ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Card
The ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Card is a premium metal card from ICICI Bank, offering luxury perks and high rewards. It comes with an annual fee of ₹20,000, making it ideal for high-spenders. Unique benefits like helicopter airport transfers (only at Bangalore Airport) add exclusivity, but the card hasn’t fully met expectations. It offers a 2.5% reward rate on international spending, but the 1.49% Forex fee reduces its value.
Best suited for frequent travelers and luxury seekers, this card gives 2% Reward Points on domestic expenses and 2.5% on international spending. However, the Forex fee cuts into rewards. To maximize benefits, users should have high income and spending habits. Check out the full review for details.
Rewards and Benefits
Fees & Charges
What should you consider before applying for a credit card in India?
Key Considerations Before Applying for a Credit Card in India:
- Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements, which typically include age, income, credit score, and employment status as defined by the issuing bank or financial institution.
- Credit Score: A strong credit score can significantly improve your chances of approval and result in more favorable terms, such as lower interest rates or higher credit limits. Verify that your credit score is healthy before applying.
- Interest Rates and Fees: Compare the annual percentage rates (APR), processing fees, late payment penalties, and foreign transaction charges associated with various cards. These costs can vary widely and impact the overall value of the card.
- Rewards and Benefits: Evaluate the rewards, cashback, discounts, or other perks offered by the card to ensure they align with your spending patterns. Some cards may provide better benefits in specific categories, such as travel, shopping, or dining.
- Credit Limit: Review the credit limit offered by the card to ensure it meets your financial needs. Avoid applying for cards with excessive limits if you are concerned about managing debt, as this can lead to higher interest charges.
- Repayment Terms: Understand the repayment structure, including the minimum payment amount, payment due dates, and any associated penalties. Being clear about these terms can help you manage payments effectively and avoid interest buildup.
- Card Type and Features: Choose a card type that matches your specific needs—whether standard, premium, or specialized cards like those offering travel rewards or dining privileges. Ensure the features of the card align with your lifestyle and spending habits.
- Bank’s Reputation: Opt for a financial institution with a proven reputation for customer service and transparency. Consider researching customer reviews and assessing their support channels to ensure reliable service.
- Hidden Charges: Be aware of any hidden fees, including annual fees, balance transfer charges, foreign transaction fees, or cash withdrawal charges. These can add up over time and affect the overall cost-effectiveness of the card.
- Credit Utilization: Maintain a balance within your credit limit to avoid high credit utilization ratios, which can negatively impact your credit score. Responsible use of credit is essential for maintaining financial health.
- Long-Term Financial Plans: Consider how the credit card fits into your overall financial strategy. Avoid accumulating unnecessary debt and choose a card that supports your long-term financial goals without adding financial strain.
ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Card – Simple Benefits & Rewards
The ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Card is a premium credit card in India made for people who want luxury benefits, travel comfort, and extra rewards on high spending. It is not a basic card. It is mainly useful for users who spend more money every year and want premium experiences.
If you travel often or enjoy dining and lifestyle services, this card can give good value. But if your spending is low, many benefits may not be fully useful.
Welcome Benefits – Good Value at the Start
When you activate the card and pay the joining fee, you receive welcome benefits. These benefits help you recover a good part of the card cost.
You get travel vouchers, dining memberships, and lifestyle rewards.
- ₹10,000 EaseMyTrip hotel voucher
- ₹10,000 visa service benefits
- ₹4,000 gift cards
- Free Zomato Gold membership
These benefits are useful for people who travel or dine out at least a few times a year.
Why This Card is Popular Among High Spenders
This card is designed for people who spend more than ₹5 lakh in a year. Many premium benefits unlock only after reaching this level. It focuses more on experience than cashback. Instead of giving small savings on every transaction, it offers luxury services like airport lounges, hotel stays, and exclusive access.
That is why it is popular among business owners and frequent travellers.
Travel Benefits – Main Highlight of the Card
Travel benefits are the biggest strength of the ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Card. You get unlimited airport lounge access in India and worldwide. This means you can relax, eat food, and wait comfortably before your flight without paying extra.
The card also offers a low forex markup fee of 1.49%. Most credit cards in India charge around 3%, so this helps you save money on international spending.
Real Life Example – How You Can Save Money
Let’s understand with a simple example.
