ICICI Coral Card vs HPCL Super Saver Card – which fuel credit card saves you more? Compare cashback, fuel surcharge waivers, reward points & annual fees side-by-side. Discover which card wins for petrol spends, dining & travel benefits!
In the world of credit cards, choosing the right one can significantly impact your financial planning and savings. ICICI Bank, one of India’s leading private-sector banks, offers a variety of credit cards tailored to different lifestyles and spending habits. Two popular entry-level cards, the ICICI Coral Credit Card and the ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card, stand out for their unique benefits. This blog post provides a detailed comparison of these cards, incorporating the latest data for 2025, to help you decide which one suits your needs. We’ll explore their features, rewards, fees, eligibility, and more.
Overview of ICICI Coral and HPCL Super Saver Credit Cards
ICICI Coral Credit Card
The ICICI Coral Credit Card is a versatile, entry-level lifestyle card designed for individuals who enjoy dining, entertainment, and travel. Available in three variants—Visa, Mastercard, and American Express—it caters to a broad audience with a nominal joining fee of ₹500 plus GST. This card is ideal for those seeking rewards on everyday spending, dining discounts, and travel perks like lounge access.
ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card
The ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card, a co-branded fuel credit card launched in collaboration with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), focuses on fuel savings and everyday essentials. With a joining and annual fee of ₹500 plus GST, it offers cashback on fuel purchases, rewards on utilities, and grocery spends, making it a go-to choice for frequent drivers and budget-conscious shoppers.
Both cards are entry-level, but their reward structures and benefits cater to different priorities. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you choose the best credit card in India for your needs in 2025.
Key Features Comparison
1. Fees and Charges
Both cards have similar fee structures, but the conditions for waivers differ slightly:
- ICICI Coral Credit Card:
- Joining Fee: ₹500 + GST
- Annual Fee: ₹500 + GST (waived on spending ₹1.5 lakh or more in the previous year)
- Interest Rate: 3.5% per month (42% annualized)
- Foreign Currency Markup Fee: 3.5% of the transaction amount
- Cash Advance Fee: 2.5% of the amount withdrawn (minimum ₹300)
- ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card:
- Joining Fee: ₹500 + GST
- Annual Fee: ₹500 + GST (waived on spending ₹1.5 lakh or more in the previous year)
- Interest Rate: 3.5% per month (42% annualized)
- Foreign Currency Markup Fee: 3.5% of the transaction amount
- Cash Advance Fee: 2.5% of the amount withdrawn (minimum ₹300)
Verdict: Both cards have identical fee structures, including joining and annual fees, interest rates, and foreign transaction charges. The annual fee waiver condition (₹1.5 lakh annual spend) is also the same, making them equally affordable for moderate spenders. However, the high spend threshold for the waiver may be challenging for entry-level cardholders.
2. Welcome Benefits
Welcome benefits are a key factor when choosing a credit card, as they provide immediate value upon activation.
- ICICI Coral Credit Card:
- Up to 2,000 bonus Reward Points on achieving milestone spends (specific conditions apply).
- Access to ICICI Bank’s Culinary Treats Programme for dining discounts.
- ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card:
- 2,000 bonus ICICI Reward Points on paying the joining fee and spending ₹5,000 within 45 days of card issuance.
- ₹100 cashback on the first fuel purchase of ₹1,000 or more via the HP Pay app.
Verdict: The HPCL Super Saver offers more tangible welcome benefits with its 2,000 Reward Points and ₹100 cashback, provided the spending condition is met. The Coral’s welcome benefits are less specific and depend on milestone achievements, which may vary.
3. Reward Points and Cashback
The reward structure is where these cards diverge significantly, reflecting their target audiences.
ICICI Coral Credit Card
- Reward Points:
- 2 Reward Points per ₹100 spent on retail transactions (except fuel).
- 1 Reward Point per ₹100 spent on utilities and insurance.
- Up to 10,000 bonus Reward Points annually through the milestone program.
- Reward Point Value: 1 Point = ₹0.25 (redeemable for cash, gifts, or vouchers).
