The hotel sits just beyond the arrival area of Mumbai Domestic Airport (T1) and offers two entrances — one from the airport and another from the city side. Since my stay was short and I needed convenience for both the city and the airport, this location was ideal.

Taj Santacruz Booking & Entrance:

I booked a Twin Bed City view room for three adults with an extra bed through the Taj worldwide reservation desk. The rate was roughly Rs.18,000 per night. I was told I could apply my Rs.10,000 Taj voucher at check-in and pay the balance at checkout.

After arriving at the airport, my friends and I had coffee at Starbucks and then headed to Taj Santacruz. The airport-side entrance is less busy, so we passed through without much formality and entered a very elegant lobby.

Just inside the entrance is a compact yet striking Maserati showroom on the left. After a brief security check we reached the main entrance, where high-hanging chandeliers set an impressive tone.

Taj Traditional Welcome and Check-in:

We presented the Taj voucher during check-in, and the formalities were completed in about five minutes. We requested an Airport Runway view room, which was available, and Room 448 was allocated to us. We were offered a welcome drink and then treated to Taj’s traditional welcome ritual.

The staff welcomed us with aarti and kumkum, finishing with a small floral tika similar to traditions at South Indian weddings. It was a warm and slightly surprising touch that made the moment special.

I’ve stayed at other Taj hotels before, but this was the first time I experienced that particular ritual — a thoughtful detail that made a strong first impression.

Room with a View at Taj Santacruz:

A staff member escorted us to the room and explained the amenities and controls. She also offered helpful recommendations for nearby places and their timings. Her attentive and knowledgeable service stood out.

We spent time exploring and photographing the room. Every element combined creativity with luxury. The standout feature was the runway view: planes take off and land frequently, offering an interesting and dynamic sight.

Despite the proximity to the runway, the room was remarkably quiet. The windows are double-glazed, maintaining near silence inside. We stepped out to enjoy Mumbai’s night views and returned to a comfortable, quiet room. Watching the planes at night from the bed was unexpectedly romantic and made the stay memorable.

Breakfast at Tiqri, Taj Santacruz:

Taj Santacruz has several restaurants, each with its specialty. Breakfast was at Tiqri, a restaurant dominated by an eye-catching tree artwork on the wall. The buffet was plentiful and delicious. I particularly enjoyed the almonds — a simple detail but one of my favorite parts of the meal.

After breakfast I had a brief business meeting in the lobby. When it ended I realized I didn’t have access to the elevator because my room key was with a friend. I went to the reservation desk and asked for a second key. The staff member already had my key ready in under 30 seconds — a testament to their efficiency and memory.

My Overall Experience at Taj:

These thoughtful touches are what make Taj stays stand out. On a previous visit to a Taj in Goa, the manager personally helped carry our luggage to the car when attendants were unavailable. Small gestures like that create lasting impressions.

At checkout we spotted a Kollywood celebrity also waiting at reception — another perk of staying at such a prominent hotel. Overall, the stay at Taj Santacruz exceeded my expectations. Initially I had considered Taj hotels to be overly pricey, but the quality of service and the meticulously designed interiors made the cost feel justified.

Thanks to the American Express Travel Card and the voucher, I had the chance to experience this property. My next Taj visit will likely be the iconic Taj Mahal Palace near the Gateway of India, unless someone recommends another standout Taj property worth visiting.

• Cardexpert Hotel Rating: 5/5

I hope you enjoyed this review as much as I enjoyed the stay. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments and let me know if you’d like more hotel reviews on the blog.

The post Taj Santacruz Mumbai Review: Luxury Airport Hotel Experience first appeared on Kredi Kart Basvurusu.

• Priority Pass > Mastercard > Visa

Priority Pass is my top pick because it provides access to more than 850 lounges worldwide. Mastercard typically offers access to the most domestic lounges in India, while Visa covers fewer lounges overall. For that reason I reach for Visa only when it is the most practical option for a given visit.

