HDFC DCB (LTF) to Infinia upgrade. Need advice

[sbatra]

My current relationship with HDFC (cc shared limit 7 lakhs) is
1. HDFC DCB (LTF) - Spends are 35-40k per month as I use other cards too. But can move all spends here.
2. HDFC Tata Neu Infinity (Paid) - but I use it for all insurance payments and some gold scheme at Mia. So annual spend reaches 3 lakhs
3. HDFC Swiggy (LTF) - Very rarely used as I live in tier 2 city and don't order food online much. Instamart and Dineout are not available. Kept it till now, because maybe I will relocate to Tier 1 city in a year or two.
3. Salary account with Rs. ~3 lakh per month and 10-15 lakhs FDs in Imperia family account.

My other cards which I use regularly:
1. Axis Atlas
2. ICICI EPM (just got it)
3. SBI Cashback

I want to upgrade to Infinia due to daily limits on the DCB plastic. But all my upgrade and limit increase requests in last two years have been rejected by the bank.

I will shift to APay (using ICICI EPM) for insurance and also got Tata Neu Infinity for my wife as backup.

My question is
1. will closing Tata Neu infinity and Swiggy card help?
2. People in Tier 1 cities, is swiggy card useful to you guys? It is worth keeping?

 

[sd.ac]

No guarantee this will work but you will need to do the following: move all spends to DCB (Diners is not accepted everywhere so I mean all spends where it is accepted). Once you have a few months of spends on the card, write and ask for a credit-limit-enhancement. You want to be at a minimum CL of 8+ but ideally close to 10L. Then after a few months you can write and ask for the upgrade. Even then things look unclear - because of some recent changes people have been posting about here but the steps I outline would be the bare minimum to be able to hope (ha ha).

 

[Aniket Sharma]

No guarantee this will work but you will need to do the following: move all spends to DCB (Diners is not accepted everywhere so I mean all spends where it is accepted). Once you have a few months of spends on the card, write and ask for a credit-limit-enhancement. You want to be at a minimum CL of 8+ but ideally close to 10L. Then after a few months you can write and ask for the upgrade. Even then things look unclear - because of some recent changes people have been posting about here but the steps I outline would be the bare minimum to be able to hope (ha ha).

This will also not work.

In mid of this year

The criteria was also revised again & again.

The criteria for now is unknown but previously it was 12 lacs CL & 10 Lacs Spends.

 

[moglibhai]

My current relationship with HDFC (cc shared limit 7 lakhs) is
1. HDFC DCB (LTF) - Spends are 35-40k per month as I use other cards too. But can move all spends here.
2. HDFC Tata Neu Infinity (Paid) - but I use it for all insurance payments and some gold scheme at Mia. So annual spend reaches 3 lakhs
3. HDFC Swiggy (LTF) - Very rarely used as I live in tier 2 city and don't order food online much. Instamart and Dineout are not available. Kept it till now, because maybe I will relocate to Tier 1 city in a year or two.
3. Salary account with Rs. ~3 lakh per month and 10-15 lakhs FDs in Imperia family account.

My other cards which I use regularly:
1. Axis Atlas
2. ICICI EPM (just got it)
3. SBI Cashback

I want to upgrade to Infinia due to daily limits on the DCB plastic. But all my upgrade and limit increase requests in last two years have been rejected by the bank.

I will shift to APay (using ICICI EPM) for insurance and also got Tata Neu Infinity for my wife as backup.

My question is
1. will closing Tata Neu infinity and Swiggy card help?
2. People in Tier 1 cities, is swiggy card useful to you guys? It is worth keeping?

Reply to 2-

I'm currently residing in Delhi and for me, the Swiggy HDFC card has been a total saviour — especially for grocery shopping. I usually spend around ₹10K+ monthly on groceries, and I’ve noticed that Swiggy Instamart prices are quite close to local market rates and in few cases I got much lower prices compared to market with additonal offers.

