Infinia Infinia worthiness

[VGisHere]

I went through Infinia Metal Card review and noted some points.

Pros -
1. Unlimited lounge access (domestic, international) for both primary, add-on (up to 3) card holders! (Big pro, need not keep track or multiple cards)!
2. Unlimited Golf games/coaching (not sure how many people actually claim, but would still keep it)!
3. Some ITC hotels tie-up benefits!
4. Insurance cover (definitely worthy)


Reward Rate Structure -
1. 3.3% RP on normal/every transaction.
Redemption - 1% for statement credit, 1.65% for smartbuy shopping, 3.3% for Smartbuy (Apple, Tanishq, Flights, Hotels) + AirMiles conversion.

2. 33% RP for flights/hotels on Smartbuy.
Redemption - 10% for statement credit, 16.5% for smartbuy shopping, 33% for Smartbuy (Apple, Tanishq, Flights, Hotels) + AirMiles conversion.

3. 16.5% RP for Smartbuy (Amazon, Gift voucher)
Redemption - 5% for statement credit, 8.25% for smartbuy shopping, 16.5% for Smartbuy (Apple, Tanishq, Flights, Hotels) + AirMiles conversion.

4. 9.9% RP for Smartbuy (Flipkart, Train booking)
Redemption - 3% for statement credit, 5% for smartbuy shopping, 9.9% for Smartbuy (Apple, Tanishq, Flights, Hotels) + AirMiles conversion.


Cons -
1. High Fees (12.5k + GST) = Rs. 14750
2. Welcome/Renewal Benefit = 12.5k points (recovered only if used on Smartbuy for Apple/Tanishq/Flights/Hotels OR Airmiles conversion) (big con)
3. Capping of payment up to 70% of the price with RPs
4. Very high NRV eligibility criteria (filters out big chunk)
5. Capping for Smartbuy transactions (15k per month) (so if you book hotel/flights for 45k, that's it!)
6. Forex markup - 2% + GST (higher than bunch of cards in market)
7. High fee waiver criteria (10L)
8. Capping for insurance transactions (5k per day, i.e., 1.5L spend)
9. Rent payment RP (Not eligible) + charges 1% extra
10. Redemption capping - 1.5L RP for flights/hotels; 50k for Tanishq per month; 50k against statement balance


So, after all these Cons, I'm wondering why are some people still going for Infinia card?
Is it only the unlimited domestic/international lounge access for self and add on card holders?
Or am I missing something basic here?
What strategies do people use to maximise benefit out of this card?
For people holding Axis Magnus, does this card make sense at all (except for lounge access)?

 

[CC-Muncher]

For infinia LTF, one needs to be IITian or IIMian, the offer is running rit now.

One can get axis magnus for free if they have a salary account with axis and monthly salary credit is 3L and above.

What happens if we close salry account post getting magnus? Doest stays LTF?

 

[sourpai]

For infinia LTF, one needs to be IITian or IIMian, the offer is running rit now.

One can get axis magnus for free if they have a salary account with axis and monthly salary credit is 3L and above.

What happens if we close salry account post getting magnus? Doest stays LTF?

What is the offer exactly? Do we have to go via RM route to avail?

 

[CC-Muncher]

What is the offer exactly? Do we have to go via RM route to avail?

yes RM route

 

[gurubhai]

For infinia LTF, one needs to be IITian or IIMian, the offer is running rit now.

One can get axis magnus for free if they have a salary account with axis and monthly salary credit is 3L and above.

What happens if we close salry account post getting magnus? Doest stays LTF?

I highly doubt. They are not giving LTF infinia at all right now to anyone.
Do you know someone who got it?

 

[gurubhai]

Capping for Smartbuy transactions (15k per month) (so if you book hotel/flights for 45k, that's it!)

You will be using previous points as well. So you can bring down your effective price below 45K.
Consider this as rolling return kind of stuff.

 

[CC-Muncher]

You will be using previous points as well. So you can bring down your effective price below 45K.
Consider this as rolling return kind of stuff.

also, Gyftr limit is separate from smartbuy, so one can subtract that

 

[CARDBITRAGE]

I went through Infinia Metal Card review and noted some points.

Pros -
1. Unlimited lounge access (domestic, international) for both primary, add-on (up to 3) card holders! (Big pro, need not keep track or multiple cards)!
2. Unlimited Golf games/coaching (not sure how many people actually claim, but would still keep it)!
3. Some ITC hotels tie-up benefits!
4. Insurance cover (definitely worthy)


Reward Rate Structure -
1. 3.3% RP on normal/every transaction.
Redemption - 1% for statement credit, 1.65% for smartbuy shopping, 3.3% for Smartbuy (Apple, Tanishq, Flights, Hotels) + AirMiles conversion.

