The IndusInd Bank Crest is a high-net-worth card extended by invitation to IndusInd’s affluent and relationship customers — there is no instant-approval retail application. It carries a ₹75,000 joining fee and ₹10,000 annual fee (reversed on ₹10 lakh of annual spend).
How to get an invitation
- Build an affluent relationship with IndusInd. Crest invitations cluster among high-balance savings, deposit and investment customers — deepening that relationship is the surest route in.
- Hold and use a strong existing IndusInd card well. A clean, high-utilisation history on a Legend or Pinnacle builds exactly the internal profile IndusInd screens for before extending Crest.
- Meet the HNI income bar and keep an excellent CIBIL — Crest targets customers who can absorb its ₹75,000 joining fee and use the golf, concierge and lounge programme.
- Ask your IndusInd relationship manager to put you forward once your relationship and spends qualify.
What issuers look for
- Affluent IndusInd relationship / high-value balances
- Joining ₹75,000 + annual ₹10,000 (reversed on ₹10 lakh annual spend)
- Strong CIBIL; HNI income profile
Observed patterns, not criteria the bank publishes. Any income or score level here is indicative.
In-depth review
IndusInd Bank Crest Credit Card
An invite-only super-premium card that is a relationship product, not a rewards engine. Its strengths are real — a ₹0.75-per-point value, a discounted 1.8% forex markup and a monthly golf allowance — but the base earn rate is modest and the domestic lounge visits are gated behind ₹5 lakh of spend every quarter.
Read the full review →Key features
What this card is built to do — the highlights that actually matter.
1.88% on International
2.5 reward points per ₹100 on international spends, helped by a low 1.8% forex markup for the tier
0.75% on Other
1 reward point per ₹100 on domestic spends; points redeem at roughly ₹0.75 each — a strong per-point value for IndusInd
Airport Lounge Access
Complimentary LoungeKey membership — 2 domestic lounge visits a quarter, unlocked from the July 2026 quarter only by ₹5 lakh of spend in the previous quarter, plus international lounge access with no spend condition
Annual Fee Waiver
Fee of ₹10,000 + 18% GST (₹11,800 all-in)/yr fully waived when you spend ₹10,00,000/year
Golf Privileges
From 10 March 2026: 2 complimentary golf games and 2 lessons per month at select courses, each conditional on ₹25,000 of spend in the previous billing statement; unused entitlement does not carry forward
24x7 Concierge
24x7 concierge for dining, travel and lifestyle requests
👑 PREMIUM LIFESTYLE BENEFITS
Concierge, golf, hotel membership and high-value perks for premium cardholders.
6 rounds
Golf rounds/year
₹20,000
Golf perk value
- 24x7 lifestyle and travel concierge
- 6 complimentary golf rounds/year at partner courses
✈️ TRAVEL BENEFITS
Lounge access, miles, forex rates and travel perks at a glance.
AIRPORT LOUNGE ACCESS
✓
Domestic lounges
✓
International lounges
₹4,000
Estimated annual value
1.8%
Forex markup
- Domestic + international airport lounge access (worth ~₹4,000/yr)
- Low forex markup: 1.8%
For an invited high-net-worth spender who will comfortably clear ₹5 lakh a quarter to unlock the domestic lounge access, plays golf, and values a low 1.8% forex markup on international spend. The strong ₹0.75 point value rewards steady use; the modest earn rate means it is not a rewards-maximiser.