With this card, I get 10% cashback on Instamart orders, with a cap of ₹1500 per month, which I consistently hit. On top of that, the card also gives 5% cashback on select merchants like Amazon, Flipkart, etc., with a separate ₹1500 cap — so that’s additional savings if you use it smartly.

In my case, I easily save around ₹1500 a month just on groceries and saving since last 4 months, so for anyone who orders regularly from Swiggy/Instamart, especially in Tier 1 cities, this card is definitely worth keeping.

 

[sd.ac]

This will also not work.

In mid of this year

The criteria was also revised again & again.

The criteria for now is unknown but previously it was 12 lacs CL & 10 Lacs Spends.

I will disagree with this. HDFC does not make the rules for Infinia clear - it's confusing at best. This means that a lot depends on their perception of the applicant and for account holders, the RM, BM etc. I would hesitate to make sweeping statements since for every 10 posts about how an upgrade was denied, there is 1 post saying it was successful (without the salary requirement). My recommendation is to always ensure that you are in the right ballpark - high CL and spends - and then ask for upgrades and follow up on them.
My own journey: Regalia --> paid DCB --> Metal Infinia --> LTF DCB --> Metal Infinia --> Plastic Infinia
does not make a whole lot of sense but it was actually a logical journey - for me (and I didn't have much of a relationship with HDFC during all this). In short, each user's experience is unique...

 

[Kabir_1112]

I did not understand the recent criteria if hdfc for new upgrades for their super premium cards. But I total agree with @Aniket Sharma hdfc has actually made it difficult to upgrade to their super premium card and so did icici bank for epm. The lucky ones have already received it in the past, but the new ones are still waiting for it and banks are tightening the screw. Maybe instead of devaluating it, this could be their move.

 

[mojo_jojo123]

I will disagree with this. HDFC does not make the rules for Infinia clear - it's confusing at best. This means that a lot depends on their perception of the applicant and for account holders, the RM, BM etc. I would hesitate to make sweeping statements since for every 10 posts about how an upgrade was denied, there is 1 post saying it was successful (without the salary requirement). My recommendation is to always ensure that you are in the right ballpark - high CL and spends - and then ask for upgrades and follow up on them.
My own journey: Regalia --> paid DCB --> Metal Infinia --> LTF DCB --> Metal Infinia --> Plastic Infinia
does not make a whole lot of sense but it was actually a logical journey - for me (and I didn't have much of a relationship with HDFC during all this). In short, each user's experience is unique...

is HDFC issuing Plastic Infinia now ?

 

[sd.ac]

is HDFC issuing Plastic Infinia now ?

I don't know - my downgrade from metal to plastic was around a year ago (2023 or early 2024).

 

[exclusion]

@sd.ac @Aniket Sharma
Need some help picking an hdfc card.

I've been trying to get a nice hdfc card for the past 4 years but haven't been able to.

I was offered a DCB Plastic LTF in alumni offer 2 years back but just as I was going to apply, the offer was pulled out. Then I had an option for LTF Regalia Gold for a long time until end of last year but I kept thinking the DCB LTF will come back at some point but it never did.

I mainly need an Hdfc card to cover the discounts on online shopping.

I've had my salary account in HDFC for a while now and recently converted it to a corporate account. The latest offer on the online portal was a DCBM paid, Regalia Gold paid and a Marriott Bonvoy paid. And because of all this mess, I couldn't apply for the LTF Swiggy card when it got offered to me on the Swiggy app which is now showing FYF.

But earlier this month, somebody from the bank called me and told me there's an offer for LTF Swiggy HDFC card and that it won't have the same issue as other co-branded cards like Tata Neu where it's hard to get a core card after getting it, if you don't have a core card already. So I went ahead and got the Swiggy card(My first hdfc credit card). It has a limit of around ~9L.

I then got some email from hdfc to get a core card if I visit the branch. I went to the branch and they said they can give me a DCP/RegaliaGold FYF or a Millenia LTF.

I just need a main card to do all online/offline spends. I don't travel by flights much internationally. Just a bit of occasional domestic travel. I have existing cards that can cover the free lounge access.

