Picture this: You’ve been dreaming about the legendary HDFC Infinia Credit Card – that sleek metal beauty that practically screams “I’ve made it!” But here’s the plot twist: getting your hands on one is like trying to join an exclusive club where the bouncer is really picky about who gets in.
Don’t worry, my friend! While the Infinia might be the Rolls Royce of credit cards (with its jaw-dropping 5 reward points per ₹150 spent and unlimited global lounge access), there are three fantastic alternatives that’ll make you forget all about that elusive invitation.
Think of these cards as the Tesla Model S, BMW 7 Series, and Mercedes S-Class of the credit card world – different flavors of luxury, but luxury nonetheless!
The HDFC Infinia is undeniably impressive. Every ₹150 you spend earns you 5 reward points worth ₹1 each when booking flights or hotels through SmartBuy. Plus, you get Club Marriott membership with 20% discounts and those amazing 1+1 buffet deals at ITC Hotels. It’s basically a VIP pass to the good life!
But since exclusivity is the Infinia’s middle name, let’s explore three powerhouse alternatives that are actually within reach. Each one brings serious rewards, extensive travel perks, and lifestyle benefits that’ll make your wallet (and your ego) very happy indeed.
1. HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card
Meet the Infinia’s incredibly talented sibling! The HDFC Diners Club Black Metal is like getting into the family business – you get many of the same premium perks without needing a personal invitation from the CEO.
Can You Actually Get This Card?
Here’s the good news: the eligibility criteria are crystal clear! If you’re earning ₹2.5 lakh per month as a salaried employee (ages 21-60), you’re in the game. Self-employed? You’ll need ₹30 lakh annual income as per your ITR, and you can apply until age 65. Much more achievable than hoping for an Infinia invitation, right?
The Rewards Game is Strong
You’ll earn the same fantastic rate as Infinia: 5 reward points for every ₹150 spent on retail purchases. But here’s where it gets exciting – on the HDFC SmartBuy platform, you can score up to 10X reward points on travel and shopping. That’s like getting a 6.67% return on your spending!
Weekend dinner plans? You’ll earn double reward points at standalone restaurants (up to 1,000 points daily). Plus, there’s a sweet 10% discount through Swiggy Dineout at over 35,000 restaurants.
Your reward points are worth ₹1 each for flight and hotel bookings via SmartBuy (covering up to 70% of costs). For air miles enthusiasts, 1 reward point equals 1 air mile. Gift vouchers give you ₹0.50 per point, while cashback offers ₹0.30 per point.
Globe-Trotting Made Easy
Unlimited complimentary access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide for both you and add-on cardholders. No counting visits, no stress – just walk in and enjoy!
The Lifestyle Perks Are Amazing
Spend ₹1.5 lakh within your first 90 days and boom! You get complimentary Club Marriott, Amazon Prime, and Swiggy One memberships. It’s like getting three premium subscriptions as a welcome gift.
Golf lover? Enjoy 6 complimentary games per quarter at select international and domestic courses. Plus, you’ll earn 10,000 bonus reward points for every ₹4 lakh quarterly spend, and your annual fee gets waived if you spend ₹8 lakh in a year.
The insurance coverage is robust too: ₹2 crore air accident cover, ₹50 lakh emergency overseas hospitalization, ₹55,000 baggage delay cover, and ₹9 lakh credit liability protection.
What’s the Damage?
Annual fee is ₹10,000 plus GST, but spend ₹8 lakh annually and it’s waived. Finance charges are 1.99% monthly (23.88% annually), with a 2% foreign currency markup.
2. Axis Atlas Credit Card
If you’re a travel enthusiast who dreams in air miles, the Axis Atlas Credit Card might be your perfect match. This card treats every purchase like a step toward your next adventure!
Who Can Join the Atlas Journey?
Much more accessible than premium invite-only cards! Indian residents aged 18-70 can apply with ₹12 lakh annual income (salaried) or ₹15 lakh (self-employed). These are achievable numbers for many working professionals.
