HDFC Infinia (Metal) vs SBI Cashback
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
SBI Cashback wins 5-4. Pure online cashback — 5% on any online merchant, no partner restrictions. HDFC Infinia (Metal) is still the right call if top-tier travelers — invitation-only, the apex of hdfc reward redemption..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | HDFC Infinia (Metal) | SBI Cashback |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹12,500 | ₹999 |
| Joining fee | · ₹12,500 | ₹999 |
| Top reward rate | 33% (travel) | · 5% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | 3.3% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 12,500 reward points (offsets joining fee 1:1) | = Cashback offsets joining fee on first ₹999+ spend |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹1,000,000 / yr | ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹4,000,000 | ₹360,000 |
| Min credit score | · 800 | 750 |
| Editorial rating | 4.9/5 | · 4.6/5 |
Benefits compared
HDFC Infinia (Metal)
- Unlimited international + domestic lounge access (self + guest)
- 10x reward points on SmartBuy partners
- Free annual Club Marriott + Club Vistara Gold
- Concierge 24x7
- 2% forex markup
SBI Cashback
- 5% cashback on ALL online spends (not just listed merchants) — capped ₹5,000/month
- 1% cashback on offline spends
- Auto-credited within 2 days of statement
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
FAQ
›HDFC Infinia (Metal) vs SBI Cashback: which is better?
SBI Cashback wins on more dimensions (5 vs 4). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use HDFC Infinia (Metal) for its best categories, SBI Cashback for online shopping. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
HDFC Infinia (Metal): 12,500 reward points (offsets joining fee 1:1). SBI Cashback: Cashback offsets joining fee on first ₹999+ spend.