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ICICI Times Black Credit Card Review 2026

Times Black Forex Charges

The ICICI Times Black Credit Card Review shows it’s a premium co-branded metal card from ICICI Bank and Times Internet aimed at affluent users who travel and spend big. It carries a high joining and annual fee of ₹20,000 + GST but offers unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access, concierge services, and milestone rewards worth up to ~₹70,000 with high spends. You earn 2% reward points on domestic spends and 2.5% on international transactions, though forex markup charges apply. Perks include luxury hotel vouchers, travel visa support, Zomato Gold membership, and exclusive lifestyle offers. While the card delivers luxury experiences and strong travel benefits, many reviewers feel the reward value vs high fee makes it better suited for frequent travellers with high annual spends rather than average users.

ICICI Times Black Credit Card

ICICI Times Black Credit Card Charges & Fees 2026

The Times Black ICICI Bank credit card (also called ICICI Bank Times Black or Times Black card) is a super-premium metal credit card with high-end lifestyle and travel benefits. Since it’s a premium product, knowing the ICICI Times Black Credit card annual fee and associated charges helps you decide if the privileges are worth the cost.

Charge Type

Amount / Detail

Joining Fee

₹20,000 + GST (first year)

ICICI Times Black Credit card annual fee

₹20,000 + GST (renewal)

Annual Fee Waiver Condition

Waived if you spend ₹25,00,000 in an anniversary year

Finance Charges / Interest Rate

~3.67% per month (~44% p.a.) on outstanding balances

Forex Mark-up Fee

1.49% + taxes on international transactions

Late Payment Charges

₹100 – ₹1,300 based on overdue amount

Cash Advance Fee

Nil (no extra fee)

Reward Redemption Fee

Nil (no fee to redeem points)

Supplementary Card Fee

₹3,500 + GST (approx., subject to change)

What This Means for You:
• The joining fee and ICICI Times Black Credit card annual fee are high compared to standard cards, but many users justify this if they maximise unlimited airport lounge access, concierge services, milestone rewards and premium travel perks.
• Fee waiver requires very high spending (₹25 lakh), so only heavy spenders generally avoid the renewal cost.

Also Read: ICICI Credit Card Reward Points 2026: How To Reedem & Earn?

Times Black Eligibility 2026

To be eligible for the Times Black ICICI Bank credit card, you must meet these core criteria:

Age: You must be an Indian citizen aged 21 years or above to apply.
Minimum Income (Salaried): If you are salaried, your monthly income should be at least ₹2,00,000, showing strong earning ability.
Minimum Income (Self-Employed): If you are self-employed, your annual income generally needs to be ₹24 lakh or more to qualify.
Credit Profile: A good credit history/score improves approval chances (standard for premium cards), though ICICI Bank does not publicly disclose an exact minimum score requirement.
KYC: You must complete identity and address verification — including documents like PAN and Aadhaar and often video-KYC or branch verification before issuance.

Because the Times Black card is a super-premium product, these income and profile thresholds tend to be significantly higher than for regular credit cards — reflecting the exclusive privileges, rewards, and lifestyle benefits you get with the ICICI Times Black credit card.

How To Get Times Black Credit Card 2026

To apply for the Times Black ICICI Bank credit card, follow these real steps used by applicants:

  1. Visit the official application page: Go to the Times Black portal at timesblack.com and click Apply — this starts your online application.
  2. Enter your contact details: Provide your mobile number and verify with OTP to begin the process.
  3. Fill in personal information: Enter your name, date of birth, address, PAN and income details as required.
  4. Submit KYC documents: Upload PAN, Aadhaar and income proofs. You may also complete video-KYC directly from your device, no branch visit needed.
  5. Bank verification: After submission, ICICI Bank reviews your details and may contact you for any clarifications.
  6. Approval & delivery: Once approved, your ICICI Times Black credit card will be dispatched to your registered address, typically within about 7 days after KYC completion.
  7. Offline option: You can also apply at a nearby ICICI Bank branch by submitting a physical form with documents.

This is the exact Times Black card application flow that makes it possible to get your premium card either online or via branch support.

ICICI Times Black Credit Card Review 2026

Here’s a fact-based ICICI Times Black credit card review that covers the real features, rewards, fees and value, exactly what users searching “ICICI times black credit card review”, “times black credit card review”, “times black card review”, “ICICI times black credit card review”, “times black ICICI bank credit card review” and related queries want to know:

The ICICI Times Black credit card review shows it’s a premium metal lifestyle and travel credit card from ICICI Bank Times Black with a ₹20,000 + GST joining & annual fee. It earns 2% reward points on domestic spends and 2.5% on international spends, and offers accelerated rewards via ICICI’s iShop portal. Cardholders get unlimited complimentary airport lounge access (domestic and international), 24×7 concierge, fuel surcharge waiver and milestone benefits like luxury stay, airport transfers and gift vouchers worth up to ~₹70,000 on high spends.

