Looking for HDFC Core Credit Card

[xlabd]

I have a long banking relationship with HDFC and hold a preferred account. I previously held the Swiggy Card, which I applied for directly through Swiggy. It is a wonderful card, but I soon realised I need a core HDFC card for better card upgrades and sale offers.

I closed my Swiggy card in July '25 (RIP 🙁 )
Now, I can see that a paid Millennia card is available to apply. Both Swiggy and Tata Neu are also paid cards.




Should I go for the paid Millennia card?
How much longer should I wait to get LTF offers on core cards?
Is it possible to reverse the annual charges or make it LTF before the card year ends?
Will I be able to reapply for LTF Swiggy that I held previously?

Any assistance with these questions is appreciated.

 

[hellowo₹ld]

If u don't have even 1L annual spends that you can do with "Millennia" card. Wait, and no there is no fixed timeline, based on your eligibility and txns, you may get the offer.

If u have 1L annual spends, then opt for "Millennia". U don't have to wait for LTF especially when ur looking for "better card upgrades".

Post in thread 'Guide to Choosing the Right Credit Card - Basic Requirements'

Oct 26, 2024

Basic Cards as Lifetime Free (LTF) May Not Be the Best Choice​

Opting for basic cards as LTF might seem appealing at first, but they often become unusable because of your increased spends and changes in preferred redemption. Also, basic cards often come with limits for earning and redemption restrictions, making it inconvenient to maximize rewards and benefits in the long run.

If it were 2021, the HDFC Millennia card might have been a solid choice. It remains a decent option even now, but not as an LTF card. Why? Because in reality, you probably wouldn't hold onto a basic card like...

• hellowo₹ld

• 

 

[akshayhs]

Should I go for the paid Millennia card?

Get the card, call them and get it converted to RuPay even before it is dispatched. With UPI on RuPay you can easily meet the 1L spend threshold. Get it converted after a year or two. Don't push immediately.

 

[Dr.AMAN]

If u can hold ur temptations then wait till December-January. Last year they offered Millenia LTF to many people during new year time.

 

[xlabd]

Amazing. Three responses to this post, and three different perspectives.

If u don't have even 1L annual spends that you can do with "Millennia" card. Wait, and no there is no fixed timeline, based on your eligibility and txns, you may get the offer.

If u have 1L annual spends, then opt for "Millennia". U don't have to wait for LTF especially when ur looking for "better card upgrades".

Love your philosophical approach. I read your other articles a while back as well. Your posts give a unique perspective on cards, expenses, and money. I can spend 1L or more on the card. However, this is not that great of a card tbf, when other cards can fetch me better rewards. This will be very useful for instant offers, tho. My aim is to get this card and start an upgrade path (No clue how to lol).

Get the card, call them and get it converted to RuPay even before it is dispatched. With UPI on RuPay you can easily meet the 1L spend threshold. Get it converted after a year or two. Don't push immediately.

This. This is such a good idea. I remember seeing a post a few days back.. Millennia in the RuPay variant, and many folks were emailing HDFC to get their hands on that card. I can also think about this. Fulfilling the spend criteria will be much easier then. Thanks~

If u can hold ur temptations then wait till December-January. Last year they offered Millenia LTF to many people during new year time.

YES! I've seen the HDFC year-end offer post active till June/July this year. I could also wait for a few months.
However, the Swiggy card tempts me. I want it back. And I can only get it after I have a core card in my hand. IDK how long Swiggy's temptation can last. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[komal]

If u can hold ur temptations then wait till December-January. Last year they offered Millenia LTF to many people during new year time.

They started offering now also till 31st October

 

[xlabd]

They started offering now also till 31st October

Where can I find the link?

 

[komal]

Where can I find the link?

Thread 'LTF Swiggy Offer For New Customers (Oct 2025)' https://technofino.in/community/threads/ltf-swiggy-offer-for-new-customers-oct-2025.44854/

Millennia Swiggy and biz are LTF now.

Not getting link for millennia, you can search website or twitter posts

 

[hellowo₹ld]

My aim is to get this card and start an upgrade path (No clue how to lol).

without spends its difficult to get the upgrades, not only HDFC but majority of the banks. Spends gives us high chances or We can also request them manual upgrade if not automatic but without spends we don't have upper bargain power to bank, IMO.

Millennia apprx. utilization:

swiggy/zomato: 2k per month = 24k per year
max/nykaa/myntra/jockey/tatacliq/ajo etc. online shopping: 10k per year
pharmeasy: 4k per year
bb/blinkit/zepto: 4k per month = 48k per year
Misc. spends: 14k per year (can include offline normal spends like servicing etc. where cc accepts)

However, this is not that great of a card tbf, when other cards can fetch me better rewards.

net return %: 5500/1L = 5.5%

its all about using right card at right place. I'm not sure with these specific spends any other card provide this return %.