HDFC 6E Rewards Discontinued: IndiGo IDFC FIRST vs IndiGo Kotak XL
HDFC 6E Rewards Is Discontinued: IndiGo IDFC FIRST vs IndiGo Kotak XL
If you held the HDFC 6E Rewards or 6E Rewards XL card, it stopped earning after 31 October 2025, when IndiGo closed 6E Rewards and launched BluChips. HDFC converted your 6E Rewards to BluChips 1:1 and moved you to another HDFC card — but HDFC no longer offers an IndiGo co-brand.
To keep earning IndiGo rewards on card spends, the two most comparable cards are the IndiGo IDFC FIRST and the IndiGo Kotak XL. This page compares them for a former 6E Rewards XL holder.
Side-by-side
| Feature | IndiGo IDFC FIRST | IndiGo Kotak XL |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹4,999 (free year one via ₹50,000 FD) | ₹3,000 (no spend waiver) |
| IndiGo bookings (per ₹100) | 6 | 5 |
| Dining and entertainment | 3 | 3 |
| Other spends | 3 | 2 |
| UPI | 0.5 | 2 (RuPay) |
| Welcome / renewal | 5,000 + meal voucher | 4,000 + 6E Eats voucher |
| Milestones (a year) | 5,000 at ₹2L, 5L, 8L, 10L, 12L (25,000) | 4,000 at ₹1.5L, 4L, 7.5L, 12L (16,000) |
| Lounges | None | 2 domestic a quarter, no spend condition |
| Forex markup | 0% | ~3.5% |
| Network | Mastercard + RuPay | RuPay (Visa unconfirmed) |
Card-earned BluChips only. IndiGo adds up to 16 BluChips per ₹100 for every member who books on IndiGo’s own site or app, whichever card you use, so that part does not change the comparison.
Which earns more? Two spending profiles
Same two profiles as our other IndiGo comparisons. ₹3 lakh: ₹50,000 IndiGo, ₹25,000 each on groceries and dining, ₹2 lakh elsewhere. ₹8 lakh: ₹1.5 lakh IndiGo, ₹75,000 each on groceries and dining, ₹5 lakh elsewhere.
| Card | ₹3L: BluChips | ₹3L: value − fee | ₹8L: BluChips | ₹8L: value − fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IndiGo IDFC FIRST | 20,500 | ≈ ₹3,200 | 48,500 | ≈ ₹14,400 |
| IndiGo Kotak XL | 15,750 | ≈ ₹3,300 | 37,250 | ≈ ₹11,900 |
At ₹0.40 a BluChip. They are level at ₹3 lakh; above about ₹4 lakh IDFC FIRST pulls ahead. The Kotak XL’s 8 unconditional domestic lounge visits a year are worth adding if you use them, and Kotak earns 2 per ₹100 on RuPay UPI against 0.5 on IDFC FIRST.
Which one should you pick?
- you spend ₹5 lakh+ a year on cards
- you travel abroad (0% forex)
- you want the biggest milestones
- you want domestic lounges without spend conditions
- you pay a lot by UPI
- you spend under ₹4 lakh a year and want a lower fee
What happened to HDFC 6E Rewards
- IndiGo closed 6E Rewards on 31 October 2025 and moved members to BluChips.
- HDFC converted 6E Rewards balances to BluChips 1:1 on 1 November 2025.
- HDFC 6E Rewards and 6E Rewards XL cards stopped earning, and their lounge and golf benefits ended; holders were migrated to other HDFC cards.
- Your BluChips stay in your IndiGo account whichever new card you choose.
Full reviews
Verdict
For most former HDFC 6E Rewards XL holders, the IndiGo IDFC FIRST is the stronger replacement on rewards and forex. The IndiGo Kotak XL is the better pick if unconditional domestic lounges and UPI earning matter more than raw BluChips.
Frequently asked questions
Is the HDFC 6E Rewards card still available?
No. HDFC stopped its IndiGo cards when 6E Rewards closed on 31 October 2025.
What happened to my 6E Rewards balance?
HDFC converted it to IndiGo BluChips at 1:1 on 1 November 2025.
Which card replaces HDFC 6E Rewards XL best?
The IndiGo IDFC FIRST for high spenders and international travel; the IndiGo Kotak XL if you want domestic lounges and UPI earn.
Does IndiGo give extra BluChips when I book direct?
Yes, up to 16 per ₹100 for any member booking on IndiGo’s site or app, on top of the card’s BluChips.
Are there other IndiGo cards?
Yes — the IndiGo Axis Bank and IndiGo Axis Bank Premium, launched in February 2026.
Last verified: October 2026, against HDFC Bank’s 6E Rewards migration FAQ, IDFC FIRST Bank’s IndiGo page and Kotak’s IndiGo XL page. BluChip values are illustrative (₹0.40 each); IndiGo sets the actual redemption value by route and date. Fees are plus 18% GST.