Pros include strong travel perks, concierge services, luxury vouchers and low forex markup (1.49%). Cons are the high annual fee, relatively modest core rewards rate, and milestone benefits requiring significant spend to unlock. It’s best suited for frequent travellers and high spenders who can maximise premium perks.

Times Black vs HDFC Infinia

Times Black vs HDFC Infinia

Feature

Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card

HDFC Infinia Credit Card Metal Edition

Joining & Annual Fee

₹20,000 + GST

₹12,500 + GST each year (invite-only)

Annual Fee Waiver

Waived on high spends (e.g., ₹25 L+)

Waived on spends ≥ ~₹10 L (before renewal)

Reward Rate

Up to ~2.5% reward points on spends

~3.33% base rewards with SmartBuy accelerator

Airport Lounge Access

Unlimited domestic & international lounges

Unlimited domestic & international lounges via Priority Pass

Travel & Lifestyle Perks

Milestone vouchers, discount deals, lifestyle offers

Complimentary Club Marriott + hotel and travel offers

Forex Markup Fee

~1.49% (competitive)

~2% markup on foreign transactions

Best For

Users who want milestone perks and varied luxury benefits

Users seeking strong reward returns and travel privileges

Suggestive Read: ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card Lounge Access 2026

Times Black vs Diners Club Black

Times Black vs Diners Club Black

Feature

Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card

HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card

Card Positioning

Super-premium, luxury lifestyle & travel card

Premium travel & rewards card with strong lifestyle perks

Annual Fee

~₹20,000 + GST (high-end card)

~₹10,000 + GST (metal edition)

Annual Fee Waiver

Possible on very high spends (e.g., ₹25 L)

Waived on ~₹8 L annual spend

Reward Structure

~2% domestic, ~2.5% international + milestone vouchers

~3.33% base via points + SmartBuy up to 33%

Airport Lounge Access

Unlimited domestic & international

Unlimited airport lounge access worldwide

Travel & Lifestyle Perks

Milestone luxury vouchers, concierge, visa services

Golf games, dining offers, multiple annual memberships (Club Marriott, Amazon Prime etc.)

Forex Markup Fee

~1.49% (competitive)

~2% on foreign currency spends

Best For

Ultra-high spenders who want luxury experiences and premium travel lifestyle

Frequent travellers and rewards maximisers seeking higher reward rates

Times Black vs Emeralde Private Metal

Feature

Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card

ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

Positioning

Super-premium lifestyle and travel card with milestone experiences and benefits.

Luxury rewards-focused card with strong everyday returns and lifestyle perks.

Joining Fee

₹20,000 + GST (premium tier).

₹12,499 + GST (lower than Times Black).

Annual Fee

₹20,000 + GST.

₹12,499 + GST.

Annual Fee Waiver

Waived on very high spends (e.g., ₹25 L+).

Waived on ₹10 L+ annual spending.

Reward Earning

Good rewards with accelerated iShop; focused on travel & experiences.

~3% value-back on spends, accelerated iShop rewards (higher on hotels).

Forex Markup

~1.49% (competitive for premium cards).

~2% on foreign transactions.

Airport Lounge Access

Unlimited domestic & international lounges.

Unlimited domestic & international lounges, plus Priority Pass.

Lifestyle Perks

Milestone benefits like travel vouchers, VIP transfers, wellness offers.

Taj Epicure membership, EazyDiner Prime, golf rounds, travel booking perks.

Best Suited For

Frequent travelers wanting exclusive experiences and lower forex cost.

Users who prefer higher base rewards and everyday luxury benefits.

How to Maximize Times Black Milestone Benefits?

To get real value from the ICICI Times Black credit card, you need to plan spends smartly so you hit milestone slabs and unlock high-value luxury vouchers and travel perks.

  • Focus big spends (travel, shopping, insurance) on the Times Black card to reach milestones faster.
  • Track your milestone progress regularly in the Times Black app to avoid missing benefits.
  • Prioritise higher milestones, as rewards increase sharply at ₹10L+ annual spend.
  • Redeem milestone vouchers (Klook, luxury stays, shopping) before expiry to avoid value loss.
  • Combine milestone rewards with welcome and renewal benefits to offset the high annual fee.

This approach helps you extract maximum value from the Times Black ICICI Bank credit card without overspending.

Times Black Credit Card Review 2026

When you use the Times Black ICICI Bank credit card for overseas purchases — whether at a point-of-sale (POS), online in foreign currency, or while travelling abroad, a foreign currency conversion (forex) markup fee of 1.49% is applied to the transaction amount.

• This 1.49% forex markup is lower than the typical 3%–3.5% charged on many other Indian credit cards, making the card more cost-effective for international spending.
• After including GST, the effective forex fee is ~1.76%, but you also earn 2.5% reward points on international spends, which can offset some of the forex cost.
• The low forex fee applies across all foreign currency transactions, with no special reduction for higher spend levels.

