Under the new structure, Infinia cardholders will earn 3X Reward Points on SmartBuy vouchers, down from the previous 5X, reducing the effective reward rate from approximately 16.5% to around 10%. Amazon Pay vouchers, another commonly used option, will now deliver returns of 5.77%, marking a notable decline in the card’s overall benefits.
These adjustments bring Infinia more in line with other premium HDFC cards, such as Biz Black and Diners Club Black, which already offer around 10% rewards on similar voucher purchases. Cardholders should also note that convenience fees of up to 4% still apply on certain brands, which can further reduce the net value of rewards to roughly 6% for specific purchases.
The revision has a direct impact on the card’s value proposition. Infinia’s high rewards and premium status were key reasons for its popularity among affluent users, who frequently leveraged the SmartBuy platform to maximise returns. With the new reward rates, the card’s advantage over other HDFC premium offerings has diminished significantly.
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The changes are part of a broader trend in the Indian credit card market, where issuers periodically adjust reward structures in response to market conditions and operational costs. From 16 January, the Infinia card will continue to carry its premium annual fee, but the reduction in rewards means cardholders will need to reassess the overall value of maintaining the card.