View from Plaza Premium lounge – Bangalore Domestic Terminal

Complimentary Lounge Access Limits on Visa Cards:

• Visa Infinite cards: 4 complimentary visits per quarter
• Visa Signature cards: 2 complimentary visits per quarter (similar to many MasterCard cards)

Domestic Terminal – Visa Airport Lounges

1. Bangalore – Plaza Premium Lounge
2. Chennai – Travel Club (TFS) Lounge
3. Hyderabad – Plaza Premium Lounge
4. Mumbai – Carnations
5. Delhi – Plaza Premium Lounge (T3) & Plaza Premium Lounge (T1D)

International Terminal – Visa Airport Lounges

1. Bangalore – Plaza Premium Lounge
2. Chennai – Travel Club (TFS) Lounge
3. Hyderabad – Plaza Premium Lounge
4. Mumbai – Clipper
5. Delhi – Plaza Premium Lounge (T3)

On a personal note, I’ve used the Plaza Premium Lounge in Bangalore. My HDFC Regalia Credit Card (Visa Signature) granted access after a small swipe of Rs.2 for card authentication.

Have you used Visa Signature or Visa Infinite for lounge access? Share your experience in the comments below.

The post Visa Signature & Infinite Card Lounge Access in India: Complimentary Perks first appeared on Kredi Kart Basvurusu.

The Good

1. Readership: CardExpert experienced notable growth in 2017. At one point we served about 100,000 readers in a single month. There was a dip when I was unwell for a couple of months, but readership is climbing back.
2. Credit card industry developments: The market saw some strong product moves. SBI launched the Prime card to address common customer needs. ICICI refreshed its gemstone lineup and began issuing cards with Dreamfolks lounge access. HDFC introduced Clubmiles and added transfer partners after a period of devaluations. Overall, the industry is evolving rapidly and banks are beginning to respond more to customer demand, with better premium card options emerging over the last two years.
3. Points & miles promotions: 2017 offered several lucrative promotions enabling significant point accumulation. Apart from HDFC’s Diners 10x offers, Yes Bank ran a series of very attractive campaigns that made it possible to collect well over 100k points in some cases.
4. Trips: My travel was about 20% of what it was in 2016, mainly because my usual travel companion got married and his availability dropped. Still, I managed an international trip to Vietnam and a few domestic trips, and I took my family to North India (Delhi and Agra), which was very rewarding.
5. Memorable experiences: Highlights included an overnight cruise in Halong Bay, Vietnam, and flying domestic business class on Jet Airways—both vivid memories.
6. Work and health improvements: After years of late-night work schedules (often 4PM–4AM), I finally shifted back to a daytime routine. That change has had a big positive impact on my daily life—regular morning breakfasts feel like a small but meaningful luxury after nearly seven years.

The Bad

1. Unnecessary purchases: Late 2016 and into 2017 I made several purchases driven by reward offers rather than need. Many of those items were never used. The lesson was clear: only buy what you truly need, when you need it. Saving 50% is appealing, but not buying at all saves 100%.
2. Costly oversights: While chasing small points opportunities, I neglected some important tasks like timely accounting, taxation and project deadlines. That resulted in fees and interest totaling over Rs.20,000—equivalent to a large chunk of reward points. The takeaway: stop focusing on tiny promotions that save less than about Rs.1,000.
3. Illness: I had a rough 2–3 month stretch with repeated fevers and colds. It was one of the toughest periods of the year, and I hope to avoid a repeat.

Overall, the positives clearly outweigh the negatives.

What to expect On Cardexpert in 2018?

For me, the card-chasing phase is largely over after 2017, with the possible exception of Citibank, which hasn’t been a strong focus. The year ahead is about redeeming the points and miles accumulated over the past two years and enjoying the travel those balances can fund.

Flight Reviews

Flying domestic business class on Jet Airways hooked me on a more premium flying experience. I didn’t manage as many trips in 2017, but that should change in 2018.

A practical limitation in 2017 was the long drive—about three hours—to the nearest major airport (CJB) whenever I wanted to fly. That’s about to change: my city airport (SXV) is scheduled to reopen within a month, which will make flying much more convenient.

When local flights resume, I expect to fly far more frequently, and that will naturally increase hotel stays and related reviews. I’m looking forward to that change.

Hotel Reviews

In recent years I’ve become increasingly interested in hotels. I often stay in local hotels just to explore them and get some rest. With OTA pricing and offers, it’s possible to find very affordable rates—sometimes as low as Rs.500 per person per night on twin sharing at a 3-star property that normally costs much more.

Some stays have been unforgettable: extended breakfasts and relaxed mornings more than justify the price in many cases. I’ve taken several such stays with friends and solo, and I’m now exploring higher-end properties as well, including leisure trips to places like Aloft Coimbatore and Le Meridien Coimbatore.

