Millennia to Infinia

[Dobbiee]

Hi Guys,
Need some expert advice.
I am new to Technofino club and recently have been reading a lot of conversations here, specially about the high desire for Infinia. Have got excited for it too.

I have been a user of mostly ICICI Credit card. Mainly used Amazon Pay for last 5 years and I liked the cash-back system. In Nov got ICICI Emeralde Private, primarly based on my spends pattern (above Rs 15 lacs per annum).

To make better returns on the credit card, opened SavingsMax HDFC and started taking the 1% cashback also (other card payments through HDFC billpay).
Further to this, I also took HDFC Millennia credit card and easily meeting the Rs 1000 additional cashback criteria on spend of Rs 1 lac per quarter.
All in all I can expect around Rs 50k worth of benefit coming back on a spend of Rs 15 lacs per annum. (believe cost of Cash-back to bank is quite high, thats why the conversion ratio of Infinia from reward points to cash is only 1:0.3).

I am not saying that I am unhappy with this situation. But reading the threads here, I also got excited to get into the Infinia game of Smartbuy and make money more use out of my spends.

I wrote to Infinia customer care to issue me a card and also took to grievances, but they did not support. (Had provided all types of reasons and documents ranging from annual salary package, cibil score, HDFC Ergo policies, limit and spends on Emeralde etc.)

I approached HDFC branch and the credit card team over there told me that as you are new customer to HDFC do following:
Salary transfer every month in HDFC account should be above Rs 2.75 lacs pm for continuous 6 months. (which is not an issue).
Spend on the HDFC credit card (currently Millenia with a credit limit of 2.17 lacs) should be over Rs 7.5 lacs for 6 months.
If I meet these 2 criteria then they would upgrade me to Infinia.

Now my queries are:
1. Is it worth to spend over 7.5 lacs on Millennia in 6 months. I would be loosing money just with the hope of getting Infinia.
2. Should I keep requesting for credit limit increase. If that helps in getting the Infinia offer.
3. Is it possible to keep Millennia and still get an offer for Infinia as a 2nd card.
4. Any other way suggested.

Thanks in advance for the knowledge sharing and guidance.


Edit on16.06.2024:
On HDFC cards - CL increased to 5.5 lacs on 15th May. And Millennia card upgraded to DCB Metal on 15th June.

 

[Hemang]

Bhai

No harm in trying to check with RM but they would push for cross selling other HDFC banking products. My DCB plastic got upgraded to Infinia and spends 7.5L of spends and 8L+ limit on DCB seemed to be a strict criteria if your TRV with HDFC is limited and if you don’t fulfil the salary criteria for Infinia.

For manual CL increase would suggest if you have good in hand salary then do push through RM / branch.

Bhai Kisi ko NRV ka idea hai how much is needed to procure LTF infinia // DCB ?

 

[VasukiVasuki is verified member.]

Bhai

Bhai Kisi ko NRV ka idea hai how much is needed to procure LTF infinia // DCB ?

Nrv se card nhi mila
Warna
Axis wala haal hota hdfc ka

Relationship is necessary but
Ulip is the bypass for INFINIA
And LTF
MOSTLY PPL get FYF
Or if you have sooooo much banking with HDFc they might give you using their contact

 

[Hemang]

axis

Nrv se card nhi mila
Warna
Axis wala haal hota hdfc ka

Relationship is necessary but
Ulip is the bypass for INFINIA
And LTF
MOSTLY PPL get FYF
Or if you have sooooo much banking with HDFc they might give you using their contact

axis vale matlab NRV pe hi fida hoke card de dete hain premium vale. Ye to achi baat hai fir. Kam se kam jeb khali karake to card ni de rhe hain. HDFC to keh rha hai kharcha bhi karo, limit bhi ho, NRV bhi ho, fir kahenge uLIP lena to bhul hi gye, fir kuch sochenge dena.

 

[VasukiVasuki is verified member.]

axis

axis vale matlab NRV pe hi fida hoke card de dete hain premium vale. Ye to achi baat hai fir. Kam se kam jeb khali karake to card ni de rhe hain. HDFC to keh rha hai kharcha bhi karo, limit bhi ho, NRV bhi ho, fir kahenge uLIP lena to bhul hi gye, fir kuch sochenge dena.

Nailed it .

 

[HumorSimpson]

Nailed it .

 

[Hisoka]

I was receiving constant mails of upgrade to Regalia Gold card from my existing Millenia credit card in last few weeks. But since my Millenia is LTF and Regalia Gold was only being offered FYF, I didn't bother to upgrade.

Yesterday I saw a limit increase on my Millenia card from 4L to 7.7L, I accepted it. But after that when I tried upgrading my card, the Regalia Gold option was gone. I've mailed HDFC team to consider upgrading my card once again.

