Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Last Updated 20th December, 2024.
The HSBC Taj Credit Card is an invitation-only credit card exclusively meant for a select few who seek and appreciate the great luxury of the best privileges one can imagine, especially in the hospitality and travel industries. It is a very prestigious offering, born out of a tie-up between HSBC India and the Taj Hotels parent’s renowned Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL). The card literally combines HSBC’s globals banking expertise with IHCL‘s rich tradition in exceptional hospitality and offers a customized suite of benefits targeted at premium lifestyle needs. Let’s quickly delve into the benefits of this card.
Contents
Charges and Welcome Benefits
| Joining Fees | ₹1,10,000 + GST |
| Welcome Benefits | 1) A night’s stay including breakfast at a Taj Palace Hotel for two 2) 2 nights at any participating IHCL hotel 3) IHCL InnerCircle Platinum NeuPass membership |
| Renewal Fees | ₹1,10,000 + GST |
| Renewal Benefits | 1) A night’s stay including breakfast at a Taj Palace Hotel for two 2) 2 nights at any participating IHCL hotel 3) IHCL InnerCircle Platinum NeuPass membership |
| Renewal Fee Waiver | Not Applicable |
Reward Points Accrual
| Spends Area | Reward Accumulation | Reward Rate |
| All retail spends | 1.5 Reward Points per ₹100 spent | 1% |
| Spends at IHCL Properties | 5 Reward Points per ₹100 spent | 3.17% |
- 1.5 reward points = INR1 in your HSBC Taj Credit Card Wallet balance
- Reward points can be used to pay for stays, food, beverages, and even spa treatments at participating IHCL Properties, except for Tree of Life Resorts and Ginger Hotels.
IHCL Benefits
- Enjoy unlimited room upgrades to the next level of room or suite at participating Taj and other IHCL hotels (on stays of up to 5 consecutive nights)
- Save 25% on the Best Available Rate for your room or suite at Taj Palaces, Safaris and other properties
- Get 4 complimentary set meals for 2 at Taj and other participating restaurants
- Enjoy a 25% discount on food and beverages, including Qmin deliveries, for a taste of the best local and world flavours
- Unwind with a 60-minute spa treatment (up to 4 times a year), plus access to the sauna and steam room
- Enjoy a year of leisure, with free swimming pool access for 2 (up to 12 times a year)
- Enjoy 12 visits a year to Taj Chambers, India’s foremost executive business club
- Visit the Taj Club Lounge up to 12 times a year, with complimentary tea and coffee for two
- Access networking events featuring celebrated speakers, entertainment and masterclasses, paired with fine beverages and cuisine
- A one-time Celebration Cake upon dining at any of the participating restaurants across hotels on any day across his/her Birthday month
- Complimentary alcohol hours for the Customer and partner only, whilst the customer is staying in-house (resident guests only) at the participating hotel between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm on all days of the week
Other Benefits
Airport Lounge Access
Access Via – Credit Card
Complimentary Domestic Limit – Unlimited
Access Via – Priority Pass
Complimentary International Limit – Unlimited
Luxury Airport Transfers
Enjoy 4 chauffeur-driven limousine transfers a year, courtesy of Blacklane.
Partner Discounts
- Get up to 5% off on Emirates flights originating in India using code ‘INHSBCT’
- Save 15% on duty-free with AdaniOne (once per month; min order ₹3,000; max order ₹7,500)
- 50% off at Starbucks – Enjoy your favourites for less, with 50% off at Starbucks 4 times a month (max total discount ₹150)
- 2-for-1 movie and event tickets – See the latest movies and live events with 2-for-1 tickets through Book My Show (max ticket value ₹750 each)
- 25% off at Tira – Get money off beauty products from global and local brands (minimum spend ₹2,499; max total discount ₹750)
- 12% off at Zomato – Save on the best restaurants, cafés and bars in India (minimum spend ₹2,499; max total discount ₹500)
- 10% off at PVR Cinemas – Experience the biggest blockbusters with a discount on HSBC Gold Class movie tickets, food and beverages
- 10% off at Swiggy – Get a discount on food and grocery orders, with convenient pickup and delivery.
- 10% off at Just In Time—Save on selected watches from Michael Kors, Boss, and Emporio Armani.
- 5% off at Croma – Save on the latest phones, laptops and other electronics at Croma (minimum spend ₹20,000; max total discount ₹2,000)
Forex Markup Charges
- FCY Markup Fee: 3.5% + GST
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
- Unlimited waiver on transactions between ₹400 to ₹4000
TechnoFino Recommends
The HSBC Taj Credit Card offers perks like a complimentary stay at Taj Palace, two stays at other Taj properties, 12 Taj lounge visits (tea and coffee only), and four spa sessions. However, these benefits fall short of justifying the steep annual fee of ₹1.10 lakh + GST.
The rewards structure is equally underwhelming, with a mere 1% return on regular spending and 3.33% on Taj hotel spending—disappointingly low for a premium lifestyle card. A more reasonable pricing would be ₹40,000-₹50,000 annually, coupled with at least a 2% reward rate on regular spending and 8% on Taj hotel spending.
Comparatively, cards like the Axis Atlas offer significantly better value, with up to 10% in air miles for hotel spending. Moreover, the Taj Chambers and Oberoi Belvedere memberships, touted as exclusive perks, lack substance. Their limited programming, lack of true exclusivity, and dwindling appeal render them almost useless. Alternatives like Quorum and Soho House provide far more robust offerings, including engaging events and genuine community value.
Ultimately, the HSBC Taj Credit Card struggles to deliver meaningful benefits or justify its high cost, making it a poor choice for most, even frequent Taj patrons.
What are your thoughts about this card? Feel free to share in the comments below
Chief Editor, TechnoFino.
Personal finance nerd! Physics enthusiast and trainer. When not into Physics, he is minting points and hunting for the next best credit card for himself.
