In today’s fast-paced digital era, credit cards are not just payment tools—they’ve become lifestyle companions. Whether you’re booking flights, enjoying luxury dining, or streaming your favorite shows, a premium credit card often extends far beyond simple cashback or points. Enter the ICICI Bank Times Prime Black Credit Card, a co-branded card offering from ICICI Bank and Times Internet, tailored for discerning individuals who seek lifestyle privileges, curated entertainment, and elite experiences—all under one sleek black metal card. But the question is, does this card walk the talk?
What Is the Times Black ICICI Credit Card?
Times Black Credit Card is an application-based or invite-only product that was introduced in partnership with Times Prime and ICICI Bank, aimed at high-income individuals who are professionals, traveling frequently, and lifestyle spenders. The card blends metal card looks with the Times Prime Black membership that opens premium offers, subscriptions, and experiences of partner brands.
In essence, the card is suited for:
- Consumers who spend on OTT platforms, dining, wellness, and travel
- People in need of bundled subscriptions and lifestyle services
- People seeking the looks and benefits of a metal card with robust value-for-money benefits
Card Design & Appeal: The Metal Factor
The ICICI Times Black Card is not just another plastic rectangle. It arrives as a solid metal card with a minimalistic design, aiming to offer the premium feel that resonates with high-end cards like HDFC Infinia or Amex Platinum. There’s a psychological appeal to metal cards—they feel weightier, more premium, and subtly signal status. For frequent users of luxury cards or lifestyle-oriented credit options, this alone can be a differentiator.
Main Benefits and Features
1. Times Prime Black Annual Subscription (Worth ₹120,000+): On activation, cardmembers receive free membership to Times Prime Black, an enhanced version of regular Times Prime membership. This package is designed to attract millennials, urban workers, and regular online shoppers who are already using these services every now and then anyway. It has
- OTT Streaming: Memberships for Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLIV, Discovery+, and others
- Dining & Lifestyle: Offers on EazyDiner, Swiggy, HealthifyMe, Man Matters, and cult.fit
- Shopping & Travel: Benefits on such brands as Myntra, Uber, Cleartrip, Flipkart, and Airbnb
2. Lounge Access (Domestic and International): This benefit makes the card travel-friendly for both domestic travelers and international jet-setters.
- Domestic Lounges: Unlimited free domestic airport lounge visits in India in all major airports
- International Lounges: Visits through Dreamfolks or Priority Pass (program enrollment dependent), including international airport lounges
3. Golf Privileges: Times Black Card provides 4 free golf games and lessons every month at some of India’s best premium golf courses. They include golf clubs in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune. This is particularly appealing to business executives and professionals who view golf as both leisure and networking.
4. Wellness & Health Offers: This is a well-thought-out add-on in a post-COVID era when wellness has gained priority. You can get access to premium health services such as:
- Discounted membership at cult.fit and other high-end gyms
- Wellness therapy and spa offers
- Preventive checkup packages and telemedicine consults
5. Concierge Services: The service here is not necessarily as white-glove as American Express Platinum, but it does introduce an element of convenience and personalization. 24×7 concierge services are accessible to the cardholder, including:
- Travel arrangements
- Table bookings
- Gifting facilities and arrangements
- Emergency services
6. Reward Structure: Unlike most cashback-dominant cards, the value of ICICI Times Black Card is up-front through bundled offerings. Although the points earning is kept low, the value of the card actually comes from the bundled subscriptions, lounge access, and experience benefits rather than vulture rewards stacking. Nevertheless, it has a fundamental reward rate:
- On domestic spends: Get 1 ICICI Reward Point for every ₹100
- On international spends: Get 2 ICICI Reward Points for every ₹100
- On select partner spends: Cashback or bonus points with Times partner brands
Also read: Axis Bank Launches Supreme Business Credit Cards – Who Can Apply and What You Get
7. Fees and Eligibility
- Joining Fee – ₹20,000 + GST
- Annual Fee – ₹20,000 + GST (Annual Fee waiver on spends of ₹25,00,000 in an anniversary year)
- Typically offered to high-income individuals, salaried or self-employed
- Good credit score (750+ recommended)
- ICICI’s internal eligibility algorithms apply, often preferring existing customers
- It is also occasionally offered on an invite-only basis via Times Prime app promotions.
8. Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- High lifestyle value through bundled OTT and dining subscriptions
- Free lounge access and rounds of golf
- High-end metal card design
- Reasonable annual fee for the value it brings
- Stand-alone benefits from Times’ ecosystem
- Cons:
- Rewards earning rate is not particularly aggressive
- Lounge access might require pre-enrollment with Dreamfolks/PP
- Some bundled deals could overlap with current user subscriptions (reduced value for repeated services)
- Invite-only model restricts public access
9. Best suited for: The Times Black ICICI Card is best suited for customers who:
- Use services like SonyLIV, Disney+ Hotstar, cult.fit, and Myntra frequently
- Travel regularly and prefer lounge access without opting for ultra-premium cards
- Enjoy bundled services and premium card design
- Prefer a lifestyle experience over mere cashback
But if you seek high reward point accrual, air miles re-valuation, or super-premium card-level concierge services, this one is a bit short of the mark. For its cost, however, the value proposition is extremely good—particularly for customers who can leverage most of the Times Prime Black advantages. The ICICI Times Black Credit Card hits the sweet spot between affordability and luxury. It’s a lifestyle enhancer more than a hardcore rewards machine, designed for those who enjoy curated subscriptions, fine dining, seamless travel, and a dash of exclusivity. If you’re already spending across these categories and appreciate a “set-it-and-forget-it” experience with bundled perks, this card makes a strong case for itself.
Written by Pydimarri Hema Harshini
