ICICI and HDFC Bank: If you use the credit card of ICICI or HDFC Bank, then this news is necessary for you. Both banks have announced a change in several rules related to their credit cards, which will be applicable from 1 July 2025. These include new charges on airport lounge access, online gaming, wallet loading, utility and insurance payments.
ICICI Bank: Now you will get lounge access on spending 75,000
ICICI Bank has informed on its website that now the credit card holders will be required to spend Rs 75,000 in the last quarter to get free facility of domestic airport lounge in the next quarter.
For example, if you want a lounge access between July 1 to September 30, 2025, you will have to spend Rs 75,000 between March 26 to June 25, 2025. This rule will only apply to selected ICICI credit cards. However, premium cards such as Emerald, Diamant, Adani One, MakeMytrip and Times Black Cards will be out of this condition.
The bank has also made it clear that the expenditure related to rent, education, government services, EMI, fees and reversal will not be added to this limit of Rs 75,000.
HDFC Bank: Gaming and wallet loading will be charged 1%
HDFC Bank is also going to make major changes in its credit card rules since 1 July 2025. If you use online gaming or third-party wallet, then it is important to know this change.
1. Charged on online gaming
If a customer spends more than Rs 10,000 online skill-based gaming (eg Dream11, MPL, Rummy Culture etc.) in a month, it will be charged a fee of 1%. This fee will be limited to a maximum of 4,999. Also, no reward points will be found at such expenses.
2. Charge on wallet loading
If you load more than Rs 10,000 in third-party wallets like Paytm or Mobikwik, then it will also be charged 1%, which will be limited to Rs 4,999.
3. Utility and Insurance Payments
If the customer pays a utility bill of Rs 50,000 (consumer card) or more than Rs 75,000 (business card), then the entire utility expenses will charge a fee of 1%, which will be ranked up to Rs 4,999. Insurance is not kept under utility, but the limit of reward points received on insurance payments has been fixed.
Reward points limit on insurance
Infinia/Infinia Metal: Maximum 10,000 points per month
Diners Black/Biz Black Metal: Maximum 5,000 Points
Other Cards: Maximum 2,000 Points
There will be no limit on Marriott Bonvoy Cards
4. Changes on rent, fuel and education also
Rent, fuel and education payments will continue to be 1% fee as before, but now the maximum charge will be 4,999 per transaction.
The fuel will be charged when the transaction is above Rs 15,000 or Rs 30,000.
Education will be charged only when the payment is made through third-party apps. This fee will not be charged for paying the school or college directly. These new rules of ICICI and HDFC Bank aim to regulate special expenses and strengthen financial tracking. If you use credit cards for these service, then keep in mind these changes, so that the charge can be avoided.
