u/Final-Particular369

​Hey guys,

​Flying out of Delhi Airport T1 soon with my family (parents + me) and aiming to get us into Encalm Privé T1. I had a couple of quick questions regarding entry logic and card eligibility before we head to the counter:

​1. Can you double-dip a single Credit Card (1 online QR + 1 physical swipe)?

​I hold an ICICI Times Black Credit Card.

​If I pre-generate a HOI QR code online for myself, can I then immediately swipe my physical primary card at the counter for my mother to guest her in?

​Or does generating the QR code lock/exhaust the primary card's entitlement for that session, causing the physical swipe to fail as a duplicate attempt?

​My dad has his own Add-On Times Black Card under his name, so his entry should be straightforward via his own physical card or QR code.

​2. ICICI Wealth Management Visa Signature Debit Card at Encalm Privé T1?

​I also hold the ICICI Wealth Management Debit Card.

​I recently saw a banner/display on instagram at the Encalm Privé T1 entrance listing ICICI Wealth World Debit Cards as accepted! Has anyone recently swiped it at Privé T1 to confirm smooth entry?

My wealth debit card is visa signature so i dont know if it will work or not.

​Is there any strict name-matching enforced at the counter if I swipe my debit card to guest my mom in, or do they mandate "1 matching boarding pass per cardholder name"?

​Appreciate any recent experiences from folks who have passed through T1 Privé! Thanks!

Hey guys,

​I recently realized I have access to the Visa Infinite Concierge through my cards (holding the HSBC Live+ and ICICI Times Black), but I've literally never touched a concierge desk before.

​Before I try reaching out for random stuff, wanted to check with you all:

​1. Has anyone actually used the Visa Infinite Concierge? Did they pull off anything genuinely useful—like hard-to-get restaurant tables, event tickets, hotel upgrades, or travel help? Or is it basically just a human doing a basic Google search and emailing you links you could've found yourself in 2 minutes?

​2. For ICICI Times Black holders: Since we get both the 24/7 Visa Infinite desk and the dedicated CribLife Concierge (with the 6 annual fulfillments), has anyone tested both? Is CribLife actually better/more responsive for local India requests, or is the Visa Infinite WhatsApp desk faster for general travel stuff?

​Would love to hear some real-world wins (or failures) if you've actually messaged them!

Refer to my old posts-https://www.reddit.com/r/CreditCardsIndia/s/6tytMrNh0N and https://www.reddit.com/r/CreditCardsIndia/s/nlKZXmCVfY

​If you saw my previous post unboxing the ICICI Times Black Metal Card, you might remember the major letdown: ICICI approved me for a base limit of just ₹2.5 Lakhs. For a super-premium card with a ₹20,000 + GST fee, that limit made zero sense. In that post, I explicitly stated that I was not going to activate this card unless ICICI fixed the limit and bumped it up significantly.

​A lot of people in the comments told me it wouldn't happen. The consensus was: "ICICI Times Black limits get locked on issuance," "You won't get an enhancement without long-term spending," or "Just accept it or let it auto-cancel."

​Well, here I am to prove that holding out and escalating actually works—I just got the official limit increase confirmation straight to ₹7 Lakhs today!

​How It Went Down:

​Refused Activation: I kept the box sealed. As per RBI guidelines, you don't owe annual fees if you don't activate the card within 30 days. Unactivated high-fee cards sitting in the pipeline create a negative metric for their team.

​Escalated via Head of Service Quality: I bypassed standard customer support and escalated through internal channels/Office of Head Service Quality, making it crystal clear: *Increase the limit to reflect my profile, or cancel the card prior to activation*

​The Turnaround: They re-evaluated my credit profile/CIBIL pull, and today I received the official confirmation email stating the credit limit on my card has been enhanced directly to ₹7,00,000.

​Key Takeaway for the Community:

​Don't settle for breadcrumb limits on high-annual-fee cards just because the backend system defaulted to a low cap. If the limit doesn't match the card segment or your requirement, do not activate it. Leverage the pre-activation window to escalate—banks care much more about losing a premium user before activation than after!

​Off to finally set the PIN and activate the card now. Cheers!

​Hey everyone,

​I reached out to HSBC Chat Support to get complete clarity on the updated lounge access rules for the HSBC Live+ (Visa Infinite) card and how add-on cardholders are treated.

​Here are the key takeaways directly from HSBC support:

​1. Domestic Lounge Access

​Quota: 2 complimentary visits per calendar year (limited to 1 visit every 6 months), starting from 26th July 2026.

​Spend Criteria: NO spend threshold required to unlock domestic lounge visits.

​2. International Lounge Access

​Quota: 1 complimentary visit per calendar year (can be used anytime during the year), effective from 1st September 2026.

​3. Add-On Cardholder Rules (Separate vs. Pooled)

​Separate Quotas: Add-on cardholders get separate/independent lounge access limits, not pooled with the primary card.

​Both Domestic & International: Both domestic and international lounge access quotas are extended independently to add-on cards.