Full reward structure
What you earn on every rupee, per spend category — as of 24 Oct 2026. Rates assume 1 pt = ₹0.75. How we value points →
| Category | Type | Rate | Monthly cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| International | reward points | 1.88%2.5 pts/₹100 × ₹0.75 | — |
| Other | reward points | 0.75%1 pts/₹100 × ₹0.75 | — |
| Education | reward points | 0.53%0.7 pts/₹100 × ₹0.75 | — |
| Government & Tax | reward points | 0.53%0.7 pts/₹100 × ₹0.75 | — |
| Insurance | reward points | 0.53%0.7 pts/₹100 × ₹0.75 | — |
| Rent | reward points | 0.53%0.7 pts/₹100 × ₹0.75 | — |
| Utility Bills | reward points | 0.53%0.7 pts/₹100 × ₹0.75 | — |
International: 2.5 reward points per ₹100 on international spends, helped by a low 1.8% forex markup for the tier
Other: 1 reward point per ₹100 on domestic spends; points redeem at roughly ₹0.75 each — a strong per-point value for IndusInd
Education: 0.7 reward points per ₹100 on education institute fees since 20 January 2022 — this reduced rate replaces the 1-point domestic rate and the 2.5-point international rate alike
Government & Tax: 0.7 reward points per ₹100 on government services since 20 January 2022 — this reduced rate replaces the 1-point domestic rate and the 2.5-point international rate alike
Insurance: 0.7 reward points per ₹100 on insurance premium payments since 20 January 2022 — this reduced rate replaces the 1-point domestic rate and the 2.5-point international rate alike
Rent: 0.7 reward points per ₹100 on real-estate and rental payments since 20 January 2022 — this reduced rate replaces the 1-point domestic rate and the 2.5-point international rate alike
Utility Bills: 0.7 reward points per ₹100 on utility bill payments since 20 January 2022 — this reduced rate replaces the 1-point domestic rate and the 2.5-point international rate alike
Earns nothing on: Fuel
These spends earn no rewards at all — not a reduced rate, and not the base rate. They are also normally left out of any milestone or fee-waiver calculation.
Fees & charges
The numbers that matter beyond rewards — verify on the issuer site before applying. Fees below are shown inclusive of 18% GST, as of 24 Oct 2026.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee (incl. 18% GST) | ₹11,800 |
| Joining fee (incl. 18% GST) | ₹88,500 |
| Finance charge (APR) | 2.99% p.m. |
| Forex markup | 1.8% |
| Reward redemption fee | ₹100 |
Perks & benefits
Estimated annual value beyond rewards — ~₹24,960/yr in total.
Complimentary LoungeKey membership — 2 domestic lounge visits a quarter, unlocked from the July 2026 quarter only by ₹5 lakh of spend in the previous quarter, plus international lounge access with no spend condition
From 10 March 2026: 2 complimentary golf games and 2 lessons per month at select courses, each conditional on ₹25,000 of spend in the previous billing statement; unused entitlement does not carry forward
1% fuel surcharge reversal on fuel transactions between ₹500 and ₹10,000, with no capping on the reversal — note separately that the fuel spend itself earns no reward points
24x7 concierge for dining, travel and lifestyle requests
Should you get it?
- Best for: Invited high-net-worth customer who spends ₹5 lakh or more per quarter, Golfer who will use the 2 complimentary games and 2 lessons a month, International spender who values a low 1.8% forex markup
- Super Premium tier — built for high spenders who want top-end perks.
- Strongest value if you spend heavily on International (1.88% back).
- Frequent travellers benefit from the included airport lounge access.
Pros & cons
✓ Pros
- Reward points redeem at roughly ₹0.75 each — a strong per-point value for IndusInd
- Discounted 1.8% forex markup — low for a super-premium card
- Golf — 2 complimentary games and 2 lessons a month on ₹25,000 of previous-statement spend
- LoungeKey membership with 2 domestic lounge visits a quarter plus international access
✕ Cons
- Invite-only — you cannot apply directly; IndusInd extends it on internal criteria
- Domestic lounge access is gated behind ₹5 lakh of spend in the previous quarter from the July 2026 quarter; international access is not
- Base reward earning (1 point per ₹100 domestic) is modest for a ₹75,000-joining-fee card
- Fuel earns no reward points, and utility, insurance, government, education and rent spends earn a reduced 0.7 points per ₹100 instead of the headline rates
- Golf is conditional — each month's 2 games and 2 lessons need ₹25,000 of spend in the previous billing statement, and unused entitlement does not carry forward
- From 15 June 2026 a 1% + GST fuel surcharge applies above ₹50,000 of fuel spend per statement cycle, and 1% + GST on ground-transport spends above ₹40,000 per cycle
- Accepting dynamic currency conversion abroad (being billed in rupees) costs a further 1% + GST on top of the forex markup
- No welcome bonus to offset the steep joining fee
Eligibility
IndusInd Bank publishes no eligibility criteria for this card — no minimum income, no age band, no credit-score floor, and no document checklist. That is not an oversight on our part: the card is issued strictly by invitation, there is no public application form, and so there is nothing to qualify for in the usual sense. Any income or score level in the panel above is indicative of the profile the bank extends the card to, not a threshold it states, and the same goes for any salary figure quoted for it elsewhere.
