When it comes to credit cards, there’s no such thing as a “One Card Fits All.” India’s financial landscape is diverse, with individuals across different income levels and spending habits. In a market like ours, it’s essential to have credit cards that not only cater to high spenders but also to those who use their cards for everyday expenses, seek rewards on routine spending, and enjoy occasional lifestyle perks.
HDFC Bank, India’s leading credit card issuer with over two crore cards in circulation, offers solutions for nearly every kind of user. Whether you’re looking to build credit, save on fuel, or earn cash back on daily purchases, HDFC has options to match your needs, even on an entry-level income.
- HDFC Bank Freedom Credit Card
- HDFC MoneyBack Plus Credit Card
- IndianOil HDFC Bank RuPay Credit Card
Welcome Benefits, Milestone Spend Offers, and More
All three of these cards have an annual fee of ₹590 (with GST). However, most cards on the market today offer welcome benefits equivalent to or even exceeding the annual charges, which adds significant value to the card. Similarly, two of the three cards we are discussing offer welcome perks to their users, along with other milestone spend offers, an annual fee reversal offer, and more.
The table below gives a detailed comparison of the three cards.
| Particulars | HDFC Freedom | HDFC MoneyBack Plus | HDFC IndianOil RuPay |
| Welcome/Renewal Benefits | 500 Bonus Cash Points | 500 Bonus Cash Points | N/A |
| Spend-Based Annual Fee Waiver | The Annual Fee is Waived on Spending ₹50,000 or More in the Previous Year | The Annual Fee is Waived on Spending ₹50,000 or More in the Previous Year | The Annual Fee is Waived on Spending ₹50,000 or More in the Previous Year |
| Milestone Benefits | N/A | Gift Voucher Worth ₹500 on Spends of ₹50,000 or More in a Quarter | N/A |
Earning and Redeeming Rewards
While HDFC Freedom and MoneyBack Plus reward users for their everyday spending, the IndianOil RuPay credit card is best known for its fuel benefits. The following table outlines how each card’s reward system works.
| Particulars | HDFC Freedom | HDFC MoneyBack Plus | HDFC IndianOil RuPay |
| Rewards on Regular Spending | 1 Cash Point per ₹150 Spent | 2 Cash Points per ₹150 Spent | 1 Fuel Point per ₹150 Spent |
| Special/Accelerated Categories | 10X CashPoints on BigBasket, BookMyShow, OYO, Swiggy, and Uber (Non-EMI Spends) | 10X Cash Points on Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, Reliance Smart Superstores, and Swiggy | 5% Fuel Points on IndianOil Fuel Purchases; 5% on Groceries and Utility Payments |
| Redemption Options | 1 CashPoint = ₹0.15 for Cashback, Product Catalog, or Hotel/Flight Bookings via SmartBuy
(Minimum 500 Points; 50% Limit for SmartBuy Travel) |
1 CashPoint = ₹0.25 for Statement Credit, SmartBuy Travel, Product Catalog, or AirMiles
(Minimum 500 Points; 50% Limit for SmartBuy Travel) |
|
Lifestyle Benefits
While these cards are designed for everyday affordability, they also offer lifestyle perks, such as dining discounts, which make them more valuable for users with low to mid-income levels.
Dining Discounts
The HDFC Freedom Credit Card offers a valuable dining discount of ₹200 off on bills via Swiggy DineOut twice a month. This makes it an excellent choice for those who frequently eat out or order food online. Similarly, the HDFC MoneyBack Plus Credit Card provides up to ₹200 off bills through Swiggy Dineout, helping users save on their dining expenses.
Fuel Perks
While the IndianOil HDFC Bank RuPay Credit Card does not include any movie or dining benefits, it excels in fuel-related rewards. It offers users a complimentary IndianOil XTRAREWARDS Program (IXRP) membership.
SmartEMI
SmartEMI enables you to convert purchases across various categories, including insurance, groceries, medical expenses, petrol, utilities, apparel, education, electronics, travel, and more. For any of these HDFC cards, which are reasonably priced with annual fees and easy eligibility criteria, they provide cardholders with an added sense of financial security, enabling them to make large purchases and split the cost into EMIs to be paid in installments.
Who Should Get These Cards?
Choosing the right credit card depends on where and how you spend. Here’s how you can evaluate which HDFC card fits your needs best:
HDFC Bank Freedom Credit Card
The Freedom Card is ideal for individuals who frequently spend on groceries, food delivery, entertainment, and daily commute services, such as Uber. It offers accelerated rewards for apps like Uber, BigBasket, and more. If you prefer a balanced rewards program across lifestyle categories, the Freedom Card is a wise choice. Cardholders earn 10X CashPoints on BigBasket, BookMyShow, OYO, Swiggy, and Uber, and 1 Cash Point for every ₹150 spent on eligible categories. These points, when redeemed for cashback, a product catalog, or hotel or flight bookings via SmartBuy, are valued at ₹0.15 per Cash Point.
HDFC MoneyBack Plus Credit Card
The MoneyBack Plus is ideal for online shoppers who frequently purchase from platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, and Swiggy. It allows you to maximize rewards on e-commerce purchases like these with an accelerated reward rate of 10X Cash Points on Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, Reliance Smart Superstores, and Swiggy. Otherwise, it offers 2 Cash Points per ₹150 spent on eligible categories. When redeemed for a statement credit, SmartBuy Travel product catalog, or AirMiles, each point is worth ₹0.25.
IndianOil HDFC Bank RuPay Credit Card
The IndianOil RuPay Card is best suited for individuals who spend a significant amount on fuel and household essentials. If you’re looking to save on petrol and day-to-day grocery purchases while enjoying basic card benefits, this is a great option. It offers 5% Fuel Points on IndianOil fuel purchases, as well as 5% on groceries and utility payments. When redeemed at the XTRAREWARDS portal, each point is worth ₹0.96. When redeemed against a statement credit or product catalog, each point is valued at ₹0.20.
Eligibility
The following table outlines the eligibility criteria for each of these cards. Additionally, users who already have a salaried or savings account with HDFC Bank can easily obtain approval for these HDFC credit cards.
| Particulars | HDFC Freedom | HDFC MoneyBack Plus | HDFC IndianOil RuPay |
| Salaried Indian Nationals |
|
|
|
| Self-Employed Indian Nationals |
|
|
|
Bottom Line
Choosing the right HDFC credit card depends mainly on your spending habits and lifestyle. If you enjoy dining out or ordering food regularly, both the HDFC Freedom Credit Card and the HDFC MoneyBack Plus Credit Card offer attractive dining benefits through Swiggy Dineout, as well as solid rewards on everyday purchases.
The IndianOil HDFC Bank RuPay Credit Card, on the other hand, is an excellent option for those who prioritize fuel savings and seek practical rewards for regular fuel expenses. All three cards offer reasonable annual fees, rewards on spending, and valuable lifestyle perks, making them excellent choices for low to mid-income earners looking to maximize their spending. Whether you’re looking to save on dining, fuel, or travel, HDFC’s diverse range of cards caters to a variety of needs, ensuring you find the one that best matches your lifestyle.
Explore these cards further to find the one that fits your lifestyle on Card Insider.