My plan is to get my limit increased above 8L and I shift all my spends on Regalia Gold card, so that I can ask for Infinia upgrade before Regalia gold is due for renewal. Will this work?

 

[indraneal89]

I was receiving constant mails of upgrade to Regalia Gold card from my existing Millenia credit card in last few weeks. But since my Millenia is LTF and Regalia Gold was only being offered FYF, I didn't bother to upgrade.

Yesterday I saw a limit increase on my Millenia card from 4L to 7.7L, I accepted it. But after that when I tried upgrading my card, the Regalia Gold option was gone. I've mailed HDFC team to consider upgrading my card once again.

My plan is to get my limit increased above 8L and I shift all my spends on Regalia Gold card, so that I can ask for Infinia upgrade before Regalia gold is due for renewal. Will this work?

If you can get your limit above 10 lakhs and have spends above 7.5 lakhs in previous 6 months on the Regalia Gold it is likely that you will get the upgrade

 

[VasukiVasuki is verified member.]

I was receiving constant mails of upgrade to Regalia Gold card from my existing Millenia credit card in last few weeks. But since my Millenia is LTF and Regalia Gold was only being offered FYF, I didn't bother to upgrade.

Yesterday I saw a limit increase on my Millenia card from 4L to 7.7L, I accepted it. But after that when I tried upgrading my card, the Regalia Gold option was gone. I've mailed HDFC team to consider upgrading my card once again.

My plan is to get my limit increased above 8L and I shift all my spends on Regalia Gold card, so that I can ask for Infinia upgrade before Regalia gold is due for renewal. Will this work?

Approx 100% l.e

 

[Dobbiee]

I was receiving constant mails of upgrade to Regalia Gold card from my existing Millenia credit card in last few weeks. But since my Millenia is LTF and Regalia Gold was only being offered FYF, I didn't bother to upgrade.

Yesterday I saw a limit increase on my Millenia card from 4L to 7.7L, I accepted it. But after that when I tried upgrading my card, the Regalia Gold option was gone. I've mailed HDFC team to consider upgrading my card once again.

My plan is to get my limit increased above 8L and I shift all my spends on Regalia Gold card, so that I can ask for Infinia upgrade before Regalia gold is due for renewal. Will this work?

I think you can shift to DCB Metal directly. Wait for a month. Let a bill with new limit get generated. Keep spends on the upward side. Send a upgrade request.

 

[Hisoka]

I think you can shift to DCB Metal directly. Wait for a month. Let a bill with new limit get generated. Keep spends on the upward side. Send a upgrade request.

The only problem I find in DCB metal is no points on fee renewal unlike Infinia. Plus even for DCB they will look at my last 6 months spends on Millenia card, which are practically 0.

 

[Dobbiee]

The only problem I find in DCB metal is no points on fee renewal unlike Infinia. Plus even for DCB they will look at my last 6 months spends on Millenia card, which are practically 0.

In that case both DCB and Infinia would be showpiece for you. They wont be of any use.

 

[Hisoka]

In that case both DCB and Infinia would be showpiece for you. They wont be of any use.

If I’m not spending of Millenia doesn’t mean I don’t have any credit card spends in general. Think before you speak.

 

[Dobbiee]

If I’m not spending of Millenia doesn’t mean I don’t have any credit card spends in general. Think before you speak.

My apologies. I thought you have high annual spends among various cards and now you are looking to consolidate with target of Infinia.

 

[Hisoka]

My apologies. I thought you have high annual spends among various cards and now you are looking to consolidate with target of Infinia.

You’re absolutely correct. I’ve 8-10 annual lac spends across my various cards. My primary card being Axis atlas. But I’m tired of choosing cards before every transaction and paying the bill individually.

Now I just want one all rounder card which fulfils all my needs, even if it comes at a stake of losing few percents of Cashback had I used any other card.

And HDFC being the most reliable and least prone to devaluation, is my first and foremost preference.

 

[Dobbiee]

You’re absolutely correct. I’ve 8-10 annual lac spends across my various cards. My primary card being Axis atlas. But I’m tired of choosing cards before every transaction and paying the bill individually.

Now I just want one all rounder card which fulfils all my needs, even if it comes at a stake of losing few percents of Cashback had I used any other card.

And HDFC being the most reliable and least prone to devaluation, is my first and foremost preference.

My personal suggestion would be to close all cards. Keep only SBI cashback and Millennia till 10 lacs of annual spends. Post that target Infinia.

Last month I was telling Bhanu Bhabhi that I plan to keep 3 credit cards. And now I have decided to drop one of them. Maybe going forward I would keep only one card.
Time is more precious than the money we save in rewards.

 

[Dobbiee]

@bvc19296 @Vasuki

Did an exercise to calculate start date and spends on my current Millennia card.
Took out all bills and checked old sms to know card activation date.