I’m particularly fond of Starwood properties and expect to spend more time at Starwood (SPG), Marriott and Taj hotels going forward. My elite status targets for the near term are SPG/Marriott and JetPrivilege.

Expect to see more flight, hotel and airport lounge reviews on the blog in the coming months.

That said, business and personal commitments could keep me busy at times, so occasional breaks from the blog are possible.

Final Thoughts

There are many decisions ahead: new skills to learn, new places to visit and plenty of points and miles to redeem. With so much uncertainty, I’m eager to see what surprises the new year brings. I’ve rarely felt this excited about a New Year.

How was your 2017 and where do you plan to use your points and miles in 2018? Share your thoughts on the content you’d like to see on the blog—flights, hotels and airport lounge reviews are still relatively new here, and I’m keen to cover what readers want.

The post 2017 Year in Review: Major Events, Trends, and Highlights first appeared on Kredi Kart Basvurusu.

It’s been about a year since I launched Cardexpert, and it has become the only dedicated site in India offering real credit card reviews, honest opinions and active conversations with thousands of readers. I’m grateful to everyone who has made this possible.

I received hundreds of emails and comments this year thanking me for creating an informative platform that helps people save money while they spend. That feedback has been very encouraging.

Recently, a reader who used my paid credit card consultation wrote to thank me for offering a paid service. It’s good to see readers recognize the value of time. In fact, most of the information I provide is already available across the blog’s hundreds of articles and thousands of comments; the paid consultation is simply the fastest way to get a tailored answer.

Gifting the Top 10 Readers of CardExpert

As a token of gratitude, I decided to gift the top 10 readers and contributors who added unique value to the blog over the past year. I hinted about this surprise in my previous email to subscribers.

If you haven’t received my email, you can join the mailing list from the pop-up that appears occasionally, or simply by commenting on any article.

I selected the winners based on their overall contribution to the site, primarily the number and quality of comments. I also considered in-depth contributors like Manish, who wrote insightful reviews of the IndusInd Iconia and Amex Platinum Reserve cards, and SriKrsna, who reviewed the SBI SimplyClick card for online spending.

Winners

1. Manish – maXXXXni@hotmail.com
2. SriKrsna – srXXXX5n@gmail.com
3. Prashant Agrawal – heXXXXnt@gmail.com
4. Prashant Gupta – prXXXXX84@gmail.com
5. Abhishek Roy – XXXX@abXXXX.ro
6. Captain Bishuddha Bharatiya – gaXXXX4u@yahoo.co.in
7. MANU KUMAR – maXXXX88@gmail.com
8. Vinod Kannan – viXXXXX23@gmail.com
9. Biby – biXXXXn1@gmail.com
10. Chaitanya Varma – vcXXXXma@gmail.com

All winners will receive Rs. 100 worth of mobile recharge. I’ve already contacted them via their registered emails and am waiting to deliver the gift. I’ll likely redeem HDFC reward points to fund this giveaway.

Note: A few potential winners were disqualified because their comments did not include a valid email address.

If you’re a winner, please share how you feel. For everyone else, keep contributing — I plan to run similar giveaways more often. Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous New Year 2017.

2016 was a great year for me with a lot of positive energy. How was your year? Feel free to share in the comments below.

The post CardExpert Giveaway: 10 Top Readers Win Surprise Gifts first appeared on Kredi Kart Basvurusu.

Standard Chartered Diwali Cashback Offer Details

1. Offer period: 1^st Oct to 31^st Dec, 2019
2. Target: Spend a specified amount (monthly, for three months) to earn 1% cashback
3. Upper cap: Cashback is limited to your credit limit per statement cycle
4. Customers cannot make payments in excess of their credit limit to create additional available credit for purchases
5. Excluded spend types: E-wallets, mobile recharges, and insurance payments
6. Fulfilment: Rewards credited by 31 March 2020
7. To enroll: Check your email or mobile for communication, or send SMS with the word UNLIMITED to 57575
8. Offer T&C: Please refer to the issuer’s terms and conditions for full details

To qualify, you must meet the monthly spend target for each of the three months within the offer period. The bank provides an illustrative example in the offer terms and conditions to show how the monthly targets and cashback are calculated. Targets are personalised; for instance, one cardholder reported receiving a monthly target of Rs. 5,000 on a card with relatively low typical spends.

