ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Card Launched - Full Details & Review

[Vineet Kumar]

I think the actual visa infinite debit card looks different. And also account type is mentioned on the card.

Do share pic once physical card arrives.

This is the Private Banking DC by ICICI on the Visa Infinite platform. I've been using this for quitr some time now. While it definitely looks better than the ICICI Wealth MC World DC, the ICICI WS Visa Infinite DC has a more premium design compared to this one.

The only standout feature of this card is the 6 Lounge Accesses per quarter, while all other benefits remain the same. For comparison:

ICICI WS Visa Infinite DC offers 4 lounge accesses per quarter.

ICICI Wealth MC World DC offers just 2 lounge accesses per quarter but compensates with complimentary golf lessons and games, which neither of the Visa Debit Cards provide.

Interestingly, I’ve realized that despite owning this card for long, I haven’t used it even once for ATM withdrawals, lounge access, or shopping. The only "activity" on it has been PIN generation, and now it's solely used for grid authentication for online banking.

This made me reflect: while we often aim to collect premium cards for their exclusive benefits, in practice, most of these features remain underutilized. For instance, I’ve used lounge access 26 times this year, which could have easily been managed with just one card offering unlimited lounge visits. Yet, I continue to hold 7 top-tier cards with unlimited lounge access, plus several other premium and mid-tier cards.

At this point, it feels less about actual needs and more like a hobby of card collecting, driven by excitement over new launches rather than practicality.

Oh, and by the way – I’ve just received the Times Black Card too!

 

[Dobbiee]

This is the Private Banking DC by ICICI on the Visa Infinite platform. I've been using this for quitr some time now. While it definitely looks better than the ICICI Wealth MC World DC, the ICICI WS Visa Infinite DC has a more premium design compared to this one.

The only standout feature of this card is the 6 Lounge Accesses per quarter, while all other benefits remain the same. For comparison:

ICICI WS Visa Infinite DC offers 4 lounge accesses per quarter.

ICICI Wealth MC World DC offers just 2 lounge accesses per quarter but compensates with complimentary golf lessons and games, which neither of the Visa Debit Cards provide.

Interestingly, I’ve realized that despite owning this card for long, I haven’t used it even once for ATM withdrawals, lounge access, or shopping. The only "activity" on it has been PIN generation, and now it's solely used for grid authentication for online banking.

This made me reflect: while we often aim to collect premium cards for their exclusive benefits, in practice, most of these features remain underutilized. For instance, I’ve used lounge access 26 times this year, which could have easily been managed with just one card offering unlimited lounge visits. Yet, I continue to hold 7 top-tier cards with unlimited lounge access, plus several other premium and mid-tier cards.

At this point, it feels less about actual needs and more like a hobby of card collecting, driven by excitement over new launches rather than practicality.

Oh, and by the way – I’ve just received the Times Black Card too!

Very valid on all points.

 

[Bionick]

Interestingly, I’ve realized that despite owning this card for long, I haven’t used it even once for ATM withdrawals, lounge access, or shopping. The only "activity" on it has been PIN generation, and now it's solely used for grid authentication for online banking.

When will this grid authentication go away. It was frustrating and one of the reasons I got rid of ICICI savings account.

 

[Dobbiee]

When will this grid authentication go away. It was frustrating and one of the reasons I got rid of ICICI savings account.

Its an old traditional system of authentication in the world of OTPs.
Gradually grid fades out. Had several times got a new card issued due to this reason. Once had to get a new card within a month, the grid was too small and not readable. Now I keep photo of card or make a note of the grid.

ICICI had been known for good technology and app experience, but since ousting of Chanda Kochhar, they seem to be stagnant and not changing with time.

 

[itzmycard]

Why are you guys still getting grid authentication? They stopped it on my account long time ago...

 

[Sobirvs]

Its an old traditional system of authentication in the world of OTPs.

But grid also requires otp too, that's the pain.

 

[Sobirvs]

Why are you guys still getting grid authentication? They stopped it on my account long time ago...

how to get it stopped? I have it still.

 

[itzmycard]

how to get it stopped? I have it still.

I didn't do anything. But I haven't seen it from long time. BTW on which transactions do you still see grid authentication?

 

[Sobirvs]

I didn't do anything. But I haven't seen it from long time. BTW on which transactions do you still see grid authentication?

adding payee, or imps, or netbanking payment or recently i wanted to see my virtual debit card numbers and it asked me grid+otp.

 

[Huzaif]

Statement got generated for the cancelled card😅

 

[BVCBVC is verified member.]

Received card yesterday but couldn’t open due to my travel schedule. Was expecting a wow experience with card, but card is not that great. Simple black and resemblance more of a One Card.

 

[Nishan11]

Received card yesterday but couldn’t open due to my travel schedule. Was expecting a wow experience with card, but card is not that great. Simple black and resemblance more of a One Card.

View attachment 78903

Even one card looks better than this limited edition masterpiece.

 

[BeingIncogBeingIncog is verified member.]

Even one card looks better than this limited edition masterpiece.

turu turu .

