Which card to pair with HDFC DCB for average spenders?

[ilavaeniyil]

Hi, I recently got approved for DCB LTF card under alumini offer. I am upgrading from Millennia to DCB. My main focus is to get 2nd card with Visa/Mastercard and that also provides good cashback/rewards (vouchers preferably). I deliberated so long before actually going for DCB LTF,

1. My average spend would be about 4L to max 5L/year. My stay is mix of Tier-1 (office going for few months) and Tier-2 (remote, WFH) city.
2. Not frequent traveler but have plans to start doing it going forward (coming out few years of really bad phase). Probably 2/4 times a year via flights. Would like to take my aged parents (first time in flight too) foreign some time & make them enjoy the life finally which I have earned now. One of the reasons I went for DCB LTF is unlimited lounge access + Add-on card holders.
3. Most of my spends are mixed with offline and online retail (Bills - Netflix/other OTT, broadband, EB, etc., then swiggy/zomato). Plus yearly bills like term insurance, motor insurance, telecom (mobile bill) crossing 50K easily. Offline spends are dining, hotel stay when traveling, car/bike service, fuel (easily ~4k/month), grocery and shopping (dresses). Also Fuel spend will be consistently ~5k/month.
4. My average monthly spend ~35K to 40K. On vacation month, I can touch close to 80K.
5. Recommendation by many is get one Visa/Master credit card along with DCB. I asked HDFC whether I can keep my Millennia card but they said no. So, I am searching to get another card now but preferably as LTF or less spend limit to waive off annual fee.

• If I could get my 2nd card like Millennia/Regalia, I believe that sufficient. But what are they and how to get them?
• I liked SC ultimate (I am priority customer due to previous salary account). It seems tough to get but based on my interaction with RM, it seems it possible if given push. Then, I read 2 weeks ago that it got devalued recently. I am reading reviews now that its not value for the money.
• I recently switched to ICICI bank as Salary account due to their tie-up with my company. I am expecting, I could get Rupx or Sapphire card as LTF. But based on my reading and reward system, ICICI credit card are least preferred by everyone. I was so shocked that one of premier bank doesn't have good premium credit cards for many to get.
• I have read that after a month or two, I can mail HDFC with list of merchants where I am facing acceptance issue of DCB and asks for floater card. Is it true? Can I do that? May be should I move my salary account to HDFC also to help in this case?
• My first CC is from HDFC and so far my experience is seamless. No issues with rewards and prompt response from customer support. May be me being long time account holder (>10 years) helping. I am reading nowadays that Axis Magnus is really good ( and I like it too) but their customer support/rewarding points in time is really bad. I have to maintain excel to make sure I get things correct which I hate to do. Plus, Magnus more rewarding for frequent travel which I don't think suits me and their spend limit to waive off annual fee is high for me to achieve (even with trick of 3 months of 1L each).
• I learnt recently that HDFC way of working could screw my credit score which is really shocking. I read few suggestions to overcome them. One of them is off-course take other bank credit card like Axis. But I can take ICICI LTF card to maintain good credit score.
• Should I go for TATA HDFC Neu Infinity? I was thinking that could be helpful if I get Rupay variant as LTF for UPI transactions.
• I am not looking for Amex as 2nd card since that also has acceptance issue.
• In comparison of Axis Ace vs SBI cashback vs Amazon ICICI, I was thinking to get SBI cashback card. But with recent devaluation on SBI cashback, I am not sure that's good card still. Axis Ace is tough to get anyway (I don't use Google pay and bank told they are not providing it anymore).

So, I am really confused. Kindly guide me what should I do and which 2nd card should I get for my spending.

 

[ilavaeniyil]

You redeem dcb reward points in cash?

I just started using from last month. My plan is to redeem for hotel booking mostly. As I said beginning of this thread, I could use flights 2/4 times in a year at max.
I have read that redeeming DCB rewards via Gift voucher or cash brings rewards rate down below 2%. So, I will maximum avoid doing that.

 

[ilavaeniyil]

Received LTF Sapphiro credit card (Visa Signature variant) with 10L limit. Is there any benefit for switching to MC+Amex variant other than Amex network offers (not useful for me anyway)?

