ICICI and HDFC Bank: If you use a credit card of ICICI or HDFC Bank, then this news is important for you. Both the banks have announced changes in many rules related to their credit cards, which will come into effect from July 1, 2025. These include new charges on airport lounge access, online gaming, wallet loading, utility and insurance payments.
ICICI Bank: Now you will get lounge access on spending Rs 75,000
ICICI Bank has informed on its website that now credit card holders will have to spend Rs 75,000 in the previous quarter to avail free domestic airport lounge facility in the next quarter.
For example, if you want lounge access between July 1 and September 30, 2025, you will have to spend Rs 75,000 between March 26 and June 25, 2025. This rule will apply only to select ICICI credit cards. However, premium cards such as Emeralde, Diamant, Adani One, MakeMyTrip and Times Black cards will be exempted from this condition.
The bank has also clarified that expenses related to rent, education, government services, EMI, fees and reversal will not be added to this limit of Rs 75,000.
HDFC Bank: 1% charge will be levied on gaming and wallet loading
HDFC Bank is also going to make big changes in its credit card rules from July 1, 2025. If you use online gaming or third-party wallets, then it is important to know these changes.
1. Charges on online gaming
If a customer spends more than Rs 10,000 in a month on online skill-based gaming (such as Dream11, MPL, Rummy Culture, etc.), a fee of 1% will be charged. This fee will be limited to a maximum of Rs 4,999. Also, no reward points will be given on such spending.
2. Charges on wallet loading
If you load more than Rs 10,000 into a third-party wallet like Paytm or Mobikwik, this will also attract a 1% fee, capped at Rs 4,999.
3. Utility and insurance payments
If a customer pays a utility bill of more than Rs 50,000 (consumer cards) or Rs 75,000 (business cards), a 1% fee will be charged on the entire utility expense, up to Rs 4,999. Insurance is not included in the scope of utility, but a limit has been set on the reward points available on insurance payments.
Limit of reward points on insurance
- Infinia/Infinia Metal: Maximum 10,000 points per month
- Diners Black/Biz Black Metal: Maximum 5,000 points
- Other cards: Maximum 2,000 points
- There will be no limit on Marriott Bonvoy cards
4. Changes on rent, fuel and education too
Rent, fuel, and education payments will continue to attract a 1% fee as before, but the maximum charge will now be Rs 4,999 per transaction.
This charge on fuel will be levied when the transaction is above Rs 15,000 or Rs 30,000.
Education charges will be levied only when payment is made through third-party apps. This charge will not be levied if payment is made directly to the school or college. These new rules of ICICI and HDFC Bank are aimed at regulating specific expenses and strengthening financial tracking. If you use credit card for these services, then plan keeping these changes in mind so that the charge can be avoided.
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