​Thought this might be helpful for anyone holding the Live+ card or considering applying for add-on cards for family members!

​(Attached screenshots of the chat for proof/reference)

Hey guys,

Just wanted to share a quick unboxing and my overall experience with my newly approved ICICI Times Black Credit Card. I'm sharing some photos of the unboxing.

📦 The Unboxing Experience

The courier just dropped off two packages today, and I have to say, the packaging is quite interesting:

* The Primary Card Box: This comes in a premium, heavy-duty display box with hidden magnetic flaps. Inside, you get the gorgeous, heavy Metal Times Black Card, the Priority Pass, and the welcome brochures detailing all the benefits.

* The Add-on Envelope: I applied for a supplementary/add-on card for my 15-year-old son (mostly for his lounge access when we travel). What blew my mind is that even though his card came in a standard, sleek paper envelope instead of a heavy box, his add-on card is also made of full metal! Usually, banks issue plastic for add-ons, but since ICICI charges a one-time fee of ₹3,500 + GST for this premium add-on, they actually minted it in heavy metal. It feels incredibly premium.

The Application Process:

The application itself was handled entirely on my behalf. I bypassed the standard online portal and went directly through my Relationship Manager (RM), who coordinated with their credit card sales team to get everything processed and approved. The physical delivery took a bit of waiting today (it was out for delivery since the morning and finally landed late afternoon), but both cards are physically here now.

The Catch: Why I Might NOT Activate It (The Limit Issue):

While the physical metal cards look absolutely stunning on my table, I am currently holding off on activating them.

The welcome brochure lists my approved credit limit as a measly ₹2.5 Lakhs ( same as my sapphiro ).

For context, I have an 18+ year-long relationship with ICICI Bank. I hold my salary account with them, I am a Wealth Management customer, and I am also actively paying a ₹1 Lakh monthly EMI for an ongoing education loan with them (which they are actively profiting from!).

Despite this loyalty, their credit team is playing it incredibly safe, citing the education loan as a "risk factor." Meanwhile, other banks where I don't even have a primary relationship have given me much higher limits:

* HDFC Regalia Gold: ₹3.5 Lakhs limit

* Federal Scapia: ₹3.37 Lakhs limit

* HSBC Live+: ₹3 Lakhs limit

It is incredibly frustrating that my primary bank of nearly two decades is underwriting me worse than the competition. I already spoke to the sales manager, who basically told me the credit team won't budge past ₹2.5L and said, "Your wish, sir, if you don't want to activate."

My Next Steps

I am calling my Wealth Relationship Manager tomorrow morning. Since standard sales channels hit an automated system block, I’m going to ask my RM to push for a Manual Credit Deviation / Relationship Value Escalation directly to the Regional Credit Head.

With ₹2.5L sharing the pool between a primary and an add-on card, it's virtually useless for my spending profile. If ICICI can't match my other premium card limits based on my total relationship value, I'm going to let the 30-day RBI activation window lapse, let the cards auto-close, and seriously reconsider where I park my wealth portfolio.

Has anyone else successfully managed to get a manual limit override on a newly issued ICICI card through their RM? Let me know your thoughts!

Same as title.

Hsbc recently upgraded their live+ card from visa signature to infinite.

Mine was still visa signature so i thought i should ask for a replacement. Also , my tap to pay wasnt working so thought its a good reason for replacement.

Received it today. Its Visa Infinite.

Timeline:

Requested replacement via hsbc app chat on thursday night. Got the reference number.

Waited 2 days.

Saturday : received a message that my query has been resolved and i will get my card within 7 days.

Monday ( today ) : got the card with the upgraded visa infinite variant

1. Reduced forex markup: now its 1.99% + gst . The 1.5% cashback will not apply

2. Lounge access : previously it was 1 per quarter . Now its 2 per year ( 1 every 6 months )

Same As Title

These are some Credit Cards in India that still gives Lounge Access without Spend Criteria. Some LTF and some with minimum annual fees.

Max Fees - 1499 Rs

You guys can also add your opinions and some other credit cards name in the comments.

1. IndusInd ( Or IndusL**d ) Tiger Credit Card

Joining & Annual Fee: ₹0 (LTF Status)

​

Lounge Access Benefit:

​

8 domestic entries per year (capped at 2 per quarter) and 2 international entries per year via Priority Pass

​

Bonus Perks:

​

Forex mark-up fee (1.5%)

​

1 complimentary movie ticket every 6 months

​

Golf privileges (1 game/lesson per quarter at partner clubs)

​

Concierge services and travel assistance

​

Fuel surcharge waiver: 1% on transactions ₹400–₹4,000.

2. HSBC Rupay Cashback Credit Card

​

Joining Fee: ₹499

​

Annual Fee: ₹499 (fee waiver on spends ₹2 lakh annually)

​

Lounge Access:

​

8 domestic lounge visits per year (2 per quarter) and 2 international lounge visits per year

​

Bonus Perks:

​

10% (up to) cashback on dining, food delivery and more

​

1% cashback on other spends

​

0% forex mark-up on international transactions

​

UPI integration for QR/UPI payments.

