Major Credit Card Changes You Must Know [July 2025] – SBI, HDFC & Axis Updates

If you hold a credit card from SBI, HDFC Bank, or Axis Bank, it’s time to review your terms. From July 2025, several key updates are rolling out — including changes in reward point structures, fuel surcharge waivers, cashback rules, and merchant exclusions. These changes directly impact your benefits, and not knowing them can cost you valuable rewards.

This blog breaks down what’s changing across popular credit cards that are currently listed on CardMela.com and helps you evaluate whether you should switch or stay.

Covered in this update:

• HDFC Regalia Gold
• HDFC Millennia
• SBI Cashback
• SBI SimplyCLICK
• Axis Airtel
• Axis Neo

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What’s Changing from July 2025?

1. HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card

Changes Effective July 1, 2025:

• SmartBuy Cap Reduction: Monthly rewards via SmartBuy are now capped at ₹1,500/month (earlier ₹2,000).
• Dining Benefits Modified: Complimentary dining benefits now only valid on spends above ₹2,000 per transaction.
• Lounge Access Restrictions: Domestic lounge access reduced to 2 per quarter (earlier unlimited with milestone spends).

Impact:
Frequent flyers and SmartBuy users will earn fewer points. If you used this card for accelerated rewards via SmartBuy (like hotel, flight bookings), you will need to re-calculate your value.

Better Alternative:
Check out the HDFC Millennia Credit Card for broader cashback across multiple platforms.
Apply Now!

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2. HDFC Millennia Credit Card

Changes Effective July 15, 2025:

• SmartBuy Cashback Revised: Cashback now limited to Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, Myntra, Swiggy, and BookMyShow only.
• Cashback Payout Timeline: Cashback will now be credited within 90 days instead of 60 days.
• EMI Transactions Excluded: EMI transactions no longer earn cashback.

Impact:
Casual shoppers will continue to benefit, but those relying on EMI or general online purchases outside select merchants will earn less.

Consider Alternative:
The SBI Cashback Credit Card offers flat 5% cashback on all eligible online spends.
Apply Now!

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3. SBI Cashback Credit Card

Changes Effective July 10, 2025:

• Merchant Exclusion List Expanded: Utility bill payments, insurance, wallet loads, rent, and education payments now excluded from cashback.
• Offline Cashback Reduced: Offline spends now earn 0.5% cashback instead of 1%.
• No Cashback on Wallet Top-Ups: Wallet loads on Paytm, PhonePe, etc., no longer eligible for cashback.

Impact:
The card remains valuable for regular online shopping but no longer benefits wallet load users or offline transactions.

Suggested Use Case:
Stick to this card for pure e-commerce spends (Amazon, Ajio, Croma, etc.).

Apply Now!

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4. SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card

Changes Effective July 20, 2025:

• Reward Rate Reworked: 10X reward points now only valid on Amazon, BookMyShow, Cleartrip, and UrbanClap (earlier included Netmeds, Lenskart, etc.).
• Renewal Fee Waiver Raised: Spend requirement for ₹499 fee waiver increased to ₹1.5 lakh annually (from ₹1 lakh).
• Gift Voucher Milestone Removed: ₹2,000 Amazon voucher on ₹1 lakh spend in a year has been discontinued.

Impact:
The card is now slightly less generous. Existing users may find it harder to extract real value unless they shop only at the updated partner brands.

Upgrade Option:
Consider switching to Flipkart Axis Credit Card for 5% cashback on Flipkart, Myntra, and Swiggy.
Apply Now!

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5. Axis Airtel Credit Card

Changes from July 1, 2025:

• Cashback on Utility Reduced: Cashback on electricity, gas, broadband, and DTH spends reduced from 10% to 5%.
• Mobile Postpaid Still at 25%: 25% cashback on Airtel postpaid bills remains unchanged.
• Cashback Payout Cap: Monthly cashback capped at ₹300 (earlier ₹500).

Impact:
Users who used this card for full utility bill payments (especially broadband, electricity) will see lower returns.

Switch If:
You’re not an Airtel customer. This card’s value is now limited to the Airtel ecosystem.

Apply Now!

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6. Axis Neo Credit Card

Changes Effective July 5, 2025:

• Partner Platform Updates: Only Myntra and Zomato now offer accelerated cashback. Tata 1mg, Uber, and Paytm Mall removed.
• Flat Cashback Reduced: Cashback on all other spends now 0.5% (from 1%).
• Annual Fee Waiver Condition Changed: Spend ₹1.25 lakh annually for fee waiver (earlier ₹1 lakh).

Impact:
Lower cashback, fewer partners, and higher waiver threshold make this card less attractive for casual spenders.

Better Alternative:
If you want broader category cashback, try HDFC Millennia or SBI Cashback Credit Card instead.

Apply Now!

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What This Means for Credit Card Users

If you hold any of the cards above, it’s time to:

• Review your monthly spending pattern
• Check if your primary categories (shopping, utility, fuel) are still covered
• Switch to a more rewarding card if the benefits no longer align with your habits

All of these cards are currently listed on CardMela.com, and you can easily compare features and apply directly.

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Explore Better Alternatives – Recommended by CardMela

Card	Ideal For	Apply Link
HDFC Millennia	Online shopping, food delivery	Apply Now!
SBI Cashback	General online spending	Apply Now!
Flipkart Axis	Flipkart, Myntra, Swiggy	Apply Now!
Amazon Pay ICICI	Amazon loyalists	Apply Now!

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Final Thoughts

The July 2025 credit card changes from SBI, HDFC, and Axis are significant. Most banks are now cutting back rewards on utility, EMI, and wallet spends while focusing benefits on shopping and select partner platforms. These changes highlight the importance of reviewing your credit card portfolio every few months.

Use CardMela.com to compare your current card benefits with other options. Upgrading or switching could help you earn better cashback, reduce fees, and maximize your rewards in 2025.

Compare, choose, and apply with confidence — only on CardMela.com