HDFC Bank Credit Cards — Complete Guide

HDFC Bank is India's largest credit card issuer with over 20 million cards in force. They offer the widest range of credit cards in the country — from lifetime-free entry cards to the ultra-premium Infinia. HDFC's reward program is considered the gold standard in India thanks to strong transfer partners, the SmartBuy travel portal, and relatively stable point valuations. If you can only bank with one institution for credit cards, HDFC is the safest choice.

HDFC Reward Points are among the most valuable in India. At optimal redemption (transfer to Marriott Bonvoy or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer), each point is worth approximately ₹0.50. The earn rate varies by card: Millennia gives 2x base, Regalia gives 4x, and Infinia/Diners Black give 5x per ₹100. SmartBuy bookings earn 10x on most premium cards. Points expire after 2 years from earning date — set reminders. Key transfer partners: Marriott Bonvoy (best for hotels), Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (best for business class flights), Intermiles (best for domestic award flights).

HDFC SmartBuy (hdfcbanksmartbuy.com) is HDFC's travel portal and the single best feature of their credit card ecosystem. When you book flights, hotels, or bus tickets through SmartBuy, you earn 10x reward points on premium cards (Regalia, Diners Black, Infinia). At ₹0.50/point, that's effectively a 5% return on travel bookings. SmartBuy prices are generally competitive with MakeMyTrip and direct airline bookings for domestic flights. For international flights, compare prices carefully — SmartBuy isn't always cheapest. Pro tip: SmartBuy has monthly caps on bonus points (15,000 for Regalia, 25,000 for Infinia). Plan large bookings to stay within caps.