- Key Benefits:
- 15% or more discount at over 2,500 premium restaurants via the ICICI Bank Culinary Treats Programme.
- 25% discount (up to ₹100) on movie tickets booked via BookMyShow or INOX (twice a month, minimum two tickets).
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000 at HPCL pumps (when swiped on ICICI Merchant Services machines).
ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card
- Reward Points and Cashback:
- 4% cashback on fuel purchases at HPCL pumps (capped at ₹200 per month, i.e., ₹5,000 in fuel spends).
- Additional 1.5% cashback as Reward Points on fuel purchases via the HP Pay app.
- 5% cashback as Reward Points (20 Points per ₹100 spent) on utilities, groceries, and departmental stores (capped at 400 Reward Points or ₹100 per month).
- 2 Reward Points per ₹100 spent on other retail purchases (except fuel).
- Reward Point Value: 1 Point = ₹0.25 (redeemable via ICICI Bank’s Reward Redemption Portal).
- Key Benefits:
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions up to ₹4,000 at HPCL pumps.
- 25% discount (up to ₹100) on movie tickets booked via BookMyShow or INOX (twice a month, individually on each platform).
- Complimentary 24/7 roadside assistance (e.g., flat tire support, fuel delivery).
Verdict: The HPCL Super Saver excels for fuel and everyday essentials, offering up to 5% savings on fuel (4% cashback + 1% surcharge waiver) and 5% cashback on groceries and utilities. However, its rewards are capped at ₹300 per month (₹200 for fuel, ₹100 for other categories), limiting its potential for high spenders. The Coral is better for dining and entertainment, with uncapped Reward Points on retail spends and a robust milestone program, but it lacks fuel-specific rewards.
4. Lounge Access
Lounge access is a premium perk for frequent travelers, and both cards offer it with conditions.
- ICICI Coral Credit Card:
- 1 complimentary domestic airport lounge visit per quarter (on spending ₹75,000 in the previous quarter).
- 1 complimentary railway lounge visit per quarter at select stations in India.
- ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card:
- 1 complimentary domestic airport lounge visit per quarter (on spending ₹75,000 in the previous quarter).
Verdict: The Coral has a slight edge with its additional railway lounge access, which is rare for entry-level cards. Both cards require significant quarterly spends (₹75,000) to unlock lounge benefits, which may be a stretch for some users.
5. Fuel Benefits
Fuel benefits are a critical differentiator, especially for those prioritizing savings on petrol and diesel.
- ICICI Coral Credit Card:
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000 at HPCL pumps (via ICICI Merchant Services swipe machines).
- No specific fuel cashback or rewards.
- ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card:
- 4% cashback on fuel purchases at HPCL pumps (capped at ₹200 per month).
- Additional 1.5% cashback as Reward Points via the HP Pay app.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions up to ₹4,000 at HPCL pumps.
- Total savings: Up to 5% on fuel spends.
Verdict: The HPCL Super Saver is the clear winner for fuel savings, offering up to 5% value-back (4% cashback + 1% surcharge waiver) at HPCL pumps. The Coral’s 1% surcharge waiver is modest and less competitive for frequent drivers.
6. Dining and Entertainment
Both cards cater to lifestyle perks like dining and movie discounts, appealing to urban professionals.
- ICICI Coral Credit Card:
- 15% or more discount at over 2,500 restaurants via the Culinary Treats Programme.
- 25% discount (up to ₹100) on movie tickets via BookMyShow or INOX (twice a month).
- ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card:
- Exclusive discounts at partner restaurants via the Culinary Treats Programme.
- 25% discount (up to ₹100) on movie tickets via BookMyShow and INOX (twice a month on each platform).
Verdict: The Coral has a stronger dining proposition with its extensive Culinary Treats Programme, covering over 2,500 restaurants. The HPCL Super Saver’s movie discount is slightly better, as it applies twice monthly on both BookMyShow and INOX individually, but its dining benefits are less detailed.
7. Additional Benefits
- ICICI Coral Credit Card:
- Milestone program offering up to 10,000 bonus Reward Points annually.
