HDFC Millennia Credit Card Review : Is It Still the Cashback King in 2026

The HDFC Millennia Credit Card is a mid-range cashback card tailored for the “online-first” generation. It offers a solid 5% cashback on ten major platforms (Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, Zomato, etc.) and 1% cashback on other spends. Recent updates have shifted its lounge access to a spend-based model (requiring ₹1 Lakh quarterly spend) and introduced redemption fees. It remains a strong contender against the SBI Cashback card for those who want HDFC bank offers and decent milestone rewards.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Credit card terms, fees, and rewards programs are subject to change by the issuer (HDFC Bank) at any time. Please verify the latest details from the official HDFC Bank website before applying.

HDFC Millennia Credit Card

Let’s be honest for a second. If you are anything like me, your monthly bank statement is basically a long list of transactions from Amazon, Swiggy, Uber, and maybe the occasional guilt-induced gym membership payment. We live online. We shop online. We eat online. So, shouldn’t our credit card pay us for living that life?

Enter the HDFC Millennia Credit Card.

When HDFC first launched this card, it was a game-changer. It promised to speak the language of the “millennial” (and Gen Z, let’s not leave you out) by offering cold, hard cash back rather than confusing reward points that you’d eventually trade for a toaster you didn’t need. But now, with aggressive competitors like the SBI Cashback Card and the Axis Ace eating into its market share, does the Millennia still hold up?

I’ve dug deep into the fine print, the recent devaluation updates, and the real-world utility of this card to bring you this massive, no-nonsense review. Grab a coffee; we have a lot to cover.

The Core Proposition: Why Everyone Talks About This Card

The HDFC Millennia is marketed as a “Cashback” card, but technically, it earns “CashPoints.” Don’t let the name fool you; these points are as good as cash (mostly). The primary allure here is simplicity. You spend on specific apps, you get 5% back. You spend elsewhere, you get 1% back.

But as with all things financial, the devil is in the details.

1. The “Fab 10” Partners (5% Cashback)

This is the bread and butter of the Millennia card. You earn 5% CashPoints when you spend on these ten specific merchants:

• Amazon
• Flipkart
• BookMyShow
• Cult.fit
• Myntra
• Sony LIV
• Swiggy
• Tata CLiQ
• Uber
• Zomato

Real-World Scenario:

Imagine it’s the Great Indian Festival or the Big Billion Days. You buy a smartphone for ₹20,000 on Amazon. With this card, you instantly earn 1,000 CashPoints (which equals ₹1,000). That’s a flat 5% discount, often over and above the bank offers running at the time.

However, there is a Cap: You can only earn a maximum of 1,000 CashPoints per statement cycle in this 5% category. This means you stop earning 5% once you hit ₹20,000 in spending across these apps. For most of us, ₹20k a month on food and shopping is a reasonable limit, but for heavy spenders, this cap is a bit of a buzzkill.

2. The “Everywhere Else” Spends (1% Cashback)

For everything that isn’t on that list of ten partners—your utility bills, offline groceries, dining out at a restaurant that isn’t on Swiggy Dineout—you earn 1% cashback.

• Cap: This category also has its own separate cap of 1,000 CashPoints per month.
• The “Wallet Load” Devaluation: Historically, HDFC Millennia was famous because it gave 1% cashback even on wallet loads (like adding money to Paytm or Amazon Pay). However, recent updates in late 2024 and 2025 have largely removed or restricted this benefit. If you are reading old reviews from 2023, be careful—that “double dip” loophole is mostly closed.

Lounge Access & Fees

This is where we need to have a serious chat. If you travel frequently, the Millennia card has undergone some “surgery” recently that you need to know about.

The New Lounge Access Rule (Spend-Based)

Gone are the days when you could just flash your Millennia card and walk into a lounge for free coffee and Wi-Fi. As of now, HDFC (like many other banks) has introduced a spend-based criterion.

