Suggest "All-in-one" core non-cashback card

[z1xxuqvoi]

Thanks a lot for your thoughts. Let me think about it.

Just after reading a lot of pros/cons - I am leaning towards just 1 card for all spends - nothing else. Not sure if that's going to be Amex or something else - More leaning towards a Visa card for wider acceptance., but will decide soon.

I had only Indian Oil Citibank card for a pretty long time and was happy with it as the points were covering for all my petrol expenses. But then Covid struck and got used to WFH from then on. Travel just got reduced exponentially to almost bare minimum except for some weekend drives which also is minucule now compared to earlier.

Last year, I got Axis Ace offer from GPay, and along with it came the FOMO of rewards. It all started while trying to read about the offers of this card, and Youtube recommendations from the finfluencers created a real FOMO! Then I subsequently got HDFC Millenia, SBI cashback, and Amazon ICICI Pay and this game of optimization/maximization of rewards started.

Now, thinking back, I want to go back to the 1 card world and put an end to this madness.

I am thinking of going back to having only 1 core card (and 1 backup) and close all other cards as I want to get out of this madness.

Current cards that I have:
- Citi Indian Oil (LTF)
- Axis ACE (Paid)
- SBI Cashback (Paid)
- HDFC Millenia (LTF)
- Amazon ICICI Pay (LTF)

Except Citi, all others are cashback and less than 1 year old.
I have decided Amazon ICICI Pay as my backup card (after looking at the awesome 2024 card thread by the TF founder) but really confusing to choose one versatile core card.
Need one non-cashback card where rewards are not cashback and can be accumulated for a deferred redemption in bulk.
This card needs to be a "generalist" card or "all-in-one" jack of all trades card, so balanced rewards is completely OK.

1. Expense distribution - educational (20%), insurance (20%), travel (20%) (only domestic/non 5-star hotels), rest all misc-bills/grocery/food/etc.
2. Needs to be core/ non-branded/ non-cashback card.
3. No need for airport lounge accesss.
4. OK for a paid card.
5. No Amex (rewards not suited for my lifestyle)

If helps, Avg Annual Spend ~8L, current core bank - Citi (Axis). Yet to get transferred to Axis.

I thought to get help from all your intelligence - I completely understand it would add to my existing confusion but just don't want to miss any points/consideration which I might have missed.

Thank you all in advance!

Edit: suggestions so far (will keep it updated):

Kotak White - 1
IndusInd Pinnacle - 1
Axis Bank Reserve - 1
Axis bank aura - 1
Hdfc Infinia metal - 1
Yes priority - 1
Indus pinnacle - 1
Pnb rupay select - 1
Axis Atlas - 1

 

[Tejo]

I am thinking of going back to having only 1 core card (and 1 backup) and close all other cards as I want to get out of this madness.

Current cards that I have:
- Citi Indian Oil (LTF)
- Axis ACE (Paid)
- SBI Cashback (Paid)
- HDFC Millenia (LTF)
- Amazon ICICI Pay (LTF)

Except Citi, all others are cashback and less than 1 year old.
I have decided Amazon ICICI Pay as my backup card (after looking at the awesome 2024 card thread by the TF founder) but really confusing to choose one versatile core card.
Need one non-cashback card where rewards are just spends based. This card needs to be a "generalist" card or "all-in-one" jack of all trades card.

1. Expense distribution - educational (20%), insurance (20%), travel (20%) (only domestic/non 5-star hotels), rest all misc-bills/grocery/food/etc.
2. Needs to be core/ non-branded/ non-cashback card.
3. No need for airport lounge accesss.
4. OK for a paid card.
5. No Amex (rewards not suited for my lifestyle)

If helps, Avg Annual Spend ~8L, current core bank - Citi (Axis). Yet to get transferred to Axis.

I thought to get help from all your intelligence - I completely understand it would add to my existing confusion but just don't want to miss any points/consideration which I might have missed.

Thank you all in advance!

Non cashback card ...... I would have suggested icici platinum 😂 seems you already hold amazon icici for backup.


You can get kotak white card, the annual fee will reversed if you 6 lakh plus get 12k+ voucher.


Else you can try indusind bank pinnacle credit card.

 

[Black-VijayFan]

I would have suggested icici platinum

This is the card they provide against FD, right?

 

[Tejo]

This is the card they provide against FD, right?

Both secured and unsecured.

Coral too available.

 

[FinoGuy]

Axis bank reserve

 

[FinoGuy]

Axis bank aura
Hdfc Infinia metal
Yes priority
Indus pinnacle
Pnb rupay select

 

[Sudip]

Axis Atlas; if you're looking to transfer points in hotel and airline transfers partners. Plus this card gives renewal benefit and since your spend will be around 8 lakhs on renewal you will get 5000 edge miles (gold status).

 

[z1xxuqvoi]

Shortlisted HDFC Infinia and Axis Atlas.

There are tons of threads on these card on the comparison and other stuff - and many are dated threads, looks like a weekend task and not sure what other FOMO I am going to gather reading some interesting threads.

Seriously wish ChatGPT kind of interface for technofino - where I can ask it to "summarize and find the right card for me. Optimize your answers by weighing the responses of highly valued members who have solved the most queries and have highest reaction score. Eliminate responses older than 6 months"

Haha!

 

[Sudip]

Check this if it helps you:

 

[credit_debit]

YES Marquee or ICICI Emerald Private metal would be suitable cards covering all your requirements.

 

[moneynerd]

Amazon ICICI Pay or FK Axis can be good backup cards (depending on your e-commerce loyalty) and for the main core card here are some of my options:
1. Axis Magnus (paid but 15L threshold can waive off fee; good for rent, shopping and travel bookings)
2. Federal amplifi (2k fee but zero forex and good rewards on top brands)
3. Axis ACE (paid but great for utilities, shopping & entertainment expenses)

 

[amanchhajed]

Yes bank marquee should be a good option for you. Or axis atlas.