​

​

​

​

​

​

3. IDBI Royale Signature Credit Card

​

Joining & Annual Fee: ₹0

​

Lounge Privileges:

​

4 domestic lounge visits/year (1 per quarter)

​

Bonus Perks:

​

Reward points on daily spends , 3 RP per ₹100

​

Basic travel accident insurance

​

All Visa Signature Benefits

​

1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver

​

Lounge access is extended to addon cards

4. IDBI Bank Winnings Credit Card

​

Joining Fee: 0

​

Annual Fee: ₹899 (fee waiver on spends ₹90,000 annually)

​

Lounge Privileges:

​

8 domestic entries/year (2 per quarter) and 4 international lounge visits/year (2 per half-year)

​

Bonus Perks:

​

Reward points on daily spends

​

Dining and travel discounts via partners

​

Rupay Select Variant

​

1% fuel surcharge waiver

Lounge access is extended to addon cards

5. HSBC Live+ Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹999

Annual Fee: ₹999 (waiver on ₹2 lakh annual spend)

Lounge Privileges:

4 domestic lounge visits/year

Bonus Perks

10% (up to) cashback on dining, groceries, and more

1.5% cashback on other eligible spends

Lounge Access is extended to addon

6 . SBI PULSE Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹1,499

Annual Fee: ₹1,499 (waiver condition on annual spend of ₹2 lakh)

Lounge Privileges:

4 domestic lounge a year, 1 visit is allowed every quarter

Other Benefits

Earn reward points across various categories

Special offers related to Travel and online shopping .

7. IDBI Euphoria Credit Card

Lounge Access- 12 per year.

Benefits:

Annual fee of Rs 1499 plus taxes with a waive off criteria on spending Rs 1.5 in a year.

6 Delight points for every Rs 100 on travel related spends (Hotel, Airlines, IRCTC, Bus Bookings).

3 Delight point for every Rs 100 on other categories (Excluded categories - Mutual Funds, Govt Payment, Insurance, Education and Fuel)

BOGO offer on BMS twice in a month (Max Rs 250 off)

12 lounge access to domestic lounges.

All benefits apply to Add-On card members also

1% fuel surcharge waiver for a transaction of minimum Rs 400 to maximum Rs 5000.

1 Delight point = 0.25 paisa

You guys can also add some recs in the chat.

(Also ,i apologize for the bad formatting

Same as title

​

I was checking the limit enhancement website to see if i have an enhancement offer , it was showing i am eligible for higher credit limit , but was asking for work email which i gave.

​

Now its asking where my salary is credited + to upload salary slips.

​

I thought checking from the website meant pre approved enhancement.

TL;DR:

Scapia worked for:

All POS transactions-- contactless too. Basically everywhere.

Hi all,

I just returned from my 28-day holiday in Vancouver, Canada. My current cards are ICICI Coral, Federal Scapia, and HDFC Regalia Gold, but I only used the Federal Scapia (for 0% forex) and used the HDFC Regalia Gold once for the 500 rewards points through GVP.

I got the Federal Scapia primarily for the zero forex markup, and it worked everywhere like a charm.

Total spending in Canada:

• Scapia: 303,000 INR (main purchases: iPhone 17 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 11).

• ICICI Multicurrency Forex Prepaid Card: 1,982 CAD (I loaded 2,000 CAD because my Scapia limit is very low at 337,000 INR).

• Cash: 2,800 CAD (I gave it to my sister because she has a Canadian bank account, so she deposited the money and used her debit card for my expenses).

Forex saved from Scapia: 9,250 INR.

Card acceptance: It worked everywhere—no declines, good forex rates, and even tap functionality worked everywhere, including in Japan (I had a layover there both times and used it).

I also carried 37,000 yen for spending in Japan because, as I mentioned, my limit on Scapia is only 337,000 INR.

Additionally, I used Scapia at the Japan airport for 4,000 INR (tax-free Akihabara) and got a good exchange rate.

Overall, Scapia is a great card to have. It offers real-time exchange rates. I thought Mastercard provided good exchange rates, but Visa is better, to be honest.

Imo , a zero forex card is a must in everyone's portfolio if they dont have cards that give rewards more than the forex charges

Is TimesBlack good for 8LPA spend???

How much of these benefits are actually usable? Asking because i wanna know if i can recover the fee..

Thinking to get this card because i am not eligible for premium cards like dcbm , epm , premier, etc.

Main requirement- unlimited dom+intl lounge for primary and addon.

Same as title

Got My New Upgraded Debit Card Today.

IDBI Visa Signature Debit Card. Its LTF for me btw.

It gives 4 airport lounge access per quarter. 2 per quarter for domestic terminal and 2 per quarter for intl terminals of india without spend criteria.

My flight is tomorrow for YVR , its good that i got my card on time.

Even though i have regalia gold for lounge , having extra lounge accesses is good.