Priority Pass
HDFC Bank
Infinia Metal Edition
Widely regarded as India’s "Holy Grail" credit card, the Infinia Metal Edition offers a class-leading 3.33% base reward rate and unlimited global lounge access for all cardholders.
How to get invited
This card is not available to apply for directly. Banks typically extend invitations based on your spend history and relationship with them. If you already hold HDFC Bank's premium cards, speak to your Relationship Manager.
Direct link to the issuer's website. Terms apply — verify current offer with the bank.
Data last updated 27 May 2026.
At a Glance
Annual Fee
₹12,500
Joining Fee
₹12,500
Fee Waiver
Spend ₹10,00,000 annually
Lounge Access
Unlimited lounge access
Forex Markup
2%
Effective Yield
3.33% – 33.33%
Our Take
Widely regarded as India’s "Holy Grail" credit card, the Infinia Metal Edition offers a class-leading 3.33% base reward rate and unlimited global lounge access for all cardholders. However, 2026 updates have drastically raised the bar for exclusivity, requiring an ₹18 lakh annual spend or a ₹50 lakh relationship value just to retain the card’s premium privileges.Infinia remains a powerhouse for high-spenders, but its "invite-only" status is now harder to maintain. While you still earn 5 points per ₹150, the 2026 SmartBuy voucher multiplier has been slashed from 5X to 3X. More critically, redemption is now more restrictive: users can only redeem points five times per month, with a monthly cap of 1.5 lakh points for flights and hotels. It is the ultimate tool for those spending ₹20 lakh+ annually.
Pros
- Unrivaled Reward Ecosystem: Offers a 3.33% base reward rate (5 RP for every ₹150) that applies even to Utilities and Insurance (up to 2k and 10k points respectively), which most competitors have gutted. When used through SmartBuy for hotels (10X) or flights (5X), the value-back can reach a staggering 16%–33%.
- Gold-Standard Redemption (1:1): Unlike almost any other card, 1 Reward Point equals ₹1 across diverse categories including Air Miles, Hotel bookings, and even high-value physical goods like Apple products and Tanishq vouchers via the SmartBuy portal.
- True Unlimited Lounge Access: Provides unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both the primary and all add-on cardholders. This remains one of the few cards that hasn't introduced 'spend-based' hurdles or 'per-quarter' caps for lounge entry in 2026.
- Premium Hotel & Dining Perks: Comes with a complimentary Club Marriott membership (1st year) and a '1+1' complimentary buffet benefit at participating ITC Hotels. It also offers a 'Stay 3, Pay 2' deal at ITC properties, providing massive value for luxury travelers.
- Global Concierge & Golf: Features a 24/7 global concierge service that is genuinely high-touch, along with unlimited complimentary golf rounds and coaching at leading courses in India and abroad, reinforcing its status as a top-tier lifestyle tool.
Cons
- New 2026 Fee Waiver Hike: In a shocking February 2026 update, HDFC raised the annual fee waiver threshold from ₹10 Lakhs to ₹18 Lakhs. For many 'borderline' premium users, this makes the ₹12,500 + GST annual fee a permanent recurring cost.
- Voucher Multiplier Devaluation: As of January 16, 2026, the reward multiplier for brand vouchers (Gyftr) was slashed from 5X to 3X. This significantly reduces the efficiency of the 'Infinia strategy' where users would buy Amazon or Tanishq vouchers to maximize points.
- Extreme Eligibility Barrier: The card remains 'By Invite Only.' Even with a high salary (typically ₹3L+ net monthly) or a high Relationship Value (now ₹50 Lakhs+ for 2026), getting the invitation often requires a manual 'push' from a dedicated Relationship Manager.
