HDFC Infinia Tightens Eligibility & Raises Continuity Criteria
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Now you need 18L minimum in spends or 50L relationship value for even holding Infinia. Full details inside.
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HDFC Bank recently imposed new annual thresholds for Infinia cardholders to retain premium benefits: either a minimum spend of ₹18 lakh per year or maintaining a Relationship Value (RLV) of ₹50 lakh.
These new norms apply from the financial year beginning April 1, 2026, with the first review under the new rules expected April 2027.
Cardholders must now either spend ₹18 lakh annually (including both primary and add-on cards) or maintain a Relationship Value (RLV) of ₹50 lakh with the bank to continue enjoying the card’s premium benefits.
- Annual Spend Required: ₹18 lakh or more
- Relationship Value (RLV): ₹50 lakh or more average holdings
- Effective From: FY 2026-27 (from April 1, 2026); review from April 2027 onwards
- Fee Waiver Norm: Unchanged; old criteria still apply till March 31, 2027
How Infinia Changes Now?
Infinia is one of HDFC’s most exclusive, invite-only credit cards. It comes with a high annual fee (₹12,500 plus taxes) and premium perks such as unlimited airport lounge access, a concierge service, and accelerated rewards via the SmartBuy platform.
Until recently, the criteria for fee waiver and card continuation were significantly more lenient: card usage requirements stood at lower annual spends, often around ₹8−10 lakh.
Full Details of the New Continuity Rules
Parameter | New Requirement | Relevant Period / Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
Annual Card Spend (Primary + Add-on) | ₹18 lakh per financial year | From April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027; review in April 2027 |
Relationship Value (Average balances across Savings, Current, FD, RD accounts) | ₹50 lakh | Same financial year: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027 |
Transition Window | Existing customers retain full benefits under earlier norms until March 31, 2027 | Review begins from April 2027 onward |
Annual Fee Waiver Threshold | Unchanged fee waiver criterion for Infinia (base fee remains ₹12,500 + taxes) | No change despite new spend / RLV rules |
The Rules Before The Change…
Earlier rules required lower spends, around ₹8−10 lakh annually, for fee waiver or card retention.
Reward rates on select channels were also reduced earlier: e.g., SmartBuy Gyftr vouchers for Infinia now earn 3× points (from 5×) effective January 16, 2026.
What This Means for Infinia Holders?
- Card users who spend under ₹18 lakh annually and don’t maintain ₹50 lakh in RLV may lose access to premium features, including lounge access, “Infinia Experience” perks, or possibly be downgraded or have their card privileges curtailed.
- For many, the transition window until March 31, 2027 offers some breathing room. Those off-target can plan to shift their spending or consolidate assets with HDFC Bank to meet RLV criteria.
- Because annual fee waiver criteria remains unchanged, some cardholders who meet the old spend requirements may still pay the fee, even while keeping benefits—so total costs may increase for moderate spenders.
HDFC Bank’s Rationale & Reasoning
According to HDFC, the move seeks to ensure that holders of Infinia are both high engagement and high value to the bank, balancing card spends and overall banking relationship, not just credit card activity. The bank’s email communication emphasised that existing norms had become unsustainable given the cost of rewarding premium benefits.
Industry Trend Supporting the Change
The HDFC change is in line with trends across India’s premium credit card market in 2025-26: banks are tightening benefit structures, imposing spend thresholds for lounge access, reducing accelerated reward tiers, and introducing relationship value norms.
Similar adjustments have been noted in other HDFC cards (Regalia Gold, Diners Privilege), and at competitors like ICICI and SBI.
About the Author
Anmol Ratan Sachdeva
Anmol has been tracking the Indian credit card market since 2019, reviewing benefits, changes across 40)+ cards and documenting issuer devaluations in real time. He personally has a card portfolio across HDFC, Axis, SBI Card, ICICI, and writes from direct usage experience. His analysis focuses on real-world return calculations rather than headline reward rates. He writes content for educational purposes.