HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card

About HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card

Are you a regular at Shoppers Stop who wants more than just points on your fashion hauls? The HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card is designed to turn your wardrobe upgrades into premium travel experiences.

This card offers a unique blend of retail therapy and high-end travel perks. With a joining fee of ₹4,500, you get immediate access to the "First Citizen BLACK" membership and a voucher worth ₹1,500. For a card in this segment, the annual fee waiver is surprisingly easy to hit: just spend ₹50,000 in a year to get the ₹4,500 fee back. If you shop for your family twice a year, you have likely already cleared that hurdle.

Built for professionals and business owners earning ₹8.4 lakh or more annually, this card bridges the gap between a shopping card and a travel companion. While many retail cards stop at reward points, this one opens the doors to 24 airport lounges every year.

What sets it apart:

• Unbeatable Lounge Access: 16 domestic and 8 international lounge visits annually, which is rare for a retail-focused card.
• Low Waiver Threshold: Unlike most premium cards that ask for ₹3-5 lakh spends for a fee waiver, this card waives the ₹4,500 fee at just ₹50,000 annual spend.
• Elite Retail Status: Direct entry into the "First Citizen BLACK" tier at Shoppers Stop.

Quick check: To apply, you need to be between 21-60 years old with a monthly income of at least ₹70,000 and a credit score of 720 or higher.

Let's break down why this card might be the most underrated premium option in your wallet:

Key Benefits and Features of the HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card

The Shoppers Stop Black card is more than just a co-branded tool; it is a lifestyle upgrade. Here are the core benefits you can expect:

Welcome and Milestone Rewards

When you join, the bank provides a complimentary "First Citizen BLACK" membership. This is the highest tier of the Shoppers Stop loyalty program, offering personalized services and exclusive access. Additionally, you receive a Shoppers Stop voucher worth approximately ₹1,500 once you meet the initial spend threshold. This helps offset a significant portion of your first-year joining fee of ₹4,500.

Luxury Travel: Global Lounge Access

While this is a shopping card by name, its travel benefits are its secret weapon. Most cards at this price point offer 4-8 domestic visits. The HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card offers:

• Domestic Lounges: 16 free visits per year (capped at 4 per quarter).
• International Lounges: 8 free visits per year (capped at 2 per quarter).

If you travel abroad twice a year and fly domestically once every three months, this benefit alone can save you over ₹25,000 in lounge costs annually.

Reward Point Structure

The card operates on a reward point system where 1 reward point equals ₹0.25. You can use these points to get Shoppers Stop vouchers or book travel through the HDFC SmartBuy portal. This flexibility allows you to choose between more clothes or a cheaper flight ticket. Note that certain categories like fuel, insurance, and international transactions are excluded from earning rewards.

Fee Structure and Easy Waivers

The HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card comes with a joining and annual fee of ₹4,500. However, the bank makes it very simple to avoid this cost. If you spend ₹50,000 or more in a year, the fee is waived. For someone earning the required ₹8.4 lakh annually, spending ₹50,000 (roughly ₹4,200 a month) is a very low bar, making this effectively a free card for most active users.

Fuel Surcharge Waiver

When you fill up your tank, you get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver. This is applicable at all fuel stations across India and is capped at ₹500 per statement cycle. It is a standard but helpful feature for daily commuters.

How to Apply?

The application process for the Shoppers Stop Black card is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Go to the HDFC Bank official website or the dedicated application link provided by partners.
2. Fill in your mobile number and verify it using the OTP sent to you.
3. Enter your professional details. Step 2 is vital: ensure you meet the minimum income requirement of ₹8.4 LPA (₹70,000 monthly).
4. Provide your PAN card details and Aadhaar number for identity verification.
5. The system will check your CRIF/credit score. A score of 720 or higher is recommended for a smooth approval.
6. Complete the Video KYC process if prompted, which usually takes 5-10 minutes.
7. Once the bank verifies your documents, the physical card will be dispatched to your registered address.

Credit Limit: What to Expect

Credit limits are assigned based on your income, credit score, and existing banking relationship. Since this card requires a minimum income of ₹8.4 LPA, you can generally expect a healthy starting limit. Contact the bank directly for information on expected credit limits for your specific profile. Factors that help in getting a higher limit include a high CIBIL or CRIF score, a low debt-to-income ratio, and a clean repayment history with HDFC Bank or other lenders.

Comparison Table: HDFC Shoppers Stop Black vs. Competitors

To understand where this card stands, we have compared it with other premium lifestyle and retail cards in a similar fee bracket.

The HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card is the clear winner if you want a premium card but don't want to worry about massive annual spends to waive the fee. While SBI ELITE and Axis Select have higher waiver targets (₹8-10 Lakh), this card gives you superior lounge access for just a ₹50,000 annual spend.

Documents Required for HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Application

You'll need to submit the following documents when applying for this card:

For Salaried Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Voter ID.
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Utility Bills (not older than 2 months).
• Income Proof: Latest 3 months' salary slips and 6 months' bank statements showing salary credit.
• Employment Proof: Office ID card or official employment letter.

For Self-Employed Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, or Driving License.
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Property Documents.
• Income Proof: Latest 2 years' ITR with computation of income and 6 months' bank statements.
• Business Proof: Business registration certificate or GST registration documents.

Note: All documents must be self-attested. The bank may request additional documents during the verification process depending on your profile.

Who Should Get This Card?

Should you get this card? Here is who benefits the most from the HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card:

The Savvy Retail Shopper: If you are a professional earning ₹75,000 a month and find yourself spending ₹5,000-10,000 at Shoppers Stop every few months, this is a no-brainer. You get the highest tier of membership (First Citizen BLACK) and your annual fee is waived almost automatically by your regular shopping habits.

The "Airport Lounge" Hunter: If you want the maximum number of lounge visits for the lowest possible maintenance cost, this is your card. Most cards with 24 total lounge visits (domestic + international) charge ₹5,000-15,000 and rarely waive the fee. Getting this much lounge access for a ₹50,000 spend target is an incredible deal.

The Premium Beginner: If you are moving up from basic cards like the HDFC MoneyBack or Millennia and want a "Black" card experience with a manageable income requirement of 8.4 LPA, this is an excellent entry point into the premium segment.

You might want to skip this card if: You don't shop at Shoppers Stop at all, or if you are looking for a card that offers heavy rewards on dining and movies, as those features are not the focus of this specific card.

BankKaro Expert Review

Based on the card's features, the HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card excels at being a "low-stress" premium card. Most premium credit cards feel like a burden because you are constantly trying to hit high spend targets to justify the annual fee. This card removes that stress entirely with a ₹50,000 waiver limit.

The biggest limitation is the narrow focus of the reward points and the exclusions. If you spend heavily on fuel, insurance, or gold, you won't earn anything back. The lack of dining and movie benefits also means you might need a second card to cover your weekend entertainment expenses.

Our verdict: Choose this card if you want elite status at Shoppers Stop and the best lounge-to-spend ratio currently available in the Indian market. It is a fantastic secondary card for travel and a primary card for fashion enthusiasts.

Terms and Conditions

Please keep the following terms in mind before applying for the HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card:

• The bank may offer a different card variant based on your eligibility. Please carefully read the features of the card offered before submitting your application.
• Reward points are not earned on fuel, insurance, DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion), and international transactions.
• Spending on gold, jewelry, cash withdrawals, EMI, and balance transfers are excluded from spend calculations for reward earnings.
• The fee waiver of ₹4,500 is subject to achieving the ₹50,000 spend milestone within the anniversary year.