HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card

About HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card

Are you someone who walks into a Shoppers Stop and finds it impossible to leave empty-handed? If your weekend plans often involve browsing through premium brands and updating your wardrobe, the HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card might just be your new best friend.

This card is a high-end retail powerhouse that turns your fashion spends into serious savings. By offering a massive 7% reward rate at Shoppers Stop, it effectively slashes your shopping bills every month. If you spend ₹30,000 at their stores monthly, you are looking at substantial value back that most standard cards simply cannot match.

Designed for professionals and business owners earning ₹8.4 lakh or more annually, this card bridges the gap between a premium lifestyle card and a specialized retail tool. It is not just about the clothes, either. It packs a surprising punch in the travel department with luxury lounge access that beats many dedicated travel cards in the same price bracket.

What sets it apart:

• ✓ High-Octane Retail Rewards: Earn 7% Reward Points on every purchase at Shoppers Stop, whether you shop in-store or online.
• ✓ Elite Travel Perks: Access 16 domestic and 8 international airport lounges every year, a feature usually reserved for much more expensive "super-premium" cards.
• ✓ Low Fee Waiver Threshold: While the joining fee is ₹4,500, you can get the annual fee waived by spending just ₹50,000 in a year, which is incredibly easy to achieve for a card of this caliber.

Quick check: To get your hands on this card, you will need a monthly income of at least ₹70,000 and a credit score (CRIF) of 720 or higher.

Here is a detailed breakdown of why this card belongs in your wallet:

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

The HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card is built for the premium shopper who also happens to travel frequently. Here is how the benefits stack up in real-world scenarios:

Unrivaled Shopping Rewards

The core strength of this card is its reward structure at Shoppers Stop. You earn 7% Reward Points on every transaction made at Shoppers Stop stores or their online platform. There is a monthly cap of ₹2,000 on these points, which means you can maximize your earnings on spends up to approximately ₹28,500 per month. Since 1 Reward Point equals ₹0.25, you are getting a significant value back that you can use for your next wardrobe refresh.

Exclusive Membership and Welcome Gifts

As soon as you join, the card welcomes you with a complimentary "First Citizen BLACK" membership. This is the highest tier of the Shoppers Stop loyalty program, usually costing ₹4,500. It grants you access to exclusive sale previews, dedicated billing counters, and personalized styling services. Additionally, you receive a Shoppers Stop voucher worth approximately ₹1,500 upon meeting the initial spend threshold, helping you recover a chunk of the joining fee almost immediately.

The Weekend Bonus

For those who prefer "retail therapy" on Saturdays and Sundays, this card offers an extra perk. If you spend ₹50,000 or more at Shoppers Stop on a weekend, you get a ₹1,500 benefit. You can take advantage of this offer up to five times a year, totaling ₹7,500 in additional value just for timing your big purchases right.

Global Travel and Lounge Access

While this is a retail-centric card, its travel benefits are surprisingly robust. You get 16 free domestic airport lounge visits every calendar year (limited to 4 per quarter). For international travelers, the card provides 8 free international lounge visits per year (limited to 2 per quarter). This is a massive advantage for frequent flyers who want to wait for their flights in comfort without paying for expensive lounge memberships.

Comprehensive Insurance Protection

Travel with peace of mind knowing you are covered by a substantial insurance package. The card provides an Accidental Air Death cover worth ₹3 crore. Furthermore, if you face a medical emergency while traveling abroad, you are covered for emergency hospitalization up to ₹50 lakh. These features make it a reliable companion for both domestic shopping trips and international vacations.

Fuel Surcharge Waiver

To help you save on your commute to the mall, the card offers a 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations across India. You can save up to ₹500 per month on these surcharges, provided you meet the bank's minimum transaction requirements for fuel.

Fees and Annual Waiver

The HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card comes with a joining fee of ₹4,500 and an annual fee of the same amount. However, HDFC makes it very simple to avoid this cost. If you spend more than ₹50,000 in a year, the annual fee is waived. For a card that targets individuals earning over ₹8 lakh a year, a ₹50,000 annual spend is a very low hurdle, essentially making this a free card for most active users.

