Most HDFC credit card holders are drawn to SmartBuy’s 10X Rewards Program, which gives you the chance to earn up to 10x Rewards on your Infinia, Diners Black, Regalia, and Diners Club Privilege cards and a cashback of up to 5% on all other HDFC credit and debit cards (with a few exceptions) in addition to the deals and offers from third-party merchants on the HDFC Bank SmartBuy portal.
Update for December 2022: There have been no adjustments made to the offers for this month’s reward point earning.
Updated in October 2022: The offer has not changed significantly other than the removal of Yatra as a travel provider. Flights can now be purchased through Cleartrip, Goibibo, and EaseMyTrip.
Update from July 2022: As of July 1st, 2022, Amazon rewards and cashback have been discontinued. Continue receiving rewards and cashback from additional merchants.
Updated in June 2022: The offer has been maintained in its current form for an additional month.
Updated in May 2022: There have been no changes to the partners or the additional reward points that can be earned on each partner, and the offer has been extended through May 31.
Update from April 2022: The offer for accelerated rewards has been extended through April 30. The price for Flipkart gift cards remains at Rs 10,000. Since the devaluation in February 2022, we’ve noticed that instead of receiving 10x reward points when using Infinia RPs to purchase Apple products or Tanishq vouchers, we now receive 5x reward points. We can now receive 5x RPs when recharging our DTH through an Infinia credit card.
Key Highlights of the HDFC Bank SmartBuy Offer
The SmartBuy 10x Reward Program has undergone a number of significant changes from HDFC Bank. As of February 2022, the following changes will be in effect:
- On the HDFC Infinia, Diners Black, Regalia, and Diners Club Privilege credit cards, you receive accelerated Reward Points (2 times to 10 times the regular Reward Points) in addition to a 5% (2.5% + 2.5% bonanza) cashback on most other HDFC credit and debit cards for travel-related expenses (such as hotel/flight/bus/train bookings), Instant Vouchers, and online purchases from stores like Flipkart.
- With regard to purchases made through Smart Buy, HDFC Regalia and HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Cards, which previously earned cashback, will now also accrue accelerated Reward Points.
- Similar to the Infinia Credit Card, the accelerated reward rate is also applicable to the Regalia and Diners Club Privilege Credit Cards.
- Bookings of bus and flight tickets through SmartBuy now qualify for a 5x accelerated reward rate (previously it was 10x).
- A reduction from 5x to 3x has been made to the accelerated reward rate for rail ticket purchases made through SmartBuy.
- For the HDFC Diners Club Black Card, the accelerated reward rate on Instant Vouchers and Apple Store purchases has been decreased to 3x, while it remains the same (5x) for the Infinia Credit Card.
- For Diners Club Black HDFC Credit Cards, the accelerated reward rate on Flipkart has been reduced from 3x to 2x, while it remains unchanged for the Infinia Credit Card.
- According to the following table, the reward rate for the various HDFC Credit Cards on Smart Buy as of February 1, 2022, is as follows:
Reward Rate for Infinia and HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Cards on SmartBuy-
| Category | Infinia Credit Card | Diners Black Credit Card |
| Reward Rate | Reward Rate | |
| IGP.com | 10x RPs | 10x RPs |
| Flights | 5x RPs | 5x RPs |
| Hotels | 10x RPs | 10x RPs |
| Bus | 5x RPs | 5x RPs |
| Rail | 3x RPs | 3x RPs |
| MakeMyTrip | 10x RPs | 10x RPs |
| Instant Vouchers | 5x RPs | 3x RPs |
| Apple Store | 5x RPs | 3x RPs |
| Flipkart | 3x RPs | 2x RPs |
Reward Rate on SmartBuy for other HDFC Credit Cards-
| Category | Regalia & Diners Privilege Credit Cards | Cashback on other HDFC Credit/Debit Cards |
| Reward Rate | Reward Rate | |
| IGP.com | 10x RPs | 10% CB |
| Flights | 5x RPs | 5% CB |
| Hotels | 10x RPs | 5% CB |
| Bus | 5x RPs | 5% CB |
| Rail | 3x RPs | 5% CB |
| MakeMyTrip | 10x RPs | 5% CB |
| Instant Vouchers | 5x RPs | 5% CB |
| Apple Store | 5x RPs | 5% CB |
| Flipkart | 3x RPs | 1% CB |
- The maximum Reward Points that can be earned on the Infinia/Diners Black/Regalia/Diners Privilege Credit Card in a given month or day are also capped daily in addition to monthly (read on for details). On the other hand, the cash back earned on other HDFC Bank Credit Cards is not subject to a daily maximum cap.
