Credit cards are a very useful tool in managing daily expenses, shopping, and even earning rewards. But recently, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, two of India’s biggest private banks, have announced changes in their credit card rules. These changes will start from August 2025 and can affect how you earn rewards, redeem points, and use your card for various payments.
Let’s break it down in simple words so you understand what’s different and how it can affect you.
Overview Table: What’s Changing?
| Bank | Area of Change | What’s New | Effective From |
| HDFC Bank | Reward Points Earning | No points on rent, wallet loads, and EMIs | 1 August 2025 |
| HDFC Bank | Reward Redemption Charges | ₹99 + GST per redemption transaction | 1 August 2025 |
| ICICI Bank | Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Not available on HPCL fuel pumps using HP Pay app | 1 August 2025 |
| ICICI Bank | Lounge Access | Limited visits; depends on card type & usage | 1 August 2025 |
HDFC Bank: Key Credit Card Rule Changes
HDFC is known for its wide range of credit cards and strong reward point system. But now they are putting some limits on how you earn and redeem those points.
1. No More Reward Points on Certain Transactions
From 1 August 2025, you will not earn reward points on:
- Wallet loading (Paytm, PhonePe, etc.)
- EMI transactions
- Rent payments
- Government-related payments
This means if you use your HDFC card to pay house rent or add money to your digital wallet, you won’t get any reward points. Earlier, many users were taking advantage of these spends to earn points.
2. Redemption Fee Introduced
Every time you redeem your reward points for vouchers, gifts, or other services, you now have to pay a fee of ₹99 + GST per transaction. Earlier, this was free or charged in limited cases.
So if you redeem your points often, it could add up over time.
ICICI Bank: New Credit Card Rules from August
ICICI Bank is also bringing a few changes that may impact how you save on fuel and enjoy premium benefits.
1. Fuel Surcharge Waiver Changed
Earlier, many ICICI credit cards offered fuel surcharge waiver at petrol pumps, especially HPCL outlets.
But starting 1 August 2025, this waiver won’t be applicable if:
- You use the HP Pay app to pay.
- You are using HPCL petrol pumps with mobile payments.
So, you will now have to check where and how you pay for fuel if you want to avoid the extra charge.
2. Airport Lounge Access Will Be Limited
One of the best benefits of credit cards is free lounge access at airports. But ICICI is now putting conditions:
- Some cards will now offer only 1 or 2 lounge visits per quarter.
- In some cards, free access will be based on minimum spending criteria like ₹5,000 in the previous month.
- If the minimum spend is not met, lounge access will be denied or charged.
This is especially important for those who travel often and depend on free lounges to relax at the airport.
Why Are These Changes Happening?
Banks are trying to cut down on misuse of reward systems. Many users were using credit cards for rent and wallet loads just to earn reward points or cashback. That created losses for banks.
Also, with higher costs for running airport lounges, banks now want to give access only to active, high-spending customers.
What You Should Do Now?
Here are some smart tips to deal with these new rules:
- Track Your Spending – Make sure you are spending enough on your card to qualify for rewards and lounge access.
- Avoid Using Cards for Rent/Wallet Load – Since rewards are not given, it’s better to use UPI or net banking.
- Redeem Points in One Go – Since there is now a redemption fee, try to collect more points and redeem them at once to save money.
- Compare Other Cards – If your card is losing value, check other credit cards that still offer better benefits for your usage style.
Conclusion
HDFC and ICICI Banks are changing the rules to make their credit cards more aligned with real spending habits. While these changes may reduce some benefits, if you stay alert and smart with how you use your card, you can still enjoy good rewards and savings.
Keep an eye on your email or bank app for updates. Always read the fine print, and don’t hesitate to call customer care to clarify your card’s new features.
By staying informed, you’ll continue to make the most of your credit card benefits in 2025 and beyond.