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HDFC refusing upgrade from MoneyBack+ on Imperia+Salary account, move out or stay?

gopalkaul

TF Buzz
This is my first post, please bear with me TF folks!
I have an Imperia HDFC account(due to my dad, it's been imperia since the past 7-8 years), I was a student up until June 2023, when I started working. I got preapproved MoneyBack+ CC with conditional LTF(50k in 3 months), and I thought to take it since I had to spend 50k in that month only, and I applied for it, and took the card. Limit was 50k(no income then, only student). Got card in Feb 2023, used and made it LTF. Then, post joining job, I used the same account as my salary account.
I found out, to all new account holders, that my employer offered a Regalia Gold as LTF. I sent upgrade form via branch with salary slips, HDFC only gave LE of 1.5L and refused upgrade stating card didn't have too many spends. First of all, MoneyBack+ was such a useless card, I regret taking it, plus the limit was so low, I couldn't use it. I took an SBI BPCL Octane in Sept 2023, I got limit of 1.2 L.
I sent them mails asking them to upgrade my CC to Millenia and threatened to leave and move to Axis or ICICI(salary ~1L excl. stocks, other misc income 20k) so they are offering FYF Millenia to me. It's been 1 month of me fighting back and forth with them.
1702484011799.png I feel like the bank is not treating me right. I escalated this to PNO today, said they'd respond by 15th. Is Millenia worth the hassle, or do I move to another bank?
I don't know if it'd be better to move. I don't need flights or any fancy stuff, looking for a good card with discount on Amazon, Flipkart and daily shopping. For fuel I already have BPCL Octane.
What would the TF experts suggest? Worth moving or no?
PS- RM said no way to get card upgrade, it's only paid(not even FYF). My dad whose income is 2+LPM, he refused to give DCB, says even MoneyBack+ is paid.
My dad says HDFC is a good bank don't move out, but I would like a usable card with discounts.
Should I keep fighting, or move out?
My HDFC account will still be Imperia as it is linked to family Imperia, only my salary account will be separate.
Spends are on Amazon, Flipkart, Reliance, DMart, Apollo Medicines. Bonus if I'd get BOGO or movie offers. Lounge access doesn't matter.
ICICI and Axis both have tie-ups with my employer as well. ICICI is offering Rubyx as LTF based on my salary if I open account, but doesn't seem special. Maybe I can try Burgundy? Have 5L saved up, though I don't meet the salary criteria.
 
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One of the best ways to get upgrade on HDFC cards is by spending on them. I know it is difficult to spend money on these less rewarding cards like MoneyBack or Freedom but from banks perspective it is MDR game for them, they see if they can get value out of that customer. Let's say you want to upgrade from MoneyBack to LTF Regalia Gold which has 12 free lounge visits per year, bank needs to see you will spend enough on that card for them to make value out of it.

I have personally seen many of my friends get upgrade to paid Infinia once they had 8L+ spends in 6 months with 10L credit limit even though they didn't meet the salary criteria. Again, this is my observation and not any generalization. There are other ways like investing in their products, having high NRV, good RM can also work in your favour. Credit card upgrades is a long-haul game, you can just speedup things in general.
 
One of the best ways to get upgrade on HDFC cards is by spending on them. I know it is difficult to spend money on these less rewarding cards like MoneyBack or Freedom but from banks perspective it is MDR game for them, they see if they can get value out of that customer. Let's say you want to upgrade from MoneyBack to LTF Regalia Gold which has 12 free lounge visits per year, bank needs to see you will spend enough on that card for them to make value out of it.

I have personally seen many of my friends get upgrade to paid Infinia once they had 8L+ spends in 6 months with 10L credit limit even though they didn't meet the salary criteria. Again, this is my observation and not any generalization. There are other ways like investing in their products, having high NRV, good RM can also work in your favour. Credit card upgrades is a long-haul game, you can just speedup things in general.
Unfortunately Correct observation.....
 
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