Worst Credit Card Of The Year 2024 Award Goes To...

[shadow28]

@TechnoFino I think the Times Black is now among the best cards. Based on middle class discount requirements I think best card would be now -
1. Emeralde metal
2. Infinia
3. Icici Times Black
4. DCB metal

How is Times Black better than DCB Metal? Same question for EPM vs Infinia.

 

[BVCBVC is verified member.]

How is Times Black better than DCB Metal? Same question for EPM vs Infinia.

Thread 'ICICI Bank iShop Accelerated Reward Points Portal Launched - Upto 36% Reward Rate 🔥'

Feb 13, 2025

As promised by ICICI Bank at the time of launching the Emeralde Private Metal Card and Times Black Card, they have introduced their Accelerated Rewards Portal, iShop by ICICI Bank. Through this portal, ICICI Bank cardholders can earn accelerated rewards when purchasing gift vouchers, booking flights, and reserving hotels.



The portal is similar to HDFC Bank’s SmartBuy for HDFC customers. However, ICICI Bank also offers accelerated rewards to its debit card and net banking customers, even if they don't have an ICICI credit card. The portal appears to be in beta testing, as...

• TechnoFino
• accelerated reward points creditcardrewards icici icici bank points reward reward points reward rate
• Replies: 697
• Forum: Informative Threads

• 
• 
• 

Please go through this thread.

 

[shadow28]

Thread 'ICICI Bank iShop Accelerated Reward Points Portal Launched - Upto 36% Reward Rate 🔥'

Feb 13, 2025

As promised by ICICI Bank at the time of launching the Emeralde Private Metal Card and Times Black Card, they have introduced their Accelerated Rewards Portal, iShop by ICICI Bank. Through this portal, ICICI Bank cardholders can earn accelerated rewards when purchasing gift vouchers, booking flights, and reserving hotels.



The portal is similar to HDFC Bank’s SmartBuy for HDFC customers. However, ICICI Bank also offers accelerated rewards to its debit card and net banking customers, even if they don't have an ICICI credit card. The portal appears to be in beta testing, as...

• TechnoFino
• accelerated reward points creditcardrewards icici icici bank points reward reward points reward rate
• Replies: 697
• Forum: Informative Threads

• 
• 
• 

Please go through this thread.

I don't see how Times Black is better than DCBM even with that though.. EPM vs Infinia seems like a close fight

 

[abhiaj98]

I don't see how Times Black is better than DCBM even with that though.. EPM vs Infinia seems like a close fight

Its a close fight. DCBM has diners club which is known for poor acceptance. It also has very limited amazon voucher purchase limit.

 

[violetevergarden]

I don't see how Times Black is better than DCBM even with that though.. EPM vs Infinia seems like a close fight

One of the biggest drawback of smartbuy is capping.

Times Black vs DCB
Let's talk about 4 categories -
1. Flights - 12% vs 16%. DCB is better
2. Shopping vouchers (especially amazon) - 12% vs 7-10% that too with sub category capping in DCB
3. Hotel - Both are loss. Unless some Hotel like ITC which doesnt give any discount on any site, smartbuy Hotels at 33% off at MRP of hotel will not be wise as compared to buying from agoda or MMT. You will burn the monthly capping too in DCB. For ishop, hotels is a work in progress so ignore.
4. Offline/non-category spend above 4L Quarter - In this category DCB is the best across all with base reward of 3.3%+2.5% from milestone. (I am not including Amex trifecta here as points are not so easy to use in economy section and magnus burgundy is alos not included as their terms keep changing)

So, if you are flight oriented or heave non category spender, then DCB is better, otherwise for generic usecases especially amazon pay which is used by almost all, Times Black.
But Annual Fees of Times Black is unjust and fee waiver is very high so that's another plus point in favor of DCB


EPM vs Infinia
1. Flights- 18% vs 16%
2. Shopping - 18% vs 13.5-16.6% ( Please note that for smartbuy some vouchers are discount boosted further on top of base 5X. But amazon, flipkart are penalised heavily due to processing fee)
3. Hotel - Not wise to use smartbuy hotel unless no other website offers discount. Ishop is not fully developed.

