June 2025 has marked a significant shift in India’s credit card landscape, with leading issuers such as HDFC Bank, American Express, and Yes Bank implementing sweeping changes that impact millions of cardholders. These changes — often referred to as “card devaluations” — reduce the benefits that users previously enjoyed, including complimentary airport lounge access, reward points on fuel, and cashback flexibility.
HDFC Tata Neu Credit Cards: Lounge Access Policy Revised
Effective June 10, 2025, HDFC Bank has updated the lounge access benefits for its Tata Neu Infinity and Tata Neu Plus credit cardholders.
Previous Benefits:
- Tata Neu Infinity: 8 complimentary domestic lounge accesses per year (2 per quarter) without any spending requirement.
- Tata Neu Plus: 4 complimentary domestic lounge accesses per year (1 per quarter) without any spending requirement.
New Policy:
- Spending Requirement: Cardholders must spend a minimum of ₹50,000 in a calendar quarter to qualify for lounge access vouchers.
- Voucher Issuance: Upon meeting the spending threshold, eligible customers will receive lounge access vouchers via SMS and email.
- Access Limits:
- Tata Neu Infinity: Up to 2 complimentary domestic lounge vouchers per quarter (maximum of 8 per year).
- Tata Neu Plus: 1 complimentary domestic lounge voucher per quarter (maximum of 4 per year).
These changes aim to encourage higher spending among cardholders to avail of lounge benefits.
American Express Gold Charge Card: Fuel Reward Points Discontinued
Starting June 12, 2025, American Express has ceased awarding Membership Rewards® points for fuel transactions on the Gold Charge Card.
Previous Benefits:
- Reward Points on Fuel: Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every ₹50 spent on fuel, including petrol, diesel, and CNG.
- Milestone Eligibility: Fuel transactions are counted towards the monthly transaction count required for milestone bonuses.
New Policy:
- No Reward Points on Fuel: Purchases of petrol, diesel, and CNG will no longer earn Membership Rewards® points.
- Milestone Eligibility Unchanged: Fuel transactions will still count towards the monthly transaction count for milestone bonuses but will not accrue base reward points.
This change reduces the overall reward potential for users who frequently use their Amex Gold Charge Card for fuel purchases.
Yes Bank KIWI Credit Card: Cashback and Redemption Policy Adjusted
Yes Bank’s KIWI Credit Card has undergone changes affecting cashback accrual and redemption processes, effective June 1, 2025.
Previous Benefits:
- Cashback on Transactions: 1.5% for non-members and 2% for members on all transactions, with flexible redemption options.
- Redemption Threshold: No strict lower limit for redeeming accumulated KIWIs (reward points).
New Policy:
- Transaction Multiples: Cashback will now be awarded only on transaction amounts in multiples of ₹100.
- Redemption Threshold: A minimum of 500 KIWI points (equivalent to ₹125) is now required for redemption, with redemptions permitted only in multiples of ₹500.
These adjustments may affect users who frequently make smaller transactions, as the new structure favours higher spending amounts.
Summary Table: Credit Card Changes Effective June 2025
| Credit Card | Previous Benefits | Revised Benefits (Effective June 2025) |
| HDFC Tata Neu Infinity | 8 domestic lounge accesses per year via card swipe | Spend ₹50,000/quarter to earn 2 lounge vouchers per quarter |
| HDFC Tata Neu Plus | 4 domestic lounge accesses per year via card swipe | Spend ₹50,000/quarter to earn 1 lounge voucher per quarter |
| Amex Gold Charge | Reward points on all spends, including fuel | No reward points on fuel spends; fuel counts for milestones only |
| Yes Bank KIWI Credit Card | Cashback on all transactions; flexible redemption | Cashback on ₹100 multiples; |
Disclaimer: The information provided herein is based on official communications from HDFC Bank, American Express, and Yes Bank as of May 2025. Users are advised to consult the respective banks’ official websites or customer service channels for the most current and detailed information.
Maximise Credit Card Benefits with the MobiKwik App
While the recent devaluations may seem like a setback, smart users can still earn consistent value through platforms like the MobiKwik App. MobiKwik offers a seamless, efficient way to manage credit card payments while earning unlimited cashback and enjoying instant payment settlements.
Why use MobiKwik for credit card payments?
- Unlimited Cashback: No capping on how much you can earn when paying credit card bills.
- Instant Settlements: Payments reflect in real-time, helping you avoid late fees and interest.
- Track & Manage All Cards: Pay multiple cards from a single platform with an intuitive interface.
Whether you’re dealing with tighter lounge access rules or reduced cashback rewards, using MobiKwik allows you to retain value on every credit card transaction, especially in a market where traditional benefits are being scaled back.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How can I check if I qualify for HDFC lounge access vouchers?
A1: Log in to HDFC NetBanking or the MobileBanking App, navigate to your Tata Neu Credit Card account, and review your quarterly spending to determine eligibility.
Q2: Will fuel transactions on the Amex Gold Charge Card count towards milestone bonuses?
A2: Yes, fuel transactions will count towards the monthly transaction count for milestone bonuses but will not earn base reward points.
Q3: How do the new KIWI Credit Card redemption rules affect my existing points?
A3: Existing KIWI points can still be redeemed, but only in multiples of ₹500, and a minimum of 500 points (₹125) is required for redemption.
The recent changes to credit card benefits by HDFC Bank, American Express, and Yes Bank mark a significant shift in the credit card landscape in India. Cardholders should reassess their spending habits and card usage strategies to maximize benefits under the new terms. Utilizing platforms like the MobiKwik App can provide additional value through cashback and efficient bill management.
Summary
June 2025 has brought a wave of credit card devaluations across prominent issuers like HDFC Bank, American Express, and Yes Bank (KIWI Credit Card). These changes primarily revolve around reduced lounge access privileges, exclusion of fuel transactions from rewards, and stricter cashback redemption conditions.
- HDFC Tata Neu Credit Cards now require a ₹50,000 quarterly spend to avail of lounge access, replacing the earlier no-condition access.
- Amex Gold Charge Card will no longer reward points for fuel spends, though such transactions will still count toward milestone bonuses.
- Yes Bank KIWI Credit Card has modified its cashback structure by allowing rewards only on transaction amounts in multiples of ₹100 and introduced higher redemption thresholds, thereby limiting the flexibility of cashback usage.
Despite these limitations, users can still optimise their card usage by leveraging third-party payment apps like MobiKwik, which offers unlimited cashback and instant settlement on credit card bill payments.
While these updates mark a downturn in card benefits, staying informed and strategically adjusting spending behaviour — alongside using cashback-friendly platforms, can help cardholders retain value.
Download MobiKwik App Now