Highlights
- Compare the features and benefits of HDFC Diners Black and Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card.
- See their Annual and Renewal Fee before you apply for any card.
- These credit cards have different eligibility criteria so make sure you check them before applying.
Both the HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card and the Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card In are two titans curated for discerning high-income individuals seeking exclusive privileges. Both cards cater to the lifestyle needs of affluent consumers, offering a suite of premium benefits ranging from airport lounge access and travel insurance to reward points and milestone benefits. While the HDFC Diners Club Black offers unlimited global lounge access, impressive insurance coverage up to Rs. 2 crores for air accidents, and multiple complimentary annual memberships to premium services like Club Marriott and Amazon Prime, the Amex Platinum Reserve counters with its renowned customer service, access to the Priority Pass program, and special privileges at luxury hotel chains like Taj. This comparison explores how these premium offerings stack up against each other, helping potential cardholders make an informed decision based on their spending patterns and lifestyle preferences. After you make a well informed decision, check your CIBIL score online for free on Wishfin and also view your detailed CIBIL report. It is essential to do this in order to check whether you fulfill the eligibility criteria set by the lender for credit score.
Comparing the Features of the HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card and the Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card
| Feature | HDFC Diners Black Credit Card | American Express Platinum Reserve |
|---|---|---|
|
Annual fees |
Rs. 10,000 + applicable taxes |
Rs. 10,000 + applicable taxes |
|
Fee Waiver |
100% waiver on spending Rs. 5 lakhs in 12 months |
100% waiver on spending Rs. 10 lakhs in a membership year |
|
Welcome Benefits |
Complimentary memberships (Club Marriott, Times Prime, Amazon Prime, Swiggy One (3 months) and MMT BLACK) on spending Rs. 1.5 lakhs within 90 days or upon paying the first year fee. |
11,000 bonus membership reward points on spending Rs. 30,000 within 90 days |
|
Reward Points |
5 reward points per Rs. 150 spent |
1 membership reward point per Rs. 50 spent. |
|
Reward Points Value |
|
Value varies based on redemption option |
|
Bonus rewards |
|
3X rewards on select brands via rewards multiplier |
|
Airport Lounge Access |
Unlimited access to 1000 + lounges worldwide (Primary and add-on cards) |
|
|
Golf Benefits |
6 complimentary golf games per quarter worldwide |
Complimentary access to golf courses in India (Twice a month on spending Rs. 50,000) |
|
Travel Insurance |
|
Air accident insurance of Rs. 1 crore |
|
Hotel Memberships |
Complimentary Club Marriott, MMT BLACK on meeting spend criteria |
Complimentary Accor Plus Traveller, Taj Epicure, and EazyDiner Prime memberships |
|
Monthly Milestone Benefits |
Select any 2 benefits among cult.fit Live, BookMyShow, TataCLiQ, or Ola cabs vouchers worth Rs. 500 on spending Rs. 80,000 monthly |
Movie or online shopping vouchers worth Rs. 1,000 every month on spending Rs. 50,000 (enrollment required) |
|
Foreign Currency Markup |
2% |
3.5% |
|
Fuel Surcharge Waiver |
1% fuel surcharge reversal across all fuel stations (Least transaction Rs. 400, maximum cashback Rs. 1000 per statement cycle) |
0% surcharge for HPCL transactions less than Rs. 5,000 |
|
Credit Liability Cover |
Rs. 9 lakhs |
Not specified |
|
Concierge Services |
24/7 Concierge Services |
24/7 Platinum Assist |
|
Eligibility (Salaried) |
|
|
|
Eligibility (Self-employed) |
|
|
Key Differences
Reward Structure
The HDFC Diners Black offers 5 reward points for every Rs. 150 spent, which equals approximately 3.33 points per Rs. 100. American Express Platinum Reserve offers 1 Membership Rewards point for every Rs. 50 spent, which equals 2 points per Rs. 100. Based on pure earn rate, HDFC Diners Black appears to have a slight edge
HDFC Diners Black provides unlimited airport lounge access to over 1000 plus lounges worldwide for both primary and add-on cardholders. In contrast, Amex Platinum Reserve offers 12 complimentary domestic lounge visits annually (Restricted to 3 per quarter) and 2 complimentary international lounge visits annually with Priority Pass.