- Available in three variants (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) for flexibility.
- ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card:
- Complimentary 24/7 roadside assistance (e.g., vehicle repair, flat tire support).
- Reward redemption fee of ₹99 per request (a drawback for frequent redemptions).
Verdict: The Coral’s milestone program adds long-term value for consistent spenders, while the HPCL Super Saver’s roadside assistance is a practical perk for drivers. The redemption fee on the HPCL card is a minor inconvenience.
Both cards have similar eligibility requirements, typical for entry-level credit cards:
- Age: 21–60 years (salaried or self-employed).
- Income: Stable source of income (specific income thresholds vary; contact ICICI Bank for details).
- Credit Score: Preferably above 750.
- Documents:
- Online: Visit the ICICI Bank website, select the desired card, fill out the application form, and upload documents.
- Offline: Visit an ICICI Bank branch, submit the application form, and provide documents.
Verdict: Eligibility and application processes are identical, making both cards equally accessible to eligible applicants.
Which Card Should You Choose in 2025?
Choose ICICI Coral Credit Card If:
- You prioritize dining and entertainment benefits, with frequent restaurant visits and movie outings.
- You want a versatile lifestyle card with uncapped Reward Points on retail spends.
- You value railway lounge access alongside airport lounge visits.
- Fuel savings are not a priority, as you don’t frequently visit HPCL pumps.
Choose ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card If:
- You’re a frequent driver and regularly fuel up at HPCL pumps, seeking up to 5% savings.
- You want rewards on everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, and departmental store purchases.
- Roadside assistance is a valuable perk for your driving needs.
- You’re comfortable with reward caps (₹300 per month) and primarily spend within those limits.
Pros and Cons
ICICI Coral Credit Card
Pros:
- Robust dining discounts via the Culinary Treats Programme.
- Uncapped Reward Points on retail spends.
- Railway and airport lounge access.
- Milestone program for bonus points.
Cons:
- Limited fuel benefits (only 1% surcharge waiver).
- High spend threshold (₹75,000 per quarter) for lounge access.
- No specific cashback on everyday essentials.
ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card
Pros:
- Up to 5% savings on fuel at HPCL pumps.
- 5% cashback on groceries, utilities, and departmental stores.
- Complimentary roadside assistance.
- Generous welcome benefits.
Cons:
- Reward caps limit earnings (₹200 for fuel, ₹100 for other categories).
- ₹99 redemption fee for Reward Points.
- Lounge access requires high quarterly spends (₹75,000).
Latest Insights for 2025
As of April 2025, both cards remain competitive in the entry-level segment, but user feedback highlights some challenges:
- ICICI Coral Credit Card: Praised for its dining and entertainment benefits, but some users find the reward rate (0.5% on retail spends) low compared to competitors like the Amazon Pay ICICI Card.
- ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card: While popular for fuel savings, some cardholders report issues with cashback consistency, especially when using non-ICICI POS terminals or the HP Pay app. A 2024 Reddit thread noted devaluation concerns, with surcharges not always waived as promised.
ICICI Bank’s credit card portfolio, with over 1.8 crore active cards as of February 2025, continues to dominate the Indian market. The bank’s focus on co-branded cards like the HPCL Super Saver reflects the growing demand for fuel-specific rewards, while the Coral remains a staple for lifestyle-focused users.
Final Thought
The ICICI Coral Credit Card and ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card are excellent entry-level options for 2025, each catering to distinct lifestyles. The Coral is a lifestyle card for dining, entertainment, and travel enthusiasts, offering flexibility and uncapped rewards. The HPCL Super Saver is a fuel-focused card, ideal for drivers and those prioritizing savings on everyday essentials, though its reward caps may limit its appeal for high spenders.
Ultimately, your choice depends on your spending patterns and priorities. For the best fuel credit card in India, the HPCL Super Saver stands out. For a versatile lifestyle credit card, the Coral is a strong contender. Compare these cards on the ICICI Bank website or consult your relationship manager to make an informed decision.
Disclaimer: Always check the latest terms and conditions on the official ICICI Bank website, as benefits and fees may change.
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