HDFC Infinia Credit Card vs ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card

HDFC Infinia Credit Card vs ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card

Last Updated : March 26, 2025, 1:09 p.m.

The HDFC Infinia Credit Card is one of India’s top super premium credit cards with a reward rate of 3.33% (Which is equal to 33% for purchases made on SmartBuy). HDFC Infinia has a redemption value of 1:1 for travel bookings via SmartBuy and Air mile conversion. This gives it an advantage over its competitors in the luxury credit cards category. Infinia also provides great benefits on travel, such as benefits with ITC and Marriott, low forex markup fee, etc. Most premium credit cards offer travel benefits which are similar to each other. However, when it comes to the overall value back gained through reward points, the HDFC Infinia credit card is a better choice. The ICICI Sapphiro credit card gives you some of the finest lifestyle benefits across dining, entertainment, travel, movies, and golf. With complimentary lounge access and memberships, this card is suitable for both domestic and international travelers. So, now to choose a card amongst these two and apply for it, let us first analyze both of them and compare them based on their features. After choosing a card and before applying for it, it is essential to check your credit score to know where you stand. This is because most lenders see this as an important eligibility criteria for credit card application approval. Do a CIBIL score check for free on Wishfin and get an accurate CIBIL score generated by TransUnion CIBIL.

Key Features and Benefits of HDFC Infinia Credit Card Vs ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card - A Comparison

ParameterHDFC Infinia Credit CardICICI Sapphiro Credit Card

Welcome benefits

  • Complimentary Club Marriott membership for the first year. It provides up to 20% discounts for dining and stay across the Asia Pacific region.
  • Get 12,500 reward points upon paying the joining fee and activating the card.
  • Multiple vouchers worth more than Rs. 9,000, including TataCliq (Rs. 3,000), EaseMyTrip (Rs. 4,000), Uber (Rs. 1,000), and Croma (Rs. 1,500) vouchers.

Reward points

  • HDFC Infinia gives 5 reward points for every Rs. 150 spent on retail transactions.
  • ICICI Sapphiro rewards 2 points per Rs. 100 on domestic spends.
  • 4 reward points per Rs. 100 for international transactions.
  • Get 1 reward point on utilities and insurance.

Fuel surcharge waiver

  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions in the range of Rs. 400 and Rs. 1 lakh.

Get 1% waiver on fuel transactions of up to Rs. 4,000 across all petrol pumps.

Travel benefits

  • Domestic Lounge Access: Unlimited complimentary lounge access in India.
  • International Lounge Access: Unlimited complimentary airport lounge access outside India at 1,000+ airport lounges through the priority pass.
  • Priority Pass Membership: The Infinia card comes with a complimentary priority pass membership, giving access to a network of airport lounges worldwide.
  • How to use: Swipe your Infinia credit card to avail the complimentary lounge access.
  • Note: This benefit is also available for add-on priority pass holders.
  • Forex mark up fee of 2%
  • ICICI Sapphiro limits access to 4 domestic lounge visits per quarter (On spending Rs. 75000 or more in the previous quarter).
  • Forex markup fee of 3.5%

Golf benefits

  • HDFC Infinia cardholders can play unlimited complimentary golf games at premium courses worldwide.
  • Sapphiro users get up to 4 complimentary rounds or lessons each month for every Rs. 50,000 spent on retail purchases in the previous calendar month.

Movie benefits

  • NA
  • Buy 1 Get 1 free movie ticket on BookMyShow (Up to Rs. 500 off, twice a month)

Insurance coverage

  • Substantial insurance coverage worth up to Rs. 3 crores.
  • Emergency overseas hospitalization up to Rs. 50 lakhs in case of emergency
  • Credit shield cover for up to Rs. 9 lakhs.
  • Substantial insurance coverage worth up to Rs. 3 crores.

Dining benefits

  • Book stay for 3 nights and pay for two at 1+1 complimentary buffets at participating ITC hotels.
  • Enjoy mouth watering discounts of flat 10% on dining bills at 35k plus restaurants.