Rewards That Take You Places
Here’s where Atlas shines: you earn 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 spent on travel bookings (via Travel EDGE, airline websites, or hotel portals) up to ₹2 lakh monthly. Beyond that cap, you still earn 2 miles per ₹100. For everything else, it’s 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100.
Each EDGE Mile is worth ₹1 on redemption, giving you a solid 5% return on travel spending and 2% on other purchases. But here’s the magic: transfer EDGE Miles to airline partners at 1 EDGE Mile = 2 Partner Miles. This effectively doubles your airline mile earning potential!
Lounge Life
You get 18 domestic and 12 international lounge visits annually at select airports. While not unlimited like premium cards, it’s generous for most travelers.
Travel-Focused Benefits
New cardholders earn 2,500 EDGE Miles after their first transaction within 37 days – that’s ₹2,500 worth of travel rewards just for getting started!
Dining out becomes more affordable with 25% off restaurant bills through EazyDiner (up to ₹800 monthly). The discount applies once per month on bills of ₹2,500 or more.
Hit spending milestones of ₹7.5 lakh or ₹15 lakh in a membership year to unlock additional rewards, making this card even more valuable for high spenders.
The Investment
Non-waivable joining and annual fee of ₹5,000 plus GST. Interest on balances is 3.75% monthly (55.55% annually – ouch!), so pay your bills on time. Foreign transactions carry a 3.5% markup, and late fees range from ₹0 to ₹1,200.
3. ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
The ICICI Emeralde Private Metal is like being invited to an exclusive club where luxury is the standard and benefits flow like champagne at a wedding!
The Exclusive Entry
This is invite-only territory, but unlike Infinia, you can actually request consideration! Contact your ICICI Relationship Manager to discuss eligibility and start the application process. It’s exclusive but not impossible.
Rewards That Make Sense
You earn 3% in Reward Points on utility bills – that’s ₹3 back for every ₹100 spent on essentials like electricity and phone bills! ICICI iShop offers even better rates:
- 18% (6X points) on grocery shopping
- 12X points on hotel bookings
- 6X points on flights
Each point equals ₹1 and can be used for travel, lifestyle purchases, or brand vouchers through ICICI’s platforms.
VIP Lounge Treatment
Unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access for both primary and add-on cardholders. No counting, no limits – pure luxury!
Welcome to the Good Life
Upon activation, you receive a one-year Taj Epicure Preferred Membership, 12,500 ICICI Reward Points (₹12,500 value!), and 12-month EazyDiner Prime Membership. These benefits renew annually when you pay the renewal fee.
Golf enthusiasts will love unlimited complimentary rounds and lessons at premium Indian courses. That alone could be worth thousands annually!
Spend ₹4 lakh annually to earn an EaseMyTrip voucher, or hit ₹8 lakh for an additional one. BookMyShow offers Buy-One-Get-One-Free tickets (up to ₹750 per ticket, twice monthly) for movies, concerts, and events.
The Culinary Treats Programme provides exclusive restaurant discounts, while a 1% fuel surcharge waiver applies at all Indian fuel stations.
Premium Protection
₹3 crore air accident coverage leads the insurance package. Travel coverage includes baggage loss (₹84,000), damage/loss (₹25,000), delays (₹21,000), flight delays (₹17,500), missed connections (₹21,000), and passport loss (₹35,000). Credit protection covers ₹1 lakh against misuse and ₹50,000 for fraud.
The Premium Price
Joining and annual fee is ₹12,499 plus GST, waived with ₹10 lakh annual spend. Interest on balances is 3.75% monthly (40.80% annually), with late fees ranging from ₹100 to ₹1,300.