Bottomline

Overall, this is a modest promotion. If you hold the Standard Chartered Ultimate credit card, you can combine the 1% Diwali cashback with the card’s base earning rates to achieve roughly 1% plus 3.3% on qualifying spends during October–December 2019, though practical redemption value may vary. For cardholders who do not have the Ultimate card, the offer is less compelling.

Looking at Standard Chartered’s Diwali campaigns over the past three years, the effective returns have fallen—from around 3.3% to 1.5% and now to 1%—which suggests these festive promotions are becoming less generous.

Still, some reward is better than none. What monthly target did you receive? Share your experience in the comments below.

The post Diwali Offer: Up to 1% Cashback on Standard Chartered Credit Card Spends first appeared on Kredi Kart Basvurusu.

Yes Bank Festive Privileges Offer

• Offer period: 10 October 2017 to 31 October 2017.
• 10X reward points on spends at designated partner merchants. No minimum transaction value required to qualify.
• 2X reward points on spends at non-partner merchants (any other online or offline transactions) provided that total combined spends during the offer period (partner + non-partner) exceed ₹100,000. For Yes First Preferred cards, the threshold is ₹50,000.
• Partner merchants: Amazon, MakeMyTrip, OlaCabs, Shoppers Stop, and Reliance Digital.
• The maximum bonus points that can be earned during the offer period are 100,000 bonus reward points. Bonus points refer to the extra points beyond the normal base earning (for example, the additional 9X or 1X). If bonus points would exceed the 100,000 cap, they are limited to this cap; base reward points are still credited in full.
• Example: If a cardholder spends ₹100,000 at Shoppers Stop using the Yes First Exclusive card, the standard reward points are 10,000 and the bonus is 90,000. If the same cardholder spends ₹200,000 at non-partner merchants, the standard reward points are 20,000 and the bonus is 20,000. Total bonus would be 110,000 but will be capped at 100,000. Total points earned become standard points (10,000 + 20,000) + capped bonus (100,000) = 130,000 reward points.
• Spends on both primary and add-on cards count toward the offer.
• No coupon codes or merchant-specific app requirements are necessary to earn these reward points.
• Reward points fulfillment: by 31 December 2017.

What this means for cardholders

• Yes First Exclusive’s base earning rate equals about 2.5%. Under this promotion, purchases at partner merchants effectively yield a 25% value back (10X), while non-partner transactions can yield about 5% back (2X) once the overall spend threshold is met.
• The 100,000 bonus points cap translates to up to ₹25,000 in bonus value in addition to the base points you would normally earn.
• No coupon codes are required, so you can still use any merchant-specific discounts or promo codes while earning the bonus points. This is an improvement over earlier restrictions some premium cards had, where using coupons sometimes invalidated the higher reward multipliers.
• The promotion also covers offline partner spending (for example, Shoppers Stop), making it suitable for both online and in-store shoppers.
• Ola’s inclusion alongside MakeMyTrip and Amazon gives cab-booking users a valuable option; previously similar programs highlighted Uber as a partner for other premium cards.
• Overall, this is a strong, flexible offer without strict item restrictions at partner merchants. For example, travel-related purchases such as railway tickets booked via MakeMyTrip should also qualify for the bonus multipliers.

Yes Bank cards have been recommended by rewards-focused observers because of how aggressive the issuer has been with promotions. If you haven’t yet explored Yes Bank credit cards, consider reviewing the card features to see if they match your spending patterns.

Are you planning to take advantage of this offer during Diwali? Share how you intend to prioritize spends across partner and non-partner merchants to maximize rewards. Happy Diwali in advance to all readers.

Source: Yes Bank terms and conditions for Festive Privileges offers.

The post Earn 10X and 2X Reward Points on Yes First Credit Cards — Festive Offer first appeared on Kredi Kart Basvurusu.

The HSBC Premier Credit Card has been available in India for some time, but it rarely attracted attention because its benefits were modest compared with other premium cards. With HSBC India upgrading the card’s features, benefits and introducing a metal version, it now merits a closer look. Below is a concise, user-friendly guide to the refreshed HSBC Premier Credit Card.

Fees

The welcome benefit—a 12,000 INR Taj Experiences gift card—is attractive, though some cardholders might prefer reward points as an alternative. The joining and renewal fees position this card in the premium segment, comparable to other top-tier offerings from different banks.

Eligibility

You qualify as an HSBC Premier customer if you meet one of the following:

1. Total Relationship Balance: Average Quarterly Balance (AQB) of 40 lakh INR across accounts, FDs, demat holdings, etc.
2. Salary Credit: Monthly salary credit greater than 3 lakh INR.
3. Mortgage: Home loan outstanding greater than 1.15 crore INR.

