Home / HDFC Bank / HDFC Pixel Play
HDFC Pixel Play

HDFC Pixel Play

Annual Fee

₹500

Rewards/₹100

₹1.00 - ₹5.00

Normalized to balance base rate with bonus categories

Interest Rate

43.20%

Credit Score

700+

At a Glance

Key Benefits

Up to 5% cashback, SmartBuy rewards, dining discounts

Lounge Access

No complimentary lounge access

Eligibility

Min income Rs 25,000/month, age 21-60, CIBIL 700+

Quick Analysis

The HDFC Pixel Play Credit Card is an excellent entry-level cashback card for young spenders who frequently shop at popular brands like Zomato, Myntra, Amazon, and BookMyShow. The ability to choose your cashback categories every 3 months adds flexibility. However, the PayZapp-only redemption and lack of premium benefits like lounge access or insurance make it unsuitable for travellers or high-spenders looking for comprehensive benefits.

Pros

  • Up to 5% cashback on 10 popular partner brands across 5 customizable categories
  • Low annual fee of Rs 500, easily waivable on Rs 1L spend
  • 1% unlimited cashback on all other eligible spends
  • Digital-first card with instant issuance via PayZapp
  • Additional 5% cashback on HDFC SmartBuy platform
  • Dual network option with Visa physical + RuPay digital card

Cons

  • CashPoints redemption restricted to PayZapp wallet only
  • Split limit required for existing HDFC card holders
  • No lounge access or insurance coverage
  • 500 CashPoints monthly cap per category limits high-spenders
  • 3.5% forex markup makes it poor for international use

Best For

Young spenders who want customizable cashback on dining, fashion, travel, grocery, and electronics brands with a low annual fee

Not Ideal For

Frequent travellers seeking lounge access or insurance benefits, and those who prefer non-PayZapp redemption options

Quick Details

Annual Fee
₹500 #21
Joining Fee
₹500 #21
Interest Rate
43.20% p.a. #19
Forex Markup
3.50% #27
Fuel Surcharge Waiver 1.00% (₹400.00-₹5000.00)
Rewards/₹100
₹1.00 - ₹5.00 #32
Reward Type Cashback
Points Expiry 24 months
Min Redemption 1,000 points
Reward Currency Cashback
Min Credit Score These are observed patterns, not bank-published rules.
700+ #3
Min Annual Income These are observed patterns, not bank-published rules. ₹25,000
Network VISA
Card Tier classic
Card Replacement Fee ₹100
Late Payment Fee ₹100
Foreign Currency Markup 3.50%
Cheque Return Fee 2.00% (min ₹450)
EMI Processing Fee ₹199
Rent Payment Fee 1.00%
Railway Booking Fee 1.00%
GST Levy 18.00%
Fee Waiver on Spend ₹1,00,000/yr

Card Features

Contactless International Usage EMI Conversion Balance Transfer

Reward Structure

Base

All Spends

₹1.00 /₹100
Partner

Bookmyshow

₹5.00 /₹100
Partner

Zomato

₹5.00 /₹100
Partner

Makemytrip

₹5.00 /₹100
Partner

Uber

₹5.00 /₹100
Partner

Blinkit

₹5.00 /₹100
Partner

Reliance Smart

₹5.00 /₹100
Partner

Croma

₹5.00 /₹100
Partner

Reliance Digital

₹5.00 /₹100
Partner

Nykaa

₹5.00 /₹100
Partner

Myntra

₹5.00 /₹100
Partner

Amazon

₹3.00 /₹100
Partner

Flipkart

₹3.00 /₹100
Partner

Smartbuy

₹5.00 /₹100

No Rewards On

Fuel Wallet Loads Rent Payments Government EMI Transactions

Reward Redemption

Redeem your points for cashback, travel, and more

Best

PayZapp Wallet

Cashback / Statement Credit
₹1.00/point

Minimum 1000 CashPoints required; redeemed as PayZapp CashPoints balance for bill payments, recharges, and brand vouchers

Best

PayZapp Brand Vouchers

Gift Cards / Vouchers
₹1.00/point

100+ brand vouchers available; redeem via PayZapp app

Milestone Benefits

Welcome Bonus

Joining fee of Rs 500 waived on spending Rs 20,000 within 90 days of card issuance

Spend ₹20,000 within 90 days

₹500

value

Annual Benefit

Annual renewal fee of Rs 500 waived on spending Rs 1 lakh in the membership year

Spend ₹1,00,000 within 365 days

₹500

value

Milestone

Up to Rs 1,000 cashback per month on SmartBuy platform transactions across flights, hotels, and shopping

₹1,000

value

Lifestyle Perks

Dining

25.00% off

Up to 25% discount on dining via Swiggy Dineout at 20,000+ restaurants through Good Food Trail program

Category Rankings

See how this card performs in different spending categories compared to other cards.

