The HDFC Freedom Credit Card is a Visa-powered entry-level credit card issued by HDFC Bank, one of India's largest private sector banks. It falls under the bank's everyday rewards category, targeting individuals who want to earn reward points on their regular spending without paying a hefty annual fee.

• Card Network: Visa
• Annual Fee: Rs. 500 + applicable taxes
• Reward System: CashPoints (1 CashPoint = Rs. 0.15)
• Best For: First-time cardholders and everyday spenders
• Card Type: Entry-level rewards credit card

Earn 10 CashPoints for every Rs. 150 spent on BigBasket, BookMyShow, OYO, Swiggy, and Uber. This effectively gives a reward rate of 1% on these merchants, capped at 2,500 CashPoints per calendar month.

Base Reward Points

Earn 1 CashPoint for every Rs. 150 spent on all other eligible purchases. While this gives a modest 0.1% return, it ensures you earn something on every transaction.

Fuel Surcharge Waiver

Enjoy a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs. 400 and Rs. 5,000 at all fuel stations across India. The maximum waiver is capped at Rs. 250 per statement cycle.

Welcome and Renewal Benefits

Receive 500 CashPoints (worth Rs. 75) on payment of joining fee and 500 CashPoints on every renewal.

Contactless Payments

The card is enabled for tap-to-pay contactless transactions up to Rs. 5,000 without entering a PIN, ensuring fast and secure payments at retail outlets.

Smart EMI

Convert your large purchases into easy monthly instalments after the purchase, helping you manage big-ticket expenses effectively.

Swiggy Dineout Discounts

Get up to 20% off at 2,000+ premium restaurants in select cities via Swiggy Dineout using coupon code HDFCCARDS.

PayZapp Integration

Link your Freedom Credit Card on PayZapp to earn additional CashPoints on utility bills, mobile recharges, and shopping across 200+ brands.

• 500 CashPoints credited on payment of joining fee (worth Rs. 75)
• CashPoints are credited to your account and can be redeemed after the next statement generation

Renewal Benefit

• 500 CashPoints credited on card renewal every year (worth Rs. 75)

Annual Fee Waiver

• Spend Rs. 50,000 or more in the anniversary year to get the next year's renewal fee of Rs. 500 waived
• This translates to approximately Rs. 4,167 per month in spending

Spending Milestone

• Gift vouchers worth Rs. 1,000 on crossing annual spending of Rs. 90,000

The HDFC Freedom Credit Card does not offer any airport lounge access benefits. This is an entry-level card focused primarily on everyday rewards and is not designed for frequent travellers seeking lounge privileges.

If you require airport lounge access, consider upgrading to cards like the HDFC Regalia or HDFC Regalia Gold which offer complimentary domestic and international lounge visits.

The HDFC Freedom Credit Card uses a CashPoints reward system where 1 CashPoint = Rs. 0.15.

• Base Rate: 1 CashPoint per Rs. 150 spent on regular purchases (0.1% reward rate)
• 10X Accelerated: 10 CashPoints per Rs. 150 on BigBasket, BookMyShow, OYO, Swiggy, and Uber (1% reward rate, capped at 2,500 CashPoints/month)

Monthly Caps

• 10X merchant CashPoints: 2,500 per month
• Grocery: 1,000 reward points per month
• Utility: 2,000 reward points per month
• Telecom: 2,000 reward points per month
• Insurance: 2,000 reward points per month
• Overall: 15,000 CashPoints per statement cycle

Exclusions

The following do not earn CashPoints: fuel spends, EMI transactions, rent payments, government transactions, wallet/gift/prepaid card loads, voucher purchases, cash advances, and payment of fees.

Redemption Options

• SmartBuy Portal: Flight and hotel bookings at 1 CashPoint = Rs. 0.15 (up to 50% of booking value)
• Rewards Catalogue: Products and vouchers at 1 CashPoint = Rs. 0.15
• Cashback: Statement credit at 1 CashPoint = Rs. 0.15 (min 500 points)
• Airmiles: Conversion at 1 CashPoint = 0.15 airmiles

CashPoints are valid for 2 years from the date of accumulation.

• Indian nationality
• Age: 21 to 60 years
• Net monthly income: Above Rs. 12,000

For Self-Employed Individuals

• Indian nationality
• Age: 21 to 65 years
• Annual Income Tax Return (ITR): Above Rs. 6,00,000

Credit Score

• A CIBIL score of 700 or above is recommended for higher chances of approval
• Existing HDFC Bank savings account holders may have better approval chances

Note: The HDFC Freedom Credit Card can also be issued against a fixed deposit, making it accessible to individuals with limited or no credit history.

• Passport
• Aadhaar Card
• Voter ID
• Driving Licence
• PAN Card
• Passport size photographs

Address Proof (any one)

• Utility bills (electricity, water, gas, or telephone)
• Rental agreement
• Passport
• Aadhaar Card
• Voter ID

Income Proof (any one)

• Latest salary slips (for salaried individuals)
• Income Tax Returns (ITR)
• Form 16
• Latest 3 months bank statements

1. Visit the HDFC Bank website and navigate to the Freedom Credit Card page
2. Click on "Apply Now" or "Check Eligibility"
3. Provide and validate your phone number and Date of Birth/PAN
4. Confirm your personal details
5. Select the Freedom Credit Card
6. Submit your application and receive your card

Via NetBanking

1. Log in to your HDFC Bank NetBanking account
2. Navigate to the "Cards" section
3. Apply for the Freedom Credit Card from available options

Visit a Branch

You can also apply in person at any HDFC Bank branch. Carry your identity proof, address proof, and income documents.

Note: In certain cases, uploading documents and completing video KYC might be required.

The HDFC Freedom Credit Card is a well-designed entry-level credit card that serves as an excellent starting point for first-time cardholders. With a low annual fee of Rs. 500 that is easily waivable with Rs. 50,000 annual spending, and accelerated 10X CashPoints on popular everyday merchants like BigBasket, Swiggy, Uber, OYO, and BookMyShow, it offers genuine value for regular spenders.

However, the card has notable limitations. The base reward rate of 0.1% is among the lowest in its segment, and the absence of airport lounge access and high 3.5% forex markup make it unsuitable for travellers. The 10X merchant cap of 2,500 CashPoints per month also limits the earning potential for heavy spenders on those platforms.

For those seeking their first credit card with decent everyday rewards and a low entry barrier, the HDFC Freedom Credit Card remains a practical choice. But if you spend primarily online or need better reward rates, cards like the HDFC MoneyBack+ or SBI SimplyCLICK may offer better overall value.