The ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card’s secret to slashing fuel and utility bills! With 5% cashback on HPCL fuel, roadside assistance, and exclusive rewards, is this the ultimate card for drivers? Uncover surprising perks like lounge access and movie discounts, but beware hidden fees
The ICICI Bank HPCL Super Saver Credit Card is a co-branded fuel credit card launched in collaboration with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). Designed for cost-conscious consumers, it focuses on savings for fuel, utility, and everyday purchases. With a low annual fee and benefits like cashback, reward points, and travel perks, it targets individuals seeking value on recurring expenses, particularly at HPCL fuel stations.
Credit Card Review
The ICICI Bank HPCL Super Saver Credit Card is a solid entry-level option for budget-conscious individuals with regular fuel and utility expenses. Its 5% fuel savings (4% cashback + 1% surcharge waiver) is competitive, but the HPCL-only restriction and ₹200 monthly cap limit its appeal for high spenders or those without easy access to HPCL pumps. The 5% reward rate on utilities and groceries is attractive, though the ₹100 monthly cap curbs potential savings. Welcome benefits (2,000 points + ₹100 cashback) offset the ₹500 joining fee, making it approachable for new cardholders. Additional perks like roadside assistance, movie discounts, and conditional lounge access add value, but the ₹99 redemption fee and high annual fee waiver threshold (₹1.5 lakh) detract from its appeal. User feedback highlights occasional issues with cashback tracking, particularly via HP Pay, and discrepancies in terms and conditions, suggesting operational hiccups.
Features and Benefits
The card offers a range of features tailored to fuel and daily essentials:
- Fuel Savings:
- 4% cashback on fuel purchases at HPCL pumps, capped at ₹200/month (₹4,000 spend).
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000 at HPCL pumps.
- Additional 1.5% cashback as reward points via HP Pay app at HPCL outlets.
- Reward Points:
- 20 reward points per ₹100 spent on utilities, groceries, and departmental stores (5% value, capped at 400 points/month, ₹100 equivalent).
- 2 reward points per ₹100 on other retail purchases (excluding fuel), valued at ₹0.25 per point.
- Welcome Benefits:
- 2,000 reward points (₹500 value) on paying ₹500 joining fee and spending ₹5,000 within 45 days.
- ₹100 cashback on first HP Pay app fuel transaction of ₹1,000 or more.
- Travel Perks:
- One complimentary domestic airport lounge access per quarter on spending ₹35,000–₹75,000 in the previous quarter.
- Entertainment Discounts:
- 25% discount (up to ₹100) on movie tickets via BookMyShow and INOX, twice monthly per platform, for minimum two-ticket bookings.
- Roadside Assistance:
- 24/7 complimentary services, including flat tire support, battery jumpstart, fuel delivery, and towing.
- Dining Benefits:
- Discounts via ICICI Bank Culinary Treats Programme at partnered restaurants.
- Security:
- Embedded microchip and PIN for secure transactions at merchant outlets.
- Interest-Free Credit:
- Up to 48 days of interest-free credit on purchases.
Fees and Charges
- Joining Fee: ₹500 + GST (one-time).
- Annual Fee: ₹500 + GST (waived if annual spend exceeds ₹1.5 lakh, excluding rent, government, and education payments).
- Add-on Card Fee: ₹100 (one-time).
- Interest Rate: 3.5% per month (42% p.a.) for EMI, extended credit, and cash advances.
- Cash Advance Fee: 2.5% of amount (minimum ₹500).
- Reward Redemption Fee: ₹99 per redemption request.
- Late Payment Fee: Varies by outstanding amount (15% of total due, ₹100–₹1,300).
- Overlimit Fee: 2.5% of over-limit amount (minimum ₹550).
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3.5% on international transactions.
- Other Fees: 1% transaction fee on education payments via third-party apps, utility spends above ₹50,000/month, and fuel spends above ₹10,000/month.
Pros
- High
Fuel Savings: Up to 5% cashback on HPCL fuel purchases, ideal for
frequent drivers. - Welcome
Benefits: 2,000 reward points and ₹100 HP Pay cashback justify the
joining fee. - Versatile
Rewards: 5% reward points on utilities, groceries, and departmental
stores; 0.5% on other retail spends. - Low
Annual Fee: ₹500, waivable with ₹1.5 lakh spend, competitive for an
entry-level card. - Travel
and Entertainment: Complimentary lounge access and movie discounts
enhance lifestyle benefits. - Roadside
Assistance: Unique 24/7 service for vehicle-related emergencies. - Security
Features: Chip and PIN technology for safer transactions.
Cons
- HPCL Dependency: Fuel benefits limited to HPCL pumps, inconvenient for users near other stations.
- Low Reward Caps: ₹200/month cap on fuel cashback and ₹100/month on utility/grocery rewards limit savings.
- High Fee Waiver Threshold: ₹1.5 lakh annual spend for fee waiver is steep for an entry-level card.
- Reward Redemption Fee: ₹99 per redemption reduces net reward value.
- Limited Lounge Access: One domestic lounge visit per quarter, conditional on prior spend.
- HP Pay App Issues: Some users report inconsistent cashback and surcharges when using HP Pay.
- No International Lounge Access: Lacks global lounge benefits, unlike some competitors.
Who Should Get This Card?