Amazon #5 /6
3.0000 pts/₹100 Top 84%
Blinkit #1 /2
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 50%
Bookmyshow #3 /6
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 50%
Croma #1 /1
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 100%
Dining #21 /53
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 40%
Entertainment #4 /15
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 27%
Flipkart #6 /6
3.0000 pts/₹100 Top 100%
Grocery #12 /49
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 25%
Makemytrip #2 /3
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 67%
Myntra #6 /9
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 67%
Nykaa #3 /5
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 60%
Online #31 /57
3.0000-5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 55%
Reliance Digital #3 /3
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 100%
Reliance Smart #1 /1
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 100%
Shopping #30 /51
3.0000-5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 59%
Smartbuy #2 /2
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 100%
Travel #19 /45
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 43%
Uber #2 /7
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 29%
Zomato #3 /7
5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 43%

The HDFC Pixel Play Credit Card is a digital-first cashback credit card from HDFC Bank, designed primarily for young spenders who want to maximise rewards on their favourite brands. Managed entirely through the PayZapp app, this card lets you customise your cashback categories, card design, and billing cycle date.

With up to 5% cashback on partner merchants across dining, travel, grocery, electronics, and fashion, plus 1% unlimited cashback on all other spends, the Pixel Play offers one of the best reward rates in the entry-level segment. The card comes with a modest annual fee of Rs 500 that can be easily waived with Rs 1 lakh annual spend.

What is HDFC Pixel Play?

The HDFC Pixel Play Credit Card is the premium variant in HDFC Bank's Pixel credit card lineup, launched as India's first virtual-first credit card. Unlike traditional credit cards, the Pixel Play is sourced and managed exclusively through HDFC Bank's PayZapp mobile application.

  • Digital-first card with instant issuance on PayZapp
  • Dual network option: Visa (physical) + RuPay (digital) cards
  • Customisable cashback with 5 category packs to choose from
  • Choose your card design from POP, LIT, or ICE styles
  • Flexible billing date selection during onboarding
  • 1 CashPoint = Rs 1 redeemable via PayZapp wallet

Cashback Rewards

The Pixel Play card offers a tiered cashback structure that lets you earn up to 5% on your preferred spending categories:

  • 5% cashback on any 2 chosen packs (capped at 500 CashPoints each per month):
    • Dining & Entertainment: BookMyShow & Zomato
    • Travel: MakeMyTrip & Uber
    • Grocery: Blinkit & Reliance Smart Bazaar
    • Electronics: Croma & Reliance Digital
    • Fashion: Nykaa & Myntra
  • 3% cashback on one e-commerce merchant of choice: Amazon, Flipkart, or PayZapp (capped at 500 CashPoints/month)
  • 1% unlimited cashback on all other eligible retail spends

SmartBuy Platform Benefits

Earn up to 5% cashback on HDFC SmartBuy platform purchases including flights, hotels, gift vouchers, and shopping. SmartBuy cashback is capped at Rs 1,000 per calendar month.

Dining Discounts

Through the Good Food Trail program, enjoy up to 25% discount on dining at over 20,000 restaurants via Swiggy Dineout.

Fuel Surcharge Waiver

1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs 400 and Rs 5,000 at all fuel stations, capped at Rs 250 per billing cycle.

UPI Integration

The RuPay variant supports UPI Scan & Pay for merchant payments, earning 1% cashback capped at 500 CashPoints per calendar month. Link via PayZapp, PhonePe, or Google Pay.

Joining Fee Waiver

  • Spend Rs 20,000 within the first 90 days of card issuance to get the joining fee of Rs 500 waived

Annual Fee Waiver

  • Spend Rs 1,00,000 or more in the membership year before the renewal date to get the annual fee waived

SmartBuy Monthly Cashback

  • Earn up to Rs 1,000 cashback per calendar month on SmartBuy platform purchases across flights, hotels, vouchers, and shopping partners

Note: The HDFC Pixel Play does not offer traditional welcome bonus points or vouchers upon card approval.

Airport Lounge Access

The HDFC Pixel Play Credit Card does not offer complimentary airport lounge access, either domestic or international. This is an entry-level cashback card focused on everyday spending rewards rather than travel benefits.

If lounge access is a priority, consider upgrading to HDFC Regalia or HDFC Infinia credit cards which offer comprehensive lounge access programs.

