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.
This is not carrying the Visa Platinum franchise unlike the Bharat Card. Looks like it’s positioned at the bottom of the totem poll.
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 😀
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?
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.
Also what is the minimum amount that qualifies for cash back?
I don’t think they have any minimum amount like Stan. Chart cards.
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.
Usually happens with HDFC 😀
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.
Sounds good, do let us know once you receive the freedom card 🙂
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 🙂
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 🙂
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?
Yes, possibly.
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?
You might need to wait for a while i guess. Callup Phone banking if its getting too late.
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?
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?
What fees does its charge??? Does it cover insurance policy? And what is annual charge it has???
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 ?
It varies from customer to customer. Check out: Insta Loan Vs Insta Jumbo loan Vs SmartEMI on HDFC Credit Card
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………..
Yes, its more or less similar with minor difference.
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
Got my new FREEDOM Credit card. Its my first card. Happy!
Thanks for the valuable information above, guys…
How did you apply. On the hdfc cards page, when I click freedom card. It redirects to regalia cards.
Is it a visa or master?
they mostly give everyone VISA unless u make request
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??
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 !!
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 !!
yes u can avail EMI with this card
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.
Max 50 days
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
May i know the maximum credit amount for freedom card
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.
It is 5X not 5%. Admin please rectify. There is huge difference in 5% cashback and 5x reward (0.5% in this case)
Guys
What is your experience in fuel refilling using HDFC freedom credit card?
Get rid of Bharat & freedom cards. HDFC isn’t fulfilling the benefits as promised.