Home / Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Credit Card Review
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Review 2026
The times black icici bank credit card offers unlimited domestic and international lounge access, 1.49% forex markup, milestone benefits worth up to ₹70,000, CribLife lifestyle management, Zomato Gold, and Quorum Club access at ₹20,000/year.
4
/5
Card24 Score
Rewards 3.8
Travel 4.5
Fees 3.2
Last reviewed July 2026 · Card24.ai editorial team
Annual Fee
₹20,000*
Earn Rate
2 Reward Points*
Forex Markup
1.49%
Credit Card Verdict Times Black ICICI Bank
What we like
- The times black icici bank credit card offers unlimited complimentary airport lounge access for both the primary and add-on cardholder - a rare feature even among super-premium cards in India. Most premium cards limit lounge access to quarterly caps or restrict it to the primary cardholder only. Unlimited Priority Pass (1,300+ lounges, 600+ cities) for two cardholders simultaneously makes this the most generous lounge benefit in any Indian credit card under ₹25,000/year fee.
- The times black icici bank credit card charges just 1.49% forex markup - less than half the standard 3-3.5% charged by most Indian premium cards including many HDFC and Axis Bank cards. For frequent international travellers spending ₹5L+/year abroad, this alone saves ₹7,500-₹10,000+ annually in forex charges, meaningfully offsetting the ₹20,000 annual fee.
- Milestone and welcome benefits on the times black icici bank credit card include Zomato Gold annual membership, Tony & Guy voucher (₹3,000), travel visa benefits worth ₹10,000 (OneVasco + Atlys - doorstep biometric visa, lounge vouchers, visa fee waiver), Quorum Club access (20% dining discount at Café Reed, Zila, Pan Asian), and luxury stay gift cards from EaseMyTrip/Lohono. These are curated lifestyle benefits, not generic vouchers.
- CribLife lifestyle management - 6 exclusive services/year - is a differentiator of the times black icici bank credit card that goes beyond transactional banking perks. Think concierge services for travel bookings, restaurant reservations, event access, and luxury experiences. Combined with 24×7 concierge and Avis chauffeur/rental discounts (up to 35%), the card delivers UHNW-calibre service infrastructure.
Watch out for
- The times black icici bank credit card annual fee of ₹20,000 is among India's highest credit card fees. The fee waiver requires ₹25 lakh annual spend - a threshold most cardholders will not hit. For those spending below ₹20L/year, the fee is unlikely to be waived and must be factored into the value calculation. Below ₹10L annual spend, the card's fee is difficult to justify purely through rewards.
- The base earn rate of the times black icici bank credit card - 2 RP/₹100 domestic, 2.5 RP/₹100 international - is modest compared to cards at lower annual fees. HDFC Infinia (₹12,500/year) earns 3.33% on all spends. The times black icici bank credit card's rewards story is primarily milestone and lifestyle-benefits driven, not base earn driven.
- Milestone benefits on the times black icici bank credit card are brand-specific - luxury stays at Lohono/Ayantana, Tony & Guy vouchers, Quorum Club, Zomato Gold. Cardholders whose lifestyle preferences don't align with these specific brands will find the milestone rewards less actionable than flexible points programs. Those preferring airline miles flexibility may find redemption options limited.
- The times black icici bank credit card travel insurance covers flight/hotel cancellation refunds up to ₹12,000 - relatively modest for a ₹20,000-fee card. Cardholders taking international trips worth ₹1L+ may need supplemental travel insurance. Review the current insurance cover at icici.bank.in/times-black before relying on card-linked insurance for high-value trips.
Card24.ai review of the times black icici bank credit card is based on timesblack.com and icici.bank.in as of July 2026. Milestone benefits are subject to change by Times Internet Ltd. - verify current benefit list at timesblack.com. Fee waiver: ₹25L annual spend. Lounge: unlimited domestic + international for primary and add-on via Priority Pass. All times black icici bank credit card charges verified at icici.bank.in.
Credit Card Achievers Times Black ICICI Bank
Is the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Worth ₹20,000 a Year?
