ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Card Application Process Experience & My Opinion - Dr.Anand456

[Dr.Anand456]

@dr.

Hi,
Just when checked the list of outlets, where Toni & Guy voucher is accepted, there is no south Indian cities.
Anyone from Bangalore, or other southern cities applied for this card, ? and able to redeem this 3k voucher ?


TIA .

Sorry, bro. I'm from North India and currently living in Delhi NCR, so I can't help you with this particular matter.

 

[imdjay]

Fully agree with you. I can see 8 free movies on BMS via my RBL Insignia but I never use it.

where do you see this? isn't insignia giving 2 times 500rs. per month only?

 

[P3T3R_GOA]

Instead of the EPM they should have made this their premium card. It actually looks more premium than the EPM.
How much stock of the old Times of India printing press plates do they have? Is this card a limited edition or something?
Rather than competing with the Infinia and Magnus they seem to be more like the SBI Aurum on features at double the price.
I also found it strange that TOI partnered with ICICI rather than HDFC. For those who remember, TOI had a bank called Timesbank which later merged with HDFC. Would have made sense for them to partner with HDFC for the Times Black.

 

[Dr.Anand456]

Instead of the EPM they should have made this their premium card. It actually looks more premium than the EPM.
How much stock of the old Times of India printing press plates do they have? Is this card a limited edition or something?
Rather than competing with the Infinia and Magnus they seem to be more like the SBI Aurum on features at double the price.
I also found it strange that TOI partnered with ICICI rather than HDFC. For those who remember, TOI had a bank called Timesbank which later merged with HDFC. Would have made sense for them to partner with HDFC for the Times Black.

Yes, the Times Black credit card is a limited edition card. It is actually designed using printing plates from the Times printing machines. So, if this card is issued later to someone, it might have a different look or even be available in a plastic version.

As for why Times Network partnered with ICICI Bank instead of HDFC Bank, the reason is quite simple—business potential. Times Network would naturally prefer a partnership where its card can be sold more easily and in higher numbers.

If this card had been launched in partnership with HDFC Bank, it would have been a direct competitor to the Infinia card—no doubt about that. However, getting this card would have been much more difficult compared to ICICI Bank. Only a handful of people across India would have been able to obtain it.

So, I believe Times Network made this decision after careful consideration.

 

[abhiaj_geek]

Yes, the Times Black credit card is a limited edition card. It is actually designed using printing plates from the Times printing machines. So, if this card is issued later to someone, it might have a different look or even be available in a plastic version.

As for why Times Network partnered with ICICI Bank instead of HDFC Bank, the reason is quite simple—business potential. Times Network would naturally prefer a partnership where its card can be sold more easily and in higher numbers.

If this card had been launched in partnership with HDFC Bank, it would have been a direct competitor to the Infinia card—no doubt about that. However, getting this card would have been much more difficult compared to ICICI Bank. Only a handful of people across India would have been able to obtain it.

So, I believe Times Network made this decision after careful consideration.

Good point. Hdfc and Axis already have very good cards in premium segment.

 

[P3T3R_GOA]

If this card had been launched in partnership with HDFC Bank, it would have been a direct competitor to the Infinia card—no doubt about that. H

Good point. Hdfc and Axis already have very good cards in premium segment.

Isn't it a competitor to the Emeralde Private Metal which is a premium card from ICICI.

 

[abhiaj_geek]

Isn't it a competitor to the Emeralde Private Metal which is a premium card from ICICI.

No EPM is way too exclusive. Times Prime is less exclusive than even Sapphiro.

 

[Gkcards]

Yes, the Times Black credit card is a limited edition card. It is actually designed using printing plates from the Times printing machines. So, if this card is issued later to someone, it might have a different look or even be available in a plastic version.

As for why Times Network partnered with ICICI Bank instead of HDFC Bank, the reason is quite simple—business potential. Times Network would naturally prefer a partnership where its card can be sold more easily and in higher numbers.

If this card had been launched in partnership with HDFC Bank, it would have been a direct competitor to the Infinia card—no doubt about that. However, getting this card would have been much more difficult compared to ICICI Bank. Only a handful of people across India would have been able to obtain it.

