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New Super Premium/Premium Credit Card recommendation

slimshady

TF Buzz
Hi Guys, I would appreciate some help regarding the following. I currently have the below-listed credit cards, and I am looking at getting a super premium credit in the next 2-3 months.
- I have a pre-approved offer for Axis Magnus.
- I am interested in getting HDFC Infinia or DCB, but I do not think I can get it because I tried to get it via my RM by showing my payslips, and the fact that my TRV is above Rs. 30L including family accounts (parents bank with the same branch as well) has not helped, even though they gave Imperia banking status because of that while my account balance is much lower than the qualifying amount of Rs. 10L MAB. I am thinking of trying again to get Infinia/DCB by giving an ultimatum to the BM in June once I have the ITR for this year as that should be high enough (because HDFC does not understand any other language). Just showing my payslips will not help since a lot of my pay is via bonuses and RSUs.
- I am also considering getting SBI Aurum and ICICI Emeralde.

For banking relationships, I have an account with Axis, ICICI, and HDFC banks. None of them have a super high balance as most of it ends up getting invested.

In 2024, my spending via CCs is between Rs. 25L-30L. This might not be consistent every year though, 2023 was much lower, and I doubt 2025 will be as high as 2024. I got the AmEx Platinum Charge via the 135k bonus offer, but I don't see any point in renewing it, might get it if they again have a similar offer, but 135k will be less for 2025, need something close to or above 150k to tempt me again considering I will not have as much travel in 2025 as in 2024. So I will be canceling it by the end of this month or early next month.

I was using AmEx Platinum for lounge access everywhere, but before that for simplified lounge access, I got the Zenith+ since it offers 4 visits per quarter for both domestic and international lounges. (might cancel it if the benefits change or if they make lounge access conditional)

I don't have a problem keeping this card for another 2 years until I get a card with better lounge access because the annual fee is essentially just the GST of Rs. 900.

My Credit Cards:
- American Express Platinum Charge Card (canceling in early Jan 2025)
- American Express Platinum Travel Card
- American Express Membership Rewards Card (essentially LTF due to hitting the milestone)
- Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card
- AU SF Bank Zenith+ Credit Card (for no conditions lounge access)
- HDFC Millennia Credit Card (LTF)
- Tata Neu Infinity Rupay HDFC Credit Card (LTF) (for UPI transactions)
- OneCard South India Bank Credit Card (LTF)
- Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card (LTF)
- UNI NX Wave Yes Bank Credit Card (LTF) (for 0% forex)

What do you suggest I should do? Which card should I get next? I don't think I am eligible for the luxury invite-only cards right now. And I don't think I can park Rs. 30L in Axis Bank to get the Burgundy status. I am ok with paying the annual fees for a good Super Premium credit card because I don't believe anything good comes for free.

Considering all the context I have provided above,
- Is Axis Magnus worth getting for 2025? (with no Burgundy status)
- Is Samsung Axis Bank Infinite worth getting as a paid card? (I might be upgrading my Samsung phone in Jan/Feb)
- Is SBI Aurum worth trying?
- Is ICICI Emeralde worth trying? (or Private Metal)
- Any other card I should look at based on the context above?
 
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- Is Axis Magnus worth getting for 2025? (with no Burgundy status)

No, Atlas is better

- Is Samsung Axis Bank Infinite worth getting as a paid card? (I might be upgrading my Samsung phone in Jan/Feb)

No, as some Bank Offer is always running which will get you a better deal

- Is SBI Aurum worth trying?

No

- Is ICICI Emeralde worth trying? (or Private Metal)

Sure, but only Metal
 
- Is Axis Magnus worth getting for 2025? (with no Burgundy status)

No, Atlas is better

- Is Samsung Axis Bank Infinite worth getting as a paid card? (I might be upgrading my Samsung phone in Jan/Feb)

No, as some Bank Offer is always running which will get you a better deal

- Is SBI Aurum worth trying?