The times black icici bank credit card is worth ₹20,000 per year for UHNW individuals with significant international spend and travel volume. The 1.49% forex markup alone - versus 3-3.5% on most premium cards - saves ₹7,500-₹12,500 on every ₹5L in international spend. Combined with unlimited Priority Pass lounge access for both primary and add-on cardholders, the times black icici bank credit card's travel value proposition is among the strongest in India at any price point.
Milestone benefits on the times black icici bank credit card deliver up to ₹70,000 in annual value: luxury stay gift cards (₹10,000-₹20,000), helicopter/chauffeur airport transfers, brand vouchers, Zomato Gold, Tony & Guy voucher, and Quorum Club dining access. The renewal benefit alone - a luxury stay gift card worth ₹10,000+ - delivers significant value for any Marriott or luxury hotel guest. The iShop portal, enabling up to 12X reward points on flights and hotels, adds a further layer for travel-heavy cardholders routing bookings through ICICI's platform.
The times black icici bank credit card is less compelling for those who prefer airline miles flexibility or straightforward per-transaction points. For frequent flyers wanting direct airline miles accumulation alongside unlimited lounge access and low forex, BOBCARD Etihad Guest Premium offers 0% forex, Etihad miles (2/₹100 all spends, 6/₹100 Etihad flights), and unlimited lounge: https://www.card24.ai/bobcard/etihad-guest-premium-credit-card-review
Best For: Ultra-high-net-worth individuals spending ₹15L-₹25L+/year internationally who want unlimited lounge access for two cardholders, 1.49% forex markup, luxury lifestyle milestones, and the times black icici bank credit card's curated UHNW benefits ecosystem.
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Benefits
How to Maximise the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card's Milestone and Lounge Benefits
Route All Travel Through iShop for 12X Earn - The times black icici bank credit card's biggest earn lever is iShop - earning up to 12X reward points on flights and hotels versus 2X on direct bookings. Before every flight or hotel reservation, check iShop at icicibank.com or the ICICI Bank app for the current 12X offer. On ₹10L in annual travel, routing through iShop generates reward value equivalent to an extra ₹16,000 versus direct booking on the times black icici bank credit card.
Trigger the First Milestone Early in the Year - Times black icici bank credit card milestones start at ₹2L annual spend. Front-load this by routing your annual insurance premium, professional subscription renewals, or a large one-time purchase in January to hit ₹2L by Q1. The first milestone gift voucher credits early, giving you the first ₹10,000+ luxury stay voucher to plan a trip for the rest of the year - rather than scrambling to spend in December.
Add Your Spouse/Partner as Add-On for Full Unlimited Lounge - The times black icici bank credit card's most underutilised benefit: unlimited Priority Pass lounge access extends to the add-on cardholder as well. Adding a spouse or partner as an add-on cardholder means two people enter every international airport lounge on every trip at no additional cost. At $35/international visit market rate, two people making 20 international visits each saves ₹1,17,600/year in lounge costs alone.
Use the 1.49% Forex on All International Spend - The times black icici bank credit card at 1.49% forex is significantly cheaper than carrying a separate forex card (typically 2-3% + issuance fee). For international shopping, hotel check-ins, and overseas dining, always use the times black icici bank credit card over cash or travel cards. On ₹5L in international spend, you save ₹7,500 versus a 3% forex card - plus earn 2.5 RP/₹100 additionally.
