New Credit Card Rules Are Here: What It Means for You

HDFC Bank has made a significant change to its top-tier Infinia credit card, effective January 16, 2026. Long considered a gold standard for high-income and high-spending users, Infinia’s appeal was largely driven by its unmatched reward structure. But now, with key perks reduced, cardholders are facing a reality check.

SmartBuy Vouchers: Rewards Slashed

Infinia users have long leveraged HDFC’s SmartBuy platform to buy brand vouchers through Gyftr, earning 5X reward points, an effective return of around 16.5%. Now, this has been cut to 3X points, lowering the return to roughly 10%. For customers who strategically used SmartBuy to maximize rewards, this is a substantial downgrade.

Amazon Pay Returns Also Reduced

The change isn’t limited to SmartBuy. Amazon Pay vouchers now offer only 5.77% returns, and some brand vouchers attract a convenience fee of up to 4%, further cutting overall benefits to around 6%. Such adjustments make previously lucrative purchases far less rewarding.

Infinia’s Edge Narrows

Before this change, Infinia stood out even among HDFC’s other premium offerings like Biz Black and Diners Club Black, which typically offered about 10% rewards. Now, with similar rates across cards, Infinia has lost much of its distinct appeal, leveling the playing field for HDFC’s premium segment.

Annual Fee Remains, Value Declines

While the annual fee and premium status of Infinia remain unchanged, its value proposition has weakened. Many cardholders relied on SmartBuy and Amazon Pay purchases to accumulate points quickly, and this change diminishes the card’s attractiveness for regular high-spenders.

Why the Cut?

HDFC Bank explains that this move reflects broader industry trends. Credit card issuers periodically revise rewards considering market conditions, customer spending patterns, and rising operational costs. In other words, even premium cards must balance rewards with sustainability.

What This Means for Cardholders

For loyal Infinia users, these changes signal a need to re-evaluate spending strategies. SmartBuy is no longer the high-reward haven it once was, and users may explore other premium cards or benefits to maintain value. While Infinia remains a status symbol, its reward efficiency is now closer to other premium alternatives, marking a shift in the card’s competitive edge.

The Infinia credit card still carries prestige, but the reduction in rewards, especially on SmartBuy and Amazon Pay vouchers, is a clear message: premium perks are evolving, and users must adapt. For high-spending customers, understanding these new limits is crucial to continue maximizing returns.