What actually decides an invitation is the relationship behind it — balances held with the bank, spend on an existing card, and the banking segment you sit in. We set those signals out in how to get an invitation above, labelled for what they are: observed patterns, not published criteria.
How to redeem rewards
Ways to convert what you earn into real value.
- 🎁Cash credit at roughly ₹0.75/point (min 500 points, ₹149 + GST redemption fee, maximum 10,000 points per calendar month, and no more than 50% of your points balance per redemption since 1 April 2025)
- 🎁Air miles conversion with partner airline programmes
- 🎁Online rewards catalogue — vouchers and merchandise
What your IndusInd Reward Points are worth
Realistic value per point by redemption route — the difference is what most people leave on the table.
Above-average base value
Brand & e-gift vouchers
Three partners only — Air India Maharaja, Singapore KrisFlyer and Club ITC. Ratios are per-card AND per-partner: Air India is 1:1 on Pioneer Private & Tiger (⇒ ₹1/pt), 2:1 on Pinnacle/Heritage/Indulge, 4:1 on Legend. KrisFlyer is 1:1 on Pioneer Private but 4:1 on Tiger — the same card, a different partner. Club ITC 1:1 is Pioneer Private only. Capped at 10,000 pts/month to KrisFlyer.
✈ Transfer partners
Direct transfers from this card only, ranked by what a point is worth in the destination programme. Full calculator, every currency →
It is invite-only, and the domestic lounge visits are gated behind ₹5 lakh of spend every quarter — so that part of the value only materialises for a genuinely high, consistent spender, and the base reward rate is unremarkable for a ₹75,000-joining-fee card.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the IndusInd Crest directly?
How much is a Crest reward point worth?
What is the catch with the lounge access?
What is the forex markup?
How has the IndusInd Bank Crest Credit Card changed over time?
Has the IndusInd Bank Crest Credit Card been devalued recently?
When did the IndusInd Bank Crest Credit Card's fees last change?
How did the IndusInd Bank Crest Credit Card change in 2026?
The bottom line
The Crest is a relationship card, not a rewards card. Its point value (₹0.75) and 1.8% forex markup are real strengths, and the monthly golf allowance is useful, but the earn rate is modest and the domestic lounge visits require ₹5 lakh of quarterly spend. If IndusInd invites you and you spend at that level, it is a coherent super-premium package; it is not a card you chase for the reward maths.
How this page was built
Counted from this card’s own record: 7 earn rules, the spends listed as earning nothing and 4 recorded perks. The renewal fee is conditional — it is waived on a published spend target, so the fee you pay depends on what you spend.
Last updated 24 Oct 2026.
Sources & verification
Fees, reward rates, and benefits for the IndusInd Bank Crest Credit Card are taken from IndusInd Bank's official Most Important Terms & Conditions (MITC) and fee schedule — see the card's official page. Last updated 24 Oct 2026. Reviewed by Devchandra Sah. Always confirm current details on the issuer's site before applying. How we research →
Independence. CardAdvisor is an independent editorial publication. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or authorised to act for IndusInd Bank. All issuer names, product names, and payment-network marks are the property of their respective owners and appear here for identification and comparison only. Card faces shown on this site are our own original illustrations — we do not display or host issuer card artwork or logos.
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Read more
Guides and reviews related to this card.
IndusInd Bank Crest Credit Card
An invite-only super-premium card that is a relationship product, not a rewards engine. Its strengths are real — a ₹0.75-per-point value, a discounted 1.8% forex markup and a monthly golf allowance — but the base earn rate is modest and the domestic lounge visits are gated behind ₹5 lakh of spend every quarter.
IndusInd Bank Celesta Credit Card
A super-premium American Express card whose real value is unlimited domestic lounge access, two international Priority Pass visits a quarter and a monthly golf game — not its everyday rate, and not a welcome gift, because IndusInd publishes no brand or value for the one its ₹25,000 joining fee buys. Points redeem at a strong ₹0.75 each, but cash redemption is capped at 10,000 points a month, and the 3.5% forex markup makes it a poor card to actually carry abroad despite the 3x international earn.
IndusInd Bank Indus Solitaire Credit Card
A super-premium Mastercard World Elite built around one genuinely rare feature: a 0% forex markup. Add KrisFlyer transfers at 5 points to 4 miles, Taj Epicure, a 12-round golf programme and up to 32 lounge visits a year and it is a coherent travel tool — but the base reward rate is a low ~0.5%, so it only makes sense for a frequent international traveller who will actually use the forex and transfer benefits.