Existing cards:
Amazon ICICI LTF
Flipkart Axis LTF
RBL Shoprite (converted from Zomato) LTF
ICICI Sapphiro LTF
ICICI Coral Rupay LTF
Axis Rewards (converted from Citi Rewards)
Swiggy hdfc LTF

Got rejected recently for SBI cashback so that ship has sailed.

Given all this, would it be optimal for me to get an HDFC Millenia LTF, Regalia Gold FYF or paid DCBM?
Btw, this hdfc card will come as a dual card with a credit limit split from the Swiggy hdfc card which has a 9L limit. So new limit will be 4.5L each.

 

[theXfactor]

I don't know - my downgrade from metal to plastic was around a year ago (2023 or early 2024).

That's interesting! Can you please how was Infinia Metal to Plastic possible? and what triggered this reverse move?

 

[Aniket Sharma]

@sd.ac @Aniket Sharma
Need some help picking an hdfc card.

I've been trying to get a nice hdfc card for the past 4 years but haven't been able to.

I was offered a DCB Plastic LTF in alumni offer 2 years back but just as I was going to apply, the offer was pulled out. Then I had an option for LTF Regalia Gold for a long time until end of last year but I kept thinking the DCB LTF will come back at some point but it never did.

I mainly need an Hdfc card to cover the discounts on online shopping.

I've had my salary account in HDFC for a while now and recently converted it to a corporate account. The latest offer on the online portal was a DCBM paid, Regalia Gold paid and a Marriott Bonvoy paid. And because of all this mess, I couldn't apply for the LTF Swiggy card when it got offered to me on the Swiggy app which is now showing FYF.

But earlier this month, somebody from the bank called me and told me there's an offer for LTF Swiggy HDFC card and that it won't have the same issue as other co-branded cards like Tata Neu where it's hard to get a core card after getting it, if you don't have a core card already. So I went ahead and got the Swiggy card(My first hdfc credit card). It has a limit of around ~9L.

I then got some email from hdfc to get a core card if I visit the branch. I went to the branch and they said they can give me a DCP/RegaliaGold FYF or a Millenia LTF.

I just need a main card to do all online/offline spends. I don't travel by flights much internationally. Just a bit of occasional domestic travel. I have existing cards that can cover the free lounge access.

Existing cards:
Amazon ICICI LTF
Flipkart Axis LTF
RBL Shoprite (converted from Zomato) LTF
ICICI Sapphiro LTF
ICICI Coral Rupay LTF
Axis Rewards (converted from Citi Rewards)
Swiggy hdfc LTF

Got rejected recently for SBI cashback so that ship has sailed.

Given all this, would it be optimal for me to get an HDFC Millenia LTF, Regalia Gold FYF or paid DCBM?
Btw, this hdfc card will come as a dual card with a credit limit split from the Swiggy hdfc card which has a 9L limit. So new limit will be 4.5L each.

limits got shared only, never split unless you pickup pixel card.

How many months passed from your last approval?

 

[exclusion]

limits got shared only, never split unless you pickup pixel card.

How many months passed from your last approval?

Oh, he was mentioning that there are 2 ways to go about it. Either a shared limit or a split limit and said I could choose either. Bill will be separate though.

My last approval was 2 weeks back for the Swiggy card. And due to this I can't apply for anything online as it says I need to wait. But this branch person said he can override it and do a manual application from the branch.

 

[mojo_jojo123]

Oh, he was mentioning that there are 2 ways to go about it. Either a shared limit or a split limit and said I could choose either. Bill will be separate though.

My last approval was 2 weeks back for the Swiggy card. And due to this I can't apply for anything online as it says I need to wait. But this branch person said he can override it and do a manual application from the branch.

is there a restriction that you can apply only 1 application in some days ?

 

[Kabir_1112]

is there a restriction that you can apply only 1 application in some days ?

Yes, there is for hdfc cards. LE, new card, upgrade everything needs a 6 month cool off period.

 

[mojo_jojo123]

Yes, there is for hdfc cards. LE, new card, upgrade everything needs a 6 month cool off period.

