Maximize Your Rewards: Credit Cards with Quarterly and Annual Milestones

[helloworld]

When there is no credit card offer and I want to purchase something, I usually use card with high reward rate. But by doing this I often missed the opportunity to get more reward rate with Quarterly/Annual milestone benefits with other cards.

It's like I use card with 3.3% reward rate compared to 1.2% because I get instant high reward rate but if I waited and when crossed certain spends on that low 1.2%, it can give me 6.2%.

In this post, I try to gather or know about certain cards which provides better reward rate with Quarterly/Annual milestone benefits.

Note: Ignored monthly milestone cards because most need little longer to optimized spends.

Quarterly = 3 consecutive calender months (Jan to Mar, Apr to Jun, Jul to Sep, Oct to Dec)

Issuer & Card Name	Spend Requirement	Extra reward rate for achieving spend requirement	Additional notes (depends on categories)
HDFC Millennia	- Spend 1L in a Quarter	- Rs. 1000 voucher (+1%) or Lounge access	- Reward rate: 2% - 6%
HDFC Moneyback+	- Spend 50K in a Quarter	- Rs. 500 voucher (+1%) // UPI Support	- Reward rate: 1.5% - 6%
HDFC Regalia Gold	- Spend 1.5L in a Quarter - Spend 5L in a year - Spend 7.5L in a year	- Rs. 1500 worth vouchers - Rs. 5000 worth flight vouchers - Rs. 5000 worth flight vouchers	- Reward rate: 2.67% - 10.8%
HDFC Diners Privilege	- Spend 1.5L in a Quarter	- Rs. 1500 worth vouchers	- Reward rate: 2.33% - 7.67%
HDFC DCB Metal	- Spend 4L in a Quarter	- Rs. 10000 worth reward points	- Reward rate: 1.74%- 5.8%
AU Zenith	- Spend 2L in a Quarter	- Rs. 1000 voucher (+0.5%) - Birthday month additional 625Rs.	- Reward rate: 3% - 5.5%
AU Zenith+	- Spend 75k in a month	- Rs. 1000 worth reward points (+1.3%)	- Reward rate: 2.3% - 3.3%
SBI SimplyClick	- Spend 2L in a year	- Rs. 4000 Cleartrip/Yatra voucher	- Reward rate: 3% - 4%
SBI Prime	- Spend 50k in a Quarter - Spend 5L in a year - Spend 10K in Birthday month	- Rs. 1000 Pizza hut voucher - Rs. 7000 Yatra/Pantaloon voucher - Rs. 500 reward points	- Reward rate: 2.8% - 4.65%
BoB Eterna	- Spend 5L in a year	- Rs. 5000 worth reward points	- Reward rate: 1.75% - 4.75%
AMEX MRCC	- Spend 20K (4x1500 + 14K) in a month	- 2000 MR points	- Reward rate: ~5%+ (1MR = 0.33p + higher depends on redemption)
AMEX Gold Charge	- Spend 6K (6x1000) in a month	- 1000 MR points	- Reward rate: ~7%+ (1MR = 0.33p + higher depends on redemption)
AMEX PLatinum Travel	- Spend 1.9L in a year - Spend 4L in a year	- 15000 MR points - 25000 MR points & Taj Gift card worth Rs. 10000	- Reward rate: ~6% + Taj voucher
Axis Privilege	- Spend 2.5L in a year	- 10000 Edge Reward Points	- Reward rate: ~1.8%+ (1ER = 0.20p + higher depends on redemption)
Axis Atlas	- Spend 3L in a year - Spend 7.5L in a year - Spend 15L in a year	- 2500 Miles - 7500 Miles - 15000 Miles	- Reward rate: ~5%+ (1ER = 1Rs. + higher depends on redemption)
Kotak Myntra	- Spend 50k in a Quarter (Milestone Exclusions: Fuel, Rent, Wallet)	- 2 PVR Tickets of 250 Each	- Reward rate: ~1.25% - 2.25% (1.25 is CB reward rate)
Kotak Mojo	- Spend 75k in a Quarter (only 1st year)	- 2500 Mojo points	- Reward rate: ~1.7% - 2.33%

With milestones, some of the cards beat 2% cashback cards, if one find use of the mentioned voucher/reward points and spend consistently on Quarterly/Yearly milestone.

Note: Post only considered >2% reward value and >2 redemption options.

Cards provide >2% reward value but with single redemption (either movie or flight):

- Kotak PVR Platinum / PVR Gold (redemption for INOX tickets)
- Vistara Co-brand cards (IDFC, SBI, AXIS)
- AirIndia Co-brand cards (SBI)
- Kotak White / White Reserve (high spends needed)
- SBI Elite (high spends needed)
- HDFC IRCTC (redemption for train tickets)

Do share any other cards (I'm sure I missed some) or anything missing hidden *TnCs.

Some card comparisons:

Atlas vs Regalia Gold vs Horizon:

https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/atlas-vs-regalia-gold.26500/

YES Marquee vs Reserv 3x vs Reserv 5x

https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/yes-marquee-vs-yes-reserv-3x-vs-yes-reserv-5x.24652/

AMEX MRCC vs Gold vs Travel vs Reserve

https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/amex-mrcc-vs-gold-vs-travel-vs-reserve.30606/

Let me know if anyone looking for referral.