In short, the Times Black card stands out in premium tiers for competitive forex charges when you travel or shop internationally, a key point in any times black credit card review.

ICICI Times Black Helicopter Transfer (Bangalore) — How to Book

The ** ICICI Times Black credit card** includes an exclusive helicopter city-to-airport transfer as part of its milestone benefits once you meet the annual spend requirement. You unlock this premium perk after spending ₹5,00,000 in a year on your Times Black card. The helicopter transfer benefit is currently available only from Bangalore Airport to select destinations and is subject to availability and weather conditions.

Booking Steps:

  1. Unlock the benefit: Ensure your Times Black account shows an annual spend of ₹5 lakh or more, this credits points to your Mobility Wallet in the Times Black app.
  2. Use the Times Black App: Open the app and go to the Milestone Benefits/Transfers section. Start the helicopter booking by clicking “Begin Application” or similar.
  3. Enter basic details: Fill in passenger and travel details as prompted.
  4. Submit request: Your information is sent to the concierge or partner (e.g., Thumby Aviation) who will call you within 24 hours to confirm logistics and availability.
  5. Confirm booking: Once confirmed by the service provider, your ride is scheduled. Points from your mobility wallet are deducted automatically.

📌 Important Notes:

  • This helicopter transfer from Bangalore is once per year if you choose this option; otherwise you can opt for two luxury cab transfers instead.
  • Booking is subject to weather conditions and flight regulations.

This direct process lets you conveniently redeem your premium Times Black card experience without guesswork.

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Times Black Instant Approval for Existing ICICI Customers

Many existing ICICI Bank customers have reported that the Times Black ICICI Bank credit card can be approved very quickly, sometimes within minutes of submitting the application online. While ICICI Bank doesn’t officially guarantee instant approval for everyone, several users have shared that their application was approved without lengthy documentation or a deep credit inquiry, and the card showed up in their banking app almost immediately after submission. This is especially common for existing ICICI customers who already have a banking relationship and credit history with the bank, making the verification process faster.

Speed: Approval can happen almost instantly after submitting the online application.
Existing ICICI Relationship Helps: Being an existing ICICI Bank customer often speeds up processing and reduces paperwork.
No Detailed Documentation: Some users report minimal documentation or no visible CIBIL check before approval, though standard checks may still occur behind the scenes.
Virtual card availability: Once approved, you may get virtual card details quickly for online use while the physical card is dispatched.

This practical insight reflects what applicants actually experience when they search “ICICI Times Black credit card review” and want to know about instant approval as existing customers.

Times Black Annual Fee Waiver on ₹25 Lakh Spending

If you’re evaluating the Times Black ICICI Bank credit card and want to know how its annual fee waiver works, here are the actual facts that users look for before applying:

• The Times Black card has a ₹20,000 + GST annual fee charged every year after the first year.
• You can get the annual fee waived for the next anniversary year if you spend ₹25,00,000 (₹25 lakh) or more in a card anniversary year using your ICICI Times Black credit card.
• This waiver applies only to the renewal fee, not the initial joining fee, meaning you still pay the joining fee when you first get the card.
• ICICI Bank tracks your spending over the year and will automatically notify you if you’ve met the criteria for the waiver.
• Spending that qualifies toward the waiver typically excludes rent, government, and education payments as per ICICI Bank’s broader credit card fee waiver policies (common across premium cards).

This ₹25 lakh annual fee waiver makes the Times Black ICICI Bank credit card more rewarding for very high spenders who regularly use it for large transactions throughout the year.

Times Black Forex Charges (International Spending)

Times Black Forex Charges

When you use the Times Black ICICI Bank credit card for any international transaction, whether it’s purchases at a store overseas, hotel bookings in foreign currencies, or online payments on global platforms, ICICI Bank applies a foreign currency markup fee of 1.49% on the converted amount. This is significantly lower than the typical 3%–3.5% fees charged on many other premium credit cards, helping reduce the cost of international spending.

• The 1.49% forex markup applies to all foreign POS spends, online international transactions, and overseas ATM withdrawals.
• After GST, the effective forex charge is around 1.76%, but cardholders also earn 2.5% reward points on international spends, which can partially offset the fee.
• This low forex cost, combined with strong rewards, makes the card more attractive for frequent travellers and global shoppers in an icici times black credit card review context.

In short, the Times Black card offers competitive international spending costs alongside its premium benefits, making it a good option if you travel or shop overseas often.

About the author

Jasmeen Kaur

Passionate about helping you find the best credit cards to fit your lifestyle. I simplify complex card features, compare top options, and guide you to smart, rewarding choices on CardGrid.in. Here to make your financial journey smoother—one card at a time.

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