Hdfc Smartbuy vs amex travel vs mmt etc

[Umang85]

Hi everyone,
Didn't find anything related so starting a new thread for this one.
For background, have been a forums member for 2-3 months now. Before this for travel always used mmt or Goibibo among others along with cc for discounts.
After being on the forums read up about smartbuy and amex travel.
CC that I hold:
1. Regalia gold. (Asked for DCB, in progress)
2. Amex plat travel
3. Marriot Bonvoy
4. Hsbc live+
5. Sbi elite
6. Amex gold charge

Was about to book a small domestic vacation.

I checked on smart buy, directly on mmt and Goibibo and on amex travel. Rates differ.
Can someone please help in understanding what would give best rewards/ booking rates? As it doesn't seem to add up well.

 

[helloworld]

^its smartbuy, but title mentioned smartpay - do edit.

Can someone please help in understanding what would give best rewards/ booking rates?

And for your query,

- Actual price on that website/app
- Discount provided by that website/app
- Payment mode (credit card or other means)
- Rewards or Cashback provided by that credit card (or other means)

This will give you best rewards/booking rates.

Note: Prices from these website/app changes from time to time, and its our hand to verify and look for better deal.

To simplify, you have HDFC, AXIS and Other bank cards.

HDFC highly get beneficial when we transact through "smartbuy" which provides 10x on hotels and 5x on flights. But, you also have to check the end-price with taxes to get the accurate picture.

Same goes for AMEX which provides upto 5x MR but have to check end-price which changes from time to time.

At one time, you might get better offer in Amzn which further compliment with HSBC Live+ but other times HDFC cards gets upper hand when transact through smartbuy.

There is no consistency and easy solution or one solution for it. You have to verify all places, calculate discounts and rewards and finally get a price that is cheaper with all of these.

Thats the best reward/booking rate.


Ex:

smartbuy price for a random hotel in GOa (for this example):



same in cleartrip:



same in mmt:



With this I can say I'll get better price with HDFC Smartbuy platform + on top of it also get 10x rewards. But this is not same for always, there are times where mmt or cleartrip might be less compared to HDFC Smartbuy even after 10x rewards, we have to check and pick best.

So, your option should be lowest of

- Actual price of that hotel: 8500 / 6630
- Discount provided by that hotel in various apps: -850/0
- Credit card cashback or rewards: 16.67% with RG / 5% with Gold Charge etc.

You'll get some value and least one will be your best rewards/booking rate.

 

[Umang85]

Edited title.
Agree with most of this. But I read in multiple threads a month or so back that amex travel website also has great offers. But reality doesn't add up. And now wondering how people are in the miles and hotel loyalty game.

Will definitely do more research on this.

Currently, have no airlines loyalty registered, for hotel chains have marriot and that's that.

 

[helloworld]

Edited title.
Agree with most of this. But I read in multiple threads a month or so back that amex travel website also has great offers. But reality doesn't add up. And now wondering how people are in the miles and hotel loyalty game.

Will definitely do more research on this.

Currently, have no airlines loyalty registered, for hotel chains have marriot and that's that.

above post is not for miles or hotel points. its revenue booking, direct pay and book.

 

[Umang85]

above post is not for miles or hotel points. its revenue booking, direct pay and book.

I know. Just saying am a noob at miles and points also. So created the thread for direct pay vs hdfc vs amex. And also suggestions for preferred airlines etc.

 

[helloworld]

I know. Just saying am a noob at miles and points also. So created the thread for direct pay vs hdfc vs amex. And also suggestions for preferred airlines etc.

domestic currently none. // long live vistara.

 

[Umang85]

domestic currently none. // long live vistara.

Air india not worth it? Though tickets are expensive compared to indigo.

 

[helloworld]

Air india not worth it? Though tickets are expensive compared to indigo.

yes and options are not direct, have to transfer parners and book through it. reduces overall value.