I want to cancel my Axis Magnus. What are the Alternative for Travel Spends? - Query & Discussion

[hellwish]

Hi,
As the title says, I no longer want to pay 12500+gst for a card that has very less value for the money. I usually have international travel with my wife once in a year and is looking for an alternative that gives lounge access as well as some kind of mile transfer points upon spending money by the card.

I am eligible for DCB metal but the only caveat is that the network is not accepted in many online payment gateways (including Qatar Airways etc), which is a bummer.
I was planning to degrade to Axis Atlas, but given Axis's downward spiral on credit card devaluation not sure how I should proceed.

Should I go with Atlas + DCB so that there is a possibility in the future if I could get infinia from HDFC (my salary account is in HDFC)

Thank you

 

[shadow28]

I have a DCB Metal and it does have acceptability issues (especially outside India) like you pointed out, but it's an excellent card otherwise. And as for foreign payments, they're currently running an offer that'll get you an effective reward rate of 15+% if you're willing to preload $1000+ onto a forex card (https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/hdfc-forex-card-load-5x-reward-points-offer.37561/, https://offers.smartbuy.hdfcbank.com/offer_details/5x-rewards-points-offer/26166/Z2mkmWk=). This would also solve the acceptability issues of the DCB, since the forex card will be a Visa one with maximum acceptance rates.

 

[hellwish]

sorry I did not understand the second part. How does a forex card help with accumulating spend limits and thus points on DCB?

EDIT: aah I see, so you load the forex using DCB to accumulate RP

But the acceptability is what keeping me away from this card. Is there any better alternative to this?

 

[Pissant]

Axis Atlas is the obvious and best choice for now. Your plan of DCB + Atlas is the right way to go.

 

[_ayush]

Atlas is a no nonsense option. You can checkout plat travel if you can hit 4L milestone.
DCB is great imo. Great lounge network. Smartbuy rewards are good too. Just the acceptability issue is there but you can use Atlas for those payments as it would offer more miles on regular spends. Infinia upgrade is dicey. Even if you hit 9L spends in 6 months, credit limit becomes an issue. Even after both criterias, they might decline the upgrade for no reasons.

 

[hellwish]

Thanks guys. I will think about Atlas + DCB as I see this has more value for me compared to Magnus at the moment

 

[hellwish]

@_ayush @Pissant @shadow28
should i check for icici cards now, as they have upped their game?

 

[Noxious]

Assuming that you can easily spend 4-5 lakhs on the annual international vacation, get amex plat travel.

You can also get good retention offers on 5 lakhs spend.

 

[_ayush]

I think emerald private is the only good card from icici which is not easy to get.
Also it may be better to wait a bit to see if their reward portal is worth it or not.

 

[Noxious]

I think emerald private is the only good card from icici which is not easy to get.
Also it may be better to wait a bit to see if their reward portal is worth it or not.

Hotel and flights are done via MMT/Cleartrip, so they are good
Gift vouchers are good for now since no convenience on apay, higher denominations available

 

[shadow28]

@_ayush @Pissant @shadow28
should i check for icici cards now, as they have upped their game?

Only if you're able to get your hands on an Emeralde Private Metal or are willing to pay for the new Times Black card. Everything else from ICICI is still useless.

 

[techstrom007]

Only if you're able to get your hands on an Emeralde Private Metal or are willing to pay for the new Times Black card. Everything else from ICICI is still useless.

I can see times prime preapproved for a lot. Even i got it pre approved on whatsapp communication.