Home / ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card Credit Card Review
ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card Review 2026
Zero joining and annual fee for life, 2 reward points per ₹100, 15% off at 2,500+ restaurants, and HPCL fuel surcharge waiver - India's most popular lifetime free starter card.
3.2
/5
Card24 Score
Rewards 2.8
Travel 1.5
Fees 5
Last reviewed July 2026 · Card24.ai editorial team
Annual Fee
Lifetime Free*
Reward Rate
2 Reward Points per ₹100 on retail spends*
Dining Discount
15% off at 2,500+ restaurants (ICICI Culinary Treats)*
Fuel Waiver
1% fuel surcharge waiver at HPCL pumps (₹400–₹4,000 transactions)*
Point Value
1 RP = ₹0.25 | Points never expire while card is active
Credit Card Verdict ICICI Bank Platinum Chip
What we like
- Lifetime free with zero joining and zero annual fee - no spend condition, no minimum threshold, no time limit. The card can be held for years without ever paying a rupee, making it the lowest-risk entry point in ICICI Bank's credit card portfolio.
- 15% minimum discount on dining at 2,500+ partner restaurants across India through ICICI Bank's Culinary Treats Programme - a genuine everyday saving that most entry-level cards don't offer.
- Reward points earned on utility bills and insurance premiums (1RP/₹100) - two categories excluded by most cards at any fee level, offering incremental earning on mandatory monthly expenses.
- Reward points never expire as long as the card account remains active - unlike many competing cards that expire points in 24–36 months, allowing unhurried accumulation for first-time cardholders.
- Embedded EMV chip with PIN security - significantly more secure than magnetic stripe-only cards, reducing counterfeit fraud risk for cardholders making offline transactions.
Watch out for
- ₹99 redemption fee per request significantly erodes value on small point balances - at 1RP = ₹0.25, you need at least 400 points just to recover the redemption fee, making frequent small redemptions uneconomical.
- Base reward rate of 2RP/₹100 = 0.5% cashback equivalent at ₹0.25/RP is among the lowest in the market - cards like SBI SimplyCLICK or HDFC Millennia offer significantly higher earn rates for comparable or lower fee.
- No lounge access, no travel insurance, and 3.5% forex markup - the card is entirely unsuitable for air travel or international use. Cardholders who travel should plan to upgrade or supplement with a travel card.
- Monthly category caps: utility spends above ₹40,000, insurance above ₹40,000, and grocery/departmental store above ₹20,000 per month earn no additional reward points - limiting earn for high-spend profiles.
Card24.ai's review is based on publicly available information as of July 2026. ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card features and fees are subject to change. ₹99 redemption fee applies per request. Monthly earn caps apply on utility, insurance, and grocery categories. This is not financial advice. Verify all terms at icicibank.com before applying.
Credit Card Achievers ICICI Bank Platinum Chip
Is the ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card Worth It in 2026?
The ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card is India's most accessible lifetime free credit card from a major private bank. With zero joining fee, zero annual fee, and no minimum spend condition attached to its free status, it is the lowest-risk entry point for first-time credit card applicants - and a genuinely useful everyday card for those who want dining discounts and basic reward earning without any annual cost commitment.
The ICICI Culinary Treats Programme delivers a minimum 15% discount at 2,500+ restaurants across India - one of the most useful perks on any zero-fee card and one that adds immediate, tangible value from the first month of card ownership. Reward points on utilities and insurance (1RP/₹100) cover mandatory monthly bill payments that most competitors ignore. Points never expire, removing the pressure of forced redemptions. The iShop portal offers 6X–12X accelerated earn on travel bookings for occasional cardholders who use the card for flights or hotels.
The card's ceiling is clear: at 0.5% base earn, it cannot compete with cashback cards once you're ready to graduate. For higher cashback on online spends and more rewards per rupee, the BOBCARD Cashback card is a strong next step.
The ICICI Culinary Treats Programme delivers a minimum 15% discount at 2,500+ restaurants across India - one of the most useful perks on any zero-fee card and one that adds immediate, tangible value from the first month of card ownership. Reward points on utilities and insurance (1RP/₹100) cover mandatory monthly bill payments that most competitors ignore. Points never expire, removing the pressure of forced redemptions. The iShop portal offers 6X–12X accelerated earn on travel bookings for occasional cardholders who use the card for flights or hotels.
The card's ceiling is clear: at 0.5% base earn, it cannot compete with cashback cards once you're ready to graduate. For higher cashback on online spends and more rewards per rupee, the BOBCARD Cashback card is a strong next step.
Best For: First-time credit card applicants, students, and young professionals who want a zero-fee card for credit building, dining discounts, and basic reward earning with no financial risk.
ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card Benefits
How to Get the Most Out of Your ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card
Always Use Culinary Treats Before Dining Out - Before every restaurant visit, check the ICICI Culinary Treats partner list at icicibank.com or the iMobile Pay app. At participating restaurants, ensure you pay with the Platinum Chip card to receive the minimum 15% discount on your food bill. This discount requires no advance booking or coupon - just the card swipe at the time of payment.
Route Utility Bills and Insurance Premiums Through This Card - Set up autopay for electricity, gas, broadband, and water bills through this card. Each utility payment earns 1 Reward Point per ₹100 - a category most cards exclude. For a household paying ₹5,000/month in utility bills, that is 50 RP/month = 600 RP/year worth ₹150, from spends that would otherwise earn nothing.
Wait Until 1,500+ Points Before Redeeming - The ₹99 redemption fee per request makes small redemptions uneconomical. At 400 points (₹100 value), the fee wipes out most of the benefit. Always accumulate at least 1,500 Reward Points before redeeming - at that level, your redemption is worth ₹375 against a ₹99 fee, a 3.8x payback ratio that makes the fee meaningful.
