• Hey there! Welcome to TFC! View fewer ads on the website just by signing up on TF Community.

INSANE 7 TO 7.7% CASHBACK ON FUEL PURCHASES USING IDFC POWER+CC

Hi folks. I have been using the idfc power plus CC for last 2 months. It is one of the most complicated CCs in terms of its usage. But I have figured out the best way to milk maximum cashback out of this CC. Combined with the ongoing 3% happy coins valueback offer on HP pay(valid till 31st March), I could get a sweet 7.7% cashback on this card (cashback of around Rs.25 on a purchase of Rs.300 fuel). Here's how I received this cashback:-
1. Went to my nearest HP pay gas station. Asked that guy whether they accept HP pay wallet. He said yes.
2. Immediately loaded HP pay wallet with Rs.300 using my IDFC power+ CC using CC-Avenue portal. Paid the amount from wallet by scanning the HP pay QR pasted on the wall. (0.85% = Rs.2.5 surcharge for wallet load)--> This is better than swipping the card where the fuel surcharge is 1% and the swipe machine may not be registered to HP.
3. Got 60 reward points in idfc app after 2 days when the amount got settled (30X for every Rs.150)
4. Addl. 33 reward points received immediately in HP pay app in the form of Happycoins(Transferred those points to HP pay wallet)--> This is before scanning and paying to the petrol pump.
5. After scanning and paying I received 3% more happy coins(=9 happycoins) as part of the HP pay fuel fest that has been going on.View attachment 84887

So for a fuel purchase of Rs.300 I received 60+33+9=102 reward points= Rs.25.5( 1 RP=0.25 rupees)
After deducting the Rs.2.5 surcharge net cashback=Rs.23(7.7%)

Even if u remove the 3% bonus points cashback after the march 31st offer ends, still the cashback will be around 7% which is very good.

I know that there will be a redemption fees of Rs.99+gst but considering that IDFC points never expire, I can accummulate these points and then redeem them after some time. This almost competes with bpcl octane card's cashback(SBI octane CC's fees is 3 times that of IDFC PP).
Moreover IDFC has modified its reward point notification system wherein we can check how much reward points we r receiving within 2 days once the amount is settled(like sbi CB card). This makes it easy to track the cashback.View attachment 84880View attachment 84881
It seems they've changed the PG can you check that is it still working and we'll get points?

Merchant name : Hindustanpetroleumcorpo,Mumbai

MCC: 5541
 
Last edited:
Actually the HP dealer is to be blamed here. Some HP dealers deliberately rig their pos machines to fail credit card transactions to avoid paying the MDR charges. Same thing happened to me the first time I tried the card. The swipe machine read failed transaction even though my card was active and the guy insisted me to pay using his paytm qr code. Apparently they do not have to pay high MDR charges if paid using paytm QR code. Same problem happens at many other petrol pumps too be it BPCL/IOCL/HPCL. Many fellow TF members have complained about being unable to redeem BPCL Octane card's reward points because the petrol pump doesnt have the correct POS machine. To overcome this issue HPCL has pasted their own qr codes on the walls. This eliminates the whole POS machine hassle while also giving more return. If the petrol pump guy denies using the QR code for HP pay then u can email a complain to HP website. The manager will himself call u and apologise( real story..read it somewhere is reddit). HPCL is minting huge money through their cobranded cards in the market. They r more than happy when customer uses HP pay app. Currently HP pay app+IDFC PP card is the most rewarding and smooth process among all fuel cards.
One fellow I know had the opposite experience by relying on QR. The HP Pay QR was deactivated at that HP petrol pump so he wasn't able to pay by HP Pay at all. He hadn't carried the physical Power+ card with him. Couldn't pay by card at all.

Meanwhile I was still angry about my Power+ card not working at one of the HP petrol pumps I visited. Neither tap worked (tried 3 times), nor swipe nor dip (by entering PIN). The HP POS said "Card not active" which is impossible since I had done ecom txns, UPI txn with Power+ and made sure all channels were on. Since IDFC said there was no log or trace of card declined or txn failure at any HP petrol pump and because you told me how some dealers deliberately rig their POS machines to fail, I reached out to HPCL higher ups. They called me and asked which petrol pump I had visited, and said they will check with the dealer. After that I got a phone call from HPCL where they said: "We have an exclusive tie-up with certain banks like BOB, IDFC, ICICI. I can assure you that there are no MDR charges passed on to the dealer in any case."

Also their reply to my complaint on Twitter was this:
HPCL.webp

So HP passing the blame onto the bank and IDFC passing the blame onto HPCL. I am certain the issue was not with the card as it worked fine at other merchants, issue was with the HP POS which they are refusing to acknowledge. I got furious and tweeted up a tweetstorm non-stop. IDFC social media team called and offered me a ₹500 Amazon Shopping voucher. They offered the voucher on call and I deleted my tweets.