• The Rule: You must spend ₹1 Lakh in a calendar quarter to unlock lounge access for the next quarter.
• The Benefit: If you meet the spend target, you get a lounge access voucher (usually for up to 2 domestic visits per quarter).
• My Take: This essentially kills the card as a “free lounge access” card for casual users. If you are a light spender (spending ₹20k-30k a month), you will likely never see the inside of a lounge with this card.

Redemption Fees

Another “gotcha” that slipped in recently is the redemption fee. When you redeem your CashPoints for statement credit (i.e., adjusting them against your bill), HDFC charges a small processing fee of ₹50. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it means you should wait until you have a big chunk of points (like 2,000 or 3,000) before redeeming, rather than redeeming ₹500 every month.

Milestone Benefits: The Hidden Value

If you are a heavy spender who feels limited by the monthly caps, the Milestone Benefit is your safety net.

• The Milestone: Spend ₹1,00,000 or more in a calendar quarter.
• The Reward: You get a ₹1,000 Gift Voucher.

This is effectively an additional 1% return on your spending.

If you spend exactly ₹1 Lakh in a quarter (and let’s say it was all on Amazon), your math looks like this:

1. Monthly 5% Cap: ₹1,000 x 3 months = ₹3,000
2. Milestone Voucher: ₹1,000
3. Total: ₹4,000 on ₹1 Lakh spent = 4% Effective Return.

This milestone feature is what keeps the Millennia competitive against cards like the Axis Ace, which offers unlimited 2% but lacks these milestone kickers.

Fees

Let’s look at the cost of owning this plastic.

HDFC Millennia Lifetime Free trick

Pro Tip: HDFC is notorious for offering this card, Lifetime Free (LTF), to existing customers with a salary account. Check your NetBanking or HDFC mobile app for a “Pre-Approved” banner. If you see LTF, grab it immediately! Or you can contact customer support to convert your existing card to a lifetime free card if you are a frequent user of this card.

Comparison: HDFC Millennia vs. The World

You can’t review a credit card in a vacuum. Let’s see how it stands up to its biggest bullies in the playground.

1. HDFC Millennia vs. SBI Cashback Card

The SBI Cashback Card is currently the heavyweight champion of online spending.

• SBI Advantage: It gives 5% cashback on almost any online merchant, not just a specific list of 10. No partner restrictions.
• Millennia Advantage: SBI excludes many categories (like utilities, jewelry, and often sales on Amazon/Flipkart where bank offers apply). HDFC cards often have “10% Instant Discount” sales on Amazon/Flipkart, which the SBI Cashback card (usually) doesn’t qualify for.
• Verdict: If you want raw cashback power, go SBI. If you want access to HDFC’s specific bank offers during big sales, go for Millennia.

2. HDFC Millennia vs. Axis Ace

• Axis Ace: Offers 2% unlimited cashback on offline spends and 5% on utility bills (via GPay).
• Millennia: Only offers 1% on offline and utilities.
• Verdict: For offline spenders and bill payers, Axis Ace wins. For Amazon/Swiggy addicts, Millennia wins.

How to Redeem Your CashPoints (The Tricky Part)

I often hear people complaining, “I spent money but didn’t get cashback!” That’s because HDFC doesn’t credit it automatically to your bill. You have to go and claim it.

Step-by-Step Redemption Guide:

1. Log in to your HDFC NetBanking.
2. Go to the Cards tab > Enquire > Redeem Reward Points.
3. Select your Millennia Card. You will be redirected to the “SmartBuy” or rewards portal.
4. Look for the option “Cashback” (Do not choose Product Catalogue or Air Miles unless you want poor value).
5. Enter the points you want to convert.

   • Conversion Rate: 1 CashPoint = ₹1.

   • Minimum Points: You need at least 500 CashPoints to redeem.

6. Confirm. The money will be credited to your credit card statement within a few working days.

Warning: Do not let your points expire! They are valid for 2 years from the date of accumulation.

Does Buying Gift Cards on Amazon with HDFC Millennia Credit Card earn 5% Cashback?

Based on the most recent terms and conditions, the short answer is No.

Here is the detailed breakdown of why and what you will earn instead:

1. The Official Rule (1% Cashback)

HDFC Bank’s terms for the Millennia Credit Card explicitly state that “Gift or Prepaid Card loads & Voucher Purchases” are excluded from the 5% category.

