New Credit Card Rules: HDFC Bank has made significant cuts to the reward structure of its most premium credit card, Infinia. This new change came into effect on January 16, 2026. This decision by the bank has directly impacted customers who have been using this card for a long time to earn higher rewards. The impact is particularly noticeable on HDFC’s SmartBuy platform, where brand vouchers were purchased through Gyftr.
Fewer Rewards on SmartBuy Vouchers
According to the new rules, Infinia credit card users will no longer receive 5X reward points on vouchers purchased on the SmartBuy platform. This has been reduced to 3X reward points. Previously, the effective reward rate reached approximately 16.5 percent, but now it has shrunk to around 10 percent. This change is considered quite disappointing for users who specifically used SmartBuy to maximize their rewards.
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Reduced Benefits on Amazon Pay Vouchers
HDFC Bank has also reduced the returns on Amazon Pay vouchers. The return on these vouchers has now decreased to approximately 5.77 percent. Additionally, a convenience fee of up to 4 percent is being charged on some selected brand vouchers. In such cases, the total benefit received by cardholders may be limited to around 6 percent.
Infinia Now on Par with Other Premium Cards
After these changes, the Infinia card is now quite similar to HDFC Bank’s other premium cards like Biz Black and Diners Club Black. These cards already offered similar rewards of approximately 10 percent on such vouchers. This has weakened the unique appeal of the Infinia card, which made it extremely popular among high-income and high-spending customers.
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Annual Fee Remains the Same, but Value Decreases
Despite the reduction in the reward structure, the annual fee and premium status of the Infinia card remain unchanged. Until now, its biggest strength has been its high reward value. Many cardholders regularly accumulate a large number of reward points by purchasing vouchers through the SmartBuy platform. However, with the new rates in effect, the card’s overall value proposition appears weaker than before.
Why did the bank make this change?
HDFC Bank says this decision is part of a larger trend in the Indian credit card industry. Card issuers periodically modify their reward systems, taking into account current market conditions, customer spending habits, and rising operational costs.