If the required balance is not maintained for a quarter, a service charge of 0.2% on the shortfall (capped at 2,000 INR + GST per quarter) may be applied. Persistent non-compliance could lead the bank to reclassify the account to a different offering.

The Card

HSBC now offers the Premier Credit Card in a metal form factor on the Mastercard World platform. The card has a simple, elegant design with a high-quality finish. Visually, the card looks premium even without metal, and the Mastercard logo adds a touch of color. The primary physical difference between metal and plastic versions is weight, so some users may prefer to keep their existing plastic card.

Rewards

• Earn Rate: 3 reward points per 100 INR spent (effectively ~3% at some redemption options)
• Validity: Reward points do not expire
• No current category restrictions on earning points
• 1% fee applies on rental transactions

At present the rewards structure is straightforward, with few exclusions aside from the rental transaction fee. Given HSBC’s trend to improve earn rates, future changes could introduce category restrictions—but for now the card is flexible for everyday spending.

Redemption

• Airmiles: Transfer partners include British Airways Avios and Club Vistara (CV Points), useful for frequent flyers.
• e-Vouchers: Imagine vouchers (Apple reseller) redeem at a 1:1 ratio—effectively preserving the 3% reward rate when converted this way.
• e-Vouchers: Amazon and Flipkart vouchers redeem at 1:0.5, which equals a 1.5% effective rate.

Apple voucher redemptions require a minimum of 50,000 points, which means significant spend is needed to reach that threshold. The card’s airline partners and voucher options provide a variety of ways to use points, though the best value depends on how you redeem them.

Airport Lounge Access

The card includes unlimited domestic lounge access via network partners and Priority Pass international lounge access with up to eight guest visits per card anniversary year—enough to cover visits for small families or groups.

Forex Markup Fee

• Foreign currency markup fee: 0.99% + GST (~1.2% total)
• Net benefit on international spend: reward rate (~3%) minus forex fee (~1.2%) = ~1.8% net gain

A low forex markup fee is useful for travelers. After accounting for the forex charge, the card still delivers a healthy net return on foreign currency transactions.

Other Benefits

• Golf: Golf benefits are part of the HSBC Premier account rather than tied exclusively to the credit card.
• Taj Epicure membership
• EazyDiner Prime membership
• Festive offers: Seasonal promotions are available, though their value has varied year to year.

These additional perks add value, particularly for cardholders who prefer a consolidated experience within the HSBC ecosystem.

My Experience

My personal experience with HSBC Premier banking and the credit card has been mixed. At times the digital experience lacks control and visibility for card features. On the other hand, Relationship Managers can be empowered to process requests such as limit enhancements. Overall I’d rate the user experience as slightly above average relative to the premium requirements of the HSBC Premier relationship.

Should you get it?

Consider this card if one of the following applies to you:

• You are already an HSBC Premier customer, have annual card spends under 25 lakh INR, and want to stay within the HSBC ecosystem.
• You are an HSBC Premier customer with higher spends but prioritize the HSBC relationship over pure rewards.
• You want to diversify your card portfolio for specific redemptions—such as collecting points for Apple vouchers—and can meet the HSBC Premier relationship requirements.

If your annual spends are significantly high (for example, over 25 lakh INR), competing cards that offer higher redemption value on specific categories may yield better returns, so compare options before deciding.

Bottomline

• Cardexpert Rating: 4.2/5

The updated HSBC Premier Credit Card is a noticeably stronger offering than before. It provides a solid rewards rate, useful travel benefits and a premium physical design. Given the financial relationship the bank requires, additional concierge-style perks—like complimentary airport transfers or meet-and-greet services—would make the package even more compelling. If you hold this card, feel free to share your experience in the comments below.

The post HSBC Premier Credit Card Review India: Fees, Rewards & Perks first appeared on Kredi Kart Basvurusu.

1. Zero Flight Cancellation Charges

Offer Details:

• ZERO Cancellation protection at no extra cost on domestic flight bookings made with an HDFC Bank credit card.
• Refundable tickets: HDFC covers the portion of the ticket cost not refunded by the airline, excluding convenience fees, up to a maximum of Rs. 25,000.
• Non-refundable tickets: HDFC covers 50% of the ticket cost, excluding convenience fees, up to a maximum of Rs. 25,000.
• Maximum: Two cancellation claims per cardholder during the offer period.
• Offer Period: 1–28 February 2019.

