Which card to use and where -- (30 May 2024)
This analysis of 'return on spends' is after deducting annual fees and also considering the welcome benefits--
1. Axis Magnus Burgundy (LTF) for--
a.
Rent <50k
b.
Dining-- Extra 40% discount on EazyDiner 1000/2500 once a month. Also 50% discount on EazyDiner max 3000/6000 once a year
c.
ALL offline & ALL online (except fuel, rent >50k, insurance, gold, jewellery, Govt, utilities, wallet, EMI, withdrawals)
Return
4.80% <1.5 lacs/month,
14.00% >1.5 lacs/month) if 5:4 Burgundy points transfer to Accor (Rs.1 value)
2. Axis Magnus Burgundy (LTF) for--
a.
Flights 24% on Traveledge 5x points
No convenience fee, no discount, but check prices compared to the airline/kayak
Traveledge max 60K points on 2 lacs per calender mth
Traveledge 5x points come after 5 days.
b.
International Lounge unlimited via Priority Pass (no spend reqd) +
4 guest visits (no spend reqd)
c.
Airport Meet & Greet 4/calendar year
3. Axis Magnus Burgundy (LTF) for --
a
. Flipkart 24% on Grabdeals 5x points
b
. Apollo 24%, Jockey 26.5%, Bata 29%, Raymond 25%, Skechers 25% on Giftedge 5x points
c.
Swiggy 14.4% on Giftedge 3x points
d.
Amazon pay 9.6% on Giftedge 2x points
Grabdeals max 5K points on 16666 per calender mth
Gyftr/Giftedge max 75K points on 2.5 lacs per calender mth
Gyftr, Grabdeals 1x points come after 6 days.
Gyftr, Grabdeals 4x points of the whole month are credited on M+3 basis on the 25th (90+ days later).
eg. January 4x points will come on 25 April
4. HDFC Infinia (Rs.2250) for--
a.
Amazon pay (less 2.95% fee),
Amazon shopping, Flipkart, Myntra, Nykaa, Swiggy on Smartbuy 5x points (upto 112500 per day/mth
b.
Flights on SmartBuy 5x points (upto 112500 per day/mth)
c.
Hotels, Pharmeasy, IGP on Smartbuy 10x points (upto 56250 per day/mth)
d.
International Lounge unlimited including all add ons via Priority Passes (no spend reqd)
e.
Domestic Lounge unlimited including all add ons (no spend reqd)
1. If points used for
direct flight booking BEST (70% points, 30% card) on Smartbuy (BEST option)--
i. Return
13.72 (
10)% (for 5x Amazon pay) (less 2.95% fee)
ii. Return
16.67 (
12.14)% (for 5x) Amazon shopping, Flipkart, Myntra, Nykaa, Swiggy, Flights)
iii. Return
33.33 (
24.29)% (for 10x)
Hotels, Pharmeasy, IGP) on buying airtickets on Smartbuy (since points can be used for only 70% of flight booking). Convenience fee extra, No discount, no price markup.
2A. If points are
transferred to Accor (2:1 ratio, 100% points transfer) --
i. Return (for 5x Amazon pay)
6.86%, if 2:1 points transferred to
Accor (Rs.1 value)
ii. Return (for 5x)
8.33%, if 2:1 points transferred to
Accor (Rs.1 value)
iii. Return (for 10x)
16.67%, iReturn (for 5x) 8.33%, if 2:1 points transferred to
Accor (Rs.1 value)f 2:1 points.
