Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card Review
UHNI flagship by Times Internet + ICICI + Visa: 2% domestic / 2.5% international, unlimited lounges, 1.49% forex, and ₹50K milestone benefits. Verified Oct 2026.
Who this card is for
The Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card is designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals — ICICI’s published minimum is ₹2 lakh monthly income (salaried) or ₹24 lakh a year (self-employed). It’s a metal card launched as a partnership between Times Internet, ICICI Bank and Visa, specifically positioned against Amex Platinum Charge and HDFC Infinia at the top of the Indian premium market. The ₹20,000 fee is only rational if you spend ₹20L+ annually and travel internationally ₹10L+ each year.
Fees & welcome benefits
| Head | Detail |
|---|---|
| Joining fee | ₹20,000 + GST = ₹23,600 all-in |
| Annual fee (year 2+) | ₹20,000 + GST, waived on ₹25 lakh annual spend |
| Welcome benefits | EaseMyTrip ₹10,000 or Lohono ₹12,000 luxury-stay gift card, Toni&Guy ₹3,000 + Interflora ₹1,000 gift cards, Zomato Gold annual membership |
| Forex markup | 1.49% |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% on all fuel spends |
| ATM withdrawal (international) | Zero additional charges globally |
Reward structure
- Domestic spend: 2% as ICICI Reward Points (2 RP per ₹100)
- International spend: 2.5% as RP
- 6X accelerator: On flights and shopping vouchers booked via iShop portal
- 12X accelerator: On hotel bookings via iShop portal
- RP value: Up to ₹1 per point (catalogue/partners); ₹0.40 per RP for statement credit
- 5,000 RP cap per cycle on utility, insurance, education and government payments
- No RP on: Fuel, rent, EMIs
Premium lifestyle benefits
- Unlimited international airport lounge access via Priority Pass for primary and Plus (add-on) cardholders
- Unlimited domestic lounge access
- CribLife: 24/7 luxury concierge/lifestyle management service
- No cancellation charges on domestic flight and hotel bookings, up to ₹12,000
- Lost baggage cover (amount varies; ~₹50K–₹1L)
- Document protection abroad (replacement insurance)
- Milestone benefits worth ₹50,000: Klook ₹10,000 at ₹2 lakh, WeWork/airport transfers ₹10,000 at ₹5 lakh, Tata CLiQ Luxury ₹10,000 at ₹10 lakh, Ayatana/Lohono stay ₹20,000 at ₹20 lakh
- Dining discounts through Times Black’s exclusive partner network
- Exclusive event access (Times Group events, film premieres, galas)
Real-world value calculator
Is Times Black worth the ₹23,600 fee for you?
What we like
- 12X on iShop hotel bookings = effective 4.8% back on hotels (when RP redeemed at ₹0.40)
- 6X on flights via iShop = effective 2.4% back — competitive with airline co-brands
- 2.5% international base rate is class-leading
- CribLife concierge is higher-touch than competitors
- No cancellation charges on domestic flights/hotels, up to ₹12,000
- Lost document protection abroad is rare even at this tier
- ₹10,000 TATA CLiQ Luxury gift card on ₹10 lakh spend
Where it falls short
- RP at ₹0.40 for statement credit is below Amex MR and HDFC Infinia’s airline transfer value
- 5,000 RP cap on government payments limits tax/GST arbitrage
- No RP at all on rent, fuel, EMIs — growing share of urban HNI spend
- Partner ecosystem is narrower than Amex Platinum Charge or HDFC Infinia
- Full ₹50K milestone set requires ₹20L spend
- Open to applications via the Times Black
- website; approval at ICICI’s discretion
- Waived only at ₹25L annual spend — steep even for UHNIs
Eligibility
- Indian citizen over 21 years
- Income: ₹2 lakh+ a month (salaried) or ₹24 lakh+ a year (self-employed)
- ICICI Private Banking customers strongly preferred
- Credit score: 800+ recommended
- Apply via ICICI relationship manager or Times Black online portal
Compared with alternatives
| Card | Annual fee | Forex | Key strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICICI Times Black | ₹20,000 | 1.49% | 1.49% forex, unlimited lounges, ₹50K milestones |
| Amex Platinum Charge | ₹66,000 | 3.5% | Best MR transfer ecosystem, Taj Epicure, global concierge |
| HDFC Infinia | ₹12,500 | 2.0% | 5 RP/₹150 base, SmartBuy 10X boost, unlimited lounges |
| ICICI Emeralde Private Metal | ₹12,499 | 2.0% | Same issuer, cheaper, similar RP structure |
| Axis Magnus Burgundy | ₹12,500 | 2.0% | 12 EDGE Miles/₹200, partner transfers |
Should you apply?
Apply if: You are ICICI Private Banking client with ₹15L+ annual international spend and ₹25L+ total card spend. The 1.49% forex + 2.5% international base + iShop boosts deliver ₹60K–₹1.2L annual benefit — comfortably justifying the fee.
Skip if: Your annual spend is under ₹15 lakh (Infinia or EPM are better economics), you want Amex MR partner flexibility (Amex Platinum Charge wins for pure point value), or your international spend is minimal (the 1.49% forex advantage becomes moot).
The bottom line
The ICICI Times Black is a bona fide top-tier Indian premium card, punching into the narrow space between HDFC Infinia and Amex Platinum Charge. Its key selling point — 1.49% forex markup — is low for the segment and makes it the default choice for Indian HNIs with heavy international spending. Unlimited lounges + CribLife concierge + ₹50K milestones stack up into real value for the right profile. For ₹25L+ annual spenders, the fee pays itself back with forex alone.
Verified against the Times Black official site and ICICI Bank product page (October 2026). RP redemption at 1:1 (catalogue) or 0.40 (statement credit); 6X/12X iShop accelerators apply to bookings through ICICI’s iShop portal only. Milestone structure tiered — verify current thresholds and values with ICICI before committing to spend.