Synopsis: HDFC Bank’s Pixel series consists of HDFC Pixel Go and HDFC Pixel Play Credit Cards. Through this article, we compare both cards in detail – benefits, cashback, features, and eligibility – so you can choose the right one for your needs.
HDFC bank’s pixel series is aimed for Indians who want cashback without wading via reward point conversions. The difference in the cashback potential can be surprisingly large depending on how and where you spend.
HDFC Bank Pixel Play Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹500 + 18% GST (If you spent ₹20,000 within the first 90 days on getting the card, your ₹500 is waived off)
- Annual Fee: ₹500 + GST (If you spent ₹1,00,000 or more within the year, your annual fee is waived off)
- It comes in 3 colours and 2 variants- Rupay and Visa.
- Cashback Benefits:
- You can avail 5% cashback on any of 2 categories out of 5 (the pack of 2 can be changed every 3 months):
- Dining & Entertainment Category – BookMyShow & Zomato
- Travel Category – MakeMyTrip & Uber
- Grocery Category – Blinkit & Reliance Smart Bazaar
- Electronics Category – Croma & Reliance Digital
- Fashion Category – Nykaa & Myntra
- Maximum cashback that is allowed per month is 500 points i.e- ₹500/month. 1 cashback = ₹1. No cashbacks on EMIs.
- 3% Cashback on choice of any one E-commerce merchant: Amazon or Flipkart or PayZapp of HDFC (max ₹500 cashback in a month)
- Get 1% Unlimited Cashback across all other spends (no cashback limits)
- UPI Benefit for only Rupay variant cardholders of 1% cashback on all UPI spends to merchants (₹500 cashback/month)
- Smart Buy Platform: 5% cashback on flights, hotels, bus, trains, instant vouchers, IGP, Apple products.
- No cashback on fuel spends, wallet spends, rent payments, EMI transactions, government related transactions etc.
Note: Avoid choosing Travel Category as a 5% cashback on any of 2 categories out of 5 as you get it on SmartBuy Platform.
To Apply for the card, please visit the Official Website
HDFC Pixel Go Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹250 + 18% GST (a joining fee waiver by spending Rs. 10,000 within 90 days of issuance)
- Annual Fee: ₹250 + 18% GST (the annual fee is waived off on spend Rs. 50,000 or more in a year)
- Cashback Benefits:
- 1% Unlimited cashback on all eligible transactions (maximum cashback unlimited)
- 5% cashback on SmartBuy platform GP, Flights, Hotels, Bus, Rail, Instant Vouchers, Apple Imagine Tresor upto 500 points per month
- 1% Cashback on all UPI spends upto 500 points per month (Applicable only for PIXEL RuPay Credit card holders)
- 10% flat cashback on restaurant bills paid through Swiggy Dineout.
Note: No cashback/reward points on fuel spends, wallet spends, rent payments, EMI transactions, government-related transactions etc.
To Apply for the card, please visit the Official Website
Key Reward Structure Difference
| Feature | HDFC Pixel Play Credit Card | HDFC Pixel Go Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Base Cashback | 1% on all spends | 1% on all spends |
| Premium Categories | 5% on any 2 selected merchant packs | Not available |
| E-commerce Cashback | 3% on Amazon / Flipkart / PayZapp (choose 1) | Not available |
| SmartBuy Cashback | 5% | 5% |
| UPI Cashback | 1% | 1% |
| Max Monthly Cap | ₹500 each for 5%, 3%, UPI categories | ₹500 for SmartBuy & UPI |
| Annual Fee | ₹500 | ₹250 |
| Fee Waiver | ₹1L annual spend | ₹50K annual spend |
Example: Monthly Spend Comparison (₹30,000 Spending)
| Category | Monthly Spend | Pixel Play Cashback | Pixel Go Cashback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery (Blinkit / Reliance Smart Bazaar) | ₹8,000 | ₹400 (5%) | ₹80 (1%) |
| Dining & Entertainment (Zomato / BookMyShow) | ₹4,000 | ₹200 (5%) | ₹40 (1%) |
| Amazon Purchases | ₹8,000 | ₹240 (3%) | ₹80 (1%) |
| SmartBuy (Flights/Vouchers) | ₹5,000 | ₹250 (5%) | ₹250 (5%) |
| Other Spends | ₹5,000 | ₹50 (1%) | ₹50 (1%) |
| Total Cashback | ₹30,000 | ₹1,140 | ₹500 |
Final Verdict
As both cards are lifetime free, the Pixel Play credit card is better suited for people who can optimize their spending in specific categories. The Pixel Go credit card is a simpler option for salaried individuals with a minimum monthly income of ₹8,000 who still want to afford a credit card.
Written by Vijai Krishna