So, I believe Times Network made this decision after careful consideration.

Times had a great card with HDFC a decade back or so

 

[Vbhoj74]

Are they requiring to upload the income documents? Non ICICI Customer.

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

@P3T3R_GOA @Dr.Anand456 Also the Times of India printing press plate thing - the card may just contain 1 milligram of the metal. So that they can issue lakhs of cards. It's not the full card material is coming from that plate.
Same marketing technique like how Bajaj launched a bike model named Bajaj V claiming to be using the metal piece of INR Vikrant for its engine box.

 

[abhiaj_geek]

@P3T3R_GOA @Dr.Anand456 Also the Times of India printing press plate thing - the card may just contain 1 milligram of the metal. So that they can issue lakhs of cards. It's not the full card material is coming from that plate.
Same marketing technique like how Bajaj launched a bike model named Bajaj V claiming to be using the metal piece of INR Vikrant for its engine box.

Ofc it is a marketing stunt. In this age where even paneer is not real paneer, I highly doubt they will actually bother to ensure where the metal is coming from.

 

[theXfactor]

Isn't it a competitor to the Emeralde Private Metal which is a premium card from ICICI.

Infact, Superior...only in terms of fees.

 

[Shinnok]

Looks like VISA Infinite BMS discount has added this bin range (4940 6000), was able to get a discount:

 

[Adith]

Looks like VISA Infinite BMS discount has added this bin range (4940 6000), was able to get a discount:

View attachment 115214

View attachment 115215

Yesss !! It's working !!

As days goes by , the card keeps getting better and better. Sweet.

 

[pranjal1984]

Looks like VISA Infinite BMS discount has added this bin range (4940 6000), was able to get a discount:

View attachment 115214

View attachment 115215

This is Visa Infinite offer which is applicable for all Visa Infinite cards having the mentioned BINs. My IDFC Wealth Card which is LTF is also included in this offer. Also regarding the movie offers , other cards are having much better offers. Pioneer Heritage Metal is having 4 Free Movie Tickets every quarter. Recently my family watched movie at Inox . Per seat cost was Rs 600 for Recliner Insignia. Total cost was Rs 2400 which was waived off and we only needed to pay Rs 300 as convenience fees for 4 recliner tickets on BMS.

 

[Kushagra_]

I have a question to those saying epm etc is better
Probably true but also

The quorum club and exclusive invite to private events thing feels unique to this card? Is that true and also are the events any good?

 

[Shinnok]

I have a question to those saying epm etc is better
Probably true but also

The quorum club and exclusive invite to private events thing feels unique to this card? Is that true and also are the events any good?

Quorum club discount is also available with Plat Charge, IMO a better option with the other benefits if you're spending that much money

All the event invites so far (except the Quorum Club ones) are paid

This card is quite definitely not worth it if you just want events/Quorum membership - it's only decent point IMO is gov spends (rewards (with cap upto 2.5L) on payments + milestones)

 

[Adith]

This is Visa Infinite offer which is applicable for all Visa Infinite cards having the mentioned BINs. My IDFC Wealth Card which is LTF is also included in this offer. Also regarding the movie offers , other cards are having much better offers. Pioneer Heritage Metal is having 4 Free Movie Tickets every quarter. Recently my family watched movie at Inox . Per seat cost was Rs 600 for Recliner Insignia. Total cost was Rs 2400 which was waived off and we only needed to pay Rs 300 as convenience fees for 4 recliner tickets on BMS.

Times black wasn't part of visa infinite bin list till today.

 

[Kushagra_]

Quorum club discount is also available with Plat Charge, IMO a better option with the other benefits if you're spending that much money

All the event invites so far (except the Quorum Club ones) are paid

This card is quite definitely not worth it if you just want events/Quorum membership - it's only decent point IMO is gov spends (rewards (with cap upto 2.5L) on payments + milestones)

But are the event invites truly private and special even if paid? Do they offer a value proposition of a unique experience
Because that's something I can't find for any other card

And events on bms etc are generic and crowded

 

[pranjal1984]

Times black wasn't part of visa infinite bin list till today.

Surprising to know considering the astronomical fees they charge.