 

[Dobbiee]

Received card yesterday but couldn’t open due to my travel schedule. Was expecting a wow experience with card, but card is not that great. Simple black and resemblance more of a One Card.

View attachment 78903

The metal used is vey old and could be rusted. 😉

 

[Nishan11]

Just now received my canceled icici times black limited edition masterpiece credit card, exclusive for selective individuals in nation.

It doesn't feel premium at all. EPM & DCBM feels much better to hold in hand & look wise then this card.

It doesn't justify 20k plus gst fee. Glad I canceled it, EPM remains only premium card among ICICI credit cards.

 

[BhaiyaJi]

Just now received my canceled icici times black limited edition masterpiece credit card, exclusive for selective individuals in nation.

It doesn't feel premium at all. EPM & DCBM feels much better to hold in hand & look wise then this card.

It doesn't justify 20k plus gst fee. Glad I canceled it, EPM remains only premium card among ICICI credit cards.

On their site Times Black has an apply option which is not there for EPM. So even they know which is premium.

 

[abhikbose]

Many of us already agree that this superhyped card fell short in front of Infinia. But let's quantify based on spend slabs.




I attempted to estimate the actual value of the vouchers and reward points. With Infinia, only 70% of the cost can be covered using reward points for flight bookings, so I estimated the value of 1 Infinia RP to be 80 paise. On the other hand, Times Black may allow the purchase of Amazon vouchers, making 1 Times Black RP worth approximately 90 paise. However, some of the other vouchers offered by Times Black, like the ₹4,000 Tony & Guy or Flower voucher, seem to have a real value of only around ₹1,500, while the airport transfer voucher is worth ₹1,000.

I’d appreciate any feedback on whether these estimated values are accurate.

I've also attached an Excel sheet for anyone interested in modifying the calculations or trying out different scenarios.

Edit-1: One small correction. Infinia has no Ayatana hotel voucher. It is mistakenly written in the table but not added to the calculations

Edit-2: A few additional benefits of Times Black: 1) Flight cancellation insurance of ₹12,000 (which I estimate to be worth ₹3,000–₹5,000). 2) Access to ICICI Private Banking (currently included), offering a touch of premium feel.

Edit-3: Times black is giving only 60 paise per reward point for an Amazon Gift card. So the above table has to be changed

My opinion: Considering the insurance benefits, I estimate that Times Black offers returns approximately ₹8,000–₹15,000 less than Infinia. However, given the challenges of obtaining Infinia, Times Black could be a viable alternative.

 

[Shinnok]

The metal used is vey old and could be rusted. 😉

It's a normal steel card + some metal-like skin (or maybe they anodized it) for front, plastic for back

Kind of disappointed, was hoping it would be more like Centurion

 

[Dr.Anand456Dr.Anand456 is verified member.]

Many of us already agree that this superhyped card fell short in front of Infinia. But let's quantify based on spend slabs.

View attachment 78984


I attempted to estimate the actual value of the vouchers and reward points. With Infinia, only 70% of the cost can be covered using reward points for flight bookings, so I estimated the value of 1 Infinia RP to be 80 paise. On the other hand, Times Black may allow the purchase of Amazon vouchers, making 1 Times Black RP worth approximately 90 paise. However, some of the other vouchers offered by Times Black, like the ₹4,000 Tony & Guy or Flower voucher, seem to have a real value of only around ₹1,500, while the airport transfer voucher is worth ₹1,000.

I’d appreciate any feedback on whether these estimated values are accurate.

I've also attached an Excel sheet for anyone interested in modifying the calculations or trying out different scenarios.

Edit: One small correction. Infinia has no Ayatana hotel voucher. It is mistakenly written in the table but not added into the calculations

Great. You have explained it very well. This will provide a lot of clarity to people.

 

[BhaiyaJi]

Many of us already agree that this superhyped card fell short in front of Infinia. But let's quantify based on spend slabs.

View attachment 78984


I attempted to estimate the actual value of the vouchers and reward points. With Infinia, only 70% of the cost can be covered using reward points for flight bookings, so I estimated the value of 1 Infinia RP to be 80 paise. On the other hand, Times Black may allow the purchase of Amazon vouchers, making 1 Times Black RP worth approximately 90 paise. However, some of the other vouchers offered by Times Black, like the ₹4,000 Tony & Guy or Flower voucher, seem to have a real value of only around ₹1,500, while the airport transfer voucher is worth ₹1,000.

I’d appreciate any feedback on whether these estimated values are accurate.

I've also attached an Excel sheet for anyone interested in modifying the calculations or trying out different scenarios.

Edit-1: One small correction. Infinia has no Ayatana hotel voucher. It is mistakenly written in the table but not added to the calculations

Edit-2: A few additional benefits of Times Black: 1) Flight cancellation insurance of ₹12,000 (which I estimate to be worth ₹3,000–₹5,000). 2) Access to ICICI Private Banking (currently included), offering a touch of premium feel.

My opinion: Considering the insurance benefits, I estimate that Times Black offers returns approximately ₹3,000–₹5,000 less than Infinia. However, given the challenges of obtaining Infinia, Times Black could be a viable alternative.

For infinia fee waiver is easier then time black.