Good, don't use it 👍🏻
The less the better they'll not have incentive to devalue while we continue to use anyways
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Infinia HDFC Infinia Priority Pass Charged for Access in Domestic Indian Airports
- Thread starter jaisinghal
- Start date
- Replies 509
- Views 29K
The less the better they'll not have incentive to devalue while we continue to use anyways
List of domestic lounges was last updated in Dec '22 (https://www.hdfcbank.com/content/bb...per Premium/Infinia/Infinia-DomLoungeList.pdf) while the world has changed since then 🙂
On 2nd thought I'm thinking of opening an RBI Ombudsman ticket so that all of us are under same TnC 😛
** Kidding, do not really care that much ! 🙂**
Some arrival lounge are not in the card lounge access list.
shashankrt
TF Ace
Frankly I am still failing to understand why this PP getting charged is a big deal? Yes few arrival lounges and some lounges in tier 2 cities are not in list of infinia, however only those who visit frequently to these lounges are impacted. Also the policy is in line with other ccs.. Even Amex plat does not allow PP use in India and their lounge list is same as infinia for card access.
Those using PP And card in same lounge are basically misusing the card and hence it's not a devaluation in that case.
shashankrt
TF Ace
That's nor devaluation. It's misuse which if blocked will be a right move. It's similar to axis having loopholes and those being closed
It may or may not be a major change depending on which lounges you frequently access, but it's a devaluation for sure. More so, if there's a change in the way PP is to be used from what it was, that needs to be communicated clearly to the card holders and, I think, that's what people are equally concerned about. Not a good idea from the bank standpoint to charge the PP visit and reverse the charges retrospectively. It all depends upon how you look at this change but you are certainly going to miss out on certain privileges that come with PP.
- Usually, PP gives access to wider lounge network within and outside India incl. the arrival lounges.
- Infinia, as per the domestic lounges pdf (which needs to be updated, I feel), gives you access to 39 domestic lounges which is much lesser compared to the likes such as ICICI EPM which has 68 domestic lounges listed
- A good no. of lounges at certain airports like Hyderabad, Mumbai etc. have a separate lane for PP, Amex Plat. that gives you faster entry saving lot of time.
So, I wouldn't call it a deval if it had given access to similar no. lounges as its likes (EPM, Amex Plat.) or PP. Even if the policy is in line with other CCs, that must be communicated very clearly as earlier HDFC only had emphasized on using PP domestically.
Bharath Ram
TF Buzz
I called customer care. They said I have to use card for domestic and PP for international.
Ask them the same Q. Looks like he is trying to say that PP should be used at international lounges but if used domestically, no charges would be incurred or if you have already used it no charges. Btw emails says that someone has contacted you personally to assist with this. 🙂
conscious_matter
TF Buzz
Thank you for the clarification. Did they say Infinia in particular or priority pass in general? Sorry, I'm just trying to get details. Depends on how good a customer care agent you got through to.
Yes, some of us live or visit outside Tier 1 cities.
The point is not how this is 'in line' with other cards or your definition of a misuse. It's simply that they said something when people signed up, and then they are penalising people for doing exactly that now without informing (or even being clear themselves) about a change. If they had said upfront, like with other HDFC cards, that PP uses in India will attract charges, this issue wouldn't be happening. Their terms very clearly said access through PP in India and outside, and if they have made a change, they should communicate that to people.
And it's so interesting how the HDFC agents who are now saying "PP should be used only internationally" still aren't saying if usage through PP in India will be charged. They are very clear about that for other cards. Now before someone says "that's obvious", it isn't, it is a change in their policy and they are not being clear about it.
Yes they called me. In the call they mentioned using PP in domestic lounge will attract 27usd.
conscious_matter
TF Buzz
Thanks! This, I believe, is the most direct communication so far.
just entered T3 Arrival Lounge using PP
shashankrt
TF Ace
You are mixing 2 different issues here :
Issue 1 - PP usage charged in India - I will still stand by my words here. PP should not be used in India as its excessively expensive and at some point of time HDFC will devalue something else if this pattern continues. Also HDFC should expand its lounge list (accessible by card alone) before charging for PP usage.
All the tier 1 and tier 2 city lounges charge much less than 27USD and its a sublime act of stupidity from HDFC to allow PP access rather than enabling infinia card access in these lounges. Also there is an issue of lounges adding guests to PP without mentioning to users and this will lead to additional charges.
Issue 2 - Communication. Yes HDFC has failed miserably here. They 1st allowed PP usage in India and now have no clue what the exact plan is.. and answers vary based on which team u ask. Also if they charge PP access without extending lounge list then yes its a devaluation to some extent. Also not sure if they need to strictly go by RBI guidelines in this case however silently changing T&Cs is pure incompetence or malicious behavior.
shashankrt
TF Ace
The problem is same direct answer varies based on whom you ask. If you call the same team again, you may get different reply.
The main question should be why are they trying to Devalue their Top card to lower than their Top 2nd card. DCB/DCBM has inbuilt PP and will now have far more lounge access than Infinia. Also for people spending more outside the voucher category, DCBM is way better cz of milestone. Previously, to choose between Infinia and DCBM, the choice was based on whether you used Smartbuy voucher extensively. Now another Parameter of lounge access has been added. Diners access is an issue in some places but you can have a backup card for such times.
Nahi bhai hum nahi maante humein toh mail mail khelna hai and tab tak khelenge jab tak hdfc officially priority pass disable nahi kar deta tang hokey
jab tak smartbuy per in India and abroad likha h, m toh use karta rahunga.
