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)?

 

[PavanPavan is verified member.]

Infinia - Shocking info - Upgraded to FYF Infinia Metal only at 4.7L limit, on basis of 15 days NRV!

Dear TFC members, There is a very shocking insight that has come into picture today! A person named Mr. Aditya Raj has issued a Infinia Metal as an Upgrade for her wife, at a mere credit limit of Rs.4.7L and that too within a span of 15 days of maintaing good funds in Imperia banking by HDFC...

www.technofino.in

Thanks a lot

 

[VGisHere]

Given the speculations around Axis Magnus/Reserve, if it comes out to be true, then I believe there would be no doubt over worthiness of Infinia, IMO

 

[bonheur]

Given the speculations around Axis Magnus/Reserve, if it comes out to be true, then I believe there would be no doubt over worthiness of Infinia, IMO

Axis ne khud hi own goal kiya aur HDFC bina kuch kiye wapas worthy ho gaya!

People at HDFC must be enjoying the show with bags of popcorn this weekend, saying "Ye to hona hi tha!"

 

[eatpepsi]

That may not be true for too long, Axis might itself put you out of all anxiety soon - https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/devaluation-w-e-f-12th-aug-2023.14935/.

I really didn’t wish for my anxiety to end this way, but the new problem is what to do with the edge points now…

 

[Salvo08]

With planned devaluation of Magnus wef 12 Aug 23, think this discussion automatically looses sheen

 

[Deleted member 9785]

for 15 lac FD you can get infinia. The easy way for people with less than needed ITR

 

[Venky]

for 15 lac FD you can get infinia. The easy way for people with less than needed ITR

The only problem is that soon as we break the FD, we’ll have to surrender the card, as per the officials.

 

[rajat30]

for 15 lac FD you can get infinia. The easy way for people with less than needed ITR

will it work with HDFC Ltd FDs given that both are combined now?

 

[saucy]

Ohh how the turntables have turned for this thread

 

[VGisHere]

For people holding Axis Magnus, does this card make sense at all (except for lounge access)?

I guess my original question has got its answer
Now, just need to try and get this card, as Magnus replacement!

 

[Salvo08]

T

I guess my original question has got its answer
Now, just need to try and get this card, as Magnus replacement!

To put it more bluntly, Magnus was never a replacement for Infinia. Rewards were unsustainable and not to last. Infinia is a no nonsense card & the most sought after card for years now even after two devaluations.

 

[Salvo08]

Ohh how the turntables have turned for this thread

Ya, in days not even weeks.

 

[sankar7000]

T

To put it more bluntly, Magnus was never a replacement for Infinia. Rewards were unsustainable and not to last. Infinia is a no nonsense card & the most sought after card for years now even after two devaluations.

Scenario 1: Magnus with annual spends of Rs. 10,00,000 and out of which 3,60,000 (30k per month is on 5x multiplier) and assuming you meet 1 lac spends 6 out of the 12 months, total points earner would be:

Milestone spends for 6 months =25000*6=1,00,000 ER points
30k spends for 12 months in 5X multipler = 30k/200*12 = 1,08,000 ER points
Base spends (10 lacs -3.6 lacs accounted for ) = 6.4 lacs/200*12=38400 ER points
total ER points =2,96,400 points converted at 5:1 edgepoints to ITC =59280 =5.92 per cent on 10 lacs spend


Scenario 2: [Same scenario above with INFINIA- INFINAwith annual spends of Rs. 10,00,000 and out of which 3,60,000 (30k per month is on 5x multiplier) and assuming you meet 1 lac spends 6 out of the 12 months, total points earner would be:

Accelerated rewards = 30000*12 =360,000 spends /150*5*5x= 60,000 points
Base spends (10 lacs -3.6 lacs accounted for above)=21333 infinia points

Total infinia points = 81333.33
Fee waiver benefit of 12500

Total return on 10 lacs spend = 93833 /10,00,000 = 9.38 %

 

[1RC]

I just hope HDFC keeps the ITR / income barrier on for Infinia. Sorry but can't expect to lose Infinia after Magnus.

 

[VGisHere]

Scenario 1: Magnus with annual spends of Rs. 10,00,000 and out of which 3,60,000 (30k per month is on 5x multiplier) and assuming you meet 1 lac spends 6 out of the 12 months, total points earner would be:

Milestone spends for 6 months =25000*6=1,00,000 ER points
30k spends for 12 months in 5X multipler = 30k/200*12 = 1,08,000 ER points
Base spends (10 lacs -3.6 lacs accounted for ) = 6.4 lacs/200*12=38400 ER points
total ER points =2,96,400 points converted at 5:1 edgepoints to ITC =59280 =5.92 per cent on 10 lacs spend


Scenario 2: [Same scenario above with INFINIA- INFINAwith annual spends of Rs. 10,00,000 and out of which 3,60,000 (30k per month is on 5x multiplier) and assuming you meet 1 lac spends 6 out of the 12 months, total points earner would be:

Accelerated rewards = 30000*12 =360,000 spends /150*5*5x= 60,000 points
Base spends (10 lacs -3.6 lacs accounted for above)=21333 infinia points

Total infinia points = 81333.33
Fee waiver benefit of 12500

Total return on 10 lacs spend = 93833 /10,00,000 = 9.38 %

I believe it's unfair to include Fee Waiver benefit on one and ignore on other.
It's like comparing apples to oranges.

If you really want to compare fairly, then consider not hitting annual milestone on either!

 

[sankar7000]

I believe it's unfair to include Fee Waiver benefit on one and ignore on other.
It's like comparing apples to oranges.

If you really want to compare fairly, then consider not hitting annual milestone on either!

For 10 lacs spend, I do not get fee waiver in Magnus and need to pay for it.

 

[VGisHere]

For 10 lacs spend, I do not get fee waiver in Magnus and need to pay for it.

So I guess that was more of personal thing!

For normal scenarios, may be would be good to consider 6-7L spends and then calculate returns on the same and compare!

 

[eatpepsi]

I agree

T

To put it more bluntly, Magnus was never a replacement for Infinia. Rewards were unsustainable and not to last. Infinia is a no nonsense card & the most sought after card for years now even after two devaluations.

Agree, for me Infinia was always the king, Magnus was like an addon card that I would use if I exhausted my Accel reward points …

 

[navam]

Axis will someday devalue ER to miles/hotel points conversion ratio and/or 25k monthly milestone. At that point, Infinia might regain its spot

Look at that barely took a month for this statement to become the truth.

 

[HN74]

I believe it's unfair to include Fee Waiver benefit on one and ignore on other.
It's like comparing apples to oranges.

If you really want to compare fairly, then consider not hitting annual milestone on either!

Either way, Infinia gives you the reward points for annual fees, so the actual cost is much less. Magnus doesn't give anything now.