HDFC Forex Card Load 5X Reward Points Offer

5X Reward Points Offer

Make every online load and reload on your HDFC Bank ForexPlus Card more rewarding! Use your HDFC Bank Credit Card and activate the power of 5X Reward Points Multiplier on every transaction.

5X Reward points offer details

• Customers can earn 5X Reward Points for every Forex Card load/reload transaction made using eligible HDFC Bank Credit Cards.
• Minimum Transaction Value: Rs15,000 per transaction.
• Maximum Reward Points (RP): Customers can earn a maximum of 15,000 Reward Points per calendar month during the offer period.

• Offer Period:​

  The 5X Reward Points Offer is valid for load / reload transactions settled between 1st January 2025 and 31st March 2025.
• https://offers.smartbuy.hdfcbank.com/offer_details/5x-rewards-points-offer/26166/Z2mkmWk%3D

• Card Type​	Base Earn Rate (1X)​	Additional 4XRP Capped at 15,000 RPs​	Total: 5X RP​	Max Spends for 5X​
  HDFC Bank Regalia First​	3RP/Rs.150​	12RP/Rs. 150​	15 RP/ Rs. 150​	187500​
  HDFC Bank Regalia​	4RP/Rs.150​	16RP/Rs. 150​	20 RP/ Rs. 150​	140625​
  HDFC Bank Regalia Activ​	4RP/Rs.150​	16RP/Rs. 150​	20 RP/ Rs. 150​	140625​
  HDFC Bank Regalia Gold​	4RP/Rs.150​	16RP/Rs. 150​	20 RP/ Rs. 150​	140625​
  HDFC Bank Diners Privilege​	4RP/Rs.150​	16RP/Rs. 150​	20 RP/ Rs. 150​	140625​
  HDFC Bank Diners Black​	5RP/Rs.150​	20RP/Rs. 150​	25 RP/ Rs. 150​	112500​
  HDFC Bank Diners Black Metal​	5RP/Rs.150​	20RP/Rs. 150​	25 RP/ Rs. 150​	112500​
  HDFC Bank Infinia​	5RP/Rs.150​	20RP/Rs. 150​	25 RP/ Rs. 150​	112500​
  HDFC Bank Infinia Metal​	5RP/Rs.150​	20RP/Rs. 150​	25 RP/ Rs. 150​	112500​

• The offer is applicable exclusively for load / reload of HDFC ForexPlus Cards done using an HDFC Bank Credit Cards: HDFC Bank Regalia First, HDFC Bank Regalia, HDFC Bank Regalia Activ, HDFC Bank Regalia Gold, HDFC Bank Diners Privilege, HDFC Bank Diners Black, HDFC Bank Diners Black Metal, HDFC Bank Infinia and HDFC Bank Infinia Metal Credit Card
• 5X reward points will be credited as: 1X reward points + additional 4X Reward Points. Additional 4X reward points are capped at 15,000 reward points per calendar month. 1X reward points will continue as is without any capping
• A minimum spend of Rs. 15,000 per transaction is required to be eligible for additional 4X reward points
• The limits are over and above the limits of HDFC SmartBuy

Issuance Fee Waiver Offer
There is another offer running on the issuance of an HDFC ForexPlus card where the joining fees get waived if you load a minimum of 1,000 USD or equivalent value of another currency. Check this out.

https://offers.smartbuy.hdfcbank.com/offer_details/forex-card-offers/10366/ZmOmmWk%3D

My Experience
Since I have an international trip planned next month to Japan I tried to apply HDFC ForexPlus Card (multicurrency card) and load some 2,00,000 Yen to the card to compare the actual reward rate. While Google is showing the exchange rate of 2L Yen equal to 112150 INR, HDFC is charging me some 1,16,695 INR including loading charges of around 195. It equates to a direct loss of approximately 4.01% since HDFC has higher Forex rates. But with a 16.66% (5X) reward rate on my Diners Club Black credit card, this deal is too good since it would leave me a net reward rate of 12.65% which handsomely beats even the reward rates of Axis Olympus and Axis Reserve. This is a good offer especially if you hold Diners Black or above credit cards.

Loading in USD is proving to be much cheaper since only approximately 2% charge is being applied so if you want to get a card then go for Regalia Plus Forex card since although it can be loaded only in USD but can be used to pay in any currency worldwide since it has zero cross currency markup charges.

 

[basant]

I Bought from myntra also for 10x but only for 2k. Someone here posted that myntra gold 5x points are reveresed for him.
will have to wait for statement and see.

 

[ashwinsid]

If I get a HDFC Regalia Forex card without name printed on it, will there be any issues in using it? Like can I use it to book some tickets online in foreign currency?

 

[sunit123]

If I get a HDFC Regalia Forex card without name printed on it, will there be any issues in using it? Like can I use it to book some tickets online in foreign currency?

If you book hotel, sometimes they may ask to show the card used for booking and it should be in the name of one of the traveler.

 

[darkjediknight]

If I get a HDFC Regalia Forex card without name printed on it, will there be any issues in using it? Like can I use it to book some tickets online in foreign currency?

For things like ticket pickup (concert, etc) they ask for the card with the name used for booking.

 

[ashwinsid]

For things like ticket pickup (concert, etc) they ask for the card with the name used for booking.

I mean when I make a booking, say disneyland, and when I try to pay online with Forex card without name, what should one write in the NAME section on the payment page?

 

[darkjediknight]

I mean when I make a booking, say disneyland, and when I try to pay online with Forex card without name, what should one write in the NAME section on the payment page?

You will have to write your full name.