The Ultimate Showdown: How Do They Stack Up?
| Feature | HDFC Infinia | HDFC Diners Club Black Metal | Axis Atlas | ICICI Emeralde Private Metal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | Invite-only (very exclusive) | Clear income criteria | Achievable income requirements | Invite-only (but requestable) |
| Eligibility | By invitation only | ₹2.5L/month or ₹30L/year | ₹12L (salaried), ₹15L (self-employed) | Via ICICI Relationship Manager |
| Annual Fee | ₹12,500 + GST | ₹10,000 + GST (waived at ₹8L spend) | ₹5,000 + GST (non-waivable) | ₹12,499 + GST (waived at ₹10L spend) |
| Reward Rate | 5 RP/₹150 on everything | 5 RP/₹150; 10X on SmartBuy; 2X dining | 5 Miles/₹100 travel; 2 on others | 3% utilities; 6X–12X on iShop |
| Reward Value | ₹1/point on travel via SmartBuy | ₹1/point travel; ₹0.5 vouchers | ₹1/Mile; doubles to airline miles | ₹1/point for vouchers & travel |
| Lounge Access | Unlimited global | Unlimited global | 18 domestic + 12 international/year | Unlimited domestic & international |
| Dining Perks | Club Marriott 20% + 1+1 buffets | Swiggy Dineout 10% + 2X weekend points | 25% EazyDiner (₹800 monthly cap) | Culinary Treats + EazyDiner Prime |
| Golf Benefits | Select courses | 6 games per quarter | Not specified | Unlimited rounds & lessons |
| Insurance | ₹3Cr air, ₹50L hospitalization, ₹9L credit | ₹2Cr air, ₹50L hospitalization, ₹9L credit | Basic travel coverage | ₹3Cr air, ₹84K baggage, ₹1L fraud |
| Milestone Rewards | 12,500 points joining + fee waiver ₹10L | 10,000 points/₹4L quarterly + fee waiver ₹8L | Bonus miles at ₹7.5L & ₹15L | EaseMyTrip vouchers at ₹4L & ₹8L |
| Lifestyle Perks | Club Marriott Membership | Amazon Prime, Swiggy One, Club Marriott | 2,500 welcome miles | Taj Epicure, BookMyShow BOGO |
| Foreign Markup | 2% | 2% | 3.5% | ~2% (typical for premium cards) |
| Interest Rate | ~1.99% monthly / ~24% annual | 1.99% monthly / 23.88% annual | 3.75% monthly / 55.55% annual | 3.75% monthly / 40.80% annual |
Which Card Should Win Your Heart (and Wallet)?
Here’s the beautiful truth: you really can’t go wrong with any of these premium alternatives! Each card excels in different areas:
Choose HDFC Diners Club Black Metal if you want the closest thing to Infinia with clear eligibility criteria. It’s perfect for those who love the HDFC ecosystem and want maximum flexibility in earning and redeeming rewards.
Pick Axis Atlas if you’re a frequent traveler who values airline miles above all else. The ability to transfer miles at a 2:1 ratio to airline partners is genuinely amazing for aviation enthusiasts.
Go for ICICI Emeralde if you want the ultimate lifestyle card with incredible insurance coverage and luxury perks. The unlimited golf access alone could justify the annual fee for enthusiasts!
The credit card landscape in India has evolved beautifully – we now have multiple paths to premium benefits and luxury experiences. While the HDFC Infinia remains the holy grail for many, these three alternatives prove that exclusive doesn’t always mean impossible to obtain.
Remember, the “best” card is the one that aligns with your spending patterns, travel habits, and lifestyle preferences. Whether you prioritize airport lounges, dining discounts, or travel rewards, these premium cards deliver exceptional value for those ready to embrace a more rewarding financial lifestyle.
Please note: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Features may change based on issuer updates or eligibility criteria. Always verify the latest terms and conditions directly with card issuers before applying. 1 Finance Pvt. Ltd. is an independent entity and doesn’t issue credit cards. This content is educational only and shouldn’t be considered financial advice. Conduct thorough research and consult qualified financial advisors for personalized guidance.
Ready to upgrade your financial game? These premium cards represent just the beginning of what’s possible when you make strategic choices about your money. The right credit card isn’t just about payments – it’s about unlocking experiences, earning valuable rewards, and making every purchase work harder for your future goals.
Your journey to financial sophistication starts with understanding these options and choosing the one that best fits your unique situation. The premium lifestyle you’ve been dreaming about might be closer than you think!