My Power+ card is now closed. I only lost the GST amount. I got IndusInd Titanium Delights debit card which gives 5% on ANY fuel MCC regardless of brand so I don't have to worry about BPCL, IOCL, HPCL also no 1% fuel surcharge since it's a debit card.
 
Last edited:
One fellow I know had the opposite experience by relying on QR. The HP Pay QR was deactivated at that HP petrol pump so he wasn't able to pay by HP Pay at all. He hadn't carried the physical Power+ card with him. Couldn't pay by card at all.

Meanwhile I was still angry about my Power+ card not working at one of the HP petrol pumps I visited. Neither tap worked (tried 3 times), nor swipe nor dip (by entering PIN). The HP POS said "Card not active" which is impossible since I had done ecom txns, UPI txn with Power+ and made sure all channels were on. Since IDFC said there was no log or trace of card declined or txn failure at any HP petrol pump and because you told me how some dealers deliberately rig their POS machines to fail, I reached out to HPCL higher ups. They called me and asked which petrol pump I had visited, and said they will check with the dealer. After that I got a phone call from HPCL where they said: "We have an exclusive tie-up with certain banks like BOB, IDFC, ICICI. I can assure you that there are no MDR charges passed on to the dealer in any case."

Also their reply to my complaint on Twitter was this:
View attachment 87193

So HP passing the blame onto the bank and IDFC passing the blame onto HPCL. I am certain the issue was not with the card as it worked fine at other merchants, issue was with the HP POS which they are refusing to acknowledge. I got furious and tweeted up a tweetstorm non-stop. IDFC social media team called and offered me a ₹500 Amazon Shopping voucher. They offered the voucher on call and I deleted my tweets.

My Power+ card is now closed. I only lost the GST amount. I got IndusInd Titanium Delights debit card which gives 5% on ANY fuel MCC regardless of brand so I don't have to worry about BPCL, IOCL, HPCL also no 1% fuel surcharge since it's a debit card.
Damn bro. Feel sorry for you regarding this whole ordeal. But I still feel that it was the dealer's mistake and not from IDFC bank. The dealer has definitely rigged his POS machine. As u might know that for each POS transaction the merchant (specific petrol pump dealer in this case) has to pay certain % as MDR charges. This MDR charges actually constitues 3 different charges:-
1. Network fee( VISA/MC/Rupay/Amex)
2. Payment gateway fee( Eg. Razorpay, PayU, Paytm etc) depends on which POS machine is used
3. Interchange fee--> fees taken by the issuer bank--> IDFC bank if u r using IDFC PP credit card
So MDR = Interchange fee + Processing charges + Network fee(+gst)
For example if each of these 3 fees is 1% then the merchant has to pay total 3% MDR charges.

This is roughly the MDR charges for different payment modes in India today:-
-For CC in POS: Around 3%( even more in Amex/diners Club cards)
- For Debit card in POS: 0.5-1%
- For UPI: 0.25%-0.75%
To avoid this high CC MDR fees some merchants disable CC payments in their POS. Moreover some have multiple POS machines--> one to show to HPCL(CC enabled) in case they question them and another one which they actually use for customers where they disable CC payment. When HPCL said that they dont charge any fees they r specifically talking about interchange fees only. The merchant still has to pay the network fees+ payment gateway fees=2%. So he might have disabled the CC in his POS and when HPCL asked him then he might have given details of his other POS machine where CC payments r not disables. You should have asked him to change the POS machine or tried with some other credit card to confirm whether CC is disabled or not. U r still lucky that IDFC finally gave you 500 voucher.
To avoid this whole drama it is better to go to 2-3 HPCL outlets near you and try your luck. Not all HPCL outlets r bad. It is just about finding the right outlet and avoiding the other ones. The HPCL pump people near my house happily accept HP pay as of now.
 
1% charges now so ig same for wallet load or surcharge 🥲
Ya earlier there was option to choose either of 2 payment gateways: Paytm(1% charge) or CC Avenue(0.85% charge). Now CC- Avenue option is not showing in the app.Only paytm gateway available So 1% surcharge. There has been no official communication from HPCL. This could be a temporary issue before bring back the CC-Avenue option. Lets wait and see.
 
Damn bro. Feel sorry for you regarding this whole ordeal. But I still feel that it was the dealer's mistake and not from IDFC bank. The dealer has definitely rigged his POS machine. As u might know that for each POS transaction the merchant (specific petrol pump dealer in this case) has to pay certain % as MDR charges. This MDR charges actually constitues 3 different charges:-
1. Network fee( VISA/MC/Rupay/Amex)
2. Payment gateway fee( Eg. Razorpay, PayU, Paytm etc) depends on which POS machine is used
3. Interchange fee--> fees taken by the issuer bank--> IDFC bank if u r using IDFC PP credit card
So MDR = Interchange fee + Processing charges + Network fee(+gst)
For example if each of these 3 fees is 1% then the merchant has to pay total 3% MDR charges.

