The 10X rewards program on Smartbuy has long been a valuable way to save on online shopping, hotels and flights. It just got better: the Smartbuy portal now sells gift cards directly, and those purchases are eligible for 10X rewards.
This functionality has been visible for a couple of weeks; I waited to report it to ensure it would remain available, since HDFC’s terms and conditions can change quickly.
With this change, you can earn 10X rewards when buying gift cards from several brands through Smartbuy, including popular retailers such as Flipkart, Amazon, Pantaloons and more.
How to Avail?
- Go to the HDFC Smartbuy page and open the Instant Vouchers tab to purchase gift cards directly from the portal.
- Check the applicable terms and conditions for the specific merchant and voucher before completing the transaction.
Important: Always access merchant pages (Amazon, Flipkart, Gyftr, etc.) via the HDFC Smartbuy portal so tracking remains intact and you retain eligibility for the rewards. Links and tracking parameters can change over time.
Effectively, this lets you buy a wide range of items via gift cards while earning substantial rewards. For cardholders of premium HDFC cards such as Infinia or Diners Club Black, this can translate into very high effective discounts when upper limits and reward redemptions are factored in.
Hard to Believe, Isn’t it?
It may seem surprising, but Diners support confirmed that instant vouchers are included in the Smartbuy 10X program. Several readers have also reported receiving 1X and 9X points on gift card purchases, confirming the split of base and bonus points.
At the time of writing, this setup was working (noted in early November 2019), and Smartbuy’s 10X promotion has been extended through the month without the blackout days that appeared in earlier periods.
A practical rule when dealing with HDFC promotions: if the terms are unclear, call customer support and get confirmation before transacting. Having a record of their guidance can help if any disputes arise later.
My Thoughts
It’s notable how financial services platforms are expanding into adjacent businesses. Smartbuy now functions like an OTA, an e-commerce gateway and a gift card marketplace. If these categories perform well, the bank could further evolve its offerings or even build proprietary services to boost revenue.
For consumers, this development presents a strong opportunity to accumulate reward points efficiently—useful for travel or other redemptions. Keep in mind, however, that such offers can be short-lived as program rules shift.
Until then, take advantage of the opportunity to earn extra points and stay mindful of the terms. 😊