Need recommendations on cards I should choose from HDFC or Axis or Amex?

[Credit Noob]

Hi Everyone

I have HDFC Salary account and have got MoneyBack Platinum Credit Card. Apart from this, I have an ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card which is regularly used. I had Citibank Credit Card which is being migrated to Axis and I am not sure which Axis Credit Card I should request.

This is the Credit Card History
ICICI Amazon Pay - Regularly used - Limit is up to 7+ Lacs
HDFC MoneyBack Platinum - Never used regularly - Limit of 2+ lacs but status was dormant. So recently made a transaction hope it removes the dormant status for the card
Axis Bank - Citibank savings account was dormant and hence the Axis Bank savings account also shows as dormant. Will be getting the change done next week. I have a Citibank Indian Oil Credit Card which I had stopped using and was completely using ICICI Amazon Pay. So not sure if Axis Bank would issue a new card. If they do issue I am not sure if I can ask for an upgrade immediately.

I have monitored my expenses and on average, on my ICICI Amazon pay card, I am spending nearly 7-8 lacs per annum. This was unintentional and never planned. So having gone through a lot of threads I realized that I can divert my spending through credit cards and per annum it could be between 10-15 lacs.

So with that context, I am looking for rewards that will help me travel. Can you please suggest which cards I can look for from HDFC, Axis, or Amex? Or if there are any other cards.

My expenses are as usual Groceries, Bills, Utilities, Taxes, Insurance, School fees, Fuel, and so on and the break up is as follows. These are per annum.

Amazon : ₹200,000
Swiggy/Zomato: ₹50,000
Flights/Hotels: ₹150,000
Grocery (Mix Offline and online): ₹250,000
Other Offline Spends: ₹100,000
Dining: ₹50,000
Bills/Utilities: ₹55,000
Fuel : 60,000
Govt. Payments: ₹200,000
Insurance: ₹2,75,000
School Fees : 4,00,000

If you can please suggest a combination of cards which I can use it would be helpful. I am open to get a combination of LTF and Premium cards.

 

[helloworld]

Thread 'Guide to suggest a credit card - Basic requirements'

Sep 28, 2024

How to Choose the Right Credit Card for You

Simply looking at your CIBIL score or listing your existing cards won't help determine the most suitable credit card for you. To make an informed choice, you need to consider various factors.

Key Steps to Select a Credit Card:​

1. Identify Your Spending Categories
   
   Look at your monthly or annual expenses and categorize them. This will help determine which card gives the best rewards for your spending pattern.
   
   Example:
   • Amazon: ₹5,000
   • BigBasket: ₹5,000
   • Offline Grocery: ₹10,000...

• helloworld
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Suggest me a Credit Card

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• 
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: )

 

[Credit Noob]

Thank you @helloworld I have updated the description with the breakup. Hope that gives a clear idea on suggesting the credit cards based on my spends. Based on the guide you suggested if I have missed adding any details please let me know and I will add those details. Thank you

 

[helloworld]

Thank you @helloworld I have updated the description with the breakup. Hope that gives a clear idea on suggesting the credit cards based on my spends. Based on the guide you suggested if I have missed adding any details please let me know and I will add those details. Thank you

To be honest, with an annual spend of nearly ₹18 lakhs, it seems likely you could qualify for Super Premium Cards that offer exceptional rewards and perks. Assuming a stable, high income and around 10 years of credit history, I'd recommend the following:

1. Upgrade "Moneyback Platinum" to HDFC DCB (Diners Club Black) or Infinia for better rewards and travel benefits.
2. With your income, consider ICICI Sapphiro / Emeralde (Lifetime Free) for family perks, like BOGO (Buy One Get One) movie tickets and exclusive online offers on ICICI.
3. Fuel Spends: Since Citi IndianOil is now Axis IndianOil, you could leverage this card for your ₹60,000 annual fuel expenses, provided it’s Lifetime Free (LTF).

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Spending Breakdown (Per Annum):​

• Groceries:
  • 10% with HSBC Live+: 1.2L (Online or Offline)
  • 10% with Airtel Axis Bank: 10K (Online)
  • Atlas based on milestone spends: 1.2L
• Swiggy/Zomato:
  • 10% with Airtel Axis Bank: 50K
• Dining/Travel/Offline spends:
  • upto 9% with YES Reserv 5x : 3L
  • Atlas based on milestone spends: 3L
    • Dining preferably through easydiner
    • Travel preferably through travel edge
• Amzn/Bills & Utilities:
  • SBI Cashback or Swiggy HDFC along with existing APay card: 2L
  • Bill payments through amzn vouchers: 25k
• Utilities:
  • 10% with Airtel Axis Bank: 30K
• Fuel:
  • 4% through IndianOil Premium: 60k
• Govt/Insurance Payments:
  • Amex Platinum Travel: 7%+ back for 4L spends, plus 10k taj voucher: 4L

---

Considering your spending and eligibility, explore HDFC Diners Club Black (DCB) Metal with quarterly milestones, Infinia for Amzn vouchers, Offline and travel rewards, or AMEX Platinum Travel or Atlas for milestones.

Ref:
YES Reserv: https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/yes-marquee-vs-yes-reserv-3x-vs-yes-reserv-5x.24652/
Axis Atlas: https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/axis-atlas-vs-hdfc-regalia-gold-vs-axis-horizon.26500/
Axis Airtel: https://www.technofino.in/community...k-credit-card-maximizing-your-cashback.31701/
HSBC Live+: https://www.technofino.in/community...-credit-card-elevate-everyday-spending.17087/
AMEX Travel: https://www.technofino.in/community...ex-gold-vs-amex-travel-vs-amex-reserve.30606/

Milestone cards: https://www.technofino.in/community...ds-with-quarterly-and-annual-milestones.2491/

 

[Credit Noob]

Thank you @helloworld for the detailed summary and the cards recommended.

Regarding your suggestion to get DCB or Infinia, I had asked my RM about it and she didn't offer Infinia and gave alternative of Regalia Gold and maybe DCB or DCP( I am not sure which she was referring to and asked for details through whatsapp or email). She never got back or shared details. So not sure if I can get it.

I am planning to upgrade by Citibank Indian Oil Card to Axis Atlas if possible. I have not checked with them yet so not sure. I will try for Axis Airtel if they provide it as LTF else I will not take that card.

For HSBC Live or Yes Reserv again I will ask for LTF cards else not take them up.

I will keep you posted on how it goes.