We have repeatedly called the HDFC Diners Credit Card a standout card because of its generous rewards structure: 10X reward points on selected partners. The 10X rewards program has been available for some time and appears to be extended repeatedly. Initially scheduled to end on 31 March 2017, it was extended through 31 July 2017 and is now valid until 31 March 2018.
HDFC SmartBuy Offer – 10X Rewards
10X Reward Points Now Available Across HDFC Credit Cards
HDFC’s Diners 10X program has proven popular, and the bank has expanded 10X rewards to a wider set of customers. The 10X benefit now applies to all HDFC credit cards that earn reward points and are enrolled through SmartBuy, with some exclusions. Extending this benefit beyond Diners could significantly increase card usage across HDFC’s portfolio.
SmartBuy 10X Program: Key Update
According to updated SmartBuy terms and conditions, 10X points will be credited for all HDFC credit cards that accumulate reward points and participate in SmartBuy. Excluded are co-branded JetPrivilege cards and Corporate, Dealer, or Commercial cards. This change brings more cardholders into the 10X rewards ecosystem while still keeping certain business and co-branded products out of the offer.
Highlights of the SmartBuy 10X Offer
- Eligible categories that earn 10X reward points include:
- Flights
- Hotels
- Mobile recharges
- Bus bookings
- Shopping via Flipkart
- Bill payments (when available)
- Reward points are credited within 90 days of the transaction, consistent with HDFC’s existing Lifestyle rewards timing. This applies across the eligible HDFC credit card range, including Diners cards, so the extra points may take time to appear in statements.
- The offer is currently valid until 31 March 2018, following several extensions from earlier expiry dates in 2017.
Note: At present, the Bill Payments option on SmartBuy is offline. HDFC has indicated it will reintroduce bill payments with new partners, so this category should return in an updated form.
What This Change Means for Cardholders
This expansion is very beneficial for many HDFC credit card users. The SmartBuy categories cover everyday and high-value spending areas—flights, hotels, recharges, and e-commerce through Flipkart—that can drive substantial reward point accumulation. For example, recharges rarely offer significant bonus points on other platforms, so earning 10X through SmartBuy is a notable advantage compared with the typical 2X or standard earn rates on many portals.
When bill payments are restored to SmartBuy, the list of eligible payments may expand to include utilities such as electricity and gas, charitable donations, and magazine subscriptions, further boosting opportunities to earn 10X points on routine spending.
In short, the extension and expansion of the 10X rewards through SmartBuy make HDFC credit cards more rewarding across a broader range of transactions. Cardholders who optimize spending in the eligible categories stand to gain significant value from this program.
Share your thoughts and strategies in the comments below: how will you leverage these SmartBuy changes to maximize rewards?