HDFC Bank has issued an important notification to its credit card customers, announcing key revisions to transaction charges, which will take effect from July 1, 2025. The updates primarily affect online skill-based gaming, wallet loading, and rent payment transactions, with the bank emphasizing the move is aimed at ensuring transparency and operational efficiency across digital payments.
Gaming Transactions Above ₹10,000 to Attract 1% Fee; Reward Points Discontinued
In a significant update, HDFC Bank will now levy a 1% fee on monthly online gaming spends exceeding ₹10,000. This applies to platforms such as Dream11, RummyCulture, Junglee Games, and MPL, among others categorized under Merchant Category Code (MCC) 5816.
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No reward points will be issued for transactions in this category.
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The maximum charge is capped at ₹4,999 per month, regardless of the total gaming spend.
Third-Party Wallet Loadings Over ₹10,000 Will Also Incur 1% Fee
Credit cardholders who load more than ₹10,000 per month onto third-party digital wallets like PayTM, Mobikwik, Freecharge, and Ola Money will also be charged 1% on the total monthly wallet loads. The charge, again, will be capped at ₹4,999 per month.
These transactions are classified under MCC 6540, and the policy applies to all credit card variants issued by HDFC Bank.
Rent Payment Charges Capped; Existing 1% Fee Continues
HDFC Bank also announced a revision in rent payment processing charges. While the 1% fee remains unchanged, the maximum fee per rent transaction is now capped at ₹4,999.
This change ensures that high-value rent payments do not result in disproportionately high processing charges, providing more predictability for users making monthly rental payments through their HDFC Bank credit cards.
Charges to Attract GST; Merchant Categories Defined by Payment Networks
HDFC Bank has clarified that all charges mentioned are exclusive of GST, which will be levied additionally as per government norms. Furthermore, the Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) used to classify transactions are defined by global payment networks like Visa, MasterCard, RuPay, and Diners, and not by the bank itself.
📌 Summary of Revised Charges from July 1, 2025
| Transaction Type | Monthly Spend Limit | New Charges | Cap | Reward Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Gaming (MCC 5816) | Above ₹10,000 | 1% | ₹4,999/month | ❌ Not Applicable |
| Wallet Loading (MCC 6540) | Above ₹10,000 | 1% | ₹4,999/month | ✅ As applicable |
| Rent Payments | All amounts | 1% | ₹4,999/txn | ✅ As applicable |
