HDFC Freedom Credit Card: Benefits, Fees & Charges

Bio

Sandipan Mitra is the CEO and co-founder of Pice. He boasts eight years of experience in the B2B and fintech sector. Sandipan's journey includes significant roles at multiple Indian Unicorns Including Product at PayU, and as founding member / VP, Product at Open Financial Technologies.

  • 9 Dec 25
  • 6 mins
hdfc freedom credit card

HDFC Freedom Credit Card: Benefits, Fees & Charges

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avatar of sandipan mitra Sandipan Mitra
  • 08 Mins
  • 09-12-25

Key Takeaways

  • Earn 10X points on BigBasket, Swiggy, OYO, Uber and BookMyShow.
  • Get 500 welcome points after joining fee payment.
  • Redeem points for ₹0.10–₹0.15 value across categories.
  • Enjoy a ₹1,000 milestone voucher after ₹90,000 yearly spend.
  • Get 20% dining savings at partner restaurants.

The HDFC Bank Freedom Credit Card is a good choice for people who want to start their credit journey with an easy card. It gives 10X Reward Points on BigBasket, Swiggy, BookMyShow, OYO and Uber.

These brands cover food, travel, groceries and entertainment.

The card also gives strong value for every point you earn. You get up to ₹0.15 on catalogue items, ₹0.10 on SmartBuy flight and hotel bookings, ₹0.10 as cashback and 0.15 air miles on conversions.

Keep reading to understand all the details regarding this HDFC Bank credit card.

HDFC Freedom Credit Card Benefits

HDFC Freedom Credit Card

Begin your journey with 500 Reward Points once the joining fee is received. This gives you a quick start on rewards.

The card gives strong value across daily needs and makes reward earning easy for new credit users.

  1. 5X Category Rewards: You earn 5X Reward Points on dining, movies, groceries, railway tickets and taxi rides. The cap is 1,500 Reward Points per statement cycle.
  2. Extra Dining Savings: You get 20% off at partner restaurants. This adds direct savings on frequent meals.
  3. Annual Milestone Gift: When yearly expenses cross ₹90,000, you receive a ₹1,000 gift voucher. This rewards steady usage.

Other Benefits Offered by HDFC Bank Freedom Credit Card

This card adds more value through extra rewards, fuel savings and PayZapp perks. Here are the key benefits you should know.

  1. Reward Point Benefits: You earn 1 Reward Point for every ₹150 spent. You get 25X Reward Points on birthday spends, capped at 3,000 points. You also earn 10X points on PayZapp and SmartBuy spends.
  2. Banking Benefits: You get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions from ₹400 to ₹5,000. The maximum waiver is ₹250 per statement cycle. Cards against Fixed Deposit charge only 1.99% interest each month.
  3. PayZapp Benefits: You can link the card on PayZapp to earn extra CashPoints on bills, recharges and utilities. You also get ₹1,000 CashPoints on in-app shopping across 200+ brands.

You can also unlock great benefits from the Pice App. View your statements instantly and pay your credit card bills on time, all through one simple and secure platform.

How Reward Multipliers Boost Your Points on the HDFC Bank Freedom Credit Card?

Reward multipliers such as 5X and 10X show how fast you can earn points with the HDFC Freedom Credit Card.

Your base rate is 1 Reward Point for every ₹150 spent, but these multipliers increase your points 5-10 times in selected categories. This gives you a faster route to rewards without increasing your spending.

For example, 10X points on PayZapp and SmartBuy help you build your balance quickly. The higher your multiplier, the sooner you reach cashback, travel bookings or catalogue redemptions.

This makes your card far more valuable when used in the right categories.

HDFC Freedom Credit Card Charges and Fees

ParametersCharges
Joining and Annual Fee₹500 + taxes
Cash Advance Fee2.5% or ₹500 (whichever is higher)
SmartEMI Processing Fee₹199 + GST
Card Replacement Fee₹100
Finance Charges3.60% monthly or 43.20% annually + GST

Note: The HDFC Freedom Credit Card limit is set directly by HDFC Bank. The bank informs you of the approved limit through PayZapp and your monthly statements. Your cash withdrawal limit stays at 40% of the total credit limit.

Eligibility for the HDFC Bank Freedom Credit Card

To qualify, you must be an Indian resident. Salaried applicants must be 21 to 60 years old with a monthly income above ₹12,000.

Self-employed applicants must be 21 to 65 years old with an annual ITR above ₹6 lakh.

Things to Know if You Are an HDFC Bank Freedom Credit Card Holder

Before you redeem your points, note these key conditions.

  1. Cashback Redemption Rule: A minimum of 2,500 Reward Points is needed for cashback redemption. The points must be used in multiples of 500.
  2. SmartBuy Redemption Rule: You can redeem Reward Points for up to 50% of the flight or hotel booking value on SmartBuy. The rest must be paid using your credit card.

Managing multiple credit card bills can get confusing. The Pice App helps you track statements, due dates, and payments from one place, so you stay organised every month.

Download the Pice App today to simplify your finances, avoid late fees, and stay in complete control of all your credit card spending effortlessly.

Footnotes:

  1. For cards sourced from 1 November 2020, the bank may cancel the card if unused for 6 months.
  2. Renewal fee is waived when your yearly spends reach ₹50,000.

FAQs

How can I apply for the Freedom Card?

You can apply online through the HDFC Bank website. You may also visit a nearby branch with your documents. Once approved, the card reaches your home.

Is the Freedom HDFC Credit Card secure?

The card uses strong encryption to protect your data. You also get zero liability for lost cards. Report any fraud quickly to stay protected.

What are the interest charges on the HDFC Bank Freedom Credit Card?

You get up to 50 days of interest-free credit on purchases. After that, a 3.49% monthly interest applies to pending dues. Cards issued against fixed deposits charge only 1.99% interest per month.

Can I take a loan against my HDFC Bank Freedom Credit Card?

You can access a pre-approved loan within your card limit during emergencies. The process is quick and paperless. You also get one of the lowest interest rates available.

What is the monthly PayZapp spending limit?

Non-KYC users can spend up to ₹10,000 each month. KYC-verified users get a higher limit of ₹2,00,000 per month. Your limit depends on your verification status.

Can non-HDFC customers use PayZapp?

PayZapp is open to both HDFC Bank users and non-HDFC customers. Anyone can access and use the app's features.

What happens if my credit card stays unused for a year?

The bank sends a reminder after 12 months of no card use. You get 30 days to start using the card. If you do not respond or use it, the bank closes the account after clearing dues.
About the author
Sandipan Mitra

Sandipan Mitra

Sandipan Mitra is the CEO and co-founder of Pice. He boasts eight years of experience in the B2B and fintech sector. Sandipan's journey includes significant roles at multiple Indian Unicorns Including Product at PayU, and as founding member / VP, Product at Open Financial Technologies.

by Shreyansh Singh

Key Takeaways Earn 5% Fuel Points on IOCL fuel spends....
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