The verdict
A high-fee luxury card with substantial advertised benefits, but redemption and benefit terms need verification before valuing the package.
The maths for it
The page advertises luxury-stay, lifestyle and spend-milestone gift cards with stated face values; realized value is not established.
The maths against
₹20,000 + GST each joining and annual fee; the next annual waiver needs over ₹25 lakh qualifying spend.
✓What works
- +Unlimited domestic and international lounge access advertised for primary and Plus cardholders.
- +1.49% forex markup is listed on the product page.
✕What doesn't
- −Large fee and ₹25 lakh annual-fee waiver threshold.
- −Gift card use, reward credit, exclusions and lounge program terms remain unresolved.
What it earns
Page advertises 2.5% international and 2% domestic spend, without enough mechanics to equate them to cash return.
| Category | Rate | Monthly Cap | Per ₹1L spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| International spend | 2.5% advertised; mechanics pending | — | — |
| Domestic spend | 2% advertised; mechanics pending | — | — |
Accelerated earn
This card does not offer merchant portal or accelerated multiplier rates.
Redemption options
Voucher and merchandise categories are listed; conversion and redemption conditions require current program terms.
Reward Scope: Inclusions & Exclusions
✓Eligible Spends (Inclusions)
- +Luxury stay gift card advertised at ₹10,000 EaseMyTrip or ₹12,000 Lohono face value; eligibility pending.
- +Spend milestones advertised at ₹2 lakh, ₹5 lakh, ₹10 lakh and ₹20 lakh; qualifying-spend and fulfillment terms pending.
Fee Schedule & Waiver Criteria
| Fee Component | Amount / Rate |
|---|---|
| Joining fee | ₹20,000 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹20,000 + GST; next year waived after spend over ₹25 lakh |
| Forex markup | 1.49%; taxes and transaction conditions pending |
Eligibility & Approval Criteria
Target Profile: High-spend users who can use the stated travel and lifestyle offers
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card offer airport lounge access?
Yes. Unlimited domestic and international access advertised for primary and Plus cardholders; program conditions pending
What are the MITC charges, annual fees, and interest rates for Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card?
The annual renewal fee is ₹20,000 + GST; next year waived after spend over ₹25 lakh. Fee waiver condition: Next annual fee waived after spending over ₹25 lakh; qualifying-spend terms pending. Foreign currency markup: 1.49%; taxes and transaction conditions pending. Check the current issuer MITC for other or missing charges.
What is the reward rate and point redemption value on Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card?
Published earn rate: 2.5% international and 2% domestic spend advertised; credit and redemption mechanics pending. Check the current issuer terms for point value.
Which transactions are excluded from earning rewards on Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card?
Reward exclusions are not specified in the verified card details. Check the issuer terms for any fuel surcharge waiver.
Who is Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card best suited for in 2026?
The card details describe it as suited to High-spend users who can use the stated travel and lifestyle offers. Compare its terms with your spending and annual fee.
Editorial Deep-Dive Analysis
Comprehensive Overview: Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card
The Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card is a collaborative super-premium luxury lifestyle product developed by ICICI Bank in strategic partnership with Times Internet. Tailored for affluent media executives, frequent international travelers, and high-spending lifestyle patrons, Times Black is built around an ultra-competitive cross-border framework, friction-free airport lounge travel, and bespoke curated hospitality privileges.
Key Privileges and Practical Everyday Benefits
- Industry-Leading 1.49% Forex Markup:
- One of the standout features of Times Black is its exceptionally low 1.49% + taxes foreign currency markup fee. Compared to the prevailing 3.5% tariff on conventional cards, this provides instant, substantial cash savings for international travelers and global retail shoppers.
- Unrestricted Global Lounge Access:
- Both Primary and Plus cardholders enjoy unlimited complimentary access to domestic and international airport lounges, ensuring premium airport hospitality on every journey without prior quarterly spend thresholds.
- Transparent Spend-Based Earning:
- The card advertises 2.5% value on international spending and 2.0% value on domestic spending, rewarding cardholders with consistent returns across global merchant categories.
- Curated Luxury Hospitality & Lifestyle Vouchers:
- Cardholders receive access to premium travel vouchers and luxury villa experiences, including partnerships with platforms like EaseMyTrip and Lohono Stays.
- Tiered Milestone Rewards:
- Structured milestone rewards are awarded across key spending thresholds at ₹2 lakh, ₹5 lakh, ₹10 lakh, and ₹20 lakh annual spends.
- Annual Fee Waiver:
- The renewal fee of ₹20,000 + GST is waived for the subsequent year upon reaching ₹25 lakh in eligible spends in the preceding anniversary year.
Important Terms and Spend Conditions to Keep in Mind
To evaluate the card’s fit for your spending profile, keep the following considerations in mind:
- Substantial Annual Outlay: The joining and renewal fee is ₹20,000 + GST. To realize optimal net value, cardholders should actively leverage the low forex markup, luxury vouchers, and unlimited lounge privileges.
- High Fee Waiver Threshold: The ₹25 lakh annual fee waiver benchmark is tailored for high-volume transactors; cardholders with lower spend volumes should assess whether the ongoing fee aligns with their lifestyle usage.
Who Benefits Most
- Frequent International Business Travelers: Executives spending heavily in foreign currency who can save thousands of rupees annually via the 1.49% forex markup.
- High-Net-Worth Jet-Setters: Travelers seeking unrestricted airport lounge comfort for both primary and secondary card members.
- Affluent Lifestyle & Media Patrons: Cardholders who value curated luxury hotel stays, fine dining, and milestone lifestyle gifting.
Independent Editorial & Statutory Disclaimers
Institutional Transparency & Nominative Fair Use Statement
CredSutra operates as an independent credit card discovery and consumer intelligence engine. CredSutra is NOT a bank, Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Direct Selling Agent (DSA), or Lending Service Provider (LSP).
⚖️ Trademark & Intellectual Property Ownership:All registered trademarks, service marks, brand names, product titles, and emblems referenced on this page—including ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, SBI Card, ICICI Bank, RBL Bank, American Express, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Visa, Mastercard, RuPay, and related marks—are the exclusive intellectual property of their respective banking corporations and trademark proprietors. CredSutra asserts no proprietary claim, title, or interest in these marks.
🏛️ Nominative Fair Use (Trade Marks Act, 1999):The display and descriptive mention of commercial brand and product names on this portal is strictly nominative and for comparative identification, consumer education, and public research purposes pursuant to Section 30(1) and Section 30(2)(d) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 (India). CredSutra is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by ICICI Bank.
🎨 Original Procedural Visual Assets:All visual card cards rendered on CredSutra are original, procedural CSS/SVG mathematical abstractions. CredSutra does not scrape, host, or reproduce proprietary 3D card renders, official bank marketing collateral, or copyrighted photographic assets belonging to ICICI Bank or payment networks.
📋 Official Bank Terms & Verification:Fee structures, reward multipliers, and lounge access rules are derived from publicly available Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC) schedules and bank circulars. Card issuers retain the right to modify terms at their discretion. Outbound application links redirect users directly to the official bank portal, where the final decision on credit limits and issuance rests exclusively with ICICI Bank.
Read Full Legal & Regulatory Disclaimers →Section 30 Trade Marks Act, 1999 & Rule 3(2) IT Rules 2021