This is roughly the MDR charges for different payment modes in India today:-
-For CC in POS: Around 3%( even more in Amex/diners Club cards)
- For Debit card in POS: 0.5-1%
- For UPI: 0.25%-0.75%
To avoid this high CC MDR fees some merchants disable CC payments in their POS. Moreover some have multiple POS machines--> one to show to HPCL(CC enabled) in case they question them and another one which they actually use for customers where they disable CC payment. When HPCL said that they dont charge any fees they r specifically talking about interchange fees only. The merchant still has to pay the network fees+ payment gateway fees=2%. So he might have disabled the CC in his POS and when HPCL asked him then he might have given details of his other POS machine where CC payments r not disables. You should have asked him to change the POS machine or tried with some other credit card to confirm whether CC is disabled or not. U r still lucky that IDFC finally gave you 500 voucher.
To avoid this whole drama it is better to go to 2-3 HPCL outlets near you and try your luck. Not all HPCL outlets r bad. It is just about finding the right outlet and avoiding the other ones. The HPCL pump people near my house happily accept HP pay as of now.
But I doubt if HPCL would rephrase the meaning of MDR as you are claiming. This is what they replied:
MDR.webp
 
But I doubt if HPCL would rephrase the meaning of MDR as you are claiming. This is what they replied:
View attachment 87247
They r definitely trying to imply "no interchange" fees. People often confuse "MDR" with "interchange" fees and use them interchangeably. No payment can go through with zero MDR fees otherwise VISA/MC networks and gateways like Paytm/pinelabs might have gone bankrupt long back. It is clearly some lazy customer care person at HPCL who has written "MDR" instead of "interchange fees".
 
1% charges now so ig same for wallet load or surcharge 🥲
HP has rectified the issue now. It is back to 0.85% surcharge on wallet load using IDFC First Power plus credit card. If direct upi payment using card without wallet loading then surcharge will be 1%(same as POS swipe)
 
HP has rectified the issue now. It is back to 0.85% surcharge on wallet load using IDFC First Power plus credit card. If direct upi payment using card without wallet loading then surcharge will be 1%(same as POS swipe)
Loading wallet before 31st March and after 1st April will fetch same RP?
 
Loading wallet before 31st March and after 1st April will fetch same RP?
No. We will continue to get the base rate of 6 happy coins per Rs.100 wallet load but the additional 3% happycoins wont be given. Currently we are getting 6(base reward)+3(HP fuelfest offer)=9 happycoins=Rs.2.25 per Rs.100 wallet load. After 31st may we will get continue to get only 6 happycoins= Rs.1.5 per Rs 100 wallet load. Better to load some amount in the wallet and keep before the Fuel fest offer ends. Note that we r getting 3% happy coins during wallet load as well as after scanning and paying through the wallet at petrol pump. So essentially we r getting 6% Happy coins currently as part of the HP fuel fest. So grab ur vehicles and fill full tank petrol before 31st march.
 
Last edited:
No. We will continue to get the base rate of 6 happy coins per Rs.100 wallet load but the additional 3% happycoins wont be given. Currently we are getting 6(base reward)+3(HP fuelfest offer)=9 happycoins=Rs.2.25 per Rs.100 wallet load. After 31st may we will get continue to get only 6 happycoins= Rs.1.5 per Rs 100 wallet load. Better to load some amount in the wallet and keep before the Fuel fest offer ends. Note that we r getting 3% happy coins during wallet load as well as after scanning and paying through the wallet at petrol pump. So essentially we r getting 6% Happy coins currently as part of the HP fuel fest. So grab ur vehicles and fill fuel tank petrol before 31st march.
Can we add to wallet then pay for cylinder booking as well?
 
Yes. HP pay wallet balance can be used for booking HP cylinder. But we wont get extra 3% happycoins while paying for the gas cylinder from HP pay wallet.
So if I get this card, I need to load HP walled using this card then I can pay at any HP outlet as long as they accept HP pay?
Also I'm getting confused by your calculations as some are in HP coins and some in RP. can you simplify the calculations a bit. Remove the 3% HP bonus currently going on as it's almost over and I won't be able to utilize that.
 
