
Why your premium credit card perks just got smaller: The big squeeze on banks
It’s raining devaluations for credit card users. Major issuers such as HDFC Bank, American Express, SBI Card and ICICI Bank have reworked their credit card reward structures over the past two months, cutting back benefits on some of their most sought-after premium cards.Last week, HDFC Bank said that starting in the next financial year, Infinia cardholders must spend at least ₹18 lakh annually or maintain a total relationship value—the cumulative worth of all accounts, investments and loans with the bank—of ₹50 lakh to retain the card.This change came on the heels of American Express devaluing milestone-based rewards on one of its popular cards, Amex Platinum Travel.
Around the same time, ICICI Bank removed accelerated rewards on Amazon Pay and Swiggy vouchers for its premium Emeralde Private card, a competitor to Infinia. Lounge favouriteScapia, issued in partnership with Federal Bank, and most cards offered by SBI Card introduced restrictions to lounge access.Beyond premium cards, there have been changes in even entry-level and low-cost variants, including reduced cashback rates, monthly caps on rewards and the introduction of spending-based criteria for lounge access or annual fee waivers.Ajay Awtaney, founder and editor of LiveFromALounge.com, said periodic devaluations are part and parcel of the credit card business, but the scale and frequency have increased lately because product economics are under pressure.“Every credit card product runs on a projected P&L (profit and loss) statement.
The issuer makes assumptions about customer spending patterns, reward redemption rates, revolver behaviour (interest-paying customers) and the cost of benefits being offered. Banks review these assumptions periodically and tweak or
. Read on livemint.com