The HDFC Freedom Credit Card and HDFC MoneyBack Plus Credit Card are entry-level cards presented by HDFC Bank. Both include reward points, welcome offers, and savings every day, but both are constructed for different types of users. The HDFC Freedom Credit Card is meant for daily usage, lifestyle spend, and provides double reward points on categories such as dining, groceries, movies, and travel booking. It also provides bonus reward points on PayZapp and SmartBuy spends, making it a very comprehensive card to use for users who enjoy spending across categories. One plus point of Freedom card is lower lower-salaried persons get easy approval.
On the other hand, the HDFC MoneyBack Plus Credit Card is designed for shopping online. It rewards 10X CashPoints on sites such as Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, and Swiggy. If you are spending a huge amount every month on these online platforms, this card allows you to earn quicker and redeem rewards easily.
Both cards have the same fee structure, so they are affordable and convenient for first-time credit card users. The annual and joining fee is ₹500 plus taxes, which is waived on spending of ₹50,000 in a year. In comparing these two, we’ll guide you through the most important benefits, charges, rewards, and best use so you can choose the one that best fits your lifestyle.
| Feature | HDFC Freedom Credit Card | HDFC MoneyBack Plus Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹500 + taxes | ₹500 + taxes |
| Annual Fee | ₹500 + taxes | ₹500 + taxes |
| Annual Fee Waiver | Waived on annual spending of ₹50,000 | Waived on annual spending of ₹50,000 |
| Welcome Benefit | 500 CashPoints on fee payment | 500 CashPoints on fee payment |
| Milestone Benefit | 1,000 CashPoints on monthly spends of ₹10,000 (max 12,000/year) | ₹500 gift voucher every quarter on spends of ₹50,000 (max ₹2,000/year) |
| Reward Rate – Regular | 1 CashPoint per ₹150 spent | 2 CashPoints per ₹150 spent |
| Accelerated Rewards |
5X CashPoints on dining, movies, groceries 10X on PayZapp, SmartBuy |
10X CashPoints on Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, Swiggy 5X on EMI transactions |
| Reward Redemption |
1 CashPoint = ₹0.15 for statement credit Also redeemable for flights, hotels, gifts |
1 CashPoint = ₹0.25 for statement credit Also redeemable for vouchers, gifts |
| Other Benefits |
Good Food Trail dining program EMI conversion on big spends Contactless payment |
Swiggy Dineout discount EMI conversion Contactless payment |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1 percent waiver on fuel spends ₹400 to ₹5,000 | 1 percent waiver on fuel spends ₹400 to ₹5,000 |
| Interest-Free Period | Up to 50 days | Up to 50 days |
Detailed Benefits
The HDFC Freedom Credit Card rewards daily lifestyle expenses with 500 welcome CashPoints on payment of the joining fee, and a milestone reward of 1,000 CashPoints every month when you spend ₹10,000 or more (12,000 points a year). Earn 1 CashPoint on every ₹150 spent, with 5X accelerated points for dining, groceries, and movies, and 10X points on PayZapp and SmartBuy buys. Points are redeemable at ₹0.15 each for statement credit, vouchers, flights, and hotels. The card also provides a 1 percent fuel surcharge waiver on eligible transactions, contactless payments, and EMI conversion. It offers high versatility for users who look for rewards on the high frequency of lifestyle spending.
HDFC MoneyBack Plus Credit Card rewards online and digital shopping behaviors with a welcome bonus of 500 CashPoints upfront credited upon the first transaction. It grants quarterly milestone reward vouchers for ₹500 each on spends of ₹50,000 or more (up to ₹2,000 annually). The card gives 2 CashPoints for every ₹150 spent, 10X points for online shopping websites such as Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, and Swiggy, and 5X points on EMI spends. Reward points can be redeemed at a competitive average value of ₹0.25 per point against statement credit and vouchers. Features such as a 1 percent fuel surcharge waiver, contactless payments, and EMI offers make it a perfect choice for frequent online buyers.
Reward Points
The HDFC Freedom Credit Card provides 1 CashPoint for each ₹150 spent on all spends, with turbocharged rewards giving 5X points on eating out, grocery shopping, and cinema, and 10X points on PayZapp and SmartBuy spends. The CashPoints can be redeemed flexibly at a rate of ₹0.15 per point, as statement credit, vouchers, or towards travel bookings such as flights and hotels, so it is a flexible rewards scheme for diverse lifestyle spends.
On the other hand, HDFC MoneyBack Plus Credit Card offers a better reward rate of 2 CashPoints for every ₹150 spent, with 10X points on popular online shopping sites like Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, and Swiggy, in addition to 5X points on EMI purchases. Its points can be redeemed as statement credit or vouchers at a good rate of ₹0.25 per point, helping users to get maximum value, particularly if they shop online most of the time.
| Category | Spend (₹) | Freedom RP | Freedom ₹ Savings | MoneyBack Plus RP | MoneyBack ₹ Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 30,000 | 200 | ₹30 | 4,000 | ₹1,000 |
| Myntra | 20,000 | 133 | ₹20 | 266 | ₹66.5 |
| Flipkart | 25,000 | 166 | ₹25 | 3,333 | ₹833.25 |
| Swiggy | 15,000 | 500 | ₹75 | 2,000 | ₹500 |
| Uber | 10,000 | 333 | ₹50 | 133 | ₹33.25 |
| Total | 100,000 | 1,332 | ₹199.80 | 9,732 | ₹2,432.00 |
HDFC freedom vs Moneyback Plus Credit Card Which Is better
Between HDFC MoneyBack Plus and HDFC Freedom Credit Card, the MoneyBack Plus is a clear winner when it comes to rewards. It gives higher reward points, especially on popular sites such as Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, and BigBasket, due to its 10X rewards program. Additionally, its reward redemption rate of ₹0.25 per point provides more savings compared to HDFC Freedom’s ₹0.15 per point.
However, HDFC Freedom Credit Card is easy to get approved, particularly for those with lower monthly salaries or shorter credit history, making it a more realistic option for new card users. The fee structure of both cards is the same, with ₹500 joining and annual fees (waived on spending ₹50,000 a year), and both are positioned as entry-level reward credit cards.
In summary, opt for MoneyBack Plus if you spend predominantly online and qualify by income, but opt for HDFC Freedom if you desire simpler approval with consistent reward benefits.
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