotels. Your go-to for an unforgettable, ultra-luxurious domestic staycation.

Wyndham Rewards THE EVERYWHERE EXPLORER 🌎

• Transfer Ratio: 1: 1
• Superpower: Finding a place to stay in almost any town, city, or highway exit you can think of! Your go-to power for that epic cross-country road trip or spontaneous adventure.

Premium Hotel & Dining Perks

Beyond flights, the card offers a suite of luxury lifestyle benefits.

• Hotel Stays: You get complimentary nights and discounts at participating luxury hotels.
• Golf Privileges: The card offers unlimited complimentary golf games at top courses in India and abroad.
• Dining Discounts: You get access to the Good Food Trail program, offering significant discounts at premium restaurants.

The Downsides & Costs (The Cons)

No credit card is perfect, and the HDFC Infinia is no exception. To make an informed decision, it’s crucial to understand its costs and limitations.

The Significant Annual Fee

The Infinia is a premium card with a premium price tag.

• Cost: The annual fee is ₹12,500 + GST. While you receive bonus points to offset this cost, it’s still a significant upfront commitment.
• Fee Waiver: The fee can be waived, but it requires a very high annual spend (typically ₹10 lakhs or more in the preceding year), which isn’t achievable for everyone.

Strict Eligibility Criteria

HDFC Bank is famously selective about who it offers the Infinia card to.

• Income Requirement: You typically need a very high documented monthly income (often ₹3 lakhs or more).
• Relationship Value: Alternatively, holding a high-value relationship (savings, investments) with HDFC Bank can also grant eligibility. It’s an invite-only card for most people, meaning you can’t simply apply for it online.

Reliance on the SmartBuy Portal

While the 10x reward points are a massive benefit, they are primarily earned through HDFC’s SmartBuy portal.

• Extra Step: This requires you to log in to SmartBuy first before visiting sites like Jockey or Pharmeasy, or while booking a hotel directly through SmartBuy. It’s an extra step that can be easy to forget.
• Caps and Limits: HDFC often has monthly caps on the number of bonus points you can earn through SmartBuy, which can limit the potential for extremely high spenders.

The Verdict: Is the Infinia Worth It in 2025?

So, after weighing the incredible benefits against the significant costs and requirements, what’s the final call on the HDFC Bank Infinia card?

The answer is clear: For the right person, the HDFC Infinia is not just worth it—it remains one of the single best travel credit cards available in India today.

While the competition has grown, no other card currently offers the same powerful combination of unlimited lounge access for a whole family, a high base earning rate, and the flexibility of valuable transfer partners. The perks it offers can provide a value that far exceeds its annual fee, but only if you are in a position to use them.

To make it simple, here is our final recommendation:

• You should absolutely get this card if:
  • You are a frequent domestic and international traveler.
  • You travel with your family and can maximize the add-on card benefits.
  • You have high monthly spending that you can route through the card.
  • You value the flexibility of transferring points to multiple airlines.
• You should probably skip this card if:
  • You are new to credit cards and travel hacking.
  • You don’t meet the high income or relationship criteria.
  • You travel only once or twice a year.
  • You prefer simple cashback over managing points and miles.

How to Apply

The HDFC Bank Infinia is an invite-only card. This means you typically cannot apply for it directly online. The best way to get it is by having a high-value relationship with HDFC Bank (such as a salary account, savings account, or investments).

You can visit your nearest HDFC Bank branch and speak to a relationship manager to inquire about your eligibility.