HDFC Diners Club Black vs Federal Bank Scapia: Card Comparison

Comparison Summary

Diners Club Black offers premium global lounge access, luxury benefits, and high reward points suited for affluent travelers and lifestyle seekers willing to pay higher fees. Scapia stands out as a budget-friendly travel card with unlimited domestic lounge access, simple cashback rewards via Scapia Coins, and no joining or annual fees, making it ideal for frequent domestic travelers and everyday users. Choosing the right card depends on spending habits, travel frequency, and preference for luxury versus value-driven rewards.

Feature	HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card	Federal Bank Scapia Card
Card Image	HDFC Bank	Federal Bank
Card Network	Diners Club	RuPay, Visa
USP	A powerhouse premium credit card designed for frequent travelers and high spenders, the HDFC Diners Club Black offers unlimited worldwide airport lounge access, top-tier reward earnings, and exclusive lifestyle memberships—making it the ultimate choice for luxury, travel, and elite benefits in India	The Federal Bank Scapia Card is a lifetime-free credit card perfect for frequent travelers and online shoppers, offering unlimited domestic lounge access, zero forex markup, and high-value Scapia Coins rewards on all spends. It delivers exceptional travel benefits and seamless digital management through the Scapia app.
Annual Fee	10000 - Plus Apllicable Taxes	N/A
Joining Fee	10000 - Plus Apllicable Taxes	N/A
Welcome Benefits	On paying the joining fee or spending ₹1.5 lakh within the first 90 days, you get complimentary annual memberships: Club Marriott, Times Prime, Amazon Prime, Swiggy One (3 months), and MMT Black. As a monthly benefit, on spends of ₹80,000, you get to choose two vouchers per month worth ₹500 each from TataCLiQ, BookMyShow, Uber, or cult.fit	N/A
Lounge Access	Domestic: Unlimited \| International: Unlimited Applicable for primary and add-on card holders	Domestic: Unlimited On monthly spends of ₹10,000+ for Visa and ₹15,000+ RuPay variant
Reward Rate	5 reward points per ₹150 spent on regular purchases (approx. 3.3% value on travel bookings via SmartBuy), with up to 10X points on select partner spends, and 2X points on weekend dining; no points on fuel, wallet loads, rent, or select categories.	Earn 10% Scapia Coins (equivalent to 2% value-back approximately) on all online and offline purchase transactions. Additional 20% value-back on travel bookings made through the Scapia app. No capping on Scapia Coins earned.
Interest Rate	Revolving credit interest is roughly 3.6% per month (as per standard HDFC high-end card rates; confirm via latest schedule as HDFC does not state a unique rate for this card on every document).	Interest rate is 45% per annum.
Best For	Dinning, Lounge Access, Travel	Forex Spends, Lounge Access, Travel
Apply Now	Apply Now	Apply Now

Fees & Charges Comparison: HDFC Diners Club Black vs Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card

Fee Type	HDFC Diners Club Black	Federal Bank Scapia Card
Joining Fee	₹10,000 + GST	Nil
Annual Fee	₹10,000 + GST (waived on ₹5L annual spend)	Nil
Add-on Card Fee	Lifetime Free	Not specified, generally no fee
Foreign Currency Markup	1.99%	Nil (zero forex markup)
Cash Withdrawal Fee	2.5% of amount or ₹500 minimum	Minimal, nominal fee
Overlimit Charges	2.5% of over-limit amount (min ₹550)	Standard fees, low penalty
Late Payment Charges	₹100 to ₹1,300 (tiered)	Transparent, lower charges

The HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card charges a joining fee of ₹10,000 plus GST, and an annual fee of ₹10,000 plus GST, which is waived if the cardholder spends ₹5 lakh or more in a year. Add-on cards are free for life. The card applies a foreign currency markup fee of 1.99% on international spends and a cash withdrawal fee of 2.5% of the withdrawn amount or ₹500 minimum, alongside over-limit charges of 2.5% on the over-limit amount with a minimum of ₹550. Late payment charges range from ₹100 to ₹1,300 depending on the delay length.

In contrast, the Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card has no joining or annual fees and charges zero foreign currency markup, making it ideal for travel abroad. While specific add-on card fees are not prominently listed, the card typically does not charge for add-ons. Cash withdrawal fees and over-limit or late payment charges are minimal and transparent, making Scapia a cost-effective option with fewer penalty fees compared to premium cards. This fee structure comparison highlights HDFC Diners Club Black as a premium card with luxury fees balanced by benefits, and Scapia as a travel-friendly, no-fee card suited for budget-conscious travelers.

