HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition vs ICICI Bank Times Black
A field-by-field comparison of fees, reward rates, accelerated categories, caps, exclusions, lounge access and forex markup, using each issuer's own published terms. Affiliate payout never decides the verdict.
Short answer
HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition and ICICI Bank Times Black differ first on recurring cost: HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition has an annual fee of ₹10,000 + GST against ₹20,000 + GST for ICICI Bank Times Black, so HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition is cheaper to hold. On rewards, HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition earns 5 Reward Points per ₹150 on eligible retail spend; complete transaction multiples and issuer posting rules apply while ICICI Bank Times Black earns 2 ICICI Bank Reward Points per ₹100 on eligible domestic spend. ICICI Bank Times Black has the lower forex markup at 1.49%. Neither card wins outright: the better choice depends on which accelerated categories match your spend, the monthly caps, the exclusions and issuer approval fit.
Source: CardMasters issuer-evidence catalogue, release 2026-08-01. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition | ICICI Bank Times Black |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | HDFC Bank | ICICI Bank |
| Joining fee | ₹10,000 + GST | ₹20,000 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹10,000 + GST | ₹20,000 + GST |
| Fee waiver | ₹8,00,000 annual eligible spend | ₹25,00,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 5 Reward Points per ₹150 on eligible retail spend; complete transaction multiples and issuer posting rules apply | 2 ICICI Bank Reward Points per ₹100 on eligible domestic spend |
| Accelerated routes | Up to 10X Reward Points through eligible SmartBuy routes · 2X Reward Points at participating weekend-dining restaurants · Eligible utility, telecom and grocery spend | international spends · utility, insurance, education and government payments |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, wallet load, easy emi, smart emi, education, government | fuel, rent, emi |
| Forex markup | 2% | 1.49% |
| Domestic lounge | unlimited at participating Diners Club lounges for primary and add-on cardholders | unlimited |
| International lounge | unlimited at participating Diners Club lounges worldwide for primary and add-on cardholders | unlimited via Priority Pass for primary and Plus Cardholders |
| Card networks | Diners Club | Visa Infinite |
| Best suited to | travel, high spender, memberships | travel, luxury, high spender, low forex |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-07-28 | Checked 2026-08-01 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition better than the ICICI Bank Times Black?
Neither is universally better. HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition charges ₹10,000 + GST a year and earns 5 Reward Points per ₹150 on eligible retail spend; complete transaction multiples and issuer posting rules apply; ICICI Bank Times Black charges ₹20,000 + GST and earns 2 ICICI Bank Reward Points per ₹100 on eligible domestic spend. The better card is the one whose accelerated categories, caps and exclusions match your actual spending, after subtracting the annual fee and GST.
Which of the two has the lower annual fee, HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition or ICICI Bank Times Black?
HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition has the lower recorded annual fee at ₹10,000 + GST. A spend-based waiver may reduce the effective cost of the other card, so check the waiver threshold before deciding.
Which is better for international spending, HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition or ICICI Bank Times Black?
ICICI Bank Times Black publishes the lower forex markup at 1.49% versus 2%. Also confirm whether international transactions earn rewards, since some issuers exclude them.
Can I hold both cards together?
Yes, provided each is approved on its own merits and you can pay both statements in full. Holding both makes sense only when their accelerated categories do not overlap; otherwise the second card adds an annual fee without adding rewards.