2B. If points are
transferred to 6 airlines (2:1 ratio, 100% points transfer) --
i. Return (for 5x Amazon pay) 4.16--
5.19 (3.78)% if 2:1 points transferred to Turkish, Avianca, British, Etihad (50p), United, Air Canada (50--80p value for economy flights)
ii. Return (for 5x) 4.16--
6.66 (4.86)% if 2:1 points transferred to Turkish, Avianca, British, Etihad (50p), United, Air Canada (50--80p value for economy flights)
iii. Return (for 10x) 8.33--
13.33 (
9.71)% if 2:1 points transferred to Turkish, Avianca, British, Etihad (50p), United, Air Canada (50--80p value for economy flights)
2C. If points are
transferred to 2 hotels, 7 airlines (1:1 ratio, 100% points transfer) --
i. Return (for 5x Amazon pay) 6.66--
9.53 (6.60)%, if 1:1 points transferred to AirAsia, KLM/Air France, Finnair, Singapore (66p), Vistara (60p)
, Vietnam, Hainan, IHG (40p), Wyndham (40p) (40--66p value for economy flights & cheapest room)
ii. Return (for 5x) 6.66--
11.00 (8.01)%, if 1:1 points transferred to AirAsia, KLM/Air France, Finnair, Singapore (66p), Vistara (60p)
, Vietnam, Hainan, IHG (40p), Wyndham (40p) (40--66p value for economy flights & cheapest room)
iii. Return (for 10x) 13.33--
22.00 (
16.03)%, if 1:1 points transferred to AirAsia, KLM/Air France, Finnair, Singapore (66p), Vistara (60p)
, Vietnam, Hainan, IHG (40p), Wyndham (40p) (40--66p value for economy flights & cheapest room)
Our analysis of 100s of flights shows that miles from international airlines are worth much less in India that they are globally.
www.moolahgeeks.com
5. Axis Atlas (Rs.900) for--
a.
Direct hotels, Agoda, direct airlines, Jet Privilege priva MCC 4511(online & offline)
Return
10.00/11.66/11.33/11.33% if 1:2 Atlas Edge miles transferred to Accor (Rs.1 value) based on target spends <3 lacs/3 lacs/7.5 lacs/15 lacs per card anniversary year.
No convenience fee, no discount, no price markup
b.
All offline & all online (except gold, jewellery, rent, insurance, Govt, utilities, fuel, wallet, EMI, withdrawals).
Return
4.00/5.66/5.33/5.33% if 1:2 Atlas Edge miles transferred to Accor (Rs.1 value), based on target spends <3lacs/3 lacs/7.5 lacs/15 lacs per card anniversary year.
c.
International Lounge 4/6/12 per year including all guests via QR code (no spend reqd).
Select airport & generate QR code at Intl lounge section of Atlas cc on Axis app to show at the intl lounge.
d.
Domestic Lounge 8/12/18 per year including all guests (no spend reqd).
Swipe Atlas card directly at domestic Lounge
6a. Axis IOCL (Rs.590, better than free)
UPI / scan QR code
Return
4.00%
Fuel--spend 100--4000/ max.5000 per month
Return
16.00%
6b. HDFC Tata Infinity (LTF) for--
UPI / scan QR code
Return
1.50% (1 on 34)
6c. CSB Edge Rupay (LTF, waiting list) for--
UPI / scan QR code
Return
0.40% or rarely
2.00% Shopping (best category) for UPI payments
7a. HDFC Marriott (Rs.3540 better than free) for--
a
. Domestic Lounge 12/year (no spend reqd)
b
. International Lounge 12/year via Priority Pass (no spend reqd)
c
. Marriott 1 night free stay (upto 15k points)
7b. Miles and more World Select (
11800, get 46000 miles) for--
a
. Dining-- Extra 40% discount on EazyDiner 1000/2500 once a month. Also 50% discount on EazyDiner max 3000/6000 once a year.
b
. Domestic Lounge 2/qtr, 8/yr (no spend reqd)
c
. International Lounge 4/year via Priority Pass (no spend reqd)
7c. StanChart Ease my Trip (413) for--
International Lounge 2/year via Priority Pass (no spend reqd)
7d. Yes First Business card (LTF) for--
International lounge 6/yr inbuilt LoungeKey, DIRECT SWIPE US$1 (no spend reqd).
7e. Federal Celesta (LTF) for--
Domestic Lounge 4/qtr, 16/yr (no spend reqd)
International lounge 2/yr inbuilt LoungeKey, DIRECT SWIPE US$1 (no spend reqd).