Earning CashPoints

The HDFC Pixel Play uses a CashPoints system where 1 CashPoint equals Rs 1. Cashback is credited as CashPoints for eligible transactions:

  • 5% cashback on chosen partner merchants (2 packs, each capped at 500 CashPoints/month)
  • 3% cashback on one e-commerce merchant (capped at 500 CashPoints/month)
  • 5% cashback on HDFC SmartBuy (capped at Rs 1,000/month)
  • 1% cashback on all other retail spends (uncapped)
  • 1% cashback on UPI spends via RuPay card (capped at 500 CashPoints/month)

Excluded Transactions

Fuel, wallet loading, rent payments, government transactions, EMI conversions, cash advances, and transactions below Rs 100 do not earn CashPoints. Insurance spends are capped at 2,000 CashPoints per day.

Redemption

CashPoints can be redeemed through the PayZapp app after accumulating 1,000 points. Redeemed points are credited to PayZapp wallet balance, which can be used for:

  • Bill payments and recharges
  • Brand vouchers from 100+ brands
  • Shopping within PayZapp ecosystem

CashPoints expire 2 years from the date of accumulation.

Fees & Charges

Fee TypeAmount
Joining FeeRs 500 + GST (waived on Rs 20,000 spend in 90 days)
Annual/Renewal FeeRs 500 + GST (waived on Rs 1,00,000 annual spend)
Interest Rate (APR)3.60% per month / 43.20% per annum
Interest-Free Period20 to 50 days
Late Payment FeeRs 100 to Rs 1,300 (based on outstanding balance)
Cash Advance Fee2.5% or Rs 500, whichever is higher
Foreign Transaction Fee3.5% of transaction value
DCC Markup Fee1% on INR transactions at international merchants
Fuel Surcharge1% waiver on Rs 400-5,000 transactions (max Rs 250/cycle)
Railway Booking Fee1% of transaction amount + GST
Card ReplacementRs 100
Payment Return2% of amount, minimum Rs 450
SmartEMI ProcessingRs 199 + GST
EMI Pre-closure3% of principal outstanding
Rent Payment1% from 2nd transaction per month

Salaried Individuals

  • Indian citizen
  • Minimum age: 21 years, Maximum age: 60 years
  • Gross monthly income: Above Rs 25,000

Self-Employed Individuals

  • Indian citizen
  • Minimum age: 21 years, Maximum age: 65 years
  • Annual ITR: Above Rs 6 lakhs

Credit Score

A CIBIL score of 700 or above is recommended for approval. Higher scores may result in better credit limits.

Identity Proof (Any One)

  • PAN Card (mandatory)
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Passport
  • Voter ID
  • Driving Licence

Address Proof (Any One)

  • Aadhaar Card
  • Passport
  • Utility bills (less than 3 months old)
  • Bank statement with address

Income Proof (Any One)

  • Latest 3 months salary slips (salaried)
  • Latest ITR (self-employed)
  • Form 16
  • Bank statements (last 6 months)

Note: Application is exclusively through PayZapp app. Video KYC may be required during the process.

Apply via PayZapp App (Only Method)

  1. Download or update the HDFC PayZapp app from Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS)
  2. Click on the Apply Now for Pixel Play banner on the PayZapp homepage
  3. Complete the application with personal and income details
  4. Upload documents and complete Video KYC if required
  5. Upon approval, complete the card setup process in PayZapp within 3 days
  6. Choose your card design (POP, LIT, or ICE)
  7. Select your cashback category packs (2 from 5% categories + 1 e-commerce)
  8. Choose your preferred billing cycle date
  9. Choose your card network (Visa, RuPay, or Both)

Note: If you do not complete the setup within 3 days, a default Visa physical card (ICE design) and RuPay digital card will be issued automatically.

Conclusion

The HDFC Pixel Play Credit Card is a well-designed entry-level cashback card that appeals to young, digitally-savvy spenders. Its standout feature is the ability to customise cashback categories every 3 months, allowing you to align rewards with your spending patterns across 10 popular brands including Zomato, Myntra, Amazon, BookMyShow, and more.