Now, for IDFC First, should I use Sapphiro (10L limit) or DCB card (4L limit)? Which has higher chance to get IDFC First Wealth card?

Any help/guidance about this? Thanks

 

[BatmanDad]

Any help/guidance about this? Thanks

Using higher credit limit card for C2C basis is always a good idea. Since that way, you either get the same or higher limit on the new card. And also has a higher rate of success(except in some exemptions). Do make sure to keep an eye on your CIBIL (I might be wrong on this, someone please correct me if I am), since I've heard that applying for credit cards within a short span of time might affect your CIBIL negatively. Again, someone needs to confirm that last part since I'm not too sure on that.

 

[ilavaeniyil]

Using higher credit limit card for C2C basis is always a good idea. Since that way, you either get the same or higher limit on the new card. And also has a higher rate of success(except in some exemptions). Do make sure to keep an eye on your CIBIL (I might be wrong on this, someone please correct me if I am), since I've heard that applying for credit cards within a short span of time might affect your CIBIL negatively. Again, someone needs to confirm that last part since I'm not too sure on that.

Thanks.. I tried with Sapphiro and got IDFC First Wealth. I have applied and done video KYC today. In excitement, I forget to take screenshot but I hope IDFC First won't give some other credit card after applying.
Also I just noticed that I received message from Standard Chartered bank 2 weeks ago that I have pre-approved Ultimate credit card (previously I have held salary account and account is still active). I confirmed with my RM that they won't provide LTF or FYF for Ultimate Credit card. After recent devaluation, I am not sure whether its worth to pay 5K/year fee.
Now, DCB + Sapphiro (Visa Signature + DreamFolks) + IDFC First Wealth* (Visa Infinite + DreamFolks) = Its looking good now. DCB will be my premier card still. Wherever its not working, I will try to use IDFC First Wealth card. My hunt for Axis Ace is still on though. I have spoken to HDFC RM about DCB acceptance issue and enquired for shared card (Regalia if possible). If I get Regalia LTF as shared, then I am pretty much set. Also for Lounge access = Priority pass + Dreamfolks + DCB 🙂

 

[Pankhuri]

I think there is no trick at all but several (for ex 4-7) official ways which triggers an invite but each user consider it as a trick.

What are some other ways?

 

[bugmenot]

What are some other ways?

Check this thread https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/ac-guaranteed-invitation-trick.10685/

This says same what I replied on but few of them got invitation even though they used app extensively.

Few are telling to create new gpay account with mobile number NOT linked to any axis card or bank account.

One more so called trick from our famous guy

 

[chdguy1980]

Thanks.. I tried with Sapphiro and got IDFC First Wealth. I have applied and done video KYC today. In excitement, I forget to take screenshot but I hope IDFC First won't give some other credit card after applying.
Also I just noticed that I received message from Standard Chartered bank 2 weeks ago that I have pre-approved Ultimate credit card (previously I have held salary account and account is still active). I confirmed with my RM that they won't provide LTF or FYF for Ultimate Credit card. After recent devaluation, I am not sure whether its worth to pay 5K/year fee.
Now, DCB + Sapphiro (Visa Signature + DreamFolks) + IDFC First Wealth* (Visa Infinite + DreamFolks) = Its looking good now. DCB will be my premier card still. Wherever its not working, I will try to use IDFC First Wealth card. My hunt for Axis Ace is still on though. I have spoken to HDFC RM about DCB acceptance issue and enquired for shared card (Regalia if possible). If I get Regalia LTF as shared, then I am pretty much set. Also for Lounge access = Priority pass + Dreamfolks + DCB 🙂

Hi @ilavaeniyil did you manage to get Regalia as shared card?

 

[ccgeek07]

Thanks.. I tried with Sapphiro and got IDFC First Wealth. I have applied and done video KYC today. In excitement, I forget to take screenshot but I hope IDFC First won't give some other credit card after applying.
Also I just noticed that I received message from Standard Chartered bank 2 weeks ago that I have pre-approved Ultimate credit card (previously I have held salary account and account is still active). I confirmed with my RM that they won't provide LTF or FYF for Ultimate Credit card. After recent devaluation, I am not sure whether its worth to pay 5K/year fee.
Now, DCB + Sapphiro (Visa Signature + DreamFolks) + IDFC First Wealth* (Visa Infinite + DreamFolks) = Its looking good now. DCB will be my premier card still. Wherever its not working, I will try to use IDFC First Wealth card. My hunt for Axis Ace is still on though. I have spoken to HDFC RM about DCB acceptance issue and enquired for shared card (Regalia if possible). If I get Regalia LTF as shared, then I am pretty much set. Also for Lounge access = Priority pass + Dreamfolks + DCB 🙂

Can you share the process you followed to get IDFC Wealth?