Diners Black, Regalia, and Diners Privilege credit cards are included in the HDFC SmartBuy promotion.
- With the HDFC Diners Club Privilege/Regalia credit cards, you receive 4 Reward Points for every Rs. 150 spent on all regular purchases, compared to 5 Reward Points with the Infinia and Diners Black credit cards.
- Every time you use your Infinia/Diners Black/Regalia/Diners Privilege card to make hotel reservations, purchase Instant Vouchers book flight, bus, or train tickets, or shop on Flipkart, you’ll earn bonus Reward Points (due to the accelerated rate at which RPs are earned).
Getting the Most Out of HDFC Credit Cards on SmartBuy
Now, in order to make the most of your credit card, or to accumulate as many bonus Reward Points as is possible, you must spend a particular minimum amount with them each month. These minimums vary depending on what category of expenses they fall under.
Using a credit card from HDFC Infinia on SmartBuy
The following table for the Infinia Card can give you an idea of how much you should spend each day or per month to get the greatest benefit:
| Spends Category | Accelerated Rate of earning Reward Points | Minimum monthly spends required for maximum benefit (Infinia Credit Card) | Minimum daily spends required for maximum benefit (Infinia Credit Card) |
| Flights | 5x | Rs. 1,12,500 | Rs. 56,250 |
| Hotels | 10x | Rs. 50,100 | Rs. 25,050 |
| Bus | 5x | Rs. 1,12,500 | Rs. 56,250 |
| Rail | 3x | Rs. 2,25,000 | Rs. 1,12,500 |
| MakeMyTrip | 10x | Rs. 50,100 | Rs. 25,050 |
| Instant Vouchers | 5x | Rs. 1,12,500 | Rs. 56,250 |
| Apple Store | 5x | Rs. 1,12,500 | Rs. 56,250 |
| Flipkart | 3x | Rs. 2,25,000 | Rs. 1,12,500 |
Other HDFC credit cards with accelerated Reward Points on SmartBuy are subject to the same calculation:
Making purchases with a HDFC Bank Diners Club Black credit card at Smart Buy
You must use your HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card to make a minimum amount of purchases as shown in the following table in order to maximize its use on SmartBuy.
| Spends Category | Accelerated Rate of Earning Reward Points | Minimum Monthly spends required for maximum benefit (Diners Club Black Credit Card) | Minimum Daily spends required for maximum benefit (Diners Club Black Credit Card) |
| Flights | 5x | Rs. 56,250 | Rs. 18,750 |
| Hotels | 10x | Rs. 25,050 | Rs. 8,350 |
| Bus | 5x | Rs. 56,250 | Rs. 18,750 |
| Rail | 3x | Rs. 1,12,500 | Rs. 37,500 |
| MakeMyTrip | 10x | Rs. 25,050 | Rs. 8,350 |
| Instant Vouchers | 3x | Rs. 1,12,500 | Rs. 37,500 |
| Apple Store | 3x | Rs. 1,12,500 | Rs. 37,500 |
| Flipkart | 2x | Rs. 2,25,000 | Rs. 75,000 |
Making purchases on SmartBuy with credit cards from HDFC Regalia/Diners Club Privilege
You must use your HDFC Regalia or Diners Club Privilege credit card for a minimum amount of purchases as shown in the following table in order to earn the maximum number of reward points.