Disclaimer: @morturn : Credit cards with quarterly or yearly milestones reward customers for exceeding certain spending levels within specified time frames. While credit cards might increase incentives and promote frugal spending, it is critical to avoid overspending and examine any potential annual fees. Always confirm that the card's advantages are in line with your spending patterns and financial goals.

Thanks!

 

[amit]

Calendar Month = 30-31 days of a month.

 

[bugmenot]

Few more cards which has milestone benefits

• Axis magnus
• Axis select
• Axis Privilege
• Hdfc dcb
• Hdfc regalia gold
• Kotak white reserve

 

[kochiro]

The easiest card to hit milestone is HDFC money back plus
It comes in rupay varient so can use it for upi
Just need to hit 50k per quarter to get 500 rs voucher.

 

[saucy]

When there is no credit card offer and I want to purchase something, I usually use card with high reward rate. But by doing this I often missed the opportunity to get more reward rate with Quarterly/Annual milestone benefits with other cards.

It's like I use card with 3.3% reward rate compared to 1.2% because I get instant high reward rate but if I waited and when crossed certain spends on that low 1.2%, it can give me 6.2%.

In this post, I try to gather or know about certain cards who provide better reward rate with Quarterly/Annual milestone benefits.

Note: Ignored monthly milestone cards because some needed little longer to accumulate and optimized spends.

Quarterly = 3 consecutive calender months (Jan to Mar, Apr to Jun, Jul to Sep, Oct to Dec)

Issuer & Card Name	Spend Requirement	Extra reward rate for achieving spend requirement	Additional notes
HDFC Millennia	Spend 1L in a Quarter	Rs. 1000 voucher (1%)	- Voucher options: Amzn, FK etc. - Reward rate: 2% - 6% (depends on categories & per Quarter)
HDFC Moneyback+	Spend 50K in a Quarter	Rs. 500 voucher (1%)	- Voucher options: Amzn, FK etc. - Reward rate: 1.5% - 6% (Quarter)
AU Zenith	- Spend 2L in a Quarter - Spend 8L in a year	- Rs. 1000 voucher (0.5%) - Epicure membership - Birthday month additional 625Rs.	- Voucher options: Amzn, FK etc. - Reward rate: 3% - 5.5% + Epicure membership benefits
SBI SimplyClick	Spend 2L in a year	Rs. 4000 Cleartrip voucher	- Voucher options: Cleartrip - Reward rate: 2.25% - 4.5% (Annual)
SBI Prime	- Spend 50k in a Quarter - Spend 5L in a year - Spend 10K in Birthday month	- Rs. 1000 Pizza hut voucher - Rs. 7000 Yatra/Pantaloon voucher - Rs. 500 reward points	- Voucher options: Pizza hut/Pantaloon - Reward rate: 2.5% - 4.5% (Quarter) + 1.4% (yearly)
BoB Eterna	Spend 5L in a year	Rs. 5000 worth reward points	Reward rate: 1.75% - 4.75%
AMEX MRCC	Spend 26K (4x1500 + 14K) in a month	2000 MR points	Reward rate:~5%+ (1MR = 0.35p + higher depends on redemption)
AMEX Gold Charge	Spend 6K (6x1000) in a month	1000 MR points	Reward rate: ~6%+ (1MR = 0.35p + higher depends on redemption)
Axis Select	Spend 3L in a year	5000 Edge points	Reward rate:2.6%+ - 5.5%+ (1Ed = 0.4p + higher if redeemed for airmiles
Axis Privilege	Spend 2.5L in a year	3000 Edge points	Reward rate: 2.4%+ (1Ed = 0.4p + higher if redeemed for airmiles)
HDFC Regalia Gold	- Spend 1.5L in a Quarter - Spend 5L in a year - Spend 7.5L in a year	- Rs. 1500 worth vouchers - Rs. 5000 worth flight vouchers - Rs. 5000 worth voucher (additional)	Reward rate: max. 2.6% - 4.3%

With milestones, some of the cards beat Axis ACE* (Considering difficulty to get this card and everyone saying it's should be in wallet*), if one find use of the mentioned voucher/reward points and spend consistently on Quarterly/Yearly milestone.

Do share any other cards (I'm sure I missed some) or anything missing hidden *TnCs.

Thanks!

Amex plat cards also have spend based but big amounts (190k+~)

 

[sheru]

For HDFC Regalia -

• 10,000 Reward Points on annual spends of Rs. 5,00,000 or more in each anniversary year
• 15,000 Reward Points on annual spends of Rs. 8,00,000 or more in each anniversary year

~ Fulfilment: Within a month of reaching the spend milestone.

 

[Walter White]

Amex plat cards also have spend based but big amounts (190k+~)

1 year to spend 400k on Amex Plat Travel is decent for someone who doesn't have a fixed spending pattern or someone who can rarely spend 1L a month on Magnus.

Also, SBI or Axis Vistara Co-Brand Cards are a good pick for someone who likes to play long term rather than monthly or quarterly.