 

[gautamcool]

• I learnt recently that HDFC way of working could screw my credit score which is really shocking. I read few suggestions to overcome them. One of them is off-course take other bank credit card like Axis. But I can take ICICI LTF card to maintain good credit score

HDFC has started reporting credit limit to the bureaus from last month

@jack333 Thanks. Will try to get SBI cashback as LTF and also trying for HDFC Neu Infinity. Gpay - no chance and they ask to share location (Hate that -personal choice) for each transaction.

Google pay doesn't ask for location for transacting anymore

 

[sandyaks26]

Thanks.. I tried with Sapphiro and got IDFC First Wealth. I have applied and done video KYC today. In excitement, I forget to take screenshot but I hope IDFC First won't give some other credit card after applying.
Also I just noticed that I received message from Standard Chartered bank 2 weeks ago that I have pre-approved Ultimate credit card (previously I have held salary account and account is still active). I confirmed with my RM that they won't provide LTF or FYF for Ultimate Credit card. After recent devaluation, I am not sure whether its worth to pay 5K/year fee.
Now, DCB + Sapphiro (Visa Signature + DreamFolks) + IDFC First Wealth* (Visa Infinite + DreamFolks) = Its looking good now. DCB will be my premier card still. Wherever its not working, I will try to use IDFC First Wealth card. My hunt for Axis Ace is still on though. I have spoken to HDFC RM about DCB acceptance issue and enquired for shared card (Regalia if possible). If I get Regalia LTF as shared, then I am pretty much set. Also for Lounge access = Priority pass + Dreamfolks + DCB 🙂

Thanks.. I tried with Sapphiro and got IDFC First Wealth. I have applied and done video KYC today. In excitement, I forget to take screenshot but I hope IDFC First won't give some other credit card after applying.
Also I just noticed that I received message from Standard Chartered bank 2 weeks ago that I have pre-approved Ultimate credit card (previously I have held salary account and account is still active). I confirmed with my RM that they won't provide LTF or FYF for Ultimate Credit card. After recent devaluation, I am not sure whether its worth to pay 5K/year fee.
Now, DCB + Sapphiro (Visa Signature + DreamFolks) + IDFC First Wealth* (Visa Infinite + DreamFolks) = Its looking good now. DCB will be my premier card still. Wherever its not working, I will try to use IDFC First Wealth card. My hunt for Axis Ace is still on though. I have spoken to HDFC RM about DCB acceptance issue and enquired for shared card (Regalia if possible). If I get Regalia LTF as shared, then I am pretty much set. Also for Lounge access = Priority pass + Dreamfolks + DCB 🙂

pls share the process of applying IDFC wealth card. did u apply offline??

 

[LordPSN]

Go for ICICI ltf cards last.

Axis ace are being issued. Got mine yesterday.
Ace/flipkart cards are good because of good flat 2% reward rate. For most of your online needs, DCB and Amazon vouchers via smartbuy should be sufficent.

So unless you are into becoming a card enthu and cashback hunter, a decent flat cashback card is the best in terms of peace of mind.

Try installing Google pay and check if you have the offer. Sometimes they also offer it on the axis website. If not that then you may wait for the Flipkart card for Lifetime free offer.

Floater card sounds like a good deal - millenia should be a good option.

Also you can try looking at debit card that gives 1% extra cashback on credit card bill paymemt

Doesn't Axis ace has a cap of INR 500 for cashback in a month?

 

[gautamcool]

Doesn't Axis ace has a cap of INR 500 for cashback in a month?

500 per month cap is only on the 5% back on Android GPay Utility payments
On the other expenses with the general exclusions it's unlimited 2 percent

 

[saucy]

Doesn't Axis ace has a cap of INR 500 for cashback in a month?

Not when this post was written 🌚🌚