I got floater card hdfc tata neu 1 month back . based on my hdfc dcb .. now can't I apply another hdfc floater card immediately ?

 

[Aniket Sharma]

Bro, fake promises are always told by them

Understand there is no split in limits for core & cobranded except pixel.

Also a gap of 6 month is mandatory, anyhow it will get rejected.

enjoy the risk of free cibil hit with the said person.

Oh, he was mentioning that there are 2 ways to go about it. Either a shared limit or a split limit and said I could choose either. Bill will be separate though.

My last approval was 2 weeks back for the Swiggy card. And due to this I can't apply for anything online as it says I need to wait. But this branch person said he can override it and do a manual application from the branch.

 

[nikhilv0303]

People in Tier 1 cities, is swiggy card useful to you guys? It is worth keeping?

Absolutely worth keeping if you’re planning to move to an area where Swiggy is going to be available (Food, Grocery, Dining)

 

[Sivakumar]

I will disagree with this. HDFC does not make the rules for Infinia clear - it's confusing at best. This means that a lot depends on their perception of the applicant and for account holders, the RM, BM etc. I would hesitate to make sweeping statements since for every 10 posts about how an upgrade was denied, there is 1 post saying it was successful (without the salary requirement). My recommendation is to always ensure that you are in the right ballpark - high CL and spends - and then ask for upgrades and follow up on them.
My own journey: Regalia --> paid DCB --> Metal Infinia --> LTF DCB --> Metal Infinia --> Plastic Infinia
does not make a whole lot of sense but it was actually a logical journey - for me (and I didn't have much of a relationship with HDFC during all this). In short, each user's experience is unique...

Even I am interested in knowing the switch from inifina metal to plastic….

 

[sd.ac]

@sd.ac @Aniket Sharma
Need some help picking an hdfc card.

I've been trying to get a nice hdfc card for the past 4 years but haven't been able to.

I just need a main card to do all online/offline spends. I don't travel by flights much internationally. Just a bit of occasional domestic travel. I have existing cards that can cover the free lounge access.

Existing cards:
Amazon ICICI LTF
Flipkart Axis LTF
RBL Shoprite (converted from Zomato) LTF
ICICI Sapphiro LTF
ICICI Coral Rupay LTF
Axis Rewards (converted from Citi Rewards)
Swiggy hdfc LTF

Got rejected recently for SBI cashback so that ship has sailed.

Given all this, would it be optimal for me to get an HDFC Millenia LTF, Regalia Gold FYF or paid DCBM?
Btw, this hdfc card will come as a dual card with a credit limit split from the Swiggy hdfc card which has a 9L limit. So new limit will be 4.5L each.

Since you tagged me, here are my inputs. The Regalia Gold is a good card to start with. It's a step in the upgrade-ladder of HDFC (to a more rewarding card) and since it's FYF, you can take it for a year and then re-evaluate it's usefulness at the end of 10 months or so.

You have to think about the following: credit card users need to pick between two paths. (1) Cashback with minimal planning: best done with a curated collection of LTF cards - each with a niche use-case (like HDFC-Swiggy for Swiggy orders and so on) OR (2) Rewards with some planning: this is best done within an Ecosystem (HDFC, Axis and Amex being examples). Within the ecosystem, you start with a 'good' card and learn how the ecosystem works (in this case, smartbuy, vouchers, point-redemptions and importantly, exclusions). Then move up the ladder.

 

[sd.ac]

That's interesting! Can you please how was Infinia Metal to Plastic possible? and what triggered this reverse move?

At the time, I wanted to use the Infinia as my 'only' card. The metal card's tap-to-pay feature works only on one side (you can run a search to see why this is the case - metal cards rely on a plastic layer to enable this feature). The 10th time I told a shopkeeper to turn the card over (to tap), I decided this was simply too inconvenient (I might as well have stayed with the DCB which never worked on tap-to-pay machines). I emailed PriorityRedressal.CreditCards@ about this and they offered me the downgrade. Win-win for me since I'm not a 'huge' spender and the annual fee waiver also came down (from 10L for metal to 8L for plastic).