2. 33% RP for flights/hotels on Smartbuy.
Redemption - 10% for statement credit, 16.5% for smartbuy shopping, 33% for Smartbuy (Apple, Tanishq, Flights, Hotels) + AirMiles conversion.

3. 16.5% RP for Smartbuy (Amazon, Train booking, Gift voucher)
Redemption - 5% for statement credit, 8.25% for smartbuy shopping, 16.5% for Smartbuy (Apple, Tanishq, Flights, Hotels) + AirMiles conversion.

4. 9.9% RP for Smartbuy (Flipkart)
Redemption - 3% for statement credit, 5% for smartbuy shopping, 9.9% for Smartbuy (Apple, Tanishq, Flights, Hotels) + AirMiles conversion.


Cons -
1. High Fees (12.5k + GST) = Rs. 14750
2. Welcome/Renewal Benefit = 12.5k points (recovered only if used on Smartbuy for Apple/Tanishq/Flights/Hotels OR Airmiles conversion) (big con)
3. Capping of payment up to 70% of the price with RPs
4. Very high NRV eligibility criteria (filters out big chunk)
5. Capping for Smartbuy transactions (15k per month) (so if you book hotel/flights for 45k, that's it!)
6. Forex markup - 2% + GST (higher than bunch of cards in market)
7. High fee waiver criteria (10L)
8. Capping for insurance transactions (5k per day, i.e., 1.5L spend)
9. Rent payment RP (Not eligible) + charges 1% extra
10. Redemption capping - 1.5L RP for flights/hotels; 50k for Tanishq per month; 50k against statement balance


So, after all these Cons, I'm wondering why are some people still going for Infinia card?
Is it only the unlimited domestic/international lounge access for self and add on card holders?
Or am I missing something basic here?
What strategies do people use to maximise benefit out of this card?
For people holding Axis Magnus, does this card make sense at all (except for lounge access)?

Great post! You have a made very detailed analysis of the card. Do note that there was a devaluation and now rewards on flight bookings are just 5x.
I do agree with most things you aptly explained. But I have to say that this is a pretty decent card still. Let me speak in contrast with the Axis series of cards. HDFC cards offer a much easy and straightforward way to redeem your reward points. If you are someone who doesn't have the time or knowledge, Infinia is pretty great as you can easily redeem your points for flights/hotels on the smart buy portal.

 

[CC-Muncher]

I highly doubt. They are not giving LTF infinia at all right now to anyone.
Do you know someone who got it?

I was negotiating for Making mine LTF and got to know about the offers for IIT and IIM graduates.

 

[Tosh]

For infinia LTF, one needs to be IITian or IIMian, the offer is running rit now.

One can get axis magnus for free if they have a salary account with axis and monthly salary credit is 3L and above.

What happens if we close salry account post getting magnus? Doest stays LTF?

Pretty sure this is for DCB and not Infinia

 

[CARDBITRAGE]

Also, is the smartbuy points cap applicable for primary+add on as a whole? Or does each individual card have its own capping.

 

[Tosh]

For HDFC add-ons have the same number as primary card. So there won't be any additional room for points there. Although I don't have any add-ons so someone who has can confirm.

 

[CC-Muncher]

For HDFC add-ons have the same number as primary card. So there won't be any additional room for points there. Although I don't have any add-ons so someone who has can confirm.

yes, its same card number and limit and points are shared across cards

 

[gurubhai]

I was negotiating for Making mine LTF and got to know about the offers for IIT and IIM graduates.

If you don't mind, can you share your name of the city?

 

[CMGCMG is verified member.]

If you don't mind, can you share your name of the city?

HDFC might start distributing LTF Infinia now, as the Infinia reserve is arriving. Drop a mail to grievance redressal and see if there are changes to metal infinia ltf policies.

 

[dinersblackpro]

Answer to any question on credit cards is "it depends".
Infinia is a no nonsense card with guaranteed rewards of 3.3% on most legit spends. No need to wait 120 days to receive the rewards - they show up immediately. Rewards are like money so no hassle about award availability as happens with Magnus. So the strategy on spending has to take into account multiple factors so coming back to the start - "it depends"

 

[CC-Muncher]

If you don't mind, can you share your name of the city?

bangalore

 

[technom]

I was negotiating for Making mine LTF and got to know about the offers for IIT and IIM graduates.

Did you succeed in your negotiations

 

[CC-Muncher]

Did you succeed in your negotiations

nope 😢
I showed my summer course certificate from IIT-B but they needed min 2yr full time course certificate.

 

[technom]

nope 😢
I showed my summer course certificate from IIT-B but they needed min 2yr full time course certificate.

Oh.. sorry to hear

 

[gurubhai]

nope 😢
I showed my summer course certificate from IIT-B but they needed min 2yr full time course certificate.

I think just like DCB, the salary criteria and some other criteria will be there too.. apart from just the college degree..