Quick Verdict

  • For everyday spend, both the ICICI Bank Coral Credit Cardⓘ and the Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ offer a base reward rate of 0.5%, but the Shoppers Stop card shines with a 6% return on online spending.
  • The ICICI Coral card wins for travel perks with 4 domestic lounge visits annually, while the Shoppers Stop card offers no lounge access.
  • The Shoppers Stop HDFC card is cheaper to hold with a Rs 299 joining and annual fee, compared to Rs 500 each for the ICICI Coral.
  • Pick the ICICI Coralⓘ if you value lounge access and utility/grocery rewards. Choose the Shoppers Stop HDFCⓘ for online shopping and a lower fee with a welcome voucher.

Side by Side

DetailICICI Bank Coral Credit CardⓘShoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ
Annual feeRs 500Rs 299
Joining feeRs 500Rs 299
Fee waiver on spendRs 1.50 lakhNone
Reward rate0.5% base, 1% on grocery & utilities0.5% base, 6% on online
Reward typePointsPoints
Domestic lounge4 per year (Rs 75,000 quarterly spend gate)None
International loungeNoneNone
Forex markup3.5%3.5%
Best suited forFirst card, rewards, dining, loungeShopping, lifetime-free

Rewards Compared

With a Rs 10,000 spend, both the ICICI Bank Coral Credit Cardⓘ and the Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ deliver a baseline return of Rs 50, reflecting their 0.5% base reward rates. The ICICI Coral card enhances rewards to Rs 100 on groceries and utilities, making it appealing for everyday household expenses. Conversely, the Shoppers Stop HDFC card dramatically increases rewards to Rs 600 on online spends, a significant boost for digital shoppers. This difference highlights the ICICI Coral’s balanced approach to essential spends versus the Shoppers Stop HDFC’s specialization in online retail rewards.

Therefore, if your spending leans heavily towards groceries and utilities, the ICICI Coralⓘ card’s category bonuses provide an effective uplift. For those focused on online purchases, the Shoppers Stop HDFCⓘ card’s 6% return outpaces the Coral by a wide margin, making it the superior choice for online spenders. Both cards maintain the same base reward rate, so the enhanced category rates are the key differentiators.

Fees Compared

The ICICI Bank Coral Credit Cardⓘ carries a joining and annual fee of Rs 500 each, which can be waived with an annual spend of Rs 1.50 lakh, translating to about Rs 12,500 monthly spend. This waiver threshold is relatively high and may be challenging for some to meet, especially if you do not use the card extensively. The Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ has a lower joining and annual fee of Rs 299 each, but it does not offer any fee waiver, meaning the fee is fixed regardless of spend.

Regarding the break-even on fees via rewards, the ICICI Coral card requires around Rs 1.00 lakh annual spend to cover the Rs 500 annual fee at its base reward rate. The Shoppers Stop HDFC card’s lower Rs 299 fee breaks even at about Rs 59,800 annual spend. This means the Shoppers Stop card is more cost-efficient at lower spends, while the Coral card demands higher usage to justify its fees.

Which One Should You Pick

Choose the ICICI Bank Coral Credit Cardⓘ if you are looking for a first credit card with decent rewards on groceries and utilities and value domestic lounge access for travel or dining outings. It suits spenders who can meet the Rs 1.50 lakh annual spend for fee waiver and want a balanced card for everyday essentials and occasional travel comforts. However, skip this card if you spend less and do not prioritize lounge access, as the fees may not justify the benefits.

Opt for the Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ if your primary spend is online shopping and you want a lifetime-free card with a modest joining and annual fee. The welcome voucher and Silver Edge membership add immediate value for shoppers at Shoppers Stop. This card is ideal for those who do not require lounge access and want higher rewards on online spends. Avoid it if your spending is more offline or you want broader category rewards.

In conclusion, the ICICI Coralⓘ card is better for those who want travel and utility rewards with lounge access, while the Shoppers Stop HDFCⓘ card is best for online shopping and lower fees. Your choice depends on spending patterns and priorities.

What to Check Before You Apply

  • Confirm the quarterly Rs 75,000 spend gate for domestic lounges on the ICICI Coral card to ensure you qualify for lounge visits.
  • Verify how reward points convert and redeem, as points may have different values depending on the issuer’s program.
  • Check if you can realistically meet the Rs 12,500 monthly spend on the Coral card for fee waiver to avoid paying Rs 500 annually.
  • Be aware that both cards charge a 3.5% forex markup, which adds a substantial cost on foreign currency transactions.
  • For lounge access, confirm the participating airports and lounges covered under the ICICI Coral card’s 4 free visits.

FAQ

What is the forex markup on these cards?+
Both the ICICI Bank Coral Credit Cardⓘ and the Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ charge a 3.5% forex markup on foreign currency transactions. This is a standard fee that adds Rs 3,500 on every Rs 1,00,000 spent abroad.
Can the annual fee be waived on both cards?+
The ICICI Coral card waives the Rs 500 annual fee if you spend Rs 1.50 lakh annually, about Rs 12,500 a month. The Shoppers Stop HDFC card does not offer any fee waiver; its Rs 299 fee applies regardless of spend.
Do these cards offer lounge access?+
Only the ICICI Bank Coral Credit Cardⓘ provides lounge access, allowing 4 domestic lounge visits per year with a Rs 75,000 quarterly spend requirement. The Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ does not offer any lounge benefits.
What are the best spending categories for rewards?+
The ICICI Coral credit card gives 1% rewards on grocery and utilities, doubling the base 0.5%. The Shoppers Stop HDFC card excels in online spending with a 6% reward rate, significantly higher than the Coral’s category rates.
Is there a welcome benefit with these cards?+
The Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ offers a welcome benefit of a Rs 500 Shoppers Stop voucher and complimentary Silver Edge membership. The ICICI Bank Coral Credit Cardⓘ does not provide any welcome benefit.