Freedom Card Review: Another Cashback Credit Card by HDFC

By | November 28, 2016
HDFC Freedom Credit Card

HDFC Freedom Credit Card

This card was launched a month back along with the another credit card called Bharat Cashback card which is also similar to this Freedom Card. Go through the previous review of Bharat Cashback card to understand the differences better. Somehow i don’t like the design of the Freedom card, it feels bit cluttered while Bharat Card appears pleasant.

  • Joining Fee: Rs.500 (maybe waived in some cases)
  • Renewal fee: Reversed if you spend Rs. 20,000 in a year

5% CashBack Categories on Freedom Card :

You get 5% cashback on below categories:

  • Movies
  • Dining
  • Super Market
  • Bill Payment
  • Taxi
  • Max CashBack: Rs 150 Per statement Cycle

Enjoy Additional 5% Cash back on below categories as well.

  • Easy EMI
  • Payzapp
  • Smart Buy
  • Max CashBack: Rs 150 Per statement Cycle

So, similar to Bharat cashback card, you can expect to save around Rs.300 in total by spending Rs.3,000 in each set of categories mentioned above.

Features of HDFC Freedom Credit Card:

  • CardExpert Rating: 3.5/5 [yasr_overall_rating]
  • Reward rate: Upto 5% Cashback
  • Complementary Airport lounge access: Nil
  • Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Capped at Rs. 250 every billing cycle (S.Tax applicable).
  • Foreign Exchange Markup fee: 3.5% + Service Tax
  • Renewal Fee Waiver: Renewal fee reversed if you spend Rs. 20,000 in a year
  • Special Features: No limits on earning reward points.

Its again a very basic card and its interesting to see “Taxi” category. Maybe you can get 5% back on your Ola/Uber spends. Cashback’s on Dining, Super Market & Taxi are the unique benefits of the card.

As mentioned earlier, if you happen to spend on other categories as well, then Moneyback card or even Business Moneyback Credit Card is a better option by HDFC for beginners.

What do you think about HDFC’s new Freedom Card? Share your views in comments below.

Author: Siddharth

Helping Indians choose the right credit cards, find the best offers, and enjoy luxury vacations for less using credit card rewards.

40 thoughts on “Freedom Card Review: Another Cashback Credit Card by HDFC

  1. Prashant Agrawal

    This is not carrying the Visa Platinum franchise unlike the Bharat Card. Looks like it’s positioned at the bottom of the totem poll.

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      I feel like they designed it for “Rupay” but then launched with Visa as Rupay systems are not yet ready for Credit card. Just my imagination though due to the crappy design 😀

      Reply
  2. Balaji

    Thats a very quick update siddharth.

    Is this an international card?
    What are the supermarkets does this cover?
    Are the bill payments have to be done with their website like billpay?

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      1. I’m unsure if its Intl card. You got to check with the bank.
      2. All swipe terminals registered as a “supermarket/Dep. Stores” should work.
      3. NEFT can also be done.

      Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      I don’t think they have any minimum amount like Stan. Chart cards.

      Reply
  3. Balaji

    I have asked these questions

    1. Is this an international card?
    2. What is the minimum amount that qualifies for cash back?
    3. What are the supermarkets does this cover?
    4. Are the utility bills have to be paid thru any particular website ?
    5. What are the utility bills you cover ?

    as usual I got a canned response

    HDFC Bank Freedom Credit Card Features

    Benefits:

    1. Enjoy 5percent cash back on the below categories, every time.
    Shop In-store/online
    Taxi
    Book Travel/MOvie Tickets
    Dine
    Recharge Phone, Internet & DTH
    Pay Bills
    2. Enjoy additional 5percent cash back on Easy EMI / PayZapp / SmartBuy

    Terms & Conditions:
    Max Cashback Rs. 150 per statement cycle for Movies / taxi / dining /Super Market / bill payment
    Max Cashback Rs. 150 per statement cycle for EasyEMI / PayZapp / Smartbuy
    Cashback on Taxi payments applicable only on payment directly made through Freedom Credit Card
    No reward points accrual on Freedom Credit Card
    Cashback will be retained as Cash Points to be posted on customers request.

    Reply
      1. Balaji

        After escalation I got the replies

        Freedom Card is

        1. International Card
        2. No minimum amount limit for cashback qualification
        3. Most of the supermarkets are covered

        I have noticed they cover lot many billers in payzapp app

        I have asked to convert my moneyback card to freedom card and will share my experience once I get hands on it.

        Reply
        1. Siddharth Post author

          Sounds good, do let us know once you receive the freedom card 🙂

          Reply
  4. Shubham Aggarwal

    Hi Siddharth, have been reading your posts for quite a while and appreciate your research. I have been offered a Freedom CC by HDFC (5% cb on movies,dining etc) recently. My ques is – Is it a nice entry level card or i should ask for moneyback or some co-brand card from HDFC. My spending pattern mostly include Dining, Uber, Online spends. I’m a classic customer with HDFC with a monthly salary of 25k.
    Thanks in advance 🙂

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      It highly depends on how much you spend and where. Simply, check how much savings you get on each card and you’ll find the answer 🙂

      Reply
      1. Shubham Aggarwal

        I got the freedom card few days back and have made 2-3 transactions (5% cb categories), but haven’t got any cashback. Will they credit total Cashback after end of monthly statement cycle?