Few extra advantage of EPM -
1. Welcome benefit of taj free night in first year.
2. So sub-capping on vouchers like 10K on amazon for smartbuy. Dont know how long this will last
3. I found Lounge access better especially in VIP access in international lounge were pretty cool.
4. 100% reward point redemption in flights looks good in EMP unlike 70% in smartbuy. Again dont know how long it will last.

Few advantage of Infinia-
1. Priority pass access in domestic lounge makes it almost invincible in any domestic lounge.
2. Customer care and concierge was better for Infinia in my experience
3. ITC hotel offers are good if interested.

So DBC vs Times is mostly based on spend pattern. But Infinia is mostly beat by EPM

 

[senasenthil]

One of the biggest drawback of smartbuy is capping.

Times Black vs DCB
Let's talk about 4 categories -
1. Flights - 12% vs 16%. DCB is better
2. Shopping vouchers (especially amazon) - 12% vs 7-10% that too with sub category capping in DCB
3. Hotel - Both are loss. Unless some Hotel like ITC which doesnt give any discount on any site, smartbuy Hotels at 33% off at MRP of hotel will not be wise as compared to buying from agoda or MMT. You will burn the monthly capping too in DCB. For ishop, hotels is a work in progress so ignore.
4. Offline/non-category spend above 4L Quarter - In this category DCB is the best across all with base reward of 3.3%+2.5% from milestone. (I am not including Amex trifecta here as points are not so easy to use in economy section and magnus burgundy is alos not included as their terms keep changing)

So, if you are flight oriented or heave non category spender, then DCB is better, otherwise for generic usecases especially amazon pay which is used by almost all, Times Black.
But Annual Fees of Times Black is unjust and fee waiver is very high so that's another plus point in favor of DCB


EPM vs Infinia
1. Flights- 18% vs 16%
2. Shopping - 18% vs 13.5-16.6% ( Please note that for smartbuy some vouchers are discount boosted further on top of base 5X. But amazon, flipkart are penalised heavily due to processing fee)
3. Hotel - Not wise to use smartbuy hotel unless no other website offers discount. Ishop is not fully developed.

Few extra advantage of EPM -
1. Welcome benefit of taj free night in first year.
2. So sub-capping on vouchers like 10K on amazon for smartbuy. Dont know how long this will last
3. I found Lounge access better especially in VIP access in international lounge were pretty cool.
4. 100% reward point redemption in flights looks good in EMP unlike 70% in smartbuy. Again dont know how long it will last.

Few advantage of Infinia-
1. Priority pass access in domestic lounge makes it almost invincible in any domestic lounge.
2. Customer care and concierge was better for Infinia in my experience
3. ITC hotel offers are good if interested.

So DBC vs Times is mostly based on spend pattern. But Infinia is mostly beat by EPM

How to get 12% and 18% for shopping vouchers in Times black and EMP, respectively?

Edit. I got it. Missed to note the recently launched iShop

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

How about coming up with top 5 best and worst cards overall (all cards considered in circulation regardless of their year of launch)?

Yes, Some of these are the top ones in the industry in both categories:

Cashback category:
- SBI Cashback
- Amazon Pay ICICI
- HDFC Swiggy
- HSBC Live+
- Axis Airtel
- HDFC Tata Neu Infinity

Reward points-based category:
- HDFC Infinia
- HDFC Diners Club Black Metal
- HDFC Regalia Gold
- Axis Atlas
- Axis Magnus for Burgundy
- ICICI Emeralde Private Metal
- ICICI Times Black
- Amex Membership Rewards
- Amex Platinum Travel
- Amex Gold

 

[theXfactor]

One of the biggest drawback of smartbuy is capping.

Times Black vs DCB
Let's talk about 4 categories -
1. Flights - 12% vs 16%. DCB is better
2. Shopping vouchers (especially amazon) - 12% vs 7-10% that too with sub category capping in DCB
3. Hotel - Both are loss. Unless some Hotel like ITC which doesnt give any discount on any site, smartbuy Hotels at 33% off at MRP of hotel will not be wise as compared to buying from agoda or MMT. You will burn the monthly capping too in DCB. For ishop, hotels is a work in progress so ignore.
4. Offline/non-category spend above 4L Quarter - In this category DCB is the best across all with base reward of 3.3%+2.5% from milestone. (I am not including Amex trifecta here as points are not so easy to use in economy section and magnus burgundy is alos not included as their terms keep changing)

So, if you are flight oriented or heave non category spender, then DCB is better, otherwise for generic usecases especially amazon pay which is used by almost all, Times Black.
But Annual Fees of Times Black is unjust and fee waiver is very high so that's another plus point in favor of DCB


EPM vs Infinia
1. Flights- 18% vs 16%
2. Shopping - 18% vs 13.5-16.6% ( Please note that for smartbuy some vouchers are discount boosted further on top of base 5X. But amazon, flipkart are penalised heavily due to processing fee)
3. Hotel - Not wise to use smartbuy hotel unless no other website offers discount. Ishop is not fully developed.

