HDFC Diners Black Metal or Axis Atlas - Query

[nicmongai]

I currently have Axis Atlas on which I have spent 3.7L in the past 11 months. I have also spent about 5.5L on my Regalia Gold LTF, which makes me eligible for Diner Club Metal FYF. I have been thinking of closing Atlas and moving all my expenses to Diner Club, or should I do the opposite? Keep Regalia Gold LTF and move all expenses to Atlas. I also have Amex Platinum travel on which I spend the first 4L. Most of my expenses are international travel. Does it make sense to do it on Atlas? I am a bit skeptical about the acceptance of Diner Club overseas as well.

 

[sravanbrahma]

Occasional travel (3-5 times per year) and good shopping requirement: diners metal.

Heavy travel (10+ times per year) : Atlas is better
The above is general thumb rule.

Since you have international spends diners metal is a no no. In singapore I found it accepted only 2 out of 10 places.

Keep Amex Plat travel as it's worth it everywhere with high milestone benefit.

Another alternative is infinia if you can spend 9L in 6 months.

 

[rogerthat]

I currently have Axis Atlas on which I have spent 3.7L in the past 11 months. I have also spent about 5.5L on my Regalia Gold LTF, which makes me eligible for Diner Club Metal FYF. I have been thinking of closing Atlas and moving all my expenses to Diner Club, or should I do the opposite? Keep Regalia Gold LTF and move all expenses to Atlas. I also have Amex Platinum travel on which I spend the first 4L. Most of my expenses are international travel. Does it make sense to do it on Atlas? I am a bit skeptical about the acceptance of Diner Club overseas as well.

In addition to this, it is recommended that you keep Atlas because even in India Diners Club acceptance online is very low outside of the big guys (Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy etc.,) who have their own gateways and for those you would probably be getting vouchers anyway.

For other independent websites that use a third party gateway, Diners acceptance is extremely low. I've seen that Diners is not accepted in any Razorpay gateways, many Shopify sites, and in no Atom gateways. Overall, I would say online acceptance of Diners in India is around 50%. Even offline there is a high chance of rejection especially in older POS machines.

 

[Dazzwilliams]

I was under the same dilemma. I was looking to choose between DCB Metal-Paid vs Atlas-paid as I have no other premium cards for travel/miles.
My usage is occasional travel (1 intl trip) this year and the usual domestic usage. Will mostly be able to spend 8L for annual waiver if I reorganize my spends. Vouchers are doable.

Issue with Axis is it has too many exclusions. Another reason to consider DCB as its the only easy way for Infinia in the future.

 

[jhanishdev]

Axis atlas for the following reasons.

1. Diners acceptance is low.
2. HDFC merchant offers now lag Axis bank offers.
3. HDFC plays bully while upgrading further or for limit enhancement.


HDFC is a spare credit card for me.

Unless, you want to keep asking your RM for Infinia.

 

[Dazzwilliams]

Axis atlas for the following reasons.

1. Diners acceptance is low.
2. HDFC merchant offers now lag Axis bank offers.
3. HDFC plays bully while upgrading further or for limit enhancement.


HDFC is a spare credit card for me.

Unless, you want to keep asking your RM for Infinia.

In that case is Regalia Gold comparable to Atlas?

 

[rogerthat]

In that case is Regalia Gold comparable to Atlas?

Regalia Gold is a few levels lower than Atlas if you consider return for airmiles transfer.

Regalia Gold gives less than 1% for most partners (on regular spends) while Axis gives 4% to 12% depending on your tier.

 

[rogerthat]

Also, just now for Diners Club. The only reason I am sticking to this is because I have Infinia as a goal.

 

[P3T3R_GOA]

Earlier you needed either Visa or MasterCard. Almost no one accepted Diners or Amex. Amex acceptance is increasing but Diners is still no where. I don't know why banks even bother issuing Diner's cards.

 

[BVCBVC is verified member.]

Axis Atlas due to Diners acceptance issues.

But if you can manage hitting milestones (and aspiring for Infinia) on SmartBuy and other Diners accepted areas, you can go for it. Without Milestone Benefits Diners Black Metal is not a good card.

 

[ismail]

foreign currency markup of Atlas is 3.5 when compared to DCB which is 2%. Also DCB has Global Value Program which when activated gives 1% extra. As you say most of ur expenses are International, DCB makes sense. But first check if DCB acceptance is good in visiting country.

 

[nicmongai]

Axis Atlas due to Diners acceptance issues.

But if you can manage hitting milestones (and aspiring for Infinia) on SmartBuy and other Diners accepted areas, you can go for it. Without Milestone Benefits Diners Black Metal is not a good card.

I believe I’ll easily reach the 8L milestone, but the only challenge is acceptance. I prefer Atlas because, despite its 3.5% forex fee, travel offers a 10% return, resulting in a net positive of 5.5%. Additionally, I have Yes Bank Marquee, which I exclusively use for online expenses, excluding travel. Therefore, Atlas would be suitable for me if I book hotels and flights. For other POS transactions, I’d incur a net loss, but at least it’ll be accepted everywhere. However, I’d have to pay the 6K renewal fee this year, which I can only recover on Atlas if I reach the 7.5L milestone, which I find challenging considering my travel and hotel expenses alone. Is anyone aware of any retention benefits for Axis Atlas?

Another option is to continue using a combination of Regalia and Marquee and close Atlas?