8a. ICICI Sapphiro (LTF for B school alumni) for--
a. Domestic spa 2/year via Dreamfolks card for Primary (no spend reqd)
b. International lounge 2/year via Dreamfolks card for Primary (no spend reqd)
8b. ICICI MMT Signature (1450) for--
a. Domestic spa 1/year via Dreamfolks card for Primary (no spend reqd)
b. International lounge 1/year via Dreamfolks card for Primary (no spend reqd)
8c. ICICI Emirates emerald (4800) for--
a. Domestic spa unlimited via Dreamfolks card for Primary (no spend reqd)
b. International lounge unlimited via Dreamfolks card for Primary (no spend reqd)
9. Kotak White (LTF Privy league) for--
Govt.Taxes get 27000 Amazon pay for 12 lacs tax paid
Return
2.25-0.85=1.40%.
2k/6k/12k/19k/27k Amazon pay on 2/4/6/9/12 lacs spends per year
International Lounge 4/yr inbuilt Priority Pass, DIRECT SWIPE for Primary only (no spend reqd)
Domestic Lounge 2/qtr, 8/yr inbuilt Dreamfolks, for Primary only (no spend reqd)
10. SBI Cashback (Rs.1179) for--
a.
Online (except Utility, Insurance, Fuel, Rent, Wallet, Education, Jewelry, Railways, Gift shops)
Return
5% cashback (max. 5000 on 1 lac).
b.
Fuel--buy IOCL voucher on Park plus.
Return
2% +
5% cashback
c.
Railways--buy MMT e-pay gift card at 7% discount (month end) on Amazon
Discount
7% + 5% cashback
11. Any Kotak/Federal/SBI/BOB card (----) for--6
Hotels (both domestic and international)
Discount
20--24% (upto 5000/7500/10000 per booking, per card) on Cleartrip.
12. Axis Airtel (Rs.590) for--
a.
Airtel bills--prepaid, billing, broadband
Return
25% cashback (max. 250 on 1000)
b.
Utility bills--Electricity, Gas, Water, DTH
Return
10% cashback (max. 250 on 2500)
c.
Food delivery--Swiggy, Zomato
Return
10% cashback (max. 500 on 5000)
13. AU Lit (LTF) for--
a.
Grocery (but not departmental Store
)
Activate grocery, target spend and offline for 353+353+353 fee for 3 months
Return
8.97% after deducting fees
b.
Apparel (all clothing stores)
Activate apparel, target spend and offline for 235+353+353 fee for 3 months.
Return
9.36% after deducting fees
14. Amex Platinum Travel (FY free, Rs.5900) for 4 lacs target spend on--
a.
Insurance (upto 4 lacs)
b.
Govt & taxes (upto 4 lacs)
c.
Amazon pay on Gyftr Amex 3x
Return
5.57% (1st yr, incl FYF, 2000+4000 points) @30 paisa/point
Return
4.18% (2nd yr onwards) @30 paisa/point
Offline low acceptance
15a. Amex MRCC (FY free, Rs.885) 1500x4/mth for--
a.
Fuel--buy 1500 x 4 Indian Oil voucher on Park+ app
Return
8.18%
+ 2.00% cashback
b.
Amazon pay on Gyftr Amex 2x
Return
9.00% (1st yr, incl FYF, 2000+4000 points) if 18k points converted to 6k Amazon pay (worth 5400)
Return
5.62% (2nd yr onwards, incl 50% fee for 15mth) if 18k points converted to 6k Amazon pay (worth 5400)
FYF, get 2000 referral points and 4000 joining points by spending 15k in 90days.
Spend 4x1500 every month for 10 months. Offline low acceptance
15b. Amex Gold (FY 1180, CLOSE) 6x1000/month for--
a.
Fuel only at HPCL (no surcharge)
Return
6.39% on Fuel at HPCL, if 18k points converted to 6k Amazon pay (worth 5400)
b.