Welcome Benefits & Eligibility

The HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card offers premium welcome benefits including complimentary annual memberships of Club Marriott, Amazon Prime, Swiggy One (3 months), MakeMyTrip Black Gold Tier, and Times Prime. These benefits are unlocked on spending Rs. 1.5 lakh within the first 90 days of card issuance. Additionally, new cardholders who spend above Rs. 80,000 monthly can choose any two monthly coupons worth Rs. 500 from partners like TataCLiQ, BookMyShow, or Ola Select Membership. The card eligibility requires applicants to be Indian residents aged between 21 and 65 years with a minimum income of Rs. 30 lakhs per annum. The application process involves submitting income proof and identity documents, and welcome benefits are communicated via SMS/email with downloadable vouchers valid for 60 days post-issuance.

Federal Bank Scapia Card offers no joining fee and is accessible for frequent travelers who seek cost-effective travel rewards. While explicit sign-up gifts are not prominently advertised, the card’s main attraction is its zero annual fees combined with travel benefits like unlimited domestic lounge access and 10% rewards on spends. Eligibility criteria usually include a valid income proof and standard banking KYC documents, with a straightforward application process typically available online through the Federal Bank platform or Scapia app.

This makes HDFC Diners Club Black suitable for high-spenders wanting luxury welcome gifts and memberships, while Federal Bank Scapia appeals to practical travelers looking for value without an upfront cost or complex eligibility hurdles.

Lounge Access Comparison HDFC Diners Club Black vs Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card

Card	Lounge Access Coverage	Conditions for Free Access
HDFC Diners Club Black	Unlimited access to 1300+ domestic & international lounges	Unlimited free access with card presentation and nominal transaction swipe
Federal Bank Scapia Card	Unlimited domestic airport lounge access	For Visa variants: minimum spend of ₹10,000 in current billing cycle; for RuPay variants: minimum spend of ₹15,000 required in current billing cycle to avail unlimited lounge access next cycle

The HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card provides unlimited access to over 1300 airport lounges worldwide for both primary and add-on cardholders. Lounge entry requires card presentation alongside a nominal transaction swipe at the entrance, and there is no explicit minimum spend condition to enjoy unlimited visits. This makes it a premium choice for frequent international and domestic travelers seeking extensive lounge privileges.

The Federal Bank Scapia Card offers unlimited domestic airport lounge access, but lounge access eligibility is linked to monthly spending. Cardholders with Visa variants must spend a minimum of ₹10,000, while those holding RuPay variants must spend ₹15,000 within the current billing cycle to qualify for unlimited lounge access in the next billing cycle. This spend-based condition activates the lounge access privilege only after the billing cycle closes, providing cost-effective lounge benefits for active users.

This comparison highlights HDFC Diners Club Black as a high-end card with instant and global lounge perks, whereas Scapia balances no joining or annual fees with a reasonable monthly spend requirement tailored by card variant to unlock unlimited domestic lounge access.

Cashback & Rewards Structure Comparison

Cashback/Reward Type	HDFC Diners Club Black	Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card
Base Cashback/Reward Rate	5-10 Reward Points per ₹150 spend (approx.)	2% value-back in Scapia Coins on all non-travel spends
Category-based Rate	Accelerated 5-10 points on dining, travel, entertainment	4% value-back on travel bookings via Scapia app
Partner Deals	Exclusive luxury partner redemption options	Additional merchant tie-ups and seasonal promo offers
Cashback/Reward Caps	Points accumulation depends on spend slabs, no fixed caps	No caps on Scapia Coins earned
Accrual Method	Reward points credited monthly, convertible to miles/lifestyle	Instant credit of Scapia Coins, redeemable instantly

The HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card offers approximately 5 to 10 Reward Points for every ₹150 spent, with higher points earned on categories like dining, travel, and entertainment. These points accumulate based on spend slabs and can be converted into airline miles or redeemed for luxury lifestyle experiences. While there is no fixed cashback cap, the rewards are designed for high spenders leveraging premium partner redemptions.

The Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card simplifies rewards with a solid 2% value-back in Scapia Coins on all non-travel spends and a higher 4% value-back on travel bookings made exclusively through the Scapia app (covering flights, hotels, trains, and buses). These Scapia Coins are credited instantly after each transaction and can be redeemed immediately on the app with no upper limits or blackout dates. The card benefits from additional merchant partnerships and seasonal promotions that further boost rewards.