Suppose you travel once in a year. You use the ₹10,000 hotel voucher for booking your stay. At the airport, you use lounge access, which can save around ₹2,000 to ₹5,000.
During your trip, you use Zomato Gold for dining and save another ₹2,000 to ₹3,000.
So in one year, you can easily get benefits worth ₹15,000 or more. If you travel more or spend more, your total savings can increase further.
Reward Points – Simple Structure
| Spending Type | Reward Rate |
|---|---|
| Domestic spending | 2% |
| International spending | 2.5% |
| Utility payments | 2% (monthly limit applies) |
| Fuel and rent | No rewards |
Even though international rewards are higher, the forex fee slightly reduces the final benefit.
You can also earn extra reward points through ICICI’s iShop portal when booking travel or buying vouchers.
Luxury Airport Transfer – Unique Feature
One special feature of this card is airport transfer. If you spend ₹5 lakh in a year, you can choose between a helicopter ride or a luxury car transfer.
The helicopter service is available at Bangalore Airport and can be used once per year. If you skip it, you can use two luxury car transfers instead.
This feature gives a premium experience that is rarely available in other credit cards in India.
Dining and Lifestyle Benefits
The card also provides good dining and lifestyle benefits.
You can get discounts at select premium restaurants in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Gurugram. Along with this, Zomato Gold membership helps you save more on dining.
You also receive vouchers for grooming and gifting, which add extra value to your overall usage.
Milestone Benefits – Extra Value on Higher Spending
If you spend more money in a year, you unlock additional rewards. At ₹2 lakh spending, you get travel vouchers. At ₹5 lakh, you unlock airport transfer benefits. Higher spending gives luxury shopping and hotel vouchers.
This makes the card more rewarding for people with higher income and spending habits.
Insurance Coverage – Travel Safety Included
| Coverage | Amount |
|---|---|
| Personal accident | ₹3 crore |
| Purchase protection | ₹1.4 lakh |
| Baggage loss | ₹84,000 |
| Passport loss | ₹35,000 |
This helps reduce financial risk during unexpected situations.
Things You Should Know Before Applying
Before applying for this card, it is important to understand your spending habits.
Many benefits require high spending, so if you do not spend enough, you may not get full value. Also, categories like fuel and rent do not give reward points.
This card is more suitable for people who use credit cards for travel, dining, and lifestyle expenses.
Is This Card Worth It for You?
The ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Card is a good option for users who want premium benefits and can spend more every year. It offers travel comfort, lifestyle rewards, and unique features like helicopter transfer. These benefits are not available in basic credit cards. However, if your spending is low, it may not be the right choice.
ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Card Review
The ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Card is a luxury credit card in India that focuses on experience rather than just cashback. If you are a frequent traveller or high spender, this card can give strong value and premium benefits. But if you are a beginner or low spender, you may not fully use it.
Always compare your yearly spending and needs before choosing this card.
What kind of credit card is the ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Card?
It is a premium credit card offered by ICICI Bank in collaboration with Visa and Times Internet Ltd. Designed for ultra-high net worth individuals, it comes with top-class travel, lifestyle, and luxury benefits. The joining and renewal fee is ₹20,000 plus GST.
What is the reward rate of the ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Cardd?
This card provides 2.5% rewards on international transactions and 2% on domestic spending, making it more rewarding than most credit cards.
How can I avoid paying the annual fee?
From the second year onward, the annual fee can be waived if you spend ₹25 lakh within a card anniversary year.
Which companies collaborated with ICICI Bank to launch the Times Black Credit Card?
ICICI Bank has teamed up with Times Internet and Visa to launch the Times Black Credit Card.
Can I use my Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card for international purchases?
Yes, but you need to enable it for foreign transactions via Internet Banking or the iMobile app.
When does a credit card begin to charge interest?
If the Total Amount Due (TAD) isn’t paid by the due date, interest will be charged on the outstanding balance and all new transactions until full payment. Cash withdrawals also attract interest from the withdrawal date.
I already own an ICICI Bank Credit Card. Can I still apply for the Times Black Credit Card?
Yes, even if you have an existing ICICI Bank Credit Card, you can apply for this premium card.
How do I complete my KYC video verification?
You need to share your PAN and Aadhaar details, and then join a video call with an ICICI Bank officer to verify them. During the call, you must answer a few questions and show your original PAN card. This process is available 24/7.
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