This is a useful perk if you frequently book domestic flights with an HDFC credit card. If your trip is not cancelled, you may still earn bonus reward points on the booking.

2. 2X Points on Insurance

Offer Details:

• Offer Period: 1 January 2019 to 31 March 2019.
• Maximum bonus: 5,000 additional reward points per cardholder.
• Fulfilment: Bonus points credited by 30 June 2019.

This promotion is most valuable for holders of HDFC premium and super-premium credit cards making insurance premium payments. Compare similar offers from other issuers to choose the best option for your payment.

3. HDFC Dining Offers

Offer Details:

• Up to 40% off at participating fine-dining restaurants.

HDFC launched a dining portal offering substantial discounts at select restaurants. Availability varies by city; for example, some Chennai locations listed a 40% discount. The network can expand, so check the portal for participating outlets in your area.

HDFC also partnered with Dineout for the Great Indian Restaurant Festival (GIRF). Cardholders received a discount on booking fees in addition to the festival’s own offers, which can further reduce overall dining costs.

4. BookMyShow Vouchers

Offer Details:

• Rs. 100 BookMyShow voucher for each registered standing instruction (automatic payment).
• Offer Period: 1 January 2019 to 28 February 2019.

This is a modest but handy reward if you set up recurring bill payments via your HDFC credit card. Multiple standing instructions can translate into several BookMyShow vouchers over time.

5. Payzapp Offers

Offer Details:

• Up to 10% off on bill payments and other deals through the Payzapp app.
• Valid till: 31 March 2019.

Payzapp promotions have been recurring across multiple months. With regular bill payments and eligible transactions, cardholders could save a meaningful amount—often several hundred rupees a month—through these offers.

Bottomline

It’s encouraging to see banks introduce fresh offers starting in January 2019. Many of these promotions deliver tangible savings for frequent travelers, diners, and cardholders who pay recurring bills. Keep an eye on offer terms, eligibility, and expiry dates to make the most of them.

Are you using any HDFC Bank credit card offers? Share your experience in the comments below.

The post Top HDFC Credit Card Offers to Grab in February 2019 first appeared on Kredi Kart Basvurusu.

Axis Bank, in partnership with Google Pay, has introduced the entry-level Axis ACE Credit Card on the Visa (Signature) network. This card aims to offer strong everyday cashback benefits and basic travel perks at a modest fee, making it attractive for new cardholders as well as users seeking straightforward cash rewards.

Features and Benefits

• 5% Cashback on: Bill payments (electricity, internet, gas and more), DTH and mobile recharges when paid through Google Pay.
• 5% Cashback on: BigBasket and Grofers (offer valid till 31st Dec 2020).
• 4% Cashback on: Swiggy, Zomato and Ola.
• 2% Cashback on: All other eligible spends (excludes fuel, EMI payments and wallet loads).
• Lounge Access: Four complimentary airport lounge visits per year.

The uncapped 5% cashback category is unusually generous for an entry-level card, and the 2% across other spends further strengthens its everyday value proposition. These rates make the card a compelling choice for users who prioritize cashback over travel or premium lifestyle benefits.

On lounge access, note that entry-level cards typically provide access to a limited set of lounges compared with premium or super-premium cards, which usually include a broader network. Axis Bank provides a list of eligible lounges in its program documentation for transparency.

Fees and Offers

• Joining Fee: Rs. 499 + GST — refundable if you spend Rs. 10,000 within 45 days of card issuance.
• Renewal Fee: Rs. 499 + GST — waived if annual spends exceed Rs. 2,00,000.
• Limited Period Offer: No joining fee for applications received until 31st December 2020.

The refundable joining fee and the waiver on renewal for higher annual spends make the effective cost of holding the card low for active users, especially those who can meet the spend thresholds.

How to apply

Initially, the card appears to be visible to select Google Pay users directly within the app. Broader online application options, branch applications and customer care support are expected to follow. Given the recent launch, applying after mid-October may offer a smoother experience as availability expands.

Bottom line

Overall, the Axis ACE Credit Card is a strong entry-level product that delivers excellent cashback rates for a modest fee. It competes well with other entry-level offers: for example, the Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card has been a strong performer in this segment, while ICICI’s Amazon Pay credit card and HDFC’s Millennia card each address specific user needs. Axis ACE stