Amazon Pay Economy

[harshitharlalka]

Credit Card reward points make you believe we’re living peak capitalism. But look closely into SmartBuy, iShop and every “premium portal” is basically handing out Amazon Pay Vouchers like monthly government rations.


Doesn’t matter if you flaunt an Infinia, Diners Black, Magnus or even an Emerald Private, the ration card allocation is almost the same. We then form joint families (also known as “add-on card pooling”) just to increase our monthly quota.


On the 1st of every month, we line up in digital queues like it’s a subsidised distribution centre. Some days vouchers run out of stock, and suddenly the household enters crisis mode — How will we survive this month now?


Amazon is the new CCP.
We are merely its loyal credit-card-holding subjects.

 

[Odyssey]

Amazing. Nicely written 👏🏻 😁

 

[Kabir_1112]

Very true, but most of us are in the same boat and repeating it.

 

[ranjanpr17]

Well put, I think it will stop soon too. Started with capped limit, then charges for buying. Anyway enjoy till it lasts.

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

Yes, very true, infact a different thought. We are standing in queue in front of digital ration shops.
Buying from different places - sometimes gyftr, sometimes smartbuy or iShop.
Some of them have monthly cap, sometimes they have denomination cap, and multiplier reward point cap.
I was not aware of the voucher game till some months back. Just started when I got into the points cards from cashback cards.

 

[harshitharlalka]

Amazing. Nicely written 👏🏻 😁

Concept and words mine, used ChatGPT though.

 

[HumorSimpson]

Very well written 👌🏼
@sovon we found the perfect 📝 for your speeches 🗨️

 

[tachniki]

Poor folks get subsidies from government for living. Middle class gets subsidies from VC (ecom, hyper delivery) and banks (credit card savings).

 

[sovon]

Very well written 👌🏼
@sovon we found the perfect 📝 for your speeches 🗨️

Ayy ayy Captain

 

[nikhilv0303]

Yes, very true, infact a different thought. We are standing in queue in front of digital ration shops.
Buying from different places - sometimes gyftr, sometimes smartbuy or iShop.
Some of them have monthly cap, sometimes they have denomination cap, and multiplier reward point cap.
I was not aware of the voucher game till some months back. Just started when I got into the points cards from cashback cards.

I made a similar move 1 year back - from cashback cards to rp cards. I don't travel much, so don't know where to redeem these RPs.

Have realized its too much effort for a little return... thinking of switching back to CB cards

 

[desiviru]

Only some months in past the quota of AGV from here and there didn't fulfilled the total spending requirement for me, so spent directly.

Why to take tension of not getting AGV or KGB. 🤣

Woh din jaldi aayenge jab digital payments ke liye cashback toh rehney do alag se fee pay karni padegi aur log Petrol v/s Online ki calculation karenge.

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

I made a similar move 1 year back - from cashback cards to rp cards. I don't travel much, so don't know where to redeem these RPs.

Have realized its too much effort for a little return... thinking of switching back to CB cards

Oh that's a good case study for us. I think we need to discuss this more. People are lured to move from cashback to points due to hotel and flights, but how many are able to use it well? I will write in detail about my experience so far. Will tag you.

 

[nikhilv0303]

Oh that's a good case study for us. I think we need to discuss this more. People are lured to move from cashback to points due to hotel and flights, but how many are able to use it well? I will write in detail about my experience so far. Will tag you.

I’ll also try to contribute there

 

[Kabir_1112]

Yes there should be something on it. Will be waiting for it. But seriously in coming time even these reward points won't be worth collecting. As marriott in recent times have reduced the value for some hotels. Others will also follow them soon.

 

[nikhilv0303]

Oh that's a good case study for us. I think we need to discuss this more. People are lured to move from cashback to points due to hotel and flights, but how many are able to use it well? I will write in detail about my experience so far. Will tag you.

Btw I’ve already transitioned back to Swiggy HDFC for Swiggy orders (monthly spends close to 10k across food, Instamart and Dineout)

Had shifted those to Swiggy money vouchers a year back, but now don’t find the extra 4-5% in RPs worth it

Still using Zepto and Zomato via vouchers.. thinking about those next. Evaluating HSBC Live+ but avoiding due to SBI overleverage issue 😂

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

Btw I’ve already transitioned back to Swiggy HDFC for Swiggy orders (monthly spends close to 10k across food, Instamart and Dineout)

Had shifted those to Swiggy money vouchers a year back, but now don’t find the extra 4-5% in RPs worth it

Still using Zepto and Zomato via vouchers.. thinking about those next. Evaluating HSBC Live+ but avoiding due to SBI overleverage issue 😂

Yes, I still use HDFC Swiggy and Tata Neu cards for specific spends. The 10% cashback on Swiggy is really useful and feels more valuable than earning points or miles in many cases.

I also use the Tata Neu app and Neu Infinity card for things like groceries on BigBasket, utility bills, and insurance payments because I want to collect NeuCoins for flight bookings. These small, planned spends help me build up a decent balance over time.

A few months ago, I moved from cashback cards to reward points cards, and it’s been a good decision. I travel mostly within India, so I haven’t used my points for flights yet, but I’ve collected enough for Accor and Marriott hotel stays. I’ve already redeemed Edge Miles for Accor stays and stayed at Ibis hotels several times. Since I travel once every 2–3 months, these redemptions work well for me.

People who travel frequently on company-sponsored or reimbursed trips earn and redeem points much faster. But for most of us who pay for our own travel, it’s not easy to travel that often. So, it’s better to focus on just one or two hotel chains and an airline program. With some planning, we can collect enough points over time and enjoy free or discounted stays and flights once or twice a year.

 

[kuchbhikuchbhi is verified member.]

Btw I’ve already transitioned back to Swiggy HDFC for Swiggy orders (monthly spends close to 10k across food, Instamart and Dineout)

Had shifted those to Swiggy money vouchers a year back, but now don’t find the extra 4-5% in RPs worth it

Still using Zepto and Zomato via vouchers.. thinking about those next. Evaluating HSBC Live+ but avoiding due to SBI overleverage issue 😂

Yes, I still use HDFC Swiggy and Tata Neu cards for specific spends. The 10% cashback on Swiggy is really useful and feels more valuable than earning points or miles in many cases.

I also use the Tata Neu app and Neu Infinity card for things like groceries on BigBasket, utility bills, and insurance payments because I want to collect NeuCoins for flight bookings. These small, planned spends help me build up a decent balance over time.

The growing craze and soaring cashback percentages on Indian cards testify to the fact that Indians are far ahead of many nations when it comes to embracing cashback culture.

 

[quino]

The growing craze and soaring cashback percentages on Indian cards testify to the fact that Indians are far ahead of many nations when it comes to embracing cashback culture.

itna kuch advanced nhi hai. we're a nation who loves freebies.

 

[panchabhut]

For travel (official/persona) I mainly use govt agency site, on which most cards do not give anything. For the rest, I mostly use cashback cards only, or Tataneu card.

 

[kuchbhikuchbhi is verified member.]

itna kuch advanced nhi hai. we're a nation who loves freebies.

wo to sir banaya gya hai