Few extra advantage of EPM -
1. Welcome benefit of taj free night in first year.
2. So sub-capping on vouchers like 10K on amazon for smartbuy. Dont know how long this will last
3. I found Lounge access better especially in VIP access in international lounge were pretty cool.
4. 100% reward point redemption in flights looks good in EMP unlike 70% in smartbuy. Again dont know how long it will last.

Few advantage of Infinia-
1. Priority pass access in domestic lounge makes it almost invincible in any domestic lounge.
2. Customer care and concierge was better for Infinia in my experience
3. ITC hotel offers are good if interested.

So DBC vs Times is mostly based on spend pattern. But Infinia is mostly beat by EPM

I have posted it one of the threads. Consider these additional benefits

• 10,000 Bonus Reward Points on spends of ₹ 4 lakh every calendar quarter (DCBM)
• 2X Reward Points on Weekend Dining (DCBM)
• 1% cashback with GVP on foreign transaction which reduces the Forex markup to effectively to 1.35% up to 1L. (DCBM & Infinia)
• Unmatched lounge network across the globe (DCBM)
• Domestic lounge access via PP gives access to lounges not accessible with Visa/MC network. Moreover, accessible with card and PP both (Infinia)
• Redemption in 1:1 ratio on apple products & Tanishq (Infinia)
• 10X on PharmEasy, Jockey & IGP in addition to hotels (Infinia & DCB)
• Rewards on Insurance, Utilities (2k) and Education (unlimited) spends (Infinia & DCBM)

 

[violetevergarden]

I have posted it one of the threads. Consider these additional benefits

• 10,000 Bonus Reward Points on spends of ₹ 4 lakh every calendar quarter (DCBM)
• 2X Reward Points on Weekend Dining (DCBM)
• 1% cashback with GVP on foreign transaction which reduces the Forex markup to effectively to 1.35% up to 1L. (DCBM & Infinia)
• Unmatched lounge network across the globe (DCBM)
• Domestic lounge access via PP gives access to lounges not accessible with Visa/MC network. Moreover, accessible with card and PP both (Infinia)
• Redemption in 1:1 ratio on apple products & Tanishq (Infinia)
• 10X on PharmEasy, Jockey & IGP in addition to hotels (Infinia & DCB)
• Rewards on Insurance, Utilities (2k) and Education (unlimited) spends (Infinia & DCBM)

Actually I have accounted most of them - milestone of DCB (additional 2.5%), PP lounge access benefit. EPM also has tanishq redemption. Apple redemption is heavy loss. For domestic ICICI EMP also has good network with some VIP access, for internation it has PP.
10X pharmeasy is actually very good one. IGP is scam in my option. As to last point, even I am not sure as terms and conditions keep changing more frequently than weather.

 

[theXfactor]

Actually I have accounted most of them - milestone of DCB (additional 2.5%), PP lounge access benefit. EPM also has tanishq redemption. Apple redemption is heavy loss. For domestic ICICI EMP also has good network with some VIP access, for internation it has PP.
10X pharmeasy is actually very good one. IGP is scam in my option. As to last point, even I am not sure as terms and conditions keep changing more frequently than weather.

Consider GVP that reduces your the markup with its 3.33% regular rewards on international transactions which make it a great one for international usage. It becomes net positive at 1.97% value back.
Point is such are practical which now EPM too is. For international it’s Infinia for me.

 

[violetevergarden]

Consider GVP that reduces your the markup with its 3.33% regular rewards on international transactions which make it a great one for international usage. It becomes net positive at 1.97% value back.
Point is such are practical which now EPM too is. For international it’s Infinia for me.

Never did much international transaction. But planning to take Axis Olympus for international transaction.(whenever lord Axis plans on launching for public)