 

[saucy]

1 year to spend 400k on Amex Plat Travel is decent for someome who doesn't have a fixed spending pattern or someone who can rarely spend 1L a month on Magnus.

Also, SBI or Axis Vistara Co-Brand Cards are a good pick for someone who likes to play long term rather than monthly or quarterly.

What are their expected return %?

 

[Walter White]

What are their expected return %?

Amex Plat Travel: 8.5% assuming 1MR=0.5INR on spends of 400k

For Vistara cards, it will depend on the variant and the route you'll redeem the flight vouchers on.

 

[saucy]

Amex Plat Travel: 8.5% assuming 1MR=0.5INR on spends of 400k

For Vistara cards, it will depend on the variant and the route you'll redeem the flight vouchers on.

Are you able to reverse the yearly fees? That itself bites off a big chunk of the returns

 

[Walter White]

Are you able to reverse the yearly fees? That itself bites off a big chunk of the returns

The annual fee is due in November. Got it as FYF through a referral. I'll talk to them in October.

 

[helloworld]

Found that moneyback+ has the following options for milestone benefits (note: list may vary according to user, availability but can happen anyone).

 

[ffhhvcchnn]

Hi Everyone, I am going to spend around 6 lakh next month. Please suggest some credit card with best reward rate and Good Milestone benefits. The spend will be categorised as Other spend.

I'm Thinking of SBI ELITE which gives 0.5% valueback(Rs 3000) on 6 lakh and additional 35k milestone reward (Rs 8750) Total- Rs 11750.
2nd Option is 3 different SBI Simply Click Card - 1.25% valueback (Rs 7500) + Rs 4000 *3 Cleartrip Voucher. Total- Rs 19500

Please suggest for maximum valueback.

 

[ffhhvcchnn]

It all depends on

- which is your preferred redemption?
- Is this other spend categorized as online or offline?
- can you get any card within your month?
- which cards you already have and paying annual fee?
Means, if you have DCB and paying fee then you will get annual fee waiver with 5L.

I assume since you mentioned Cleartrip vouchers, you may preferred travel redemption.

Try these:

4L : AMEX Plat. Travel = 8.5% with some luck to get next year annual fee waiver + some benefits if you join through referral (might not be available at the moment)
1L : Magnus = 6.2% (+more if redeemed through miles)
1L : Cashback cards if it is online spends

Note: Options vary based on actual spend location, redemption, and available cards.

I have
SBI Elite, SBI Simply Click(2 different), SBI BPCL, SBI Paytm(499 version)
Axis Ace, Flipkart, Myzone
HDFC Millenia, Paytm
ICICI Coral

I'm Open to all Credit card Option but will not get super premium ones. Only Mid Range and Basic

2. Open to Shopping Vouchers and Cashbacks

3. I will be pre paying my NAVI personal Loan. and as of now they are giving reward points on CC payment. Don't know the MCC.

 

[4uziaul]

I have
SBI Elite, SBI Simply Click(2 different), SBI BPCL, SBI Paytm(499 version)
Axis Ace, Flipkart, Myzone
HDFC Millenia, Paytm
ICICI Coral

I'm Open to all Credit card Option but will not get super premium ones. Only Mid Range and Basic

2. Open to Shopping Vouchers and Cashbacks

3. I will be pre paying my NAVI personal Loan. and as of now they are giving reward points on CC payment. Don't know the MCC.

Sir, why are you spamming us with the same question in different threads? You just asked the same question an hour ago, and barely an hour has passed, yet you are asking the same thing again? Posting it multiple times will not elicit a faster response from us. Please have some patience, and someone knowledgeable will answer your question in due time.

Post in thread 'Card suggestion for 3 lakh monthly Insurance spend' https://www.technofino.in/community...akh-monthly-insurance-spend.11936/post-235643

 

[amit]

Which CC gives milestone benefit even for Fuel spends? suggest non fuel cards.
except amex.

 

[helloworld]

Which CC gives milestone benefit even for Fuel spends? suggest non fuel cards.
except amex.

hdfc, au, bob cards works (there is no exclusion for fuel)

 

[Deleted member 30872]

Few more cards which has milestone benefits

• Axis magnus
• Axis select
• Axis Privilege
• Hdfc dcb
• Hdfc regalia gold
• Kotak white reserve

Is regalia gold giving rp on education fee?
If yes how much ?
How to redeem rp ?
Any rp redemtion charges?
Is statement credit available?
Or az or fk egv option available? To redeem rp

 

[helloworld]

Is regalia gold giving rp on education fee?
If yes how much ?
How to redeem rp ?
Any rp redemtion charges?
Is statement credit available?
Or az or fk egv option available? To redeem rp

https://www.hdfcbank.com/personal/pay/cards/credit-cards/regalia-gold-credit-card

latest information available in above page 'Reward Point/CashBack Redemption & Validity' section.

Btw, RG is travel card not for amzn vouchers.

 

[Deleted member 30872]

https://www.hdfcbank.com/personal/pay/cards/credit-cards/regalia-gold-credit-card

latest information available in above page 'Reward Point/CashBack Redemption & Validity' section.

Thank you so much