No

- Is ICICI Emeralde worth trying? (or Private Metal)

Sure, but only Metal
Isn't Atlas also heavily devalued now? Is it still worth it after that?
 
Hi Guys, I would appreciate some help regarding the following. I currently have the below-listed credit cards, and I am looking at getting a super premium credit in the next 2-3 months.
- I have a pre-approved offer for Axis Magnus.
- I am interested in getting HDFC Infinia or DCB, but I do not think I can get it because I tried to get it via my RM by showing my payslips, and the fact that my TRV is above Rs. 30L including family accounts (parents bank with the same branch as well) has not helped, even though they gave Imperia banking status because of that while my account balance is much lower than the qualifying amount of Rs. 10L MAB. I am thinking of trying again to get Infinia/DCB by giving an ultimatum to the BM in June once I have the ITR for this year as that should be high enough (because HDFC does not understand any other language). Just showing my payslips will not help since a lot of my pay is via bonuses and RSUs.
- I am also considering getting SBI Aurum and ICICI Emeralde.

For banking relationships, I have an account with Axis, ICICI, and HDFC banks. None of them have a super high balance as most of it ends up getting invested.

In 2024, my spending via CCs is between Rs. 25L-30L. This might not be consistent every year though, 2023 was much lower, and I doubt 2025 will be as high as 2024. I got the AmEx Platinum Charge via the 135k bonus offer, but I don't see any point in renewing it, might get it if they again have a similar offer, but 135k will be less for 2025, need something close to or above 150k to tempt me again considering I will not have as much travel in 2025 as in 2024. So I will be canceling it by the end of this month or early next month.

I was using AmEx Platinum for lounge access everywhere, but before that for simplified lounge access, I got the Zenith+ since it offers 4 visits per quarter for both domestic and international lounges. (might cancel it if the benefits change or if they make lounge access conditional)

I don't have a problem keeping this card for another 2 years until I get a card with better lounge access because the annual fee is essentially just the GST of Rs. 900.

My Credit Cards:
- American Express Platinum Charge Card (canceling in early Jan 2025)
- American Express Platinum Travel Card
- American Express Membership Rewards Card (essentially LTF due to hitting the milestone)
- Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card
- AU SF Bank Zenith+ Credit Card (for no conditions lounge access)
- HDFC Millennia Credit Card (LTF)
- Tata Neu Infinity Rupay HDFC Credit Card (LTF) (for UPI transactions)
- OneCard South India Bank Credit Card (LTF)
- Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card (LTF)
- UNI NX Wave Yes Bank Credit Card (LTF) (for 0% forex)

What do you suggest I should do? Which card should I get next? I don't think I am eligible for the luxury invite-only cards right now. And I don't think I can park Rs. 30L in Axis Bank to get the Burgundy status. I am ok with paying the annual fees for a good Super Premium credit card because I don't believe anything good comes for free.

Considering all the context I have provided above,
- Is Axis Magnus worth getting for 2025? (with no Burgundy status)
- Is Samsung Axis Bank Infinite worth getting as a paid card? (I might be upgrading my Samsung phone in Jan/Feb)
- Is SBI Aurum worth trying?
- Is ICICI Emeralde worth trying? (or Private Metal)
- Any other card I should look at based on the context above?
just one input: Samsung infinite is worth only the joining benefit. otherwise there is a capping on the purchase - which you may get using other cards also (depending on ongoing offers)
 
Only SBI Cashback from SBI is worth getting. No other card. Consider taking Atlas as of now and go with @Pissant 's suggestions in post #3

If you really want HDFC card, try for HDFC DCB Metal, it is easier to get with salary slips. Infinia is difficult to get directly
Got it. Atlas base reward rate is 2% and with travel edge portal 5% right?
 
