Thinking of HDFC Infinia Metal? Here’s the simple truth: this card is built for people who spend big and want serious value back—especially if you book flights and hotels via SmartBuy. If you love premium travel perks like unlimited lounges + Priority Pass and you actually use those “₹1 per point” redemptions, Infinia can feel like a cheat code. But if your spends are medium (or you redeem as cashback), it won’t hit the same.
| Section | What to know (fast) |
|---|---|
| HDFC Infinia Metal Credit Card | Check Here for Official Details |
| Who it’s for | High monthly spenders who want max rewards + premium travel perks (invite-only). |
| Real value | 5 Rewards Points per ₹150; up to 10X on SmartBuy; best redemptions can be ₹1/point (flights/hotels, Apple/Tanishq via SmartBuy). |
| Best use cases | SmartBuy flight/hotel bookings; big online + travel spends on SmartBuy (cap applies); frequent travelers using lounges + Priority Pass. |
| When NOT to choose | Low/medium spends (fee hard to recover) or if you’ll redeem mainly as cashback (lower value ~₹0.30/point). |
| Fees + waiver | ₹12,500 + taxes joining & renewal; renewal waived on ₹10L+ annual spend. |
| Key catches/caps | 10X rewards have monthly cap (e.g., 15k points/month mentioned); best value only on high-value redemption routes; redemption limits from 1 Feb 2026 (e.g., 5 redemptions/month, cycle/monthly point caps). |
| Premium extras | Unlimited lounge access (India + international via Priority Pass incl. add-ons); 2% forex markup (better than many, not zero). |
1) Who this card is for (1 line)
If you spend big every month and want maximum rewards on flights/hotels + premium travel perks, this is one of the best (but it’s invite-only).
2) Real value (what you actually get back)
- Earn 5 Reward Points per ₹150 spent.
- Earn up to 10X points on SmartBuy spends.
- Best redemption value shown by HDFC:
- Flights & hotels: 1 point = ₹1
- Apple/Tanishq via SmartBuy: 1 point = ₹1
- Cashback is lower (up to ₹0.30/point)
- Flights & hotels: 1 point = ₹1
3) Best 3 use cases (where it wins)
- Flights & hotels (best redemption): 1 point = ₹1 for flight/hotel bookings via SmartBuy.
- Big online purchases + travel bookings via SmartBuy: up to 10X points (with monthly cap).
- Frequent travel lifestyle: unlimited lounge access + Priority Pass, plus premium hotel/dining memberships.
For more benefits – check below we have listed all.
4) When NOT to Choose this card (common mismatch)
- If your spends are low/medium, you may not recover the fee easily. (This card shines when spending is high because it’s a premium fee card.)
- If you won’t redeem mainly for flights/hotels via SmartBuy, you’ll get lower value (cashback is much lower per point).
5) Fees (and when it becomes “free”)
- Joining fee: ₹12,500 + taxes
- Renewal fee: ₹12,500 + taxes
- Renewal fee waived if you spend ₹10 lakh+ in the last 12 months.
✅ Verdict: Worth it if you can hit the spend waiver or you’ll earn far more than the fee via travel redemptions.
6) Big catches (limits/caps users should know)
- SmartBuy “up to 10X” rewards have a monthly cap (15,000 points/month mentioned).
- Best value happens only when you redeem in the high-value routes (flights/hotels/Apple/Tanishq via SmartBuy).
7) The 2 biggest “premium” extras people buy it for
- Unlimited lounge access (India + international via Priority Pass, including add-ons).
- Low forex markup listed as 2% on foreign spends (still not zero, but better than many).
Quick final recommendation
Pick Infinia Metal if you’re a high spender, you’ll redeem mostly for flights/hotels via SmartBuy, and you want top-tier lounges + premium lifestyle perks.
Top 2 alternatives (if you don’t get Infinia invite):
- HDFC Diners Club Black (Metal)
- A strong travel-focused card (depending on your monthly travel spend)
Full benefits
The 12 “core benefits” users care about most
- Metal card + premium positioning (invite-only).
- Welcome reward: 12,500 points on fee realization + card activation.
- Earn rate: 5 points per ₹150 spent.
- SmartBuy accelerated rewards: up to 10X points.
- Best redemption value: flights & hotels at ₹1 per point (also Apple/Tanishq via SmartBuy at ₹1/point).
- Unlimited domestic lounge access (primary + add-on).
- Unlimited international lounge access with Priority Pass (1,000+ lounges; add-on also).
- ITC hotel stay offer: stay 3 nights, pay for 2.
- Dining offer: 1+1 buffet at participating ITC hotels.
- Club Marriott membership: complimentary (first year) + “up to 25% off dining & stay” highlighted by HDFC.
- Golf benefits: unlimited lessons & games + green fee waiver (select courses) + golf concierge.
- Concierge: itinerary planning, bookings, private dining, gift delivery, event planning, VIP airport service, etc.
Extra benefits
These are “supporting features” that still matter to users:
- Insurance covers: air accidental death cover ₹3 Cr, overseas hospitalization up to ₹50L, credit shield up to ₹9L
- Forex markup: 2% on foreign currency transactions
- Fuel surcharge waiver: 1% (₹400–₹1,00,000); note: no reward points on fuel
- Smart EMI: convert big spends into EMI after purchase
- Interest-free period: up to 50 days (as per HDFC’s note)
- Zero lost card liability if reported immediately
- Card control via MyCards: activate, set PIN, controls (online/contactless), statements, rewards, block/reissue, add-on management
- Contactless payments supported (HDFC also mentions India’s tap-to-pay limit info on the page)
Conclusion
So here’s what you should do: pick Infinia Metal only if you’re a high spender, you’ll redeem mostly for flights/hotels through SmartBuy, and you either hit the annual spend waiver or easily earn back more than the fee through high-value redemptions. If that’s you—this card is a clear yes. If not, don’t force it—go with the alternatives listed, and you’ll still get strong travel value without paying for perks you won’t fully use.
- From 1 Feb 2026, reward points redemption up to 5 times per month.
- Max 2 lakh points can be redeemed in a statement cycle
- Monthly cap 1.5 lakh points for flights/hotels/airmiles
- Apple/Tanishq redemptions: points usable up to 70% of bill value (rest paid by card)
- Statement cashback redemption capped at 50,000 points/month
FAQs
Q1) Is HDFC Infinia Metal invite-only?
Ans:- Yes. HDFC says it’s offered to select customers by invitation only.
Q2) What welcome benefit do you get?
Ans:- 12,500 reward points on fee realization and card activation.
Q3) What’s the fee and how to waive it?
Ans:- Depends on sourced date; waiver is based on annual spend (₹10L as shown on the HDFC page).
Q4) What’s the best use of points?
Ans:- HDFC shows the best value as ₹1 per point for flights/hotels (also Apple/Tanishq via SmartBuy).
Q5) Does it have international lounge access?
Ans:- Yes, via Priority Pass at 1,000+ lounges (and add-on Priority Pass too).
Q6) What is Club Marriott membership?
Ans:- HDFC explains it includes benefits like discounts on dining, rooms, and spa at participating properties.