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5 credit cards challenge

abhishek0882

TF Premier
VIP Lounge
If you could only have 5 credit cards with you and no more - which would be your 5 credit cards? Would be great if you could also mention the reasons. Of course these will be based on your personal usage, preferences, spends etc., but would be fun to know. Idea is to see if we can create a holistic portfolio of credit cards in a way that they cover all aspects of our spends and lifestyle, thus each card complementing the other 4. What are those 5 cards as of today (as the combination may keep changing with new cards coming up, devaluation in existing cards etc.).
I am so looking forward to hear from members here. Would especially be fun to hear from those who have numerous credit cards and to see how they manage to narrow it down to 5 😛 .
 
Just came across this thread and enjoyed reading it.

My spending pattern:
I don’t follow a strict spending plan—many of my expenses are spontaneous or miscellaneous. However, most of my regular spending revolves around utilities, groceries, and UPI transactions at local shops. Travel and hotel stays are rare at the moment, but I do appreciate the lifestyle benefits that some credit cards offer. While I’m not focused on luxury travel right now, I might consider upgrading in the future.
Also, I’m not a voucher person. Getting vouchers every month for Amazon Pay, Swiggy, Apollo Pharmacy, Myntra, etc., feels like extra work, and I often don’t like it that way (a bit of a behavioral issue, maybe). I don’t think the value and returns are significant enough to justify the effort, but I could be wrong on this.

My Existing cards: All my current cards are lifetime free, though I don’t actively use all of them.
  • ICICI Amazon Pay – My oldest card. While I don’t use it much these days, it’s still great for 5% cashback on Amazon (flights & hotels), 2% on bill payments/utilities, and an unconditional 1% cashback on all other spends without capping.
  • ICICI Sapphiro – Primarily used only for the BOGO BMS offer, though movie outings are rare.
  • HDFC Swiggy – One of my primary cards. I use it both on Swiggy and for general spends. The cashback structure is straightforward, and the quarterly milestone benefits are an added plus.
  • HDFC Tata Neu Infinity Rupay – My most-used card, covering almost 90% of my spends via UPI. The 1.5% cashback on the Neu app is useful, though BigBasket’s vegetable quality has been disappointing. Customer support is responsive, but the overall experience could be better.
  • Federal Celesta – Chose this for complimentary lounge access without a spend requirement, though I don’t use it regularly.
  • IndusInd Tiger – Got this for the free movie ticket (up to ₹500) every six months, though I haven’t used it yet! Also offers lounge access without spending criteria, and I still need to request my Priority Pass from customer care.
My wishlist:
I would like to have the following cards, preferably LTF. Given my moderate spending, I don’t see myself going for high-end premium cards like Infinia, EPM, DCBM, or M4B, which require ₹10-15L annual spends. I am still a mid-range person, not the premium high spender. I also have a bit of hesitation with Amex—maybe a mental block, but for now, I’m keeping it out of my list.

Here are the three cards I’d like for my primary use:
  1. ICICI Emeralde PVC
  2. HDFC Tata Neu Infinity
  3. HDFC Regalia Gold
For backups, I’d continue holding these:
  1. ICICI Amazon Pay
  2. HDFC Swiggy
  3. Federal Celesta
  4. IndusInd Tiger
This setup would comfortably cover all my spending needs while keeping things simple and efficient!
Very nicely explained, worth reading on Sunday Evening.👍
 
Top 5 Cards from my current portfolio :-

1) ICICI EMERALDE PRIVATE METAL

2) AXIS ATLAS

3) HDFC DCB METAL

4) BOB ETERNA RUPAY

5) ICICI AMAZON PAY

These cards are more than enough for my requirements.
 
Magnus Burgundy + Atlas combo for all offline & Education spends (MB for rental and for months when spends > 1.5L)
Infinia - All useful vouchers + flights via smartbuy + occasional jewellery and insurance / Utilities direct use
SBI Cashback - Wherever possible when Infinia vouchers are not used for online use
Axis Airtel - Airtel black and Electricity bills

Other notable mentions - Biz black for tax.. and Amex Plat Travel (Not able to find use for Amex since past few months)
ICIC cards - Instant discount use
BoB Eterna /TNI - For UPI spends
 
1. HDFC Infinia - Visa
2. ICICI Emeralde Private Metal - Mastercard
3. American Express Platinum Charge Card - AMEX
4. HDFC Diners Club Black Metal - Diners Club
5. Bobcard Eterna - Rupay

My reasons:
- 5 cards, 5 Networks.
- I already have the Infinia.
- Everyone wants the EPM.
- Amex Plat Charge for the centurion lounges besides all the other benefits.
- DCB Metal, well if you want a card on the Diners network, go for the most premium offering available.
- Eterna, well same reason as the DCB but for RuPay
 

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For Govt Transaction and wallet load
Apay
Stan smart

Utility, zomato, swiggy
Airtel

Upi
KiwiYesbank

For shopping etc
Swiggy

For insurance
Millenia

For Train
Hdfc pixel playRupayCc

For cylinder booking
Any bank rupay plat dc
 
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