AvidFlyer1990

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!

deovrat

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.

A2A

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

vishalgupta22

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.

Keyser

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/india...india-now.html

onlysuites

How is Diners clubs in terms of acceptability? Is it similar to Amex or worse?

deovrat

I'd say a tiny bit worse actually. I use Diners in combination with another Visa card. Not one to be relied upon as an only card.

When it works on the 10x merchants though... Dreamland !

onlysuites

HDFC one? How much do you get per Rs100 on the 10x?

vishalgupta22

HDFC Diners club black earns 5 points per 150 Rs.
With 10x it's 50 per 150 Rs

vishalgupta22

I actually fee acceptability is a bit better than Amex as it works on HDFC POS machines. So as long as a merchant has a HDFC POS there is a good chance it will work.

I don't have a Amex in India so I can easily be wrong.

onlysuites

Dos that = 50 AA miles?

deovrat

Indeed.

onlysuites

Wow!

onlysuites

Just saw their 10x partners. Not many though.

AvidFlyer1990

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?