The HDFC Pixel Go Credit Card is HDFC Bank’s simplest digital card. It costs nothing to join and nothing to renew, and pays a flat 1% cashback on all eligible spends, with extra earning on SmartBuy travel bookings and, for the RuPay variant, on UPI payments. If you want a no-risk first HDFC card or a free backup card that still earns something on every swipe, Pixel Go is worth a look.
How the cashback works
| Where you spend | Cashback | Cap |
|---|---|---|
| All eligible spends | 1% | No cap stated |
| SmartBuy: flights, hotels, bus, rail, IGP, instant vouchers, Apple Imagine Tresor | 5% | 500 CashPoints a month |
| UPI spends (RuPay variant only) | 1% | 500 CashPoints a month |
| Swiggy Dineout partner restaurants | Up to 25% off | ₹300 a month |
Earns nothing on: fuel, rent, EMI transactions, e-wallet loading and government-related spends. The 5% SmartBuy rate also does not apply to deals offered by individual merchants in SmartBuy’s offers section.
What you would actually earn
Say you put ₹20,000 a month of groceries, shopping and bills on the card. At 1% that is ₹200 a month, or about ₹2,400 a year, for a card that costs you nothing. Book a ₹6,000 flight through SmartBuy and that one booking earns 5%, or 300 CashPoints, comfortably inside the monthly cap. A premium card will earn more for heavy spenders, but none of that comes free.
Fees and charges
| Joining fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | Free |
| Fuel surcharge | 1% waiver on ₹400–₹5,000 transactions, up to ₹250 per statement cycle |
Things to keep in mind
- The 1% UPI cashback works only on the RuPay version of Pixel, so pick that network if UPI is how you pay most often.
- Swiggy Dineout savings apply through the Swiggy app only and are capped at ₹300 a month.
- Pay your full statement balance each month. Interest on a revolving balance wipes out 1% cashback very quickly.
FD-backed Pixel Go
If HDFC Bank cannot approve you for the unsecured card, you may get the option of an FD-backed Pixel Go by opening a fixed deposit of at least ₹15,000. This is a useful route for people with a thin credit history who want to build one with an HDFC card.
Eligibility
| Age | 21 to 65 years |
|---|---|
| Employment | Salaried or self-employed |
| Income (salaried) | ₹20,000 a month or more |
| Income (self-employed) | ₹50,000 a month or more |
| Credit score | 750 or above |
| FD-backed variant | Fixed deposit of ₹15,000 or more |
Documents you will need
- Identity: PAN card (or Form 60)
- Address: Aadhaar, passport or a recent utility bill
- Income: latest salary slips or bank statements
- Photo: a recent passport-size photograph
How to apply
- Tap Apply on HDFC Bank site on this page to open the official application form.
- Fill in the form in one go, using the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar.
- Complete video KYC when prompted, from your current address.
- Once the card arrives, make a first transaction (₹100 or more) within 30 days to activate it.
Who should get it, and who shouldn’t
Get it if you want a lifetime free card with simple, uncapped 1% cashback, you pay often by UPI and are happy with the RuPay variant, or you book travel through SmartBuy now and then.
Skip it if you spend heavily in one category such as online shopping or fuel. A category card will return far more there, and Pixel Go earns nothing on fuel or rent.