Value timeline
Every real-world change to this card's rewards, fees and benefits we've tracked — newest first, each linked to its source.
Tracking since 2025 · last change Jun 2026
2026
- ▼ FeeEffective 15 Jun 2026
New transport surcharge; late-payment grid raised
No transport surcharge; lower late-payment grid→1% + GST on transport above ₹40,000/cycle; steeper late-payment slabs
Effective 15 June 2026 IndusInd added a 1% + GST surcharge on cumulative transport spends (MCCs 4111, 4112, 4784, 4131 — air travel excluded) above ₹40,000 per statement cycle, and raised several late-payment slabs (₹501–1,000 from ₹350 to ₹500; ₹10,001–25,000 from ₹800 to ₹900). Both bite on the Crest: IndusInd waives the transport surcharge and late-payment charges only on the Pioneer Private, Pioneer Heritage and Indus Solitaire. As a premium card the Crest kept its higher ₹50,000 fuel-surcharge threshold and its 1% DCC fee, so the harsher ₹30,000 fuel threshold and 2% DCC that hit standard variants did not reach it.
Verification: IndusInd Bank ↗ · Confidence: High
- ▼ BenefitEffective 10 Mar 2026
Complimentary golf halved to 2 games and 2 lessons a month
4 games and 4 lessons a month→2 games and 2 lessons a month
IndusInd revised golf entitlements across its portfolio from 10 March 2026, cutting the Crest to 2 complimentary games and 2 lessons a month — half the 4-a-month allowance the card press recorded in March 2025, and well short of the "36 rounds a year" the card was sold on. Golf is the Crest's signature perk, so this is the single largest reduction in its proposition. Note IndusInd's own Crest golf microsite still advertised 3 games and 3 lessons a month when checked in July 2026, so the bank's published material is stale rather than confirmatory — hence research-tier provenance.
Verification: CardAdvisor Research · Confidence: Reconstructed
2025
- ▼ BenefitEffective 21 Dec 2025
Complimentary air-accident insurance withdrawn
Complimentary air-accident cover provided with the card→No air-accident cover
On 21 December 2025 IndusInd discontinued the complimentary air-accident insurance feature across its credit cards, stating simply that the coverage "stands discontinued". The bank published no replacement and named no exempt card. Note that several IndusInd product pages still described the cover months afterwards — the Avios, Duo, Pioneer Private and Platinum pages all still advertised it in August 2026 — so a reader may encounter the old wording on IndusInd's own site; the dated withdrawal notice is the operative statement. Other insurance benefits are unaffected: lost-card liability, Total Protect fraud cover, travel insurance and purchase protection continue where the card carried them.
Verification: IndusInd Bank ↗ · Confidence: High
- ▼ RedemptionEffective 1 Apr 2025
Cash redemption fee raised to ₹149 and capped at 50% of balance
Lower redemption fee; full balance redeemable→₹149 + GST per cash redemption; max 50% of balance
IndusInd's portfolio-wide reward-redemption revision took effect on 1 April 2025. Redeeming points against cash credit on IndusMoments now costs ₹149 + GST, and a customer may redeem only 50% of their total points balance against cash credit (applied alongside the product-level monthly cap). The same revision pulls back points earned on unpaid spends where the minimum amount due is missed, ends points on fractional spends above the base multiplier, and cuts the twid 'Pay with Rewards' threshold from the 2nd transaction (15% to 12.5% on travel, 10% elsewhere). The Crest is not on IndusInd's exempt list for the redemption fee, so it bites — and it bites harder here, because the Crest's ₹0.75 point value makes cash redemption the benchmark use.
Verification: IndusInd Bank ↗ · Confidence: High
Each change links to the issuer's own document — bank T&C, MITC, notice, press release or product page — where one is public. Where the bank published nothing, it's marked CardAdvisor Research and verified against the card's current terms. Independent of the live terms shown above. This timeline is one card's slice of our market-wide change record across every tracked card.
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Source: <a href="https://cardadvisor.in/cards/indusind-crest#value-timeline">IndusInd Bank Crest Credit Card value timeline</a>, CardAdvisor (CC BY 4.0).