At just Rs 500 annual fee (waivable on Rs 1L spend), it delivers excellent value with up to 5% cashback on chosen categories and 1% on everything else. The digital-first approach through PayZapp, dual Visa+RuPay network support, and UPI integration make it a modern card for everyday use. However, the PayZapp-only redemption, lack of lounge access, and absence of insurance or travel benefits mean this card is best suited for everyday shopping and dining rather than travel or premium experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the joining fee for the HDFC Pixel Play Credit Card?
The joining fee is Rs 500 plus applicable GST. However, the joining fee is waived if you spend Rs 20,000 within the first 90 days of card issuance.
What is the annual fee and how can it be waived?
The annual renewal fee is Rs 500 plus applicable GST. It can be waived by spending Rs 1 lakh or more in the membership year before the renewal date.
What cashback does the HDFC Pixel Play card offer?
The card offers 5% cashback on two chosen packs (from Dining & Entertainment, Travel, Grocery, Electronics, or Fashion categories), 3% cashback on one e-commerce merchant (Amazon, Flipkart, or PayZapp), and 1% unlimited cashback on all other eligible spends.
What are the 5% cashback category packs available?
You can choose any two of these packs: Dining & Entertainment (BookMyShow & Zomato), Travel (MakeMyTrip & Uber), Grocery (Blinkit & Reliance Smart Bazaar), Electronics (Croma & Reliance Digital), and Fashion (Nykaa & Myntra). Each pack is capped at 500 CashPoints per month.
How often can I change my cashback categories?
You can change your chosen cashback category packs once every 3 months through the PayZapp app.
What is the minimum redemption threshold for CashPoints?
You need to accumulate a minimum of 1,000 CashPoints before you can redeem them through the PayZapp wallet.
How long are CashPoints valid?
CashPoints are valid for 2 years from the date of accumulation. If the card is not used for more than 365 days, all accrued CashPoints will be nullified.
What transactions are excluded from earning cashback?
Fuel transactions, wallet loading, rent payments, government transactions, EMI transactions, cash advances, and payment of outstanding balances do not earn CashPoints. Transactions below Rs 100 are also excluded.
Does the card offer fuel surcharge waiver?
Yes, the card offers 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 billing cycle.
What is the foreign transaction fee?
The card charges a 3.5% foreign currency markup fee on all international transactions. Additionally, a 1% dynamic currency conversion markup fee applies for transactions in Indian currency at international locations.
What is the interest rate on the HDFC Pixel Play card?
The finance charge is 3.60% per month (43.20% per annum) on revolving credit and cash advances. The interest-free credit period ranges from 20 to 50 days if previous dues are paid in full.
What are the late payment charges?
Late payment charges range from Rs 100 to Rs 1,300 depending on the statement balance: Rs 100 (Rs 100-500), Rs 500 (Rs 501-5000), Rs 600 (Rs 5001-10000), Rs 800 (Rs 10001-25000), Rs 1100 (Rs 25001-50000), Rs 1300 (above Rs 50000).
What is the eligibility criteria for the Pixel Play card?
For salaried individuals: minimum age 21 years (max 60), gross monthly income above Rs 25,000. For self-employed: minimum age 21 (max 65), annual ITR above Rs 6 lakhs. Applicant must be an Indian citizen.
How do I apply for the HDFC Pixel Play Credit Card?
The card can be applied for exclusively through the HDFC PayZapp app. Download or update PayZapp from Google Play Store or App Store, and click on the Apply Now for Pixel Play banner on the homepage.
Do I get a physical card with the Pixel Play?
Yes, you receive both a digital card (instantly on PayZapp) and a physical Visa card. You can also choose to have a RuPay digital card. The physical card comes in your choice of design: POP, LIT, or ICE.
Can I use UPI with the Pixel Play card?
Yes, the RuPay variant supports UPI Scan and Pay transactions via PayZapp, PhonePe, and Google Pay. UPI spends earn 1% cashback capped at 500 CashPoints per calendar month.
What are the cash advance charges?
Cash advance fee is 2.5% of the amount withdrawn or Rs 500, whichever is higher. Cash advances also attract finance charges from the date of withdrawal until full payment.
Is there any SmartBuy cashback on the Pixel Play card?
Yes, the card earns up to 5% cashback on SmartBuy platform purchases including flights, hotels, and shopping partners. SmartBuy cashback is capped at Rs 1,000 per calendar month.
What happens if I already have an HDFC credit card?
Existing HDFC Bank credit card holders need to split their credit limit during the Pixel Play application process. The Pixel card does not get issued with a separate credit limit.
Is there a dining benefit on the Pixel Play card?
Yes, through the Good Food Trail program, cardholders can enjoy up to 25% discount on dining via Swiggy Dineout at over 20,000 listed restaurants. The discount is available on restaurant bill payments through the Swiggy app.
Loading comments...
Pawan Khatri
Reviewed by

Pawan Khatri

Founder

Pawan is the founder of CardNitty, with years of experience in personal finance and credit card optimization. He is passionate about helping consumers make smarter financial decisions.

Last updated: 31 January 2026

User Reviews

Ready to Apply for HDFC Pixel Play?

Get started with your application today and enjoy premium benefits, rewards, and exclusive privileges.

Apply Now
APPLY NOW

Compare Cards

0 of 4 cards selected

No cards selected

Add cards to compare their features, fees, and rewards side by side.

Select at least 2 cards to compare