Is Axis Magnus worth getting for 2025? (with no Burgundy status)
>>>without burgundy no. Go for atlas

- Is Samsung Axis Bank Infinite worth getting as a paid card? (I might be upgrading my Samsung phone in Jan/Feb)
>> festive seasson will provide almost similar offers. So no point of paying for this card. Go for it only if LTF

- Is SBI Aurum worth trying?
>> Clear No
- Is ICICI Emeralde worth trying? (or Private Metal)
>>Emeralde PVC card >> clear no
>> Emeralde Metal>> movie + Lounge those are stand out benefits of this card.. iCIC just have Air india as miles partner then for rewards yatra, Easemytrip or Apple or Tanishq.
You alrey have card for Lounge.
if you gonna use easemytrip, yatra, Apple or tanishq vouchers or Air india loyalty program then only Go for Emeralde Metal. Just for movies it is not worth paying gst of 2250₹ as you getting annual fees back as rewards.
I am closing my Metal Card in 2-3 days

- Any other card I should look at based on the
context above?
>> keep trying for Infinia. Till time get Regalia Gold LTF. And keep using Regalia gold with atlas. Depends on your total spends and card rewards monthly capping.
 
The big risk with Axis is that they regularly block your edge points or miles anytime, without prior warning.
They will lure you with unsustainably high returns and then block your edge points or miles
 
25L spends in an year? You can try telling hdfc that and try to get infinia on spending basis.
 
25L spends in an year? You can try telling hdfc that and try to get infinia on spending basis.
Yeah, already tried that with CC grievance redressal and PNO, and escalated it multiple times, but they all did nothing. RM said they have a provision to ask for some executive approval via the branch if the customer's portfolio is strong (I smell BS, but saw no harm in trying) and she took all the docs and applied back in August, have not heard from the RM, RM keeps avoiding my calls now.
In February, a few FDs are renewing so I will move them out of HDFC, and as I mentioned in the OP, around May-June, I am planning to go and sit in the BM office and not move out if one of the two things do not happen
1. I get Infinia
2. I close everything with HDFC

I believe HDFC recently updated the eligibility criteria for Infinia by demanding a monthly 5L net salary, which is a bit ridiculous, so I am willing to settle for DCB as well, using my ITR.

But in my experience and my cousin too who tried with HDFC, HDFC seems to be taking everyone for a ride. I have a feeling this will come back to bite them soon enough
 
The big risk with Axis is that they regularly block your edge points or miles anytime, without prior warning.
They will lure you with unsustainably high returns and then block your edge points or miles
I have been dealing with Axis for the past 7 years, and I have not faced that issue to date. I know they are also painful, but their criteria usually remain fixed for most things, unlike HDFC where the RM/BM/PNO all keep making up the conditions based on their greed and imagination, which is a serious problem.
The other issue I have with Axis is their nonstop devaluations, exclusion updates every few months 😐
 
@slimshady just for information and to understand if you don’t want to say no problem bro
how much points did you get in 2024 for spending for almost 30L in this one yr? And in how many card and where did u use them?
 
@slimshady just for information and to understand if you don’t want to say no problem bro
how much points did you get in 2024 for spending for almost 30L in this one yr? And in how many card and where did u use them?
Some of the spending was on HDFC Millennia due to bank instant discount offers, some on Flipkart Axis for the 5% cashback (with no capping) + bank offers, and a huge chunk on AmEx Platinum Charge for the 5X/10X multipliers and MRCC for the monthly milestones. OneCard got me 5X a few times, but in general, its reward rate is a bit low. Not a lot of spending on Amazon Pay, but got me a flat 5% cashback for the small amount I did spend. Zenith+ I use for Insurance and tax payments when they have Amazon Voucher offers now and then.
NX Wave was useful during my vacation with 0% forex charges.
Tata Neu Infinity is a recent addition, and Platinum Travel too (replacement for Plat Charge with its milestone benefits).
On average I think I would have gotten around 6-8% I think, I have not calculated the exact value. I did get a ton of MR points though which essentially got me completely free hotel rooms via MB, and I still have 150k+ MR points left.
 
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