Fuel--buy 1000 x 6 Indian Oil voucher on Park+ app
Return
6.39% + 2.00% cashback
c.
Amazon pay on Gyftr Amex 5x
Return
8.79% on Amazon pay 5x, (incl 1180, 2000+4000 points) if 18k points converted to 6k Amazon pay (worth 5400)
Pay 1180 fee, get 2000 referral points and 4000 joining points by spending 10k in 90days.
Spend 6x1000 every month for 8 months. Offline low acceptance.
15c. SBI Octane (Rs.269) for--
Fuel only at BPCL
Return
6.25% cashback + 1% surcharge waiver
(only if you phone 18001801290 or (prefix local STD code) 39020202 and ask for the conversion of your points into cash)
16. Yes Marquee (Rs.11800, better than free) for--
(Except Rent, Wallet, Recharge, withdrawals, Utilities , Insurance, Education, Government)
a. Indian online spends (some exceptions)
Return
4.50 (4.05)%
Indian offline/swipe spends (some exceptions)
Return
2.25 (2.03)%
b. Foreign online spends (4.50--1.18)(some exceptions)
Return
3.32 (2.87)%
c. Foreign offline/swipe spends (2.25--1.18)(some exceptions)
Return
1.07 (0.85)%
d.
International Lounge unlimited DIRECT SWIPE for Primary & add on (no spend reqd) + Guest 2/qtr
e.
Domestic Lounge 6/qtr, 24/yr for Primary & add on (no spend reqd) + Guest 2/qtr
17a. Yes Reserv 3x (Rs.359+4130) for--
(Except Rent, Wallet, Recharge, withdrawals, Utilities , Insurance, Education, Government)
a. Indian online spends (some exceptions)
Return
6.00 (4.56)% (if you use points for flights)
b. Indian offline spends (some exceptions)
Return
4.50 (3.42)% (if you use points for flights)
c. Foreign online spends (6.00--2.07)(some exceptions)
Return
3.93 (2.49)% (if you use points for flights)
d. Foreign offline/swipe spends (4.50--2.07)(some exceptions)
Return
2.43 (1.35)% (if you use points for flights)
e. International Lounge 6/yr DIRECT SWIPE only Primary (no spend reqd)
17b. Yes Reserv 5x (Rs.359+5900) for--
Travel/Dining/Fashion/Healthcare
a. Indian online spends
Return
9.00 (6.84)% (if you use points for flights)
b. Indian offline spends
Return
7.50 (5.70)% (if you use points for flights)
c. Foreign online spends (9.00--2.07)
Return
6.93 (4.77)% (if you use points for flights)
d. Foreign offline/swipe spends (7.50--2.07)
Return
5.43 (3.63)% (if you use points for flights)
e. International Lounge 6/yr DIRECT SWIPE only Primary (no spend reqd)
18. Axis Privilege (Rs.1770, better than free) for--
ALL offline/online 2.50 lac target (except wallet, fuel, Govt taxes, education, utilities, rent, Gold/jewelry, insurance)
Return 4.00 (base) + 3.20 (2.5 lac target) =
7.20%
19. Axis Select (Rs.3540, better than free) for-
Grocery, Dept store, Apparel (max.20k spend per statement)
Return 4.00 (base) + 4.00 (2x) + 1.33 (3 lac target) =
8.53% on 3 lac / 8.00% on 2.4 lac
International Lounge 12/yr via Priority Pass for Primary (no spend reqd)
Bigbasket 500 on 3000
Swiggy 200 on 1000
20. Axis Rewards (Rs.1180, better than free) for-
Dept store, Apparel,
MCC 5399 (max.7k spend per statement)
Return 1.28 x 10 =
12.80%
21. Axis Samsung Infinite (Rs.5900, better than free) for-
a. Samsung online/POS 10% cashback (max. cashback 5k/mth, 20k/yr)
b. Zomato, 1mg, Urban Co, BigBasket, Myntra
Return 4.00 x 3 =
12.00%
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