Debit cards are one of the most common payment tools we use—be it for ATM withdrawals, online shopping, or paying merchants at POS (Point of Sale) machines.
At least, that was the norm before the advent of UPI (Unified Payments Interface), which has now revolutionized how we pay in India.
But here’s a fun fact—as of 2025, India has around 975 million active debit cards. That’s a massive number! And while they silently power millions of transactions daily, they’re often overlooked when it comes to premium financial benefits.
💡 What If We Told You Your Debit Card Has Superpowers?
Yep—your debit card isn’t just a payment tool. It also packs a bunch of underrated perks, especially if you hold a mid-range to premium debit card from banks like HDFC, ICICI, SBI, Axis, and more.
🔑 Note: Some of these premium debit cards require a Total Relationship Value (TRV) of ₹10 lakh or more. TRV includes fixed deposits, savings/current account balances, mutual fund investments made via your bank, etc.
Let’s uncover the hidden benefits 👇
1. Airport Lounge Access
Yes, even debit cards can get you complimentary airport lounge access! Popular examples include:
- HDFC Millennia Debit Card – 1 free domestic lounge access per quarter.
- ICICI Coral/Rubyx Debit Cards – Up to 2 complimentary domestic lounge accesses per quarter.
- RuPay Platinum Debit Cards – Offer 2 domestic lounge accesses per quarter (check participating banks and lounge list).
⚠️ Eligibility may depend on recent spending (e.g., ₹20,000+ in a quarter) and usage activity.
2. Complimentary Life & Accidental Insurance
Some debit cards also bundle insurance benefits:
- SBI Classic Debit Card – Includes complimentary Personal Accident Cover up to ₹2 lakh.
- SBI RuPay Platinum – Up to ₹10 lakh accidental death insurance, provided the card was used at least once in the last 90 days.
- HDFC EasyShop Platinum – Covers up to ₹5 lakh for death during travel via rail/road/air.
Also, look out for baggage loss, air accident insurance, and purchase protection in premium cards.
3. International Transactions & ATM Withdrawals
Traveling abroad? Your debit card may be more helpful than you think:
- Visa and Mastercard powered debit cards (like HDFC Global, ICICI Coral International) allow international POS and ATM access.
- Typical forex markup: 3.5% + GST.
- Additional ATM withdrawal charges vary by bank and location.
Visit Visa India or Mastercard India to see global card benefits and partner offers.
4. Spend-Based Rewards & Cashback
Some debit cards now mimic credit cards by offering spend-linked perks:
- HDFC Millennia Debit Card – 2.5% cashback on online spends (capped monthly), milestone-based gift vouchers.
- Axis Burgundy Debit Card – Accelerated reward points and exclusive merchant offers.
- ICICI Coral – Earn Payback points for purchases, redeemable across a wide catalog.
Redeem points for vouchers, gadgets, subscriptions, or even utility bill payments via your bank’s rewards portal.
5. Discounts & Partner Offers
Debit cards offer a ton of instant discounts on:
- Food delivery apps like Swiggy or Zomato.
- E-commerce websites like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra.
- OTT subscriptions (e.g., SonyLiv, Zee5) or hotel platforms like OYO and MakeMyTrip.
These deals are often seasonal, so check your bank’s debit card offers page frequently.
6. Security & Peace of Mind
Unlike credit cards, debit cards help you stay within your means since the money is debited directly from your bank account. You also get:
- Instant transaction alerts
- Ability to block/unblock cards instantly via app
- Dynamic CVV / tokenization with some banks for online safety
7. EMI on Debit Card
Yep, even debit cards now allow you to convert large purchases into EMIs.
- Available with HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, etc.
- Pre-approved customers can avail no-cost or low-cost EMI options on electronics, furniture, travel, and more.
Check eligibility via your net banking or mobile app dashboard.
📊 Coming Soon: In-Depth Reviews of Top Debit Cards
We will be publishing detailed reviews of the top debit cards in India—covering eligibility, charges, perks, and real-user experiences.
Stay tuned if you're looking to pick the perfect debit card for your lifestyle and spending needs.
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