| Spends Category | Accelerated Rate of Earning Reward Points | Minimum monthly spends required for maximum benefit (Regalia/Diners Privilege Credit Cards) | Minimum daily spends required for maximum benefit (Regalia/Diners Privilege Credit Cards |
| Flights | 5x | Rs. 37,500 | Rs. 18,750 |
| Hotels | 10x | Rs. 16,800 | Rs. 8,400 |
| Bus | 5x | Rs. 37,500 | Rs. 18,750 |
| Rail | 3x | Rs. 75,000 | Rs. 25,000 |
| MakeMyTrip | 10x | Rs. 16,800 | Rs. 8,400 |
| Instant Vouchers | 5x | Rs. 37,500 | Rs. 18,750 |
| Apple Store | 5x | Rs. 37,500 | Rs. 18,750 |
| Flipkart | 3x | Rs. 75,000 | Rs. 25,000 |
Monthly Capping on Reward Points
The maximum Reward Points that can be earned on different HDFC credit cards in a given day/month are subject to monthly and daily capping, as shown in the following table:
| Credit Card | Maximum Bonus Reward Points Per Month | Maximum Bonus Reward Points Per Day |
| Infinia Credit Card | 15,000 RPs | 7,500 RPs |
| Diners Black Credit Card | 7,500 RPs | 2,500 RPs |
| Regalia/Diners Privilege Credit Cards | 4,000 RPs | 2,000 RPs |
Rewards on all other credit and debit cards
As far as all other credit and debit cards are concerned, you receive a cashback of 5% (2.5% platform + 2.5% bonanza cashback) on hotel bookings, flight/bus/rail ticket bookings, and Instant Vouchers; however, shopping on Flipkart only results in 1% cashback (no bonanza cashback in this case).
Cashback earned in a given month is subject to a maximum capping of Rs. 1,000.
| Spends Catagory | Platform Cashback | Bonanza Cashback | Total Cashback |
| Flights | 2.5% | 2.5% | 5% |
| Hotels | 2.5% | 2.5% | 5% |
| Bus | 2.5% | 2.5% | 5% |
| Rail | 2.5% | 2.5% | 5% |
| Instant Vouchers | 2.5% | 2.5% | 5% |
| Flipkart | 1% | Nil | 1% |
It is important to remember that the cashback and reward points earned on these credit/debit cards are calculated for the given calendar month and not on a per billing cycle basis. You should also be aware that the credit cards from Infinia and Diners Black, which both accelerate your earning of Reward Points, do not offer cashback.
Spending Minimum to Get Maximum Benefit
As was already mentioned, there is no daily maximum cap on the amount of cashback that can be earned, but only a maximum of Rs. 1,000 can be earned as cashback at 5% rate on other HDFC credit cards. You must therefore use your card to make a minimum of Rs. 20,000 in purchases in a given month in order to qualify for the maximum cashback per month (i.e. Rs. 1,000).
How to Use This SmartBuy Promotion
Categories for Flights
– Through Cleartrip, Goibibo, and EaseMyTrip
- Step 1: Navigate to the SmartBuy Portal’s Flight Booking section.
- Step 2: Decide on the airports at the source and destination.
- Step 3: Evaluate the costs of various flights and select the one you want.
- Step 4: Compile your order and pay with your HDFC credit or debit card.
Reminder: The SmartBuy portal does not permit the booking of flights between multiple cities. You must contact a concierge to make reservations for flights to multiple cities.
Bus Categories
- Step 1: Go to the bus booking section on the SmartBuy portal.
- Step 2: Evaluate the prices and timings of all the options.
- Step 3: Complete the purchase using your HDFC credit or debit card.
Rail Categories
- Step 1: Navigate to the Smart Buy Portal’s rail booking section.
- Step 2: Choose your train and log in with your IRCTC credentials.
- Step 3: Complete your reservation and pay with your HDFC credit/debit card.
Hotels Categories
– Via Cleartrip
- Step 1: Open the SmartBuy portal and navigate to the hotel reservation section.
- Step 2: Pick your destination and assess the costs of various hotels.
- Step 3: Use your HDFC credit or debit card to check out and finish the transaction.
Via MakeMyTrip
- Step 1: Click the MakeMyTrip option on the SmartBuy website to be taken to the MakeMyTrip website.
- Step 2: Select the location and travel dates on the MakeMyTrip website before making a hotel reservation. Here, you can evaluate the costs of the hotels offered at the location you’ve chosen.
- Step 3: Use your HDFC Bank debit or credit cards to pay for your reservations.
