ICICI Bank has been having HPCL co-branded credit cards issued on both Visa & Amex for a long time. It used to be one of the best credit cards for fuel until recently. Here’s everything you need to know about the same.
Table of Contents
Joining Fees
Joining Fee | Rs.199+GST |
Welcome Benefit | Nil |
Renewal Fee Waiver | Rs.50,000 spend in a year |
Looks like we’re being charged for the plastic which is fine. The renewal fee waiver too indeed looks pretty good for a beginner who might be having this card.
Rewards (Mastercard/Visa)
Regular Spends | 0.5% (2 Payback Points per Rs.100) |
Fuel Spends (cashback) | 2.5% (Upto Rs.100 per month) |
Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% (upto Rs.4000 per txn) |
Rewards (Amex)
Regular Spends | 0.5% (2 Payback Points per Rs.100) |
Fuel Spends (cashback) | 2.5% (Upto Rs.100 per month) |
Fuel Spends (Rewards) | 1.5% (6 Payback Points per Rs.100) only on ICICI swipe machines |
Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% (Per txn limit: upto Rs.4000) |
As you could see, the value lies in the Amex variant only and not with Visa/MC.
However, few have reported recently that the points/cashback were not getting fulfilled as before and part of the reason is that ICICI now wants you to swipe only on ICICI swipe terminals to be eligible for the same.
Is it worth taking?
Absolutely not!
The Amex version used to be good until last year but not at the moment because of various fulfilment issues.
As always, fuel credit cards as such are of no use for most cardholders, so it’s better to stay out of this trap.
- Cardexpert Rating: 3.5/5 [yasr_overall_rating]
If you just need an ICICI credit card for holding your credit limit, go with the lifetime free ICICI Platinum credit card along with ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card which would help you grab all ICICI Bank offers.
Note: ICICI Amazon Pay credit card may not be eligible for all ICICI merchant offers.
So why did I take it?
My two year old ICICI Emeralde credit card was up for renewal but as I didn’t get a waiver, I explored options to keep the account live.
I initially requested for Intermiles Sapphiro but that was denied stating that they no longer issue them, which actually sounds weird as someone else reported that they got it few weeks back.
Anyway, as that option is ruled out, and as I don’t want to take the platinum card again, I thought to take this HPCL coral card assuming it would have the lovely updated coral design like this ICICI Coral Amex.
But I was disappointed.
So basically I got it for no specific reason other than keeping the a/c active. I’ve no plans to waste time looking at the tiny max. caps on fuel spends, and I feel no one should do that either.
Our time is precious!
Hi Siddharth,
You said none of the fuel cards are worth having. But, instead of using non fuel cards( like I have regalia), isn’t it better to use one fuel card only for this purpose? I use Citi IOC.
It spreads your spends, takes your time.
Again it depends on the individual perspective. Citi IOCL is decent one.
Ok. Thank you for replying ๐
I used to have the HPCL AMex cards quite sometime back but due to the limited acceptability for fuel transaction in and around where I stay had to cancel and opt for the normal Coral Card.
I have now 2 cards the Coral which is LTF and Amazon Pay so as to cover all of ICICI offers and to keep the acount active
I also closed the amex coral hpcl last year. Cashback was not getting credited. I was always hitting Max Rs100 cap it was not getting credited. I closed it. I now have amazon pay card which covers Icici branded offers and is a nice card. I donโt use Citi iocl as we all know there also points are a problem. So now have shifted my fuel spends too to SC ultimate.
Hi Sid, wouldnโt the platinum Visa card work for keeping the account open?
It does. Seems you missed few words in the article. ๐
Ah yes. I read it again.
So there is no annual fee for this card?
Same 199+GST
I think RBL Value Plus Platinum Credit Card is the best for fuel purchase giving 10% Cashback. Second option is Super Value Titanium Credit Card of Standard Chartered Bank with 5% Cashback on fue purchase. Indian Oil Citibank Credit Card is a waste since they levy extra charges other than fuel surcharge every time which is waived of only by calling their customer care.
Why would you want to keep the account active? The credit score will sort itself out in a few months.
To keep the credit line.
Hey Siddharth,
Do you still have Vanilla Coral (Amex) or cancelled that one? I have Emeralde, Coral and Amazon Pay. Emeralde and Coral share the same account and I really want to keep Emeralde. Is there any benefit in continuing with Coral?
I’ve cancelled that. No advantage with coral while you hold Emeralde.
Thanks ๐
Hi dear can I use this card in transport Mostly 1000 litrs fuel use In month this is better for me
You mentioned multiple times in the past (and most of the readers agree as well) that ICICI rewards are worthless. I am more intrigued on the ratings you have given (3.5 out of 5). Can you explain the rational behind this?
ICICI merchant offers are decent. Do you want me to make it 1/5? ๐
Haha, I think 2 (max 2.5) would be decent. ICICI isn’t anywhere near the offer they used to have. Their Credit Cards have weak rewards and are not even anywhere near IDFC, SBI, BoB etc.
The only reason they have credit card base is because of their banking reputation. Standalone they’ll not survive it all. And that speaks enough about the quality of the product.
If you look at only reward returns, 1/5 is also bit generous ๐
Think the success of the AmazonPay card have made ICICI lazy and the HDFC debacle has only added to the same as based on the reputation, ICICI has been able to cash in without too much effort. Lot of people have issues with ICICI’s partnership with Payback. I for one, don’t have too much issues in there as I use the ICICI points for vouchers in any case. However, ICICI needs to come up with a better rewards system, even their top end cards give regular rewards of 2 points for every hundred spend.
Here so many people just like me…. Haha… Agree with you. Yes ICICI got worst rewards system… Due RBI restrictions and Amazon pay ICICI they got decent market share now a days.
Hey Sid, can you tell me which card is best in rewards from ICICI and HDFC