I want to collect miles for my Japan trip. What card should I move on to?

[kaykayporty]

Atlas card would still make sense for you if you can spend about 5 Lakhs out of which at least 1 lakh would be for travel. In that case, for 5900 rs, you'll be able to earn in the following way-
Normal spends: 4 Lakhs - 8000 points
Travel spends: 1 Lakhs - 5000 points
Joining + 3 Lakh Milestone - 5000 + 2500 - 7500 points
You can earn about 20000 points, which can equate to 40000 accor points worth about 75k.
I use the Axis atlas primarily. And try to cover spends as I mentioned above. If you can reach the 7.5 Lakh threshhold, even better.
I have paired my atlas with Amex Plat travel, MRCC, and Tata Neu Infinity.
There is this fear of eventual devaluation for the card, but I think I can still milk it out for a couple of years.

Would that not be possible be Regalia Gold or Diner's Club Black?

Let's assume we spend the same amount.

 

[kaykayporty]

Depends on how much you value your points worth. I have valued them at approx 1rs per point for conversion on Cathay Pacific. Although the cheapest round flights from India to Japan for 2 pax can be bought for about 70-80k, those are LCCs like airaisa or vietjet. Proper airlines like Singapore airlines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines would be costing above 1 Lakh rs anyways.
Most importantly, its about using it for your convenience. I feel that there is no point in holding your points hoping for a super redemption in future. You will always find another better redemption deal somewhere in the future. What matters is whether we can use it to our benefit at the present.

I completely agree with you that's why I want to spend them either in Japan or Hong Kong.

Based on the scenario right now, Hong Kong seems more achievable for me. So, I guess, I'll have to go with Accor.

Gotta see whether Regalia Gold can match up for me or not.

 

[kaykayporty]

I try using the marriott app. Maybe you need to transfer some points to marriott. Try transferring about 500 to 1000 points, then you will be able to view the points for redemption option.
Calculating the value is a manual task. I look at the points, and the revenue rate of the room at the property. And then calculate the value of the points.

View attachment 76501

I stayed in this property in Bangalore on 30th October for 1 night, and paid 24000 points + 1500 rs. The cost of the room was about 34k including taxes.

View attachment 76502

There are some properties even in India where you can extract more than 1rs per point from Marriott. You just need to plan where you want to go, and look for hotels and deals in that place.

I'm exclusively looking to spend the points abroad in Hong Kong or Japan.

I don't want luxury hotels. I'm fine with Novotel/Mercure/Ibis type hotels.

I'm guessing these would qualify:

1. Fairfield
2. Courtyard
3. Moxy

Correct? I'm talking comparable price wise since I'm with Marriot/Amex

 

[kaykayporty]

See if you can get some deals at some place in Japan. There are a few properties that still give value at 0.75-0.8 rs like Fairfield by Marriott Osaka, and more than 1rs per point, like St. Regis, W, and Ritz Carlton Osaka. There is still a long time for your visit, maybe you can still figure out a plan.
Or if you can, you should try and revolve your travel around stays. First look for a good hotel at a decent redemption, and then plan your travel accordingly. Last year, I stayed for 2 nights in Sheraton Kosgoda, Sri Lanka on 2nd and 3rd Jan. I got the room at 25000 points per night, where the actual value for those days was about 750$ per night. So it was a steal. And I planned my travel accordingly.

This is the most reasonable take I've heard on the internet. Thank you.

I want a combination of timing and a good deal as well.

I'll start looking for hotels in my range.

 

[kaykayporty]

Try and break your spends in all the three cards and see if you can still meet the spend goals for each card. I also spend close to 10-11 Lakhs per year, and I am able to manage with all these 3 cards. I spend only 6k on MRCC though, can't meet the 20k spends.

Makes sense. Specially the point about only one milestone on MRCC.

I'm guessing you MRCC -> Atlas -> Plat Travel in that order.

Offline for Atlas.
Online for Amex.