Fee Waiver Conditions
Both cards have a similar annual fee of Rs. 10,000 plus taxes. However, HDFC Diners Black offers a more accessible fee waiver condition - spend Rs. 5 lakhs in 12 months to get the renewal fee waived, while Amex requires double that amount at Rs. 10 lakhs.
Travel Insurance
HDFC Diners Black offers more comprehensive travel insurance with air accident cover of Rs. 2 crore, emergency overseas hospitalization of Rs. 50 lakhs, and baggage delay coverage. Amex Platinum Reserve mentions an air accident insurance of Rs. 1 crore but doesn't specify other travel insurance benefits in detail.
Hotel Partnerships
Both cards offer complementary hotel memberships. HDFC Diners Black provides Club Marriott and MMT BLACK memberships, while Amex Platinum Reserve offers Accor Plus Traveller, Taj Epicure, and EazyDiner Prime memberships
Eligibility
HDFC Diners Black has higher income requirements for eligibility. For salaried individuals, it requires a monthly income exceeding Rs. 2.5 lakhs (Rs. 30 lakhs annually), while Amex Platinum Reserve requires an annual income of Rs. 6 lakhs.
Which Card Should You Choose?
Choose HDFC Diners Black if:
- You want unlimited lounge access globally
- You value higher travel insurance coverage
- You can easily meet the Rs. 80,000 monthly spending threshold for additional benefits
- You prefer the lower fee waiver threshold of Rs. 5 lakhs
Choose American Express Platinum Reserve if:
- You value the Taj/Accor hotel partnerships
- You prefer a monthly voucher program with a lower threshold (Rs. 50,000)
- You like the American Express brand and customer service better compared to others.
- You value the EazyDiner Prime membership for dining discounts.
Conclusion
Both cards target the premium segment with similar annual fees but differ significantly in their reward structures, lounge access policies, and additional benefits. The HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card seems to offer more comprehensive travel benefits with unlimited lounge access and better insurance coverage, while the Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card focuses more on lifestyle benefits with its various membership programs. Your choice should ultimately depend on your spending habits, travel frequency, and which specific benefits align better with your lifestyle.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How do the reward point structures of the HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card and Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card compare?
HDFC Diners Club Black offers 5 reward points for every Rs. 150 spent, with 10X reward points when spending with selected partners, and 2X points on weekend dining. Amex Platinum Reserve offers 1 membership reward point for every Rs. 50 spent (except on fuel, insurance, EMI conversion, and utility transactions).
2. Do the HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card and the Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card offer airport lounge access?
Yes, the HDFC Diners Club Black offers unlimited access to airport lounges worldwide for both primary and add-on cardholders. Amex Platinum Reserve offers access to American Express lounges and domestic lounges in India, plus a complimentary priority pass membership with the $99 annual fee waived off.
3. What travel insurance benefits do the HDFC Diners Club Black credit card and the Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card offer?
HDFC Diners Club Black offers air accident insurance worth Rs. 2 crore, emergency overseas hospitalization coverage of Rs. 50 lakhs, and travel insurance cover of up to Rs. 55,000 for baggage delay and loss of check-in baggage. Amex Platinum Reserve's travel insurance benefits are more limited.
4. What travel insurance benefits do the HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card and the Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card offer?
HDFC Diners Club Black offers air accident insurance worth Rs. 2 crore, emergency overseas hospitalization coverage of Rs. 50 lakhs, and travel insurance cover of up to Rs. 55,000 for baggage delay and loss of check-in baggage. Amex Platinum Reserve's travel insurance benefits are more limited.
5. Do the HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card and the Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card offer any golf privileges?
Yes, both cards offer complimentary golf games. HDFC Diners Club Black provides 6 complimentary golf games per quarter across various courses worldwide, while Amex Platinum Reserve offers access to leading golf courses in India.
