India's largest private lender, HDFC Bank, is once again under the scanner—not for a routine devaluation, but for what allegedly looks like silent enforcement of a major eligibility rule on its most premium credit card.
Over the past few days, members of the TechnoFino community uncovered internal evidence and alleged that HDFC Bank may require Infinia credit cardholders to spend Rs 18 lakh annually to retain the card, failing which the card could be cancelled. At the time, the document was dismissed by some as speculative or unofficial.
But that could change now.
Another TechnoFino member has now discovered that HDFC Bank has allegedly begun tracking the Rs 18 lakh annual spend. This data is visible inside the bank's own systems under: Rewards Redemption → My Rewards → Spend Promo Details.
Despite the tracking being visible to customers, there has been no official communication, no email, no SMS, no website update, and no revised card terms shared with customers about this implementation, as pointed out by many Infinia cardholders.
"If the bank is serious about enforcing a spend requirement, why not communicate it clearly?" one Reddit user asked. "Tracking it quietly feels like setting a trap."
Infinia is not a casual product. It is positioned as a top-tier, invitation-only card, often sold as a lifetime privilege. Many cardholders accepted upgrades or consolidated their relationship with HDFC based on existing terms.
What RBI rulebook says?
Under the RBI's Credit Card and Debit Card – Issuance and Conduct Directions, 2022, banks are allowed to revise credit card terms, fees, and eligibility criteria—but only with clear and prior disclosure. Any change that can impact a cardholder's ability to retain a card, lose benefits, or face cancellation is classified as a material change, and RBI rules mandate that customers must be informed in advance through official communication such as email, SMS, or written notice. Silent or backend changes that are not publicly disclosed are not in line with these norms.
The RBI also makes it clear that banks cannot enforce undisclosed conditions or surprise customers with cancellations or downgrades based on internal tracking alone. All eligibility requirements—including minimum spend thresholds tied to card continuation—must be transparently stated in the card's terms and conditions and made easily accessible on the bank's website. Customers must be given reasonable time to understand the change, modify their spending behaviour, or choose to close the card if they do not agree.
HDFC Infinia cardholders argue that how the change is being handled matters as much as why.
"Banks changing rules isn't new," a TechnoFino member noted. "But silently tracking a spend threshold without informing customers crosses a line."