Findings:

1. Millennia Diners was activated on 26th October 2023.
2. Changed the card to Millennia Visa and it was activated on 28th Dec. So it completes 6 months on 28th June 2024.
3. Spends were below 4 lacs on Millennia Visa, while I was fighting with HDFC for upgradation. But if Millennia Diners is also included then it was well above 4 lacs.

Had some discussions with customer services of HDFC. What I understood:

1. Transfer of network from Diners to Visa is not counted as upgradation. Time and spends on previous network card is also counted, as its same card account.
2. There is not much rigidity about 6 months waiting period. It can be waived off if fulfilling other criteria.
3. Whether billed or unbilled doesn’t matter. Total spends is seen.
4. Upgradation is done basis customer profile and offers (Backend team has different offers on their system). Was not able to get more details on what they mean by 'customer profile'.

Possible reasons that I think could have prevented upgradation of Millennia to DCB metal in May 2024:

1. I am a new customer for HDFC. Both bank account and credit card are new.
2. Upgradation being asked directly from Millennia to DCB Metal (bypassing Privilege and Regalia Gold).
3. The criteria for DCB Metal might be different from DCB PVC. As there is change in annual spends waiver criteria from 5 to 8 lacs compared to DCB PVC, there might be change in spends in last 6 months and minimum CL criteria for upgradation.
4. Number of upgrades they can do in a month. April/May might be a lower number target for them.

I would take another attempt of applying for upgradation to DCB in a couple of days. But not escalate. Don’t want to become an irritating customer for them. This time going to fill the Chennai wala form alongwith supporting documents and share with customer services on email to take action.
Will update soon.

@BVC @Vasuki

I have now clearly understood what had happened few months ago when I was trying to upgrade from Millennia to DCB Metal.

1. I was asking for Infinia/DCB without having sufficient credit limit. So it was denied.
2. I was given CL enhancement only after completion of 6 months of my card account. (Network change/card change doesnt matters).
3. Once I got limit of 5.5 lacs and spends were also sufficient for DCB, I was given upgrade instantly.

Same situation is happening now again. I asked for CL increase. But have been told of 6 months wait criteria.
So will try and apply for CL increase in November end, and for Infinia in Jan.

 

[Dobbiee]

@BVC @Vasuki

I have now clearly understood what had happened few months ago when I was trying to upgrade from Millennia to DCB Metal.

1. I was asking for Infinia/DCB without having sufficient credit limit. So it was denied.
2. I was given CL enhancement only after completion of 6 months of my card account. (Network change/card change doesnt matters).
3. Once I got limit of 5.5 lacs and spends were also sufficient for DCB, I was given upgrade instantly.

Same situation is happening now again. I asked for CL increase. But have been told of 6 months wait criteria.
So will try and apply for CL increase in November end, and for Infinia in Jan.

@BVC @Vasuki

Got the Limit enhancement on DCB metal card in November again. But HDFC has played its game. Limit increased from 5.5 lacs to 7 lacs only.
As confirmed by phone banking, the basic criteria to upgrade to Infinia is 8 Lacs Limit and 9 lacs spend in last 6 months.

Spends is achieved (10 lacs +). But limit is trouble now.
Will have to try again and again. 😢

 

[BVCBVC is verified member.]

@BVC @Vasuki

Got the Limit enhancement on DCB metal card in November again. But HDFC has played its game. Limit increased from 5.5 lacs to 7 lacs only.
As confirmed by phone banking, the basic criteria to upgrade to Infinia is 8 Lacs Limit and 9 lacs spend in last 6 months.

Sad part is not getting Infinia, but good part is HDFC is giving constant LE for you.

Spends is achieved (10 lacs +). But limit is trouble now.
Will have to try again and again. 😢

Yea, wait game continues and you've to try again.

 

[VasukiVasuki is verified member.]

@BVC @Vasuki

Got the Limit enhancement on DCB metal card in November again. But HDFC has played its game. Limit increased from 5.5 lacs to 7 lacs only.
As confirmed by phone banking, the basic criteria to upgrade to Infinia is 8 Lacs Limit and 9 lacs spend in last 6 months.

Spends is achieved (10 lacs +). But limit is trouble now.
Will have to try again and again. 😢

Just do 1.5 to 2 lakh fd & lien it for l.e if you have fd

Don't do just for sake of it ..
80 % of fd amount would be your l.e via lien
You can do your math

 

[Dobbiee]

Just do 1.5 to 2 lakh fd & lien it for l.e if you have fd

Don't do just for sake of it ..
80 % of fd amount would be your l.e via lien
You can do your math

There are fd for emergency fund. And surely that can help here.
But dont believe in this route. Its not the right approach.

When I already have that kind of spends (totally salaried),
HDFC needs to realize my importance and give me what I deserve.

Will try with normal course. Direct with customer care or through help of branch, if they can.