Optimizing My Credit Card Portfolio: Seeking Advice for 2025 Expenses

[CorporateMajdoor]

Hi everyone,

It’s been a year since I started using credit cards, and I’ve learned a lot along the way through this forum and reddit channels. I’ve been trying to optimize my spending and recently calculated a year-end consolidated report based on insights from a previous post here. (I assumed 1 RP = ₹0.25 for ICICI and SBI cards.)

Here’s a brief overview of how I’ve been using my credit cards:

1. Axis Airtel: Mainly for utilities, mobile recharges, and Swiggy/Zomato orders. Booked 4 flights with a portal offering ₹1,500 discounts per flight, which skewed my returns.
2. HDFC Millennia: Used for cabs, food, fashion, and electronics (bought some for friends), which helped me consistently hit the ₹1L/quarter milestone all four quarters.
3. HDFC Swiggy: Got it 4 months ago and started using it after hitting the Millennia’s ₹1L/quarter milestone.
4. ICICI Rubyx/Sapphiro: Primarily for insurance payments, with occasional use for the BMS BOGO offer.
5. SBI Aurum: Used mostly for movie tickets and electronics offers at Reliance Digital.

Anticipated Expenses for 2025:​

• Electronics worth ₹1L (shifting to a new place)
• A scooter
• 2–3 trips within India (budgeting under ₹1L collectively)
• ₹60–80K on cabs
• ₹50–70K on food
• ₹40K on insurance

I’ve been considering popular cards like Amex Platinum Travel and Axis Atlas but have some concerns:

• Amex Platinum Travel: While it offers 8–10% rewards on hotels/flights, I’m not a heavy spender on hotels. I prefer budget stays and may occasionally go for a decent 4-star, but Marriott feels too expensive for me. Am I wrong in thinking this card isn’t a good fit?
• Axis Atlas: It seems appealing for its Accor benefits, but Accor hotels in India are limited. I don’t anticipate spending ₹7.5L annually and may only use it for a few flights. Flight redemption doesn’t seem great, but I do see value in Accor stays, particularly in Goa.

Request for an Advice:

What changes can I make to my credit card portfolio to better optimize my spending? Should I add or remove any cards?

Thank you in advance.

 

[helloworld]

HDFC Swiggy & Millennia covers: Cabs, Online food and Online electronics, Online scooter
APay covers: Insurance, Travel and Online electronics
Swiggy, Millennia & Apay covers: Offline electronics, offline food, Offline scooter
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Other options:

SBI Cashback, HSBC Live+, IndusInd Easydiner...

But as you can see its needed information about online or offline, which website etc.

further help, check this once..

Thread 'Guide to Choosing the Right 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...

• helloworld
• Replies: 14
• Forum: Suggest me a Credit Card

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[helloworld]

• Amex Platinum Travel: While it offers 8–10% rewards on hotels/flights, I’m not a heavy spender on hotels. I prefer budget stays and may occasionally go for a decent 4-star, but Marriott feels too expensive for me. Am I wrong in thinking this card isn’t a good fit?

for apay voucher value: https://www.technofino.in/community...ex-gold-vs-amex-travel-vs-amex-reserve.30606/

also, marriot is for redemption not for spending..

• Axis Atlas: It seems appealing for its Accor benefits, but Accor hotels in India are limited. I don’t anticipate spending ₹7.5L annually and may only use it for a few flights. Flight redemption doesn’t seem great, but I do see value in Accor stays, particularly in Goa.

need 5L for decent reterns: https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/axis-atlas-vs-hdfc-regalia-gold-vs-axis-horizon.26500/