How to Recover ICICI Times Black Credit Card Joining Fee & Maximize Benefits?

[Mekala ManojKumar]

Hi everyone,

I recently received the ICICI Times Black Credit Card with a joining fee of ₹20,000 + GST (total ₹23,600). I’m looking for a practical strategy to recover this cost and also get maximum ongoing benefits from the card.

My typical expenses include online shopping on Zomato, Ajio, Myntra, Amazon, etc.

I’m aware that I’ll receive:

₹10,000 MakeMyTrip voucher – Are there any specific terms & conditions for using this? (e.g., restrictions, expiry, blackout dates)

₹3,000 Toni & Guy voucher
Would love to hear from those who have used this card:

1. Best ways to redeem the vouchers effectively.
2. Tips to earn rewards faster given my spending pattern.
3. Any hidden perks or offers worth knowing about.
4. How you managed to recover the joining fee within the first year.



Thanks in advance!

 

[Shinnok]

If you don't have BizBlack or Plat Travel (or have reached 4L), use it to pay tax (counts for milestone + base points upto 2.5L per month) - you get a Klook voucher of Rs 10k at 2.5L milestone (till 1st Sept)

It also has travel cancellation insurance (upto 12k, with a lot of caveats, ref https://static.timesblack.com/static/insurance-cover-final.pdf), and unlimited lounge access w/o min spends

And has a few vouchers/random benefits (Interflora 1k, GQ/Traveller magazine, Zomato Gold), you can refer to the app/other threads for this, eg https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/times-black-updated-benefits.40818/

You can follow this strategy to get back joining fee:
- 10k + 3k joining benefits
- Zomato gold
- (Until Sept 1): 2.5 L tax payment = 10 k voucher + 5k iShop points (transferrable 1:1 for hotel stay coupons) (minus 1-2% credit card surcharge on tax gateway)

You can continue to pay tax till ~ 20L milestone (2.5L/month, gives 5k points/month + milestone benefits)

Or pay for hotels/airlines via iShop, but may be risky (see https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/⚠️-warning-user-experience-icici-ishop-is-a-scam-silent-cancellations-missing-refunds-zero-accountability-⚠️.38682/)

 

[nh124001]

abb toh 23k ka chuna lag gaya... kitna hi recover karloge...

 

[Centurion_wala]

Mujhe lagta tha ye sawal card lene se pehle puchna hota hai 🧐

 

[Mekala ManojKumar]

Mujhe lagta tha ye sawal card lene se pehle puchna hota hai 🧐

Ha ha ha ha ha 🤣, yes bro. But now already received card and trying to get the maximum benefit

 

[Riya]

Ha ha ha ha ha 🤣, yes bro. But now already received card and trying to get the maximum benefit

In my opinion, instead of maximizing the benefit you should try and minimizing the loss coz of hefty fees and close it next year until they give some good retention offer

 

[Wealth is my birth right!]

In my opinion, instead of maximizing the benefit you should try and minimizing the loss coz of hefty fees and close it next year until they give some good retention offer

Reverse engineering great

 

[Riya]

Reverse engineering great

Yeah....
Coz in order to maximize the benefits, he might end up over spending over useless things... So it's better to minimize loss and book it ..

 

[Dr.Anand456Dr.Anand456 is verified member.]

Hi everyone,

I recently received the ICICI Times Black Credit Card with a joining fee of ₹20,000 + GST (total ₹23,600). I’m looking for a practical strategy to recover this cost and also get maximum ongoing benefits from the card.

My typical expenses include online shopping on Zomato, Ajio, Myntra, Amazon, etc.

I’m aware that I’ll receive:

₹10,000 MakeMyTrip voucher – Are there any specific terms & conditions for using this? (e.g., restrictions, expiry, blackout dates)

₹3,000 Toni & Guy voucher
Would love to hear from those who have used this card:

1. Best ways to redeem the vouchers effectively.
2. Tips to earn rewards faster given my spending pattern.
3. Any hidden perks or offers worth knowing about.
4. How you managed to recover the joining fee within the first year.



Thanks in advance!

To put it simply, bro – it’s very difficult to recover the joining fee of this card just through its welcome benefits. The real value of this card only comes out if you are able to spend at least ₹1 lakh or more every month on an average. That’s when you can actually make the most of what it offers.

This card has been designed with a very specific audience in mind – people who are not just looking for cashback or routine rewards, but those who want to experience a premium lifestyle, something unique and different. The Times Black card is not really made for an average spender. It focuses less on cash returns and more on offering exclusive lifestyle privileges, special access, and experiences that stand apart. Both the bank and the Times Network position it as a card that delivers exclusivity rather than just monetary benefits.

 

[girish3456]

If you are unsure of how to recover the joining fee of Rs.23,600 why did you gone for it bro