Earning & Redemption
How You Earn
| Category | Reward rate | Yield % | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| SmartBuy Hotels & Vouchers (10X) | 50 Reward Points (RP) per ₹150 | 33.30% | 15,000 Bonus RP per month |
| SmartBuy Flights (5X Rewards) | 25 RP per ₹150 | 16.60% | 15,000 Bonus RP per month |
| Retail Spends (Base) | 5 RP per ₹150 | 3.33% | No Upper Cap |
| Utilities & Insurance | 5 RP per ₹150 | 3.33% | Capped at 2,000 RP and 10,000 RP per month for Utilities and Insurance respectively |
| Excluded Categories | No Points Earned | 0.0% | — |
Milestone Rewards
| Spend | Benefit | Value | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹10 Lakh | Fee Waiver0 pts | ₹12,500 + GST Savings | Annual fee waived for the next year if annual spends exceed ₹10 Lakhs. |
| ₹18 Lakh | Retention Requirement0 pts | Card Continuity | New 2026 Rule: Must spend ₹18L annually to retain the card (otherwise downgraded). |
Redemption Value
| Channel | Value per point | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| SmartBuy Flights/Hotels | ₹1.00 per RP1:1 Ratio | Best Value (Capped at ₹1.5 Lakh value/month; 70% point usage rule) |
| Air Miles / Transfer Partners | Upto 1 AirmileUpto 1:1 Ratio | High Value |
| Products and Voucher | upto ₹0.50 per RP | Moderate Value |
| Statement Credit (Cash) | upto ₹0.30 per RP3.33:1 Ratio | Avoid (Value drops by 70%; monthly cap of 50,000 RP applies) |
What You Need to Know
The 2026 Retention Shield
Effective April 1, 2026, HDFC requires ₹18L annual spend or ₹50L TRV to keep the card.
Impact: Forces users to consolidate all spends on Infinia; casual holders will be downgraded.
New Redemption Ceiling
Total redemption for Flights/Hotels/Miles is now capped at 1,50,000 RP per month.
Impact: High spenders cannot dump millions of points for a single first-class luxury booking.
Overall Earning Cap
The maximum reward points that can be earned in a statement cycle for Infinia/Infinia Metal is 2,00,000
Impact: A high earning ceiling beyond which no reward points are earned
Utility & Fuel Surcharges
1% fee on Utility >₹50k and Fuel >₹15k (Consumer cards).
Impact: Negates the reward rate for large bills; users should split payments.
Essential Fine Print
Reward Exclusions
Excluded Categories (No Points): Fuel, Wallet loads, Rent payments, Government transactions, and Education payments via third-party apps.
Welcome Offer
Welcome Reward Points
12,500 Reward Points upon payment of the joining fee and renewal fee.
Complimentary Club Marriott Membership
Up to 25% discount on Dining & stay across Asia-Pacific Member's Night on Monday: Buy one drink, get a complimentary second drink. Member's Day on Tuesday: 50% off on food bill & 25% off on beverage
Lounge Access
Priority PassUnlimited International Lounge Access
Unlimited complimentary airport lounge access at 1,000+ lounges worldwide for both primary and add-on cardholders.
Unlimited Domestic Lounge Access
Unlimited complimentary Domestic airport lounge access in India with your HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card
Travel Benefits
ITC Hotel Privileges
Complimentary one night stay on booking two nights and 1+1 buffet at participating ITC Hotels.
Dining Benefits
Global Dining Rewards
1+1 complimentary buffet at participating ITC Hotels and premium dining benefits via Swiggy Dineout.
Golf Benefits
Unlimited Golf Access
Unlimited complimentary golf coaching and green fee waivers at leading courses in India and worldwide. Enjoy 100% green fee waiver at select golf courses worldwide.
Milestone Benefits
Renewal Fee Waiver
Spend ₹10 Lakhs or more in the preceding 12 months to get the renewal fee waived for the subsequent year.
Additional Features
Metal Design
Premium metal card design for a sophisticated feel and durability.
Low Forex Markup
Industry-leading 2% markup on all foreign currency transactions.
24 x 7 Global Personal Concierge
Global Personal Concierge for customized bookings, dining assistance, event planning and more.
Fees & Charges
| Fee Type | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹12,500 |
| Annual / Renewal Fee | ₹12,500 |
| Fee Waiver Threshold | Spend ₹10,00,000 annually |
| Forex Markup | 2% |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% surcharge |
Eligibility Criteria
By Invitation Only
The HDFC Bank Infinia Metal Edition is an exclusive credit card offered by invitation only to select high-net-worth individuals.
Interested in the Infinia Metal Edition?
This is an invite-only card. Speak to your Relationship Manager to express interest.
Annual fee
₹12,500
3.33% – 33.33% yield