This card suits:
- Frequent HPCL Pump Users: Ideal for those who refuel regularly at HPCL stations, maximizing 5% fuel savings.
- Beginners: Low joining fee and straightforward rewards make it suitable for first-time cardholders.
- Utility and Grocery Spenders: Those with moderate spending on daily essentials benefit from 5% rewards.
- Road Trip Enthusiasts: Complimentary roadside assistance adds value for frequent drivers.
- Budget-Conscious Travelers: Conditional lounge access and movie discounts appeal to cost-aware individuals.
Not Suitable For:
- High spenders needing uncapped rewards.
- Users without HPCL pumps nearby.
- Those seeking premium benefits like international lounge access or high reward rates across all categories.
Reward Points
- Earning:
- 20 points/₹100 on utilities, groceries, departmental stores (capped at 400 points/month).
- 2 points/₹100 on other retail spends (excluding fuel).
- 1.5% additional points on HP Pay fuel purchases.
- 2,000 welcome points on meeting conditions.
- Value: 1 point = ₹0.25, redeemable for fuel, vouchers, or cashback via ICICI’s portal or customer care.
- Redemption: ₹99 fee per redemption request; points redeemed as statement credit, merchandise, or vouchers.
- Limitations: Low caps (400 points on utilities/groceries, ₹200 fuel cashback) and redemption fees reduce effective value. No rewards on rent, e-wallet loads, government, or education spends.
Recommendations
- Choose ICICI HPCL Super Saver If:
- You frequently refuel at HPCL pumps and spend up to ₹4,000/month on fuel.
- You value roadside assistance and moderate utility/grocery rewards.
- You’re a beginner seeking a low-fee card with decent welcome benefits.
- Choose IDFC FIRST Power+ If:
- You want higher fuel cashback (5%, ₹300 cap) and more flexible lounge access (2 visits/quarter).
- You spend moderately on utilities/groceries (₹150 cap) and prefer lower fee waiver thresholds (₹50,000).
- Choose ICICI HPCL Coral If:
- You prioritize lower fees (₹199) and easier fee waiver (₹50,000).
- You don’t need roadside assistance and prefer consistent lounge access (2 visits/quarter, no spend condition).
- Choose BPCL SBI Card If:
- You refuel at BPCL pumps and want higher retail rewards (1.25%).
- You don’t need lounge access or roadside assistance and prefer no redemption fees.
- General Advice:
- Check HPCL pump availability before opting for ICICI HPCL cards.
- For broader fuel station flexibility, consider cards like BPCL SBI Card or non-co-branded options.
- Monitor spending to meet fee waiver and lounge access thresholds.
- Redeem points strategically to offset the ₹99 redemption fee.
Comparison with Peers
The following table compares the ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card with similar fuel-focused cards: IDFC FIRST Power+ Credit Card, ICICI HPCL Coral Credit Card, and BPCL SBI Card.
|
Feature |
ICICI HPCL Super Saver |
IDFC FIRST Power+ |
ICICI HPCL Coral |
BPCL SBI Card |
|
Joining/Annual Fee |
₹500 + GST (waived at ₹1.5L spend) |
₹499 + GST (waived at ₹50,000 spend) |
₹199 + GST (waived at ₹50,000 spend) |
₹499 + GST (waived at ₹50,000 spend) |
|
Fuel Benefits |
4% cashback + 1% surcharge waiver at HPCL (₹200 cap) |
5% cashback at HPCL (₹300 cap) |
2.5% cashback + 1% surcharge waiver at HPCL |
5% cashback at BPCL (₹100 cap) |
|
Utility/Grocery Rewards |
5% (20 points/₹100, ₹100 cap) |
5% (4X points, ₹150 cap) |
None |
5% (10X points, ₹100 cap) |
|
Other Retail Rewards |
2 points/₹100 (0.5%) |
3X points (0.75%) |
2 points/₹100 (0.5%) |
5 points/₹100 (1.25%) |
|
Welcome Benefits |
2,000 points + ₹100 HP Pay cashback |
Up to ₹2,250 (vouchers) |
2,000 points |
2,000 points |
|
Lounge Access |
1 domestic/quarter (₹35,000–₹75,000 prior spend) |
2 domestic/quarter (₹20,000 prior spend) |
2 domestic/quarter (no spend condition) |
None |
|
Movie Discounts |
25% off (₹100 cap, 2x/month) |
25% off (₹100 cap, 1x/month) |
25% off (₹100 cap, 2x/month) |
None |
|
Roadside Assistance |
Yes, 24/7 complimentary |
Yes, 4x/year complimentary |
None |
None |
|
Reward Redemption Fee |
₹99 |
₹99 |
None |
None |
|
Interest Rate (p.a.) |
42% |
8.5%–46.2% |
42% |
42% |
|
Foreign Transaction Fee |
3.5% |
3.5% |
3.5% |
3.5% |
Final thought
The ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card is a practical choice for entry-level users with regular HPCL fuel and utility spends. Its strengths lie in fuel savings, roadside assistance, and welcome benefits, but low reward caps, HPCL dependency, and redemption fees limit its appeal for high spenders or those needing flexibility. Compared to peers, it offers unique perks like roadside assistance but lags in reward caps and fee waiver ease. Choose based on your fuel station preference and spending patterns.