So if I get this card, I need to load HP walled using this card then I can pay at any HP outlet as long as they accept HP pay?
Also I'm getting confused by your calculations as some are in HP coins and some in RP. can you simplify the calculations a bit. Remove the 3% HP bonus currently going on as it's almost over and I won't be able to utilize that.
No need to load the wallet. You can just scan HP Pay QR code at fuel station and pay using HP Power+ credit card. This gives you rewards points on credit card, no surcharge waiver. Also, paying via HP Pay gives rewards worth 1.5/ on regular days when offer is not running.
 
No need to load the wallet. You can just scan HP Pay QR code at fuel station and pay using HP Power+ credit card. This gives you rewards points on credit card, no surcharge waiver. Also, paying via HP Pay gives rewards worth 1.5/ on regular days when offer is not running.
Tried applying for this on IDFC website but its only showing first wow for me. Not able to get any fuel card when I need them. FML
 
So if I get this card, I need to load HP walled using this card then I can pay at any HP outlet as long as they accept HP pay?
Also I'm getting confused by your calculations as some are in HP coins and some in RP. can you simplify the calculations a bit. Remove the 3% HP bonus currently going on as it's almost over and I won't be able to utilize that.
This is the return on IDFC PP credit card without the HP fuel fest bonus if used for HP pay wallet loading:-
-- IDFC gives 30X reward points per Rs.150 wallet loading: 1RP= Rs.0.25. So u get 30 X 0.25= Rs.7.5 per Rs.150 wallet loading.
-- Next as soon as you load the wallet, HP app gives you 6 Happy coins per Rs.100 wallet load.(1 Happy coin= Rs.0.25). So for Rs.150 wallet load you will get 6+3=9 Happycoins= Rs.2.25

So finally for Rs 150 wallet load through IDFC PP card you get cashback of Rs.7.5 + 2.25= Rs.9.75. This means 6.5% return.

-- There is wallet load surcharge of 0.85%. So net return= 6.5%-0.85%= 5.65%.( If you use POS swipe or scan and pay directly using credit card then the surchage will be 1% instead of 0.85%)

-- Currently with HP fuel fest this return increases to 7%.

-- There will be Rs.99+gst reward redemption fee on IDFC app. But because IDFC RPs never expire so you can accumulate them and redeem them together after sometime.
 
Tried applying for this on IDFC website but its only showing first wow for me. Not able to get any fuel card when I need them. FML
Could be CIBIL issue. If you have a credit card of some other bank you can easily apply on card to card basis on the app. Once u get any one of IDFC first bank's credit cards then it is very easy to get Power Plus card. I got it as a floater card on my IDFC millenia card within 4 months.
 
This is the return on IDFC PP credit card without the HP fuel fest bonus if used for HP pay wallet loading:-
-- IDFC gives 30X reward points per Rs.150 wallet loading: 1RP= Rs.0.25. So u get 30 X 0.25= Rs.7.5 per Rs.150 wallet loading.
-- Next as soon as you load the wallet, HP app gives you 6 Happy coins per Rs.100 wallet load.(1 Happy coin= Rs.0.25). So for Rs.150 wallet load you will get 6+3=9 Happycoins= Rs.2.25

So finally for Rs 150 wallet load through IDFC PP card you get cashback of Rs.7.5 + 2.25= Rs.9.75. This means 6.5% return.

-- There is wallet load surcharge of 0.85%. So net return= 6.5%-0.85%= 5.65%.( If you use POS swipe or scan and pay directly using credit card then the surchage will be 1% instead of 0.85%)

-- Currently with HP fuel fest this return increases to 7%.

-- There will be Rs.99+gst reward redemption fee on IDFC app. But because IDFC RPs never expire so you can accumulate them and redeem them together after sometime.
So excepting any special limited period offers, actual highest possible return on this card when we deduct the surcharge is just 5.65%? Not 6.5%? I am still using my IndusInd Titanium Delights debit card instead for a flat 5% on any fuel MCC and no surcharge (doesn't matter if IOCL, HPCL or BPCL), doesn't matter even if they have a Paytm or PhonePe POS. Of course, debit card as a payment method should be accepted but most do. Card's charges waived off for entire year upon doing 25K DC "spends". Redemption of RPs is thru Indus netbanking. Max 750 per month.

Although I may take this IDFC card again for 5% on grocery MCCs. First I just have to make sure some HP petrol pumps where this card actually works.
 
I am facing an issue while trying to use my HPCL BoB Energie Credit Card at HPCL fuel outlets.

The outlet refuses to provide the HP Pay QR code for payments via the HP Pay app.

Instead, they only offer a store UPI card (which is not supported by HP Pay) or insist on payments via HP Wallet.

Already raised a complaint with HPCL, no response.

HPCL BoB Energie Credit Card is simply waste for me.

What about IDFC HPCL Card? Same way.

Can we get cashback without using HP Pay QR code?
 
Back
Top