HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition vs IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal)
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 IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal) differ first on recurring cost: HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition has an annual fee of ₹10,000 + GST against ₹12,500 for IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal), 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 IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal) earns 5 RP/₹150 on eligible spends. IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal) has the lower forex markup at 0%. 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 | IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal) |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | HDFC Bank | IDFC FIRST Bank |
| Joining fee | ₹10,000 + GST | ₹12,500 |
| Annual fee | ₹10,000 + GST | ₹12,500 |
| Fee waiver | ₹8,00,000 annual eligible spend | No waiver recorded |
| Base rewards | 5 Reward Points per ₹150 on eligible retail spend; complete transaction multiples and issuer posting rules apply | 5 RP/₹150 on eligible spends |
| 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 | hotels via IDFC FIRST app · flights via IDFC FIRST app |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, wallet load, easy emi, smart emi, education, government | fuel, emi, fees, loan, balance transfer, cash withdrawal |
| Forex markup | 2% | 0% |
| Domestic lounge | unlimited at participating Diners Club lounges for primary and add-on cardholders | 4 visits/quarter |
| International lounge | unlimited at participating Diners Club lounges worldwide for primary and add-on cardholders | 4 visits/quarter |
| Card networks | Diners Club | Visa |
| Best suited to | travel, high spender, memberships | travel, premium, forex free |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-07-28 | Checked 2026-07-16 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition better than the IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal)?
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; IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal) charges ₹12,500 and earns 5 RP/₹150 on eligible spends. 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 IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal)?
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 IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal)?
IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal) publishes the lower forex markup at 0% 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.