Quick Verdict

  • The ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Cardⓘ is the better choice for everyday spend, especially in fuel, utilities, and grocery categories due to its higher reward rates.
  • For travel or lounge access, the ICICI HPCL card wins with 4 domestic lounge visits per year, whereas the Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ offers no lounge access.
  • The Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ is cheaper to hold with a lower joining and annual fee of Rs 299 each, and it is lifetime free, unlike the ICICI HPCL card which charges Rs 500 for both.
  • Pick the ICICI HPCL Super Saver card if you spend heavily in fuel, grocery, or utilities and can meet the Rs 1.5 lakh annual spend waiver. Choose the Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank card if you prefer a low-fee card focused on online shopping with a decent welcome benefit and no lounge needs.

Side by Side

DetailICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit CardⓘShoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ
Annual feeRs 500Rs 299
Joining feeRs 500Rs 299
Fee waiver on spendRs 1.50 lakhNot recorded
Reward rate1% base0.5% base
Reward typepointspoints
Domestic lounge4 per yearNone
International loungeNoneNone
Forex markup3.5%3.5%
Best suited forfuel, grocery, cashback, shopping, loungeshopping, lifetime-free

Rewards Compared

Spending Rs 10,000 on the ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Cardⓘ earns Rs 100 back at the base reward rate of 1%. However, the card shines in specific categories like fuel, utilities, and grocery where it offers a 5% effective return, translating to Rs 500 back on Rs 10,000 spent. This makes it a highly rewarding card for everyday essentials and fuel purchases.

In contrast, the Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ returns Rs 50 at its base reward rate of 0.5% on Rs 10,000 spent. It offers a 6% reward rate for online shopping, which yields Rs 600 on Rs 10,000 spend in that category, making it attractive for dedicated online shoppers. However, outside this category, reward returns are modest compared to the ICICI HPCL card.

Fees Compared

The ICICI HPCL Super Saver card demands a joining fee of Rs 500 and an annual fee of Rs 500. The fee is waived if you spend Rs 1.5 lakh annually, which breaks down to about Rs 12,500 per month. To cover the Rs 201 higher annual fee compared to the Shoppers Stop HDFC card, you need to spend Rs 40,200 more at the better reward rates of the ICICI card.

The Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ charges a joining and annual fee of Rs 299 each but is lifetime free, so no waiver threshold applies. It is cheaper upfront and over time but offers lower base rewards. The break-even spend for the ICICI card’s higher fee is Rs 59,800 at base rates, making the Shoppers Stop card better for low spenders.

Which One Should You Pick

Choose the ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Cardⓘ if you frequently spend on fuel, utilities, and groceries. Its high 5% category rewards can deliver significant value, and if you can meet the Rs 1.5 lakh annual spend for fee waiver, the Rs 1000 annual fees become a non-issue. Its four free domestic lounge visits add an extra perk for occasional travelers.

The Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ is suited for shoppers who prefer a low-cost, lifetime free card mainly for online shopping. The 6% reward in that category and a Rs 500 welcome voucher provide early value. It suits users who want a simple card without lounge benefits and don’t spend heavily across multiple categories.

In the final call, if your spend patterns align with fuel and grocery expenses and you can utilize lounge visits, the ICICI HPCL Super Saver card wins. Skip it if you do not want to meet the high waiver spend or need a low-fee card. Conversely, the Shoppers Stop HDFC card is great for casual online shoppers or fee-averse users but loses to the ICICI card for broader rewards and lounges.

What to Check Before You Apply

  • Confirm if your fuel, grocery, or utilities spend is sufficient to justify the ICICI HPCL card’s category bonus rates.
  • Check the redemption value and ease of converting points into vouchers or cashback, especially for the ICICI card.
  • Understand the waiver spend math: Rs 1.5 lakh annually for ICICI HPCL vs no waiver for Shoppers Stop.
  • Beware of the 3.5% forex markup on both cards if you plan to use them abroad.
  • Verify that the ICICI HPCL’s Rs 75,000 quarterly spend gate for domestic lounges fits your travel frequency.

FAQ

How do the reward rates compare for fuel and grocery spending?+
The ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Cardⓘ offers a significantly higher 5% reward rate in fuel and grocery categories, yielding Rs 500 back on Rs 10,000 spent, whereas the Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ does not provide category-specific rewards for these spends.
Is there any lounge access benefit with these cards?+
Only the ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Cardⓘ provides lounge access, offering 4 domestic lounge visits per year after spending Rs 75,000 quarterly. The Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ does not offer any lounge access.
What are the fee waiver conditions for these cards?+
The ICICI HPCL card waives its Rs 500 annual fee if you spend Rs 1.5 lakh annually. The Shoppers Stop HDFC card is lifetime free, so no waiver conditions apply.
How expensive is using these cards overseas?+
Both cards charge a 3.5% forex markup on foreign currency transactions, which means Rs 3,500 extra cost on Rs 1,00,000 spent abroad.
Which card is better for online shopping?+
The Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ gives a 6% reward rate on online spends, making it the better choice for online shopping compared to the ICICI HPCL card’s 1% base rate.