        Reply
          1. Shubham Aggarwal

            Siddharth,
            There’s no mention of any cashback credited or any cash points earned throughout the statement. Where can I find my earned cashback or cashpoints?

          2. Siddharth Post author

            You might need to wait for a while i guess. Callup Phone banking if its getting too late.

          3. Shubham Aggarwal

            When I’m trying to redeem card points, it is showing a charge of 75 will be levied. Is it of only voucher purchase of for adjustment against next statement also?

            I want to credit the amount in my next statement, will I be charged 75?

    2. uttam

      Hi shubham . I ve been offered this card recently. How has been your experience with this card?Are the rewards at depatmental stores of any use? Are you still with the same card or did you get upgraded? Also, how does one get upgraded to classic?

      Reply
  5. Amit

    What fees does its charge??? Does it cover insurance policy? And what is annual charge it has???

    Reply
  6. Anindya Samal

    Hi Sidharth

    I have a question ? Is the HDFC Freedom CreditCard offers EASY EMI ? I Purchased today a new phone from flipkart and i want to make the whole purchased amount into 12 months EMI . Is it possible and how to do it ?

    Reply
  7. Swapnil Shimpi

    What is the difference between Bharat Card & Freedam Card , i am traying to find out differences
    but features of both cards are same

    Only 1 difference i found is that 5 % cash back on IRCTC bill & Fuel ..

    ???? confused………..

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      Yes, its more or less similar with minor difference.

      Reply
  8. Jishnu krishna

    Can you please tell me what us the credit recycling period for this particular card?

    I purchased a phone in credit and paid full amount from my salary using internet banking.

    But currently Its not showing the paid amount.
    How many days it will take to reflect?

    Thanks

    Reply
  9. Pawan Keshri

    Got my new FREEDOM Credit card. Its my first card. Happy!
    Thanks for the valuable information above, guys…

    Reply
    1. Balaji

      How did you apply. On the hdfc cards page, when I click freedom card. It redirects to regalia cards.

      Reply
  10. Rajkumar

    Before I’m apply credit card that time HDFC executive told this one is snap deal credit card but deliverd freedom card what is this??

    Reply
  11. Vishwas

    Hi

    I want to buy electronic item offline on EMI from vijay sales is this doable ?
    Can you please suggest ?

    I received my freedom card today !!

    Reply
  12. Vishwas

    Hi

    I want to buy electronic item offline on EMI from vijay sales is this doable ?
    Can you please suggest ?

    I received my freedom card today !!

    Reply
  13. Deepak singh

    I am new user of freedom card, how to know my credit statement .I am so much confusion about interest free period .when I apply for card that time your agent told me , the interest free date is 84 but in it is showing 50 days . please give a proper answer.

    Reply
  14. Abhishek Sarkar

    Freedom Card Features Updated for new joinees (on or after 8th Dec, 2017):

    Welcome Benefit of 500 reward points
    Earn 25X reward points on spends on your birthday (Maximum capping of 3000 reward points)
    Earn 10X reward points on PayZapp & Smart Buy spends (Maximum capping of 1500 reward points per statement cycle)
    Earn 5X reward points for spends on Dining/Movies/Groceries/Railways/Taxis (Maximum capping of 1500 reward points per statement cycle)
    Earn 1 reward point for every spends worth Rs 150 (Maximum capping of 1500 reward points per statement cycle)
    Redeem points for Cashback ( 100 Point = Rs 10) or Catalogue ( 100 Points = Rs 15)
    Get Gift voucher worth Rs 1000 on annual spends Rs 90,000 and higher
    Spend Rs 60,000 in a previous year and get the renewal fee waiver

    Disclaimer
    The above features will be applicable for customers whose cards are issued on or after 8th Dec’17. Existing customers whose cards were issued on or before 7th Dec’17 will continue to have old features and Benefits till 11.59PM on 9th Feb’18 and new features will be applicable from Midnight 00:00 HRS of 10th Feb’18

    Reply
  15. Shaan

    HI…
    Im also having HDFC Freedom Card, but never got cashback 5% cashback for any spends ???

    Did spend of 3000 plus in supermarket,
    Did spends in Big Bazaar but never got…

    Anyone got ? Plz share info.

    Reply
    1. Amit

      It is 5X not 5%. Admin please rectify. There is huge difference in 5% cashback and 5x reward (0.5% in this case)

      Reply
  16. Unais

    Guys
    What is your experience in fuel refilling using HDFC freedom credit card?

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      Get rid of Bharat & freedom cards. HDFC isn’t fulfilling the benefits as promised.

      Reply

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