 

[sm9811911]

Now the biggest disadvantage or catch of regalia gold is that exchange rate is not linked to live interbank rate but it is decided by HDFC bank only so HDFC bank will earn twice i.e. once at the time of load and second at the time of withdrawal

1. Current USD rate: 87.30 (87300 for 1000 USD)
2. HDFC Selling at: 88.92 (88920 for 1000 USD)
ATM withdrawal Charges of HDFC: 4 USD
Avg You can withdraw: 200 USD per transaction i.e. 5 transactions
3. ATM withdrawal charges of HDFC= 20 USD
4. Avg ATM Withdrawal charges of foreign bank: 35 USD (7 USD per transaction)
5. Avg forex mark up of foreign ATM bank and USD rate = 3% (HDFC is not charging any markup but foreign bank ATM charge. Also called Currency conversion charge)
6. GST = Rs 160
7. Now the biggest disadvantage of regalia gold that exchange rate is not linked to live interbank rate but it is decided by HDFC bank only...As i checked average markup is 2%

Total Charges in INR = 1778 (3 in inr) + 3112 (4 in inr) + 2667 (5 in inr) + 1620 (diff of 2 and 1) + 160 + 1778 (7 in inr) = Rs 10006

So your total charges is 11.25%

This card is only beneficial if you have DCB or infinia and you will redeem RP on smartbuy...Now smartbuy charge 5% to 10% more on air tickets compared to other travel portals...I booked couple of times and ended up paying upto Rs 1000 more on a ticket of Rs 10000.

Therefore, NET NET Regalia gold forex is LOSS making proposition. Lolly pop of RP is just a mental masturbat*****

Note: I have only considered avg charges and these are slightly higher in some countries but slightly less in other

This calculation is based on a terrible use case.
You can make it worse by assuming USD drops by 10% vs INR. Or the worst possible scenario that HDFC bank defaults and the forex card becomes worthless.

 

[sunit123]

This calculation is based on a terrible use case.
You can make it worse by assuming USD drops by 10% vs INR. Or the worst possible scenario that HDFC bank defaults and the forex card becomes worthless.

It is practical usage scenario...However, those who already took this card can ignore this calculation...It will cause unnecessary heart burn

 

[sourpai]

Now the biggest disadvantage or catch of regalia gold is that exchange rate is not linked to live interbank rate but it is decided by HDFC bank only so HDFC bank will earn twice i.e. once at the time of load and second at the time of withdrawal

1. Current USD rate: 87.30 (87300 for 1000 USD)
2. HDFC Selling at: 88.92 (88920 for 1000 USD)
ATM withdrawal Charges of HDFC: 4 USD
Avg You can withdraw: 200 USD per transaction i.e. 5 transactions
3. ATM withdrawal charges of HDFC= 20 USD
4. Avg ATM Withdrawal charges of foreign bank: 35 USD (7 USD per transaction)
5. Avg forex mark up of foreign ATM bank and USD rate = 3% (HDFC is not charging any markup but foreign bank ATM charge. Also called Currency conversion charge)
6. GST = Rs 160
7. Now the biggest disadvantage of regalia gold that exchange rate is not linked to live interbank rate but it is decided by HDFC bank only...As i checked average markup is 2%

Total Charges in INR = 1778 (3 in inr) + 3112 (4 in inr) + 2667 (5 in inr) + 1620 (diff of 2 and 1) + 160 + 1778 (7 in inr) = Rs 10006

So your total charges is 11.25%

This card is only beneficial if you have DCB or infinia and you will redeem RP on smartbuy...Now smartbuy charge 5% to 10% more on air tickets compared to other travel portals...I booked couple of times and ended up paying upto Rs 1000 more on a ticket of Rs 10000.

Therefore, NET NET Regalia gold forex is LOSS making proposition. Lolly pop of RP is just a mental masturbat*****

Note: I have only considered avg charges and these are slightly higher in some countries but slightly less in other

For those like me who do not wish to withdraw cash ... as there are better cards for withdrawal (zero forex DCs etc...). Although I have not taken this card yet

1. Loading fees of ~2%
2. Although zero forex cross currency, lets assume USD to any currency markup at 2% by HDFC... on all PoS swipes or online non INR usage

Total = 4 - 4.5% ... no other cost as such if amount is fully used via card swipes ...

Infinia / DCB points = 16.5%.... minus 4.5%.... net gain around 12%

P.S: Sunit's post gives a perspective into how this card should not be used... which is one end of extreme.... what I have suggested is other end of extreme... Please decide based on use case which middle portion you belong to and decide accordingly.... If you do not wish to use all card balance fully or use it for a lot of cash withdrawals, then returns would reduce proportionately

 

[Prady]

one can keep it simple and use it to pay in USD. most hotels provide option to pay in local currency or USD or Card country (india INR).
if one goes to purchase iphone, can pay directly using the card to match the $ value.

Still didn't understand bro. Maybe you can explain with a example.
When I load 1000 USD I am paying the markup charges as decided by HDFC. Suppose these charges work out to 3%.
When I spend in USD, there is no conversion of currency, then why other charges will be applicable??

correct.. AFAIK, if you pay in USD, there should be no loss. instead of cash in hand, you have loaded that cash on the card and simply using it as debit card. if one has 1000 USD and buys something for 999 USD. you will still have balance 1$. 🙂

 

[basant]

For non users of forex card
Calculation-
loading charge 2%
take money back to Card
bank charges- 5% approx
Dcb points 16.5% - 7%= net gain 10%
Is it correct?

My use case
Pos use fully
Rest after tour transfer all to bank account