HSBC Taj Credit Card: Luxury Travel Card

Ritika

India has a new luxury credit card — the HSBC Taj Credit Card! If you enjoy traveling and like the best things in life, this card is for you. It’s created with the Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) and is the first super-premium hotel co-branded card in India, following the Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Credit Card.

So, what’s the deal with this card?

1. Welcome Benefits:

Once you activate your HSBC Taj Credit Card, you'll dive into some pretty sweet perks:
Free Night Stays: You get one free night (with breakfast for two) at some stunning Taj Grand Palaces like the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, and Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai.
Extra Stays: On top of that, you’ll get two more free nights with breakfast for two at any participating hotel in India.
Just a heads-up: you'll need to cover the taxes on those free nights when you use the card.

2. Hotel & Hospitality Perks:

This card is like a treasure chest of hotel benefits. Exclusive perks await you, not just at Taj hotels, but also at other IHCL Group hotels like SeleQtions, Gateway, Vivanta, Ginger Hotels, and amã Stays & Trails.
Taj InnerCircle Platinum NeuPass Membership: This free membership comes with great features like early check-ins, late check-outs, a round-the-clock concierge service, and even happy hours with bonus NeuCoin rewards.
Lounge Access: Unwind in some of the best business lounges in India:
a) The Chambers Lounge: Up to 12 visits a year for you and a guest.
b) Taj Club Lounge: Also up to 12 visits a year.
Both lounges will treat you to tea or coffee for two!
Room Upgrades: You’ll enjoy free upgrades to nicer rooms for stays of up to five nights, depending on availability.

3. Dining and Food & Beverage Benefits:

You can save 25% on food and drinks, even on Qmin deliveries, plus snag four meal vouchers for two at Taj and partner restaurants.

4. Spa and Wellness:

Pamper yourself with a complimentary 60-minute spa treatment each year (up to four times). You and a guest can also hang out by the pool up to 12 times a year!

5. Travel Benefits:
Kick back in airport lounges worldwide with unlimited access before your flights.

Get up to 5% off Emirates flights from India with the code 'INHSBCT'.
Enjoy 15% off at AdaniOne Duty Free once a month on purchases between ₹3,000 and ₹7,500 (with a max discount of ₹3,000).
Plus, score four free limousine rides a year with Blacklane.

6. Lifestyle Benefits:
The HSBC Taj Credit Card brings along some great everyday savings:

Starbucks: 50% off up to four times a month (saving you up to ₹150).
Tira: 25% off when you spend at least ₹2,499 (up to ₹750 off).
PVR Cinemas: 10% off Gold Class movie tickets, food, and drinks.
BookMyShow: Buy one ticket, get one free for movies and events (up to ₹750 each).
Zomato: 12% off on orders over ₹2,499 (up to ₹500 off).
Swiggy: 10% off.
Just In Time: 10% off.
Croma: 5% off on purchases over ₹20,000 (up to ₹2,000 off).

Understanding the Rewards Program:

Here’s how the rewards work:

Standard Purchases: Earn 1.5 reward points for every ₹100 you spend.
Accelerated Rewards: Spend at specific hotel chains (Taj, SeleQtions, Gateway, etc.) and earn 5 reward points for every ₹100.
Redemption Value: You get ₹1 for every 1.5 reward points in your HSBC Taj Credit Card Wallet, which can be used for stays, food, and spa services at IHCL hotels.

In short, you’re looking at earning about 1% for regular spending and 3.33% for hotel stays. Some folks might think this isn’t a lot for a premium card, especially since it focuses more on luxurious hotel experiences than just piling up points.

Who Should Get the HSBC Taj Credit Card?
This card is great for people who:

Often stay at Taj Hotels or any IHCL properties.
Value luxury travel experiences over just collecting points.
Want perks like unlimited room upgrades and premium lounge access.
Enjoy making the most out of their hotel stays instead of just chasing high returns on regular spending.

Fees and Eligibility:
Now, this card isn’t exactly a budget thing:

The joining and annual fee is ₹1,10,000 plus taxes, which comes to about ₹1,29,800.
There’s no way to waive the fee.
You also need to meet some hefty income requirements:
For salaried folks: at least ₹40 lakhs a year.
For self-employed: at least ₹60 lakhs a year.
You should be between 25 to 75 years old and live in certain cities.

All in all, the HSBC Taj Credit Card really shines in India’s luxury credit card scene. It’s all about enjoying those lavish hotel stays and travel perks through the IHCL group.