How to Apply for the HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card

The application process is straightforward and can be completed online or offline. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Check Your Eligibility: Before applying, ensure you meet the minimum income requirement of ₹70,000 per month (₹8.4 LPA) and have a credit score of 720 or above.
2. Visit the Official Portal: Head to the HDFC Bank website or use the specific application link provided by authorized partners.
3. Fill in the Details: Enter your mobile number and PAN details. You will receive an OTP for verification.
4. Select the Card: From the list of available cards, select the Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card. The bank will assign the appropriate card variant based on your eligibility criteria.
5. Provide Employment Info: Enter your workplace details and your exact monthly income. If you are self-employed, you will need to provide your latest ITR details.
6. Complete KYC: You can often complete this via Video KYC for a faster experience. Ensure you have your physical PAN card and Aadhaar ready.
7. Submit and Track: Once submitted, you can track your application status using the reference number provided.

Credit Limit: What to Expect

HDFC Bank assigns credit limits based on your income profile and credit history. Given the ₹8.4 LPA income requirement for this card, applicants typically receive a starting credit limit between ₹1,00,000 and ₹3,50,000. The bank calculates this figure by analyzing your current income, debt obligations, and credit score.

Existing HDFC Bank customers or those with a credit score exceeding 750 often qualify for limits upwards of ₹5,00,000. You can request a limit enhancement after 6 to 12 months of consistent bill payments and disciplined credit usage.

Comparison Table: HDFC Shoppers Stop Black vs. Competitors

To understand where this card stands, let's compare it with other premium lifestyle and retail-focused cards in the market.

The HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card is the clear winner if you shop frequently at Shoppers Stop. Its lounge access is at par with the ICICI Sapphiro but with a much easier fee waiver. While the SBI Elite and Axis Select offer more variety in reward categories, they cannot compete with the 7% value back that this card offers at its partner retail chain.

Documents Required for HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Application

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

For Salaried Applicants

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

For Self-Employed Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Utility Bills (not older than 2 months), or Property Documents
• Income Proof: Latest 2 years' ITR with computation of income, 6 months' bank statements, and CA-certified financials
• Business Proof: Business registration certificate, GST registration, or Shop Act License

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

Who Should Get This Card?

Should you get this card? Here is who benefits most:

The Fashion Enthusiast: You are someone who refreshes your wardrobe every season and spends at least ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 a month at Shoppers Stop. With this card, you could easily earn back ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 worth of points annually, effectively getting a free shopping spree every year.

The Savvy Traveler on a Budget: You want premium lounge access (16 domestic and 8 international visits) but do not want to pay a ₹10,000+ annual fee for a super-premium card. Because the annual fee is waived at just ₹50,000 annual spend, this is one of the most affordable ways to get high-frequency lounge access in India.

The Weekend Shopper: You prefer doing your big shopping hauls on weekends. By spending ₹50,000 on a weekend at Shoppers Stop, you can use the ₹1,500 bonus benefit to your advantage. If you do this five times a year, you are gaining ₹7,500 in value on top of your regular points.

You might want to skip this card if:

• You rarely shop at Shoppers Stop. The rewards are heavily concentrated there, and points are best used for their vouchers.
• You prefer direct cashback into your statement. This card uses a point system that requires you to redeem for vouchers or travel through the SmartBuy portal.

BankKaro Expert Review

Based on the card's features, the HDFC Shoppers Stop Black Credit Card excels at being a specialized tool for a specific type of consumer. It is rare to see a card with such a high lounge access quota (24 total visits) paired with a fee waiver threshold as low as ₹50,000. Competing cards that offer 8 international lounge visits typically require an annual spend of ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh to waive the fee.

The 7% reward rate is excellent, but it is important to remember the ₹2,000 monthly cap. This means the card is perfect for steady monthly shoppers rather than someone looking to make a single ₹5 lakh purchase in one go. The exclusion of rewards on fuel, insurance, and international transactions is a bit of a letdown, as it prevents the card from being a true "all-rounder."

The biggest limitation is the redemption flexibility. While you can use points for air miles or travel via SmartBuy, the most value is found in Shoppers Stop vouchers. If you aren't a fan of the brand, the points lose their luster. However, the inclusion of ₹3 crore in air death cover and ₹50 lakh in medical cover adds a layer of "Black Card" prestige that is often missing in retail co-branded cards.

Our verdict: Choose this card if Shoppers Stop is your primary clothing destination and you want a low-cost way to access luxury airport lounges. It is an "effortless" card to maintain given the low waiver limit.

Terms and Conditions

• The bank may offer a different card variant based on your eligibility. Read the features of the specific card offered before submitting your application.
• Reward points are not earned on fuel, insurance, DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) transactions, and international transactions.
• Spending categories excluded from waiver calculations include cash withdrawals, EMI conversions, and balance transfers.
• Reward points are valid for a specific period; check the redemption portal for expiry details.
• You can find the comprehensive terms and conditions on the HDFC Bank official website.