Credit cards in India for flexible points accrual - An overview (advice sought)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: YTO/DEL/BOM/GAU
Programs: A few airlines, hotel programs and car rentals
Posts: 1,238
Credit cards in India for flexible points accrual - An overview (advice sought)
Hello folks,
I just moved from the US to India, and loving every minute of it. I have tons of fantastic US-issued credit cards with no foreign transaction fee (that earns flexible points of course ), however, it costs me every time I have to wire money to my US bank account just to pay my credit card. So, I have decided to apply for a local credit card here. I have gotten a couple of invites:
1. Axis Bank Visa Infiniti/infinity
2. HDFC Bank Infinia
Also, heard that there is a Citi Prestige and AMEX Plat (unfortunately, not available in the city that I am in currently; this might change in the future if/when I move). Any suggestions? Leaning more towards the Infinia, as, apparently, you get Priority Pass Prestige membership (which includes a guest). Is that correct? Are the HDFC points valuable, and do they have any transfer partners?
Any other cards you want to recommend?
Also, I was thinking, since there is already an AI SBI credit card thread, I was wondering if mods/FT'ers would prefer a/this thread to be a central repository of all things Indian credit card (besides the SBI ones). If there is already such a thread, mods please merge this.
Thanks a ton everyone!
I just moved from the US to India, and loving every minute of it. I have tons of fantastic US-issued credit cards with no foreign transaction fee (that earns flexible points of course ), however, it costs me every time I have to wire money to my US bank account just to pay my credit card. So, I have decided to apply for a local credit card here. I have gotten a couple of invites:
1. Axis Bank Visa Infiniti/infinity
2. HDFC Bank Infinia
Also, heard that there is a Citi Prestige and AMEX Plat (unfortunately, not available in the city that I am in currently; this might change in the future if/when I move). Any suggestions? Leaning more towards the Infinia, as, apparently, you get Priority Pass Prestige membership (which includes a guest). Is that correct? Are the HDFC points valuable, and do they have any transfer partners?
Any other cards you want to recommend?
Also, I was thinking, since there is already an AI SBI credit card thread, I was wondering if mods/FT'ers would prefer a/this thread to be a central repository of all things Indian credit card (besides the SBI ones). If there is already such a thread, mods please merge this.
Thanks a ton everyone!
#2
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: India
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Hilton Gold
Posts: 907
As far as I know, HDFC Infinia can only transfer to 9W and AI.
If you are looking for a more flexible points accrual card, Citi Prestige and/or HDFC Diners Black might be the best approach. The combination of them will cover a wide range of airlines.
Citi Prestige gets you the same Priority Pass membership too.
If you are looking for a more flexible points accrual card, Citi Prestige and/or HDFC Diners Black might be the best approach. The combination of them will cover a wide range of airlines.
Citi Prestige gets you the same Priority Pass membership too.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: www.livefromalounge.com
Programs: AA, BASilver, TajICGold, MarriottPlatinum,HyattGlobalist, EYGold, AI
Posts: 2,215
there are threads for all major credit cards, and I don't think putting everything in one place is a good idea, given each card has their nuances
#4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Gold, AA Platinum, SQ Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,578
I also moved to India last year.
I am since then using a HDFC Diners club Black and HDFC Jet Airways Debit Card.
With 10x rewards on Diners Club Black, I get 50 points per 150 Rs on Snapdeal, Flipkart, Cleartrip, Yatra (and a few more sites).
Diners club acceptance in Bangalore is about 60% so you definitely need another card or atleast a check/debit card.
Because of the 10x offer we have buying virtually everything from Snapdeal.
I suggest getting a HDFC Diners club black and take care of other transactions with a debit card. This will give you a chance to get more used to what second card suit you best.
I am since then using a HDFC Diners club Black and HDFC Jet Airways Debit Card.
With 10x rewards on Diners Club Black, I get 50 points per 150 Rs on Snapdeal, Flipkart, Cleartrip, Yatra (and a few more sites).
Diners club acceptance in Bangalore is about 60% so you definitely need another card or atleast a check/debit card.
Because of the 10x offer we have buying virtually everything from Snapdeal.
I suggest getting a HDFC Diners club black and take care of other transactions with a debit card. This will give you a chance to get more used to what second card suit you best.
Hello folks,
I just moved from the US to India, and loving every minute of it. I have tons of fantastic US-issued credit cards with no foreign transaction fee (that earns flexible points of course ), however, it costs me every time I have to wire money to my US bank account just to pay my credit card. So, I have decided to apply for a local credit card here. I have gotten a couple of invites:
1. Axis Bank Visa Infiniti/infinity
2. HDFC Bank Infinia
Also, heard that there is a Citi Prestige and AMEX Plat (unfortunately, not available in the city that I am in currently; this might change in the future if/when I move). Any suggestions? Leaning more towards the Infinia, as, apparently, you get Priority Pass Prestige membership (which includes a guest). Is that correct? Are the HDFC points valuable, and do they have any transfer partners?
Any other cards you want to recommend?
Also, I was thinking, since there is already an AI SBI credit card thread, I was wondering if mods/FT'ers would prefer a/this thread to be a central repository of all things Indian credit card (besides the SBI ones). If there is already such a thread, mods please merge this.
Thanks a ton everyone!
I just moved from the US to India, and loving every minute of it. I have tons of fantastic US-issued credit cards with no foreign transaction fee (that earns flexible points of course ), however, it costs me every time I have to wire money to my US bank account just to pay my credit card. So, I have decided to apply for a local credit card here. I have gotten a couple of invites:
1. Axis Bank Visa Infiniti/infinity
2. HDFC Bank Infinia
Also, heard that there is a Citi Prestige and AMEX Plat (unfortunately, not available in the city that I am in currently; this might change in the future if/when I move). Any suggestions? Leaning more towards the Infinia, as, apparently, you get Priority Pass Prestige membership (which includes a guest). Is that correct? Are the HDFC points valuable, and do they have any transfer partners?
Any other cards you want to recommend?
Also, I was thinking, since there is already an AI SBI credit card thread, I was wondering if mods/FT'ers would prefer a/this thread to be a central repository of all things Indian credit card (besides the SBI ones). If there is already such a thread, mods please merge this.
Thanks a ton everyone!
#5
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,652
Also, I was thinking, since there is already an AI SBI credit card thread, I was wondering if mods/FT'ers would prefer a/this thread to be a central repository of all things Indian credit card (besides the SBI ones). If there is already such a thread, mods please merge this.
#7
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: India
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Hilton Gold
Posts: 907
#10
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Gold, AA Platinum, SQ Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,578
I don't have a Amex in India so I can easily be wrong.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: YTO/DEL/BOM/GAU
Programs: A few airlines, hotel programs and car rentals
Posts: 1,238
Thank you for all the wonderful advice. Might just go for the HDFC Diners Club Black and the Infinia. Will look into Citi Prestige as well!
Quick question for HDFC Diners Club Black users: the 10x points-do you get those when booking with the airlines directly, say AI or SQ or 9W, etc., or is only through 3rd party consolidator sites? And, anyone use HDFC Infinia?
Quick question for HDFC Diners Club Black users: the 10x points-do you get those when booking with the airlines directly, say AI or SQ or 9W, etc., or is only through 3rd party consolidator sites? And, anyone use HDFC Infinia?