Note: This offer is valid from 2nd January 2025 to 31st December 2025.

  • It offers dining benefits through the ICICI Bank’s culinary treats program including discounts at select restaurants and additional deals on platforms like EazyDiner.

Eligibility and Application Process - A Comparison

You'll need to meet specific eligibility criteria to get these premium cards. The application process varies quite a bit between these two options. The HDFC Infinia Credit Card is an exclusive "By Invite Only" card. You can't apply for it through regular channels. You'll need to build a strong relationship with HDFC Bank through other products before getting an invitation. The eligibility bar is set high. Private sector employees must earn Rs. 5 lakhs monthly. Self-employed applicants should show an annual ITR of Rs. 60 lakhs. Government employees need to earn ₹3.5 lakh monthly to qualify.

The ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card takes a different approach. You can apply directly through online or offline channels. This premium card asks for a monthly income of Rs. 80,000 from salaried individuals. Self-employed applicants should earn Rs.83,333 monthly. Indian residents between 23-60 years old can apply. A good credit score above 750 helps your chances.

Both cards ask for standard KYC documents. Here's what you'll need for the ICICI Sapphiro card:

  • Identity proof (PAN, Aadhaar, passport, etc.)
  • Address verification documents
  • Income proof (payslips, ITR, or Form 16)
  • Recent color passport-size photograph

Getting an ICICI Sapphiro is simple. Just visit ICICI Bank's website, head to the credit card section, fill out your application, and upload documents. HDFC Bank looks at your credit history, income, repayment track record, and your relationship with the bank before offering the Infinia card. These ultra-premium cards target people with substantial spending power. HDFC Infinia stays exclusive through its invitation-only approach, while ICICI Sapphiro provides an easier path to premium benefits.

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Fees and Other Charges of HDFC Infinia and ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card

ParameterHDFC Infinia Credit CardICICI Sapphiro Credit Card

Joining fees

  • Rs. 12500 plus applicable taxes
  • Rs. 6500

Renewal fees

  • Rs. 12500 plus applicable taxes
  • Rs. 3500

Annual fee waiver

  • Waives the annual fee of Rs. 12,500 with an Rs. 10 lakh yearly spend.
  • Annual fee waiver on spends of Rs. 6 lakhs.

Finance charges

  • 3.40% per month
  • 40.8% p.a.

Cash Advance fees

  • 2.5% of the amount withdrawn or Rs. 500, whichever is higher
  • 2.5% of the transaction amount or Rs. 500, whichever is higher.

Late payment fees

  • No fees for balances under Rs. 100 to a maximum of Rs. 1300 for balances more than Rs. 50,000
  • Late payment fees range from Nil (For amounts under Rs. 100) to Rs.750 (For amounts more than Rs. 10,000), which gives clear penalty structures.

Conclusion

HDFC Infinia and ICICI Sapphiro credit cards excel as premium offerings but target different customer segments. HDFC Infinia shines with unlimited lounge access, lower forex markup fees, and unlimited golf privileges. These features make it perfect for frequent international travelers. ICICI Sapphiro stands out with substantial welcome benefits, entertainment perks, and easier fee waivers that appeal to domestic spenders. Your choice between these cards ends up depending on your spending patterns and lifestyle. HDFC Infinia's invitation-only status and higher income requirements make it an ultra-premium option if you have high net worth. ICICI Sapphiro is a more available alternative that comes with impressive benefits, especially when you spend around Rs. 6 lakhs yearly. Think over your travel frequency, spending capacity, and reward preferences before you decide. A good credit score and meeting minimum income requirements are vital for both cards. HDFC Infinia's travel benefits might be superior, but ICICI Sapphiro's lower entry requirements and entertainment perks make it a smart choice for many premium card seekers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it difficult to get an Infinia credit card?

Do the HDFC Infinia points expire?

Is ICICI Sapphiro a premium credit card?

Can the ICICI Sapphiro credit card be used internationally?

How to redeem your reward points for HDFC Infinia credit card?

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