• Rate: These transactions are treated as “Other Spends,” meaning you will earn 1% cashback (not 5%).
• Why: When you buy a Gift Card on Amazon, the merchant category code (MCC) often flags the transaction as a “Prepaid/Stored Value” purchase (MCC 6540) rather than a standard retail shopping transaction. HDFC’s system detects this and downgrades the reward rate.

2. The “Luck” Factor

While the official rule is 1%, some users occasionally report getting 5% if Amazon processes the transaction under a generic shopping code instead of the “Prepaid” code. However, this is inconsistent and should not be relied upon. As of now, HDFC has become much stricter at detecting and filtering these transactions.

3. Better Alternatives for Amazon Gift Cards

If your goal is to earn maximum cashback specifically on Amazon Gift Cards, consider these routes:

• SBI Cashback Card: Currently offers 5% cashback on almost all online transactions, and it (mostly) still works for Amazon Gift Cards purchased directly on Amazon (subject to their own changing exclusions).
• Amazon Pay ICICI Card: Earns 2% on Gift Card purchases (flat rate for digital content/gift cards) and 5% on actual product purchases (if you are a Prime member).
• Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Card: If you buy Amazon Gift Cards via the Tata Neu App (using NeuCoins or paying via card), you might get better returns depending on active offers.

Recommendation: Use your HDFC Millennia card for direct product purchases on Amazon to guarantee the 5% cashback. Avoid using it for Gift Cards if you want to maximize returns.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use the HDFC Millennia card for UPI payments?

No, the standard physical Millennia card is a Visa/Mastercard/Diners credit card and cannot be used directly for UPI scan-and-pay. However, you can link it to apps like PayZapp for wallet loads (though cashback on this is now restricted). If you want UPI on credit, look for the HDFC RuPay digital card, which is often offered as a companion to the Millennia.

Q2: Is the lounge access truly free?

Not anymore. As mentioned in the review, you now need to meet the quarterly spend milestone (₹1 Lakh) to get the voucher. If you don’t meet the spend, you will be charged for entering the lounge.

Q3: Does the 5% cashback apply to EMI transactions on Amazon/Flipkart?

Generally, no. HDFC usually excludes EMI transactions from earning reward points or cashback. If you convert a purchase to EMI, you lose the 5% benefit. Always pay in full if you want the points!

Q4: I am self-employed with an ITR of ₹6 Lakhs. Can I get this card?

Yes! The eligibility criteria for self-employed individuals typically require an annual ITR of over ₹6 Lakhs. For salaried individuals, a monthly take-home salary of over ₹35,000 is usually the benchmark.

Q5: Which is better: Millennia or Regalia Gold?

They serve different masters. Millennia is for cashback on daily small spends (Zomato, Uber, Amazon). Regalia Gold is a premium travel card focused on air miles, unrestricted lounge access, and premium milestones. If your spending is under ₹5-6 Lakhs a year, stick to Millennia.

Conclusion

So, is the HDFC Millennia Credit Card still worth your wallet space?

Yes, absolutely—but with a caveat.

If you are someone who spends between ₹15,000 and ₹40,000 a month, primarily on the “Fab 10” merchants (Amazon, Swiggy, Uber, etc.), this card is a powerhouse. The 5% return is reliable, and the ability to convert points to cash at a 1:1 ratio is satisfyingly simple. Plus, holding an HDFC card is almost mandatory in India for the frequent “10% Instant Discount” bank offers during festival sales.

However, if you are looking for a card solely for airport lounge access or if you spend heavily offline, this shouldn’t be your primary card. The new spend-based lounge rules and the 1% offline rate are its Achilles’ heel.

My recommendation? Treat the HDFC Millennia as your “Online Shopping Specialist.” Pair it with a card like the Axis Ace for your offline/utility needs, and you will have the perfect credit card portfolio.

Next Steps for You: Check your HDFC NetBanking offer section today. If you see the Millennia offered “Lifetime Free,” apply immediately—it’s a no-brainer.