Pair With BOBCARD Etihad for Airline Miles Flexibility - The times black icici bank credit card's rewards redeem primarily through ICICI's portal and brand catalog - not directly into airline miles. For active airline miles accumulation alongside the card's lifestyle and lounge benefits, BOBCARD Etihad Guest Premium provides 0% forex, Etihad miles (6/₹100 on Etihad flights), and unlimited lounge: https://www.card24.ai/bobcard/etihad-guest-premium-credit-card-review
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Annual Fees
| Joining Fee | ₹20,000 + GST | No joining fee waiver on times black icici bank credit card |
| Annual Renewal Fee | ₹20,000 + GST | Times black icici bank credit card annual fee waived on ₹25 lakh annual spend | Renewal triggers luxury stay gift card ₹10,000+c |
| Earn Rate | 2 RP/₹100 domestic | 2.5 RP/₹100 international | Up to 12X via iShop on times black icici bank credit card |
| Forex Markup | 1.49% on all foreign currency transactions | Times black icici bank credit card forex is among India's lowest at this tier |
| Finance Charge | Verify current revolving interest rate at icici.bank.in as rates may be updated | Times black icici bank credit card charges: check MITC |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions on times black icici bank credit card - verify cap and eligible transaction range at icici.bank.in |
| Network | Visa - unlimited global acceptance | Priority Pass for international lounge on times black icici bank credit card | iShop portal access |
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Eligibility & Documents
Age 21 years or above | Primary cardholder must be an Indian citizen for times black icici bank credit card
Minimum annual income Ultra-high-net-worth individual (UHNW) - times black icici bank credit card is positioned for ₹25L+/year income segment | Exact threshold: apply at timesblack.com or via ICICI Bank branch
Documents required PAN card · Aadhaar or alternate government ID · Income proof (ITR/salary slips/Form 16) · Address proof | Submit to ICICI Bank representative or branch
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 Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card
The application process is entirely online and takes about 5-7 minutes.
1
Visit timesblack.com/login - Enter your mobile number and click 'Proceed' | Provide personal and income details as prompted
2
An ICICI Bank representative will contact you - To verify eligibility and guide you through the times black icici bank credit card application process
3
Alternatively - Visit the nearest ICICI Bank branch with full KYC documents and request the Times Black card directly
4
Submit all required documents - PAN, Aadhaar/ID, income proof (ITR or Form 16), address proof
5
Times black icici bank credit card application approval - Communicated via ICICI Bank - card delivered to registered address after approval
*T&C Apply
Frequently Asked Questions
The times black icici bank credit card is a super-premium metal credit card co-branded with Times Internet Ltd., issued by ICICI Bank on the Visa network. Designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, it offers unlimited domestic and international lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders, 1.49% forex markup, milestone benefits worth up to ₹70,000/year, CribLife lifestyle management, Zomato Gold, and Quorum Club access. Annual fee: ₹20,000 (waived at ₹25L spend).
Times black icici bank credit card benefits: (1) Unlimited lounge access (domestic + international) for primary + add-on. (2) 1.49% forex markup - among India's lowest. (3) Milestone rewards up to ₹70,000/year. (4) Welcome: luxury stay voucher ₹10,000-₹12,000 + Tony&Guy ₹3,000 + Zomato Gold + visa benefits ₹10,000 + Quorum Club. (5) iShop up to 12X reward points. (6) CribLife (6 services/year). (7) 24×7 concierge. (8) Avis chauffeur discounts up to 35%.
The times black icici bank credit card annual fee is ₹20,000 + GST - same as the joining fee. The annual fee is waived when cumulative card spend reaches ₹25 lakh in the card anniversary year. There is no joining fee waiver. On fee payment, renewal benefits include a luxury stay gift card (minimum ₹10,000) - so the renewal fee effectively costs ₹10,000 net for cardholders who use the renewal benefit.
The times black icici bank credit card is worth ₹20,000/year for UHNW individuals spending ₹15L+ internationally. The 1.49% forex alone saves ₹22,500 versus 3% on ₹15L international spend - more than the annual fee. Unlimited lounge for two cardholders, milestone benefits up to ₹70,000, and 12X via iShop further justify the fee for active high-spenders. Below ₹10L/year total spend, the card is difficult to justify on returns alone.
The times black icici bank credit card charges a 1.49% forex markup on all foreign currency transactions - significantly below the 3-3.5% industry standard for Indian premium cards. On ₹10L in international spend, this saves ₹15,100-₹20,100 versus most competing cards. Additionally, the times black icici bank credit card earns 2.5 reward points per ₹100 on international transactions on top of the low forex rate.