It is imperative that you use the Smart Buy portal to access the MakeMyTrip page. You won’t be able to use cashback and reward points if it doesn’t happen in this way.
Instant Coupons
- Step 1: On the Smart Buy website or app, choose the Instant Vouchers option.
- Step 2: Select the desired voucher from a list of vouchers offered by various brands.
- Step 3: Go to the payment page and complete the transaction using a credit or debit card from HDFC.
Following the Flipkart Offer’s best practices
When shopping on Flipkart, it is advised to adhere to certain best practices in order to ensure that you receive bonus Reward Points/cashback.
- Use the desktop version of the SmartBuy website instead of the mobile app.
- Prior to clicking on the SmartBuy link that takes you to the Flipkart page, it is best to clear the cache and cookies in your browser.
- The reason this is crucial is that your browser’s cookies are used to confirm that you only receive the Reward Points or cashback if you arrive at the Flipkart page via the SmartBuy link. When the cache and cookies are cleared, the cookies are tracked correctly.
- Ideally, use incognito mode while making the transaction if you have any extensions installed on your browser.
- The process will move more quickly if the desired items are already on your Flipkart Wishlist.
- Don’t have several tabs or windows open while checking out.
- Don’t forget to choose your HDFC credit or debit card as the payment method.
Bottom Line
The HDFC SmartBuy 10X rewards program, which was once even more lucrative until a few years ago, is still one of the most alluring ones available on the Indian credit card market.
Even on Flipkart, you used to receive 10X Reward Points, but now you only get 5X and 3X points instead.
Additionally, you could earn a maximum of 2,000 rupees in cashback on all other credit and debit cards, and there used to be a cap on Reward Points of 25,000 points on Infinia and 15,000 points on the Diners Black credit card per calendar month.
The maximum cashback has also been decreased to Rs 1,000, with the exception of Regalia and Diners Privilege credit cards, which now accrue SmartBuy Reward Points more quickly.
However, HDFC continues to dominate the market, at least in terms of credit cards, and for good reason—despite all the devaluations and reward reductions by virtually all card issuers, they still offer some of the most rewarding cards, especially in the premium category.
FAQs
1. How do I check my Smartbuy points for HDFC?
Simply log into your SmartBuy account using the mobile number associated with your HDFC Credit Card to check your HDFC SmartBuy points.
2. What is the process for using my HDFC SmartBuy voucher?
The official websites and apps of the participating brands accept the gift cards that you receive through HDFC SmartBuy. The gift certificate will typically take the form of a code that you can use to pay the appropriate merchant and receive the applicable discount or cashback.
3. How can I use the HDFC SmartBuy app on Amazon?
Simply click on the Amazon icon on Smartbuy, add the item of your choice to the cart, and use your HDFC Bank Credit Card to complete the transaction if you want to make a purchase on Amazon using a Smartbuy offer.
4. What is the Flipkart HDFC Smartbuy process?
Make sure to only be redirected to the app from the Smartbuy portal if you want to take advantage of a Smartbuy offer on purchases from Flipkart. Log into HDFC Smartbuy, select the Flipkart website or the Flipkart offer you want to take advantage of, add the items to your cart, and then use your HDFC Bank credit card to complete the purchase.
5. If I make a purchase on Flipkart using my HDFC credit or debit card, will I always receive reward points or cashback?
The offer does not apply to certain types of credit or debit cards, such as corporate, business, dealer, distributor, Value Plus, virtual, Jet Privilege, and Times Points cards.
6. Do EMI transactions count toward my bonus Reward Points?
The EMI transactions covered by this offer do, in fact, qualify for bonus Reward Points. Based on the EMI amount assessed that particular month, bonus reward points or cashback are computed.
7. Does the promotion apply to every purchase made on Flipkart?
The offer does not apply to certain categories. The following categories on Flipkart don’t allow you to earn reward points or cashback:
1. Prepaid / gift cards, bill payments, and recharges are all available.
2. purchase of video game hardware and consoles
3. Jewelry and gold coins, or their substitutes
8. Does this promotion apply to all HDFC credit and debit cards?
The offer does not apply to all credit or debit cards, including Corporate, Commercial, Dealer, Distributor, Value Plus, Virtual, Jet Privilege, and Times Points cards.