# Credit card changes in India, May 2026 · Brief May 2026: 5 changes to Indian credit cards, 4 of them devaluations, across 7 cards from 2 banks. Every change dated May 2026, by the day it takes effect, each with its grade, its source and the day it was last checked. 5 changes · current to 22 October 2026 ## [Skywards tier thresholds cut ~20% until 31 Aug 2026 (promo)](https://getbrief.cards/changes/skywards-tier-promo-2026) Improvement · 8 May 2026 From 8 May to 31 August 2026, Emirates Skywards gave 20% bonus Tier Miles on Emirates and flydubai journeys and lowered its qualification and retention thresholds (Silver 20,000 or 20 flights; Gold 40,000 or 40; Platinum 120,000 and 1 First/Business flight). Emirates Skywards ✓ official · checked 22 July 2026 · Source: https://www.emirates.com/english/special-offers/tier-promotion-terms-and-conditions/ ## [HDFC Diners ClubMiles and Privilege earn cut to 4 RP/₹200 (was 4/₹150)](https://getbrief.cards/changes/hdfc-diners-deval-may26) Devaluation · 15 May 2026 From 15 May 2026 Diners ClubMiles and Diners Privilege earn 4 Reward Points per ₹200, down from 4 per ₹150: a 25% cut. [HDFC Diners Club Miles Credit Card](https://getbrief.cards/cards/hdfc-diners-clubmiles), [HDFC Diners Club Privilege](https://getbrief.cards/cards/hdfc-diners-privilege) ✓ official · checked 2 October 2026 · Source: https://www.hdfc.bank.in/content/dam/hdfcbankpws/in/en/personal-banking/discover-products/cards/credit-cards/generic-mailer-tnc.pdf ## [HDFC Freedom base earn cut to 1 CashPoint per ₹200](https://getbrief.cards/changes/freedom-base-2026) Devaluation · 15 May 2026 From 15 May 2026 HDFC Freedom earns 1 CashPoint per ₹200, down from 1 per ₹150, part of an HDFC notice that moved many of its cards from ₹150 to ₹200 spend blocks. [HDFC Freedom](https://getbrief.cards/cards/hdfc-freedom) ✓ official · checked 22 October 2026 · Source: https://www.hdfc.bank.in/content/dam/hdfcbankpws/in/en/personal-banking/discover-products/cards/credit-cards/generic-mailer-tnc.pdf ## [HDFC MoneyBack+ and Freedom now earn per ₹200, not ₹150](https://getbrief.cards/changes/hdfc-mbp-freedom-may26) Devaluation · 15 May 2026 From 15 May 2026 MoneyBack+ earns 2 CashPoints per ₹200 (10X partners 20 per ₹200) and Freedom 10X partners earn 10 CashPoints per ₹200, down from the same points per ₹150: a 25% cut. [HDFC MoneyBack+](https://getbrief.cards/cards/hdfc-moneyback-plus), [HDFC Freedom](https://getbrief.cards/cards/hdfc-freedom) ✓ official · checked 2 October 2026 · Source: https://www.hdfc.bank.in/content/dam/hdfcbankpws/in/en/personal-banking/discover-products/cards/credit-cards/generic-mailer-tnc.pdf ## [Emirates Skywards devalued Classic/Upgrade Rewards ~15% (First/Business/Premium Economy)](https://getbrief.cards/changes/skywards-award-deval-2026) Devaluation · 20 May 2026 Effective 20 May 2026, Emirates Skywards raised Classic Rewards and Upgrade Rewards prices in First, Business and Premium Economy. [Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Rubyx](https://getbrief.cards/cards/es-icici-rubyx), [Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Sapphiro](https://getbrief.cards/cards/es-icici-sapphiro), [Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde](https://getbrief.cards/cards/es-icici-emeralde), Emirates Skywards, Emirates Skywards Miles verified · checked 22 July 2026 · Source: https://www.emirates.com/english/skywards/emirates-skywards-program-updates/ ## Questions this page answers ### What changed on Indian credit cards in May 2026? As of 22 October 2026, 5 changes are on record for May 2026: Skywards tier thresholds cut ~20% until 31 Aug 2026 (promo); HDFC Diners ClubMiles and Privilege earn cut to 4 RP/₹200 (was 4/₹150); HDFC Freedom base earn cut to 1 CashPoint per ₹200; HDFC MoneyBack+ and Freedom now earn per ₹200, not ₹150 and Emirates Skywards devalued Classic/Upgrade Rewards ~15% (First/Business/Premium Economy). ### Which credit card devaluations are dated May 2026? As of 22 October 2026, 4: HDFC Diners ClubMiles and Privilege earn cut to 4 RP/₹200 (was 4/₹150); HDFC Freedom base earn cut to 1 CashPoint per ₹200; HDFC MoneyBack+ and Freedom now earn per ₹200, not ₹150 and Emirates Skywards devalued Classic/Upgrade Rewards ~15% (First/Business/Premium Economy). ### Which banks changed their credit cards in May 2026? As of 22 October 2026, HDFC (3) and ICICI (1). ## Other months - [November 2026](https://getbrief.cards/changes/november-2026) - [October 2026](https://getbrief.cards/changes/october-2026) - [September 2026](https://getbrief.cards/changes/september-2026) - [August 2026](https://getbrief.cards/changes/august-2026) - [July 2026](https://getbrief.cards/changes/july-2026) - [June 2026](https://getbrief.cards/changes/june-2026) - [April 2026](https://getbrief.cards/changes/april-2026) - [January 2026](https://getbrief.cards/changes/january-2026) - [June 2025](https://getbrief.cards/changes/june-2025) --- Dates are the issuer’s, not Brief’s. A change that has been announced but has not taken effect yet reads “from” and sits at the top. Where an issuer published no date, the earliest dated confirmation stands in its place, and the entry is marked verified rather than official. Every change, dated: https://getbrief.cards/changes Canonical: https://getbrief.cards/changes/may-2026