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

[abhikbose]

For infinia fee waiver is easier then time black.

Yes. That is included in the 10 lakh spending slab.

 

[Dr.Anand456]

For infinia fee waiver is easier then time black.

And compared to the Infinia card, getting the Times Black card is much easier. After all, how many people actually qualify for the Infinia card?

 

[drmsiva]

Most of the vouchers offered by Times are not useful to most people - you have valued them lower but in some cases, may not get a chance to use them at all.

 

[Dobbiee]

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.

The comparison is not accurate.
You have not included HDFC smartbuy acceleration.
The returns are several times higher on infinia.
The right comparison of Times Black would be Regalia Gold or Diners Privilege. Times Black may still give loss.

How did you find Amazon voucher rate on Times Black. On EPM 1 point gives 60 paise for amazon vouchers.

Redemption of reward points of Infinia for hotel/flight is 1:1. Only that 70% of the booking amount can be paid by points.

 

[Dobbiee]

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.

They have missed out on designing. Should have created a antique feel design.

 

[risingphoenix24]

would be more like Centurion

huh the things we expect from ICICI

 

[abhikbose]

The comparison is not accurate.
You have not included HDFC smartbuy acceleration.
The returns are several times higher on infinia.
The right comparison of Times Black would be Regalia Gold or Diners Privilege. Times Black may still give loss.

How did you find Amazon voucher rate on Times Black. On EPM 1 point gives 60 paise for amazon vouchers.

Redemption of reward points of Infinia for hotel/flight is 1:1. Only that 70% of the booking amount can be paid by points.

HDFC SmartBuy acceleration is a big plus point for Infinia. I missed it. Thanks for pointing it out.

Let's see what rate it gives for Amazon gift card. If it is 60 paisa then another big drawback for Times Black. Many members have taken the card. So the rates will be out soon.

 

[BeingIncog]

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

Mine didn't even dispatch. Calling icici now. Lol.

 

[Rdspam]

Mine didn't even dispatch. Calling icici now. Lol.

Let us know what they say

 

[BeingIncog]

Let us know what they say

they will block and replace lol.
i already request card closure request on last friday.
hopefully doesn't get activated in the process.
little scary situation. it think.
😭😭😭
just want to collect physical card, nothing else.

 

[Sobirvs]

they will block and replace lol.

They cancelled mine before the delivery.

 

[Rdspam]

they will block and replace lol.
i already request card closure request on last friday.
hopefully doesn't get activated in the process.
little scary situation. it think.
😭😭😭
just want to collect physical card, nothing else.

But why block and replace when there is no dispatch also?

 

[Viren]

Anyone else applied on first day itself and didn’t receive the card yet?

 

[BeingIncog]

Anyone else applied on first day itself and didn’t receive the card yet?

Me, cancelled already too.

 

[sidp]

Received priority pass + Times black credit card. Here are the pics. Looks are better than metal onecard but onecard feels better than this, onecard's also a bit heavier compared to this.

May be because they know there are so many cc collectors who will apply but won't activate. 😆

 

[jainil]

They cancelled mine before the delivery.

You have cancelled your card after receiving it or before like just applied and cancelled by calling or something else please guide me as new to it

 

[jainil]

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.

How did you cancelled it like just after approving the application or when??and from where we have to cancel it by calling to customer care or something what is the process for cancellation?

 

[jainil]

I successfully closed my card, I have private metal and found the rewards to be similar 😕

You closed the card before receiving it or after the delivery of card?

 

[Nishan11]

How did you cancelled it like just after approving the application or when??and from where we have to cancel it by calling to customer care or something what is the process for cancellation?

I canceled couple of days after approval. Still they dispatched card.

Just call customer care & say you wish to cancel card & reverse joining fee if it's charged as you have not activated card & canceling it.

If they ask again, jusy say such high joining fee will not justify the benefits being offered. And you will not be able to utilize this card fully. That's it. Ask them to send card cancelation confirmation email, card will be canceled in 4 working days.

 

[theXfactor]

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.

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.

My friend, appreciate your effort but a few things I'd like to add/correct here. Just take it as an input to improvise this comparison further.
If you use Infinia well, TB sort of cards is a no match to the likes of it. I just did a quick calc of the points I earned to spends made in last 6 months and the value back is averaging out to about 15%.

- Regular reward is 3.33% (and not 2.664%, explained later)
- Accelerated rewards (5X, 10X) that gives a value back up to 33.3% (This is a huge feature and missing on TB, EPM etc. and in itself good enough to beat any card hands-down)
- International transactions with GVP where you get 1% forex cashback up to 1K. Value back of 1.97% up to 1L international spends [3.33% regular rewards 2.36% forex with gst + 1% GVP). Likewise for 2L international spends, it's ~1.5% value back.
- Complimentary Club Marriott membership for first year
- Book stay for 3-nights and pay for two at ITC
- 1+1 complimentary buffet at ITC hotels (once a month, 12 times a year)
- 15% off on Dineout twice a month

Then there are BMS 500 off offer etc. which should be common on both the cards as it's more of a Visa Infinite offer and not a card feature.

And the most important part that made me write this post. Some folks, incl. yourself, are confused about the Infinia point value at redemption on Smartbuy.

- Infinia 1 point value = 1 Re (and not 80 paisa) on flight/hotel bookings, Tanishq, Apple etc. Just because you are allowed to pay only 70% of total transaction amount through points doesn't reduce it's point value to 80 paisa.
Say, you are booking a flight where total transaction amount is 10,000 Rs on Smartbuy. You will allowed to pay 70% of the transaction amount by points which means you will pay 7000 Rs by redeeming 7000 points which gives you 1 Re value for 1 point redeemed.

Hope this clarifies and help you revisit your calculations.