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Explore cards from India's leading banks.
Last updated: 8 November 2026
Free to apply via CardsGuruji · subject to issuer approval
What you earn on every spend, and the ways you can cash it in.
You earn
Up to 10X CashPoints
Earn 10X CashPoints on BigBasket, BookMyShow, OYO, Swiggy, and Uber (capped at 2,500 CashPoints per calendar month). Earn 1 CashPoint for every ₹150 spent on other eligible retail transactions. Spends on fuel, rent, wallet loads, EMI, and government transactions are excluded.
Redeem for
The privileges that come bundled in, beyond the reward points.
Dining Discount: Up to 20% off on dining bills at partner restaurants via Swiggy Dineout
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000, capped at ₹250 per statement month
Annual Fee Waiver: The ₹500 + 18% GST renewal fee is waived upon achieving ₹50,000 in eligible spends in the preceding card anniversary year
Smart EMI: Option to convert large purchases into easy EMIs after the transaction
An honest read on where this card earns its keep — and where it doesn't.
Accelerated 10X CashPoints on popular everyday apps like Swiggy
Uber, and BigBasket
Very low annual spend target of just ₹50,000 to waive the ₹500 renewal fee
Accessible entry-level eligibility criteria (requires just ₹12,000/month salary)
Includes a 1% fuel surcharge waiver which is useful for commuters
Extremely poor redemption value of just ₹0.15 per CashPoint [1]
The 10X accelerated rewards are strictly capped at 2,500 CashPoints per month
No complimentary airport lounge access [2]
Incurs a flat ₹99 redemption fee every time you redeem rewards for products or vouchers
High foreign currency markup of 3.5% + GST makes it expensive for international use
Everything the issuer can bill you for, in one place.
Applied only when the situation arises
Charged on any balance you carry forward
Fee waiver: most issuers waive the renewal fee once your yearly spends cross a set threshold. Confirm the exact criteria with HDFC Bank before you apply.
Issuer-stated requirements and CardsGuruji guidance are shown separately.
Note: A displayed score is editorial guidance only unless separately identified as an issuer-stated requirement.
See how HDFC Freedom Credit Card stacks up against competing cards on reward rates, annual charges, and milestone perks.
Use our customizable comparison tool to benchmark fees, lounge access, and rewards.
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Everything you need to know about HDFC Freedom Credit Card fees, reward conversion, lounge access, and application eligibility.
HDFC Freedom Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹500 plus 18% GST. Most cardholders can get subsequent annual renewal fees waived by reaching the bank's annual milestone spend threshold. Additionally, the initial fee is often offset by welcome privileges like "Welcome benefit of 500 CashPoints upon payment of the joining fee.".
HDFC Freedom Credit Card earns CashPoints at a primary rate of Up to 10X CashPoints. Specifically, Earn 10X CashPoints on BigBasket, BookMyShow, OYO, Swiggy, and Uber (capped at 2,500 CashPoints per calendar month). Earn 1 CashPoint for every ₹150 spent on other eligible retail transactions. Spends on fuel, rent, wallet loads, EMI, and government transactions are excluded.. Spends in Shopping, Dining, Fuel, Entry Level categories provide the maximum valueback per transaction on this card.
Yes, because HDFC Freedom Credit Card is on the RuPay network, you can link it directly to any UPI application including Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and BHIM. This allows you to scan merchant QR codes at local stores and pay from your credit card account while earning reward points.
Rewards earned on HDFC Freedom Credit Card can be redeemed for Statement Cashback (1 CashPoint = ₹0.15), SmartBuy Flights & Hotels (1 CashPoint = ₹0.15), Products & Vouchers via Rewards Catalogue via HDFC Bank's official rewards portal or mobile banking app. Points earned remain valid for 24 months from the transaction date before expiring.
A CIBIL credit score of 700 or above is strongly recommended for approval of HDFC Freedom Credit Card. Applicants should be Indian residents aged 21 to 65 years with a stable monthly income (salaried or self-employed with ITR) and no recent payment defaults or high credit utilization over 30%.
HDFC Freedom Credit Card levies a forex markup fee of 3.5% of the transaction amount + 18% GST (Effective 4.13%) on transactions processed in foreign currencies. For cross-border shopping and overseas travel, remember that standard 18% GST applies on the markup charge.
HDFC Freedom Credit Card currently features a welcome offer: "Welcome benefit of 500 CashPoints upon payment of the joining fee.". To claim this joining perk, cardholders typically need to activate the card and complete a qualifying initial transaction within 30 to 60 days of card issuance.
Key highlights include Accelerated 10X CashPoints on popular everyday apps like Swiggy and Uber. However, keep in mind that Extremely poor redemption value of just ₹0.15 per CashPoint [1] and The 10X accelerated rewards are strictly capped at 2. Overall, HDFC Freedom Credit Card delivers strong value if your regular spending aligns with Shopping, Dining, Fuel, Entry Level.
HDFC Freedom Credit Card is focused on Shopping and Dining and Fuel and Entry Level valueback and does not include unconditional complimentary airport lounge visits as a core benefit. If lounge access is a deciding factor for your travels, consider pairing this with a dedicated premium travel credit card.
Yes, HDFC Freedom Credit Card includes a 1% fuel surcharge waiver for fuel spends typically between ₹400 and ₹4,000 at all government and private fuel stations in India. (Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5). The monthly waiver is subject to a cap, and GST charged on the surcharge is non-refundable.