Use iShop for Travel Bookings - When booking flights or hotels through official channels, route the booking via ICICI Bank's iShop portal for 6X–12X Reward Points on travel spends. For a ₹15,000 flight booking at 12X, that is 1,800 RP worth ₹450 - significantly more than the 300 RP you'd earn at the standard 2X rate on the same spend.
Use This Card for Credit Building, Then Graduate - The Platinum Chip is an excellent credit-building tool - use it as your primary card for 12–18 months, pay the full bill on time every month, and build a CIBIL score of 750+. Once there, you can apply for a cashback card with real earning power. The BOBCARD Cashback card is a strong next step for online spends.
Route Utility Bills and Insurance Premiums Through This Card - Set up autopay for electricity, gas, broadband, and water bills through this card. Each utility payment earns 1 Reward Point per ₹100 - a category most cards exclude. For a household paying ₹5,000/month in utility bills, that is 50 RP/month = 600 RP/year worth ₹150, from spends that would otherwise earn nothing.
Wait Until 1,500+ Points Before Redeeming - The ₹99 redemption fee per request makes small redemptions uneconomical. At 400 points (₹100 value), the fee wipes out most of the benefit. Always accumulate at least 1,500 Reward Points before redeeming - at that level, your redemption is worth ₹375 against a ₹99 fee, a 3.8x payback ratio that makes the fee meaningful.
Use iShop for Travel Bookings - When booking flights or hotels through official channels, route the booking via ICICI Bank's iShop portal for 6X–12X Reward Points on travel spends. For a ₹15,000 flight booking at 12X, that is 1,800 RP worth ₹450 - significantly more than the 300 RP you'd earn at the standard 2X rate on the same spend.
Use This Card for Credit Building, Then Graduate - The Platinum Chip is an excellent credit-building tool - use it as your primary card for 12–18 months, pay the full bill on time every month, and build a CIBIL score of 750+. Once there, you can apply for a cashback card with real earning power. The BOBCARD Cashback card is a strong next step for online spends.
ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card Annual Fees
| Joining Fee | Lifetime Free* |
| Annual Renewal Fee | Lifetime Free* |
| Reward Earn Rate | 2RP/₹100 retail; 1RP/₹100 utilities+insurance; iShop 6X–12X travel |
| Reward Redemption Fee | ₹99 per redemption request |
| Reward Point Value | ₹0.25 per RP | Points never expire while card is active |
| Finance Charge | 3.75% per month (45% p.a.) |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% on all foreign currency transactions |
| Cash Advance Fee | 2.5% of amount or ₹500, whichever is higher | Interest from date of withdrawal |
| HPCL Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% waiver on ₹400–₹4,000 transactions at HPCL pumps only. GST on surcharge not waived. |
| Utility Surcharge | 1% fee on utility transactions via third-party apps above ₹50,000/month (w.e.f. Jan 2026) |
| Interest-Free Period | Up to 48 days from date of purchase (on full balance payment) |
ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card Eligibility & Documents
Age 21–65 years (primary cardholder); 18+ for add-on cardholders
Minimum annual income Net annual income ₹2,50,000 or above (₹20,833/month) - lowest income bar of any ICICI credit card
Documents required PAN · Aadhaar/Passport/Voter ID · Latest 2–3 salary slips · 3-month bank statements · Address proof
Residency Indian Resident
Applying when ineligible creates a hard credit inquiry that may lower your CIBIL score. Verify your eligibility before applying.
How to Apply for ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card
The application process is entirely online and takes about 5-7 minutes.
1
Visit icicibank.com → Credit Cards → Platinum Chip Credit Card. Click 'Apply Now' - Alternatively, apply via iMobile Pay app: Cards section → Apply for Credit Card → Platinum Chip.
2
Enter personal details: name, date of birth, PAN, and mobile number - Existing ICICI Bank account holders can pre-fill details. OTP verification confirms identity.
3
Provide employment and income details - Upload income proof (salary slips or ITR) and address proof. ICICI may use Aadhaar-based digital KYC or Video KYC for verification.
4
Application reviewed within 1–5 working days - Approval communicated via SMS/email. Card dispatched within 7–10 working days of approval. Track status at icicibank.com or via iMobile Pay.
5
Activate card via iMobile Pay app or ICICI Net Banking - Generate PIN at first ATM usage or via app. Start using at ICICI Culinary Treats restaurants immediately to earn the 15% dining discount.
*T&C Apply
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card has zero joining fee and zero annual fee for the lifetime of the card. There is no minimum spend condition or activity requirement attached to this free status. You can hold the card for years without paying any fee - it is one of the few genuinely unconditional lifetime free credit cards from a major private bank in India.
2 Reward Points per ₹100 on eligible retail spends (effective 0.5% cashback at ₹0.25/RP). 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on utility bills and insurance premiums (capped at ₹40,000/month each). No points on fuel, rent, e-wallets, government, or education. iShop portal earns 6X–12X on travel bookings.
No. The ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card does not offer any domestic or international airport lounge access. It is a zero-fee entry-level card designed for everyday spending, dining, and credit building - not for travel privileges. For lounge access within ICICI's portfolio, the ICICI Coral (next tier) upwards includes lounge benefits.
Minimum 15% discount on dining bills at 2,500+ partner restaurants across India through the ICICI Bank Culinary Treats Programme. No advance booking or coupon is needed - pay with the Platinum Chip card at the time of the dining bill. This benefit is available at a wide range of restaurants from casual dining to fine dining across major Indian cities.
1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000 at HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum) pumps only, on ICICI Merchant Services machines. The waiver does not apply at BPCL, Indian Oil, or any other fuel brand. GST on the surcharge is not waived. No reward points are earned on fuel transactions.