Overall, HDFC Diners Club Black targets premium users with high-value, point-based rewards for luxury and travel, while Federal Bank Scapia focuses on straightforward cashback in a proprietary coin system targeted at frequent travelers and everyday spenders, making it easy to earn and redeem rewards without restrictions.

Cashback & Rewards Redemption

The HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card rewards points are credited monthly and can be redeemed seamlessly through HDFC Bank’s SmartBuy portal. Cardholders can convert their reward points into flight and hotel bookings, gift vouchers, or products from an exclusive catalogue. For flights and hotels, up to 70% of the booking value can be paid via reward points, with the remaining amount payable by the credit card. One reward point typically equals ₹1 when redeemed through SmartBuy. Additionally, points can be redeemed for cashback credited as a statement credit at a rate of ₹0.30 per point, with a minimum redemption threshold of 500 points. Redemptions can be easily done online via net banking without any physical paperwork, and points can also be transferred to frequent flyer programs or redeemed for luxury vouchers. There is usually a monthly cap on points redemption for flight and hotel bookings (e.g., 75,000 points). This structured and flexible redemption process is suited for frequent travelers and premium users who value luxury and diverse redemption options.

Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card rewards are accrued instantly as Scapia Coins after each transaction, making the process transparent and straightforward. These coins can be redeemed immediately via the Scapia app, primarily to book flights, hotels, trains, and buses within the app’s ecosystem. The redemption process is simple: users select travel services and apply earned coins to reduce booking costs without blackout dates or complicated conversion processes. Apart from travel, coins can also be redeemed against merchant partner offers and occasional promotional campaigns. There are no strict upper caps on redemptions, and the coins function like a wallet balance with instant effect, adding convenience for everyday travel bookings and cashbacks. This model suits active travelers who prefer quick reward utilization without waiting periods or conversion hassles.

In summary, HDFC Diners Club Black rewards offer premium, high-value redemption versatility with some monthly caps and flight/hotel booking emphasis, while Federal Bank Scapia delivers instant redeemable cashback through a user-friendly travel app wallet, ideal for hassle-free frequent travel rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card lifetime free?

No, the HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card is not lifetime free. It has a joining and renewal fee of ₹10,000 plus GST. However, the annual fee is waived if the cardholder spends ₹8 lakh or more within 12 months.

How can I redeem cashback or rewards on these cards?

For HDFC Diners Club Black, reward points are credited monthly and can be redeemed via the SmartBuy portal for flights, hotels, products, or cashback as statement credit. For Federal Bank Scapia, cashback is earned instantly as Scapia Coins, which can be redeemed immediately within the Scapia app to book travel or shop with partner merchants.

What are the lounge access benefits and conditions?

HDFC Diners Club Black offers unlimited free access to over 1300 domestic and international lounges with a nominal transaction swipe. Federal Bank Scapia provides unlimited domestic lounge access subject to a minimum monthly spend of ₹10,000 for Visa variants and ₹15,000 for RuPay variants to activate access in the following month.

How can I maximize rewards on these cards?

To maximize rewards on HDFC Diners Club Black, prioritize spends on dining, travel, and entertainment categories where accelerated points are offered and redeem points through premium partners. For Federal Bank Scapia, use the card primarily for travel bookings via the Scapia app to earn the highest cashback (4%) and ensure monthly spends meet lounge access thresholds.

Conclusion: Which Card Suits You Best?

Both the HDFC Diners Club Black and Federal Bank Scapia Credit Cards serve different user profiles with clear advantages. The Diners Club Black stands out as a premium, luxury credit card for high spenders who want extensive global lounge access, exclusive memberships, and accelerated rewards on travel, dining, and entertainment. Its higher fees are balanced by generous welcome benefits, milestone rewards, and versatile redemption options tailored for a sophisticated lifestyle.

In contrast, the Federal Bank Scapia Card is an excellent choice for cost-conscious frequent travelers and everyday spenders who want unlimited domestic lounge access with a reasonable monthly spend condition and zero forex markup. Its straightforward cashback system via Scapia Coins, instant redemption on travel bookings, and no joining or annual fees make it practical and budget-friendly.

For users with high annual spends and a preference for luxury and international benefits, HDFC Diners Club Black is the better fit. For travelers seeking a low-cost, travel-focused card primarily for domestic airport conveniences and easy rewards, Federal Bank Scapia offers great value and simplicity.

Choosing between them depends largely on spending capacity, travel frequency, and benefit preferences — premium luxury versus practical travel rewards. This comparison helps sharpen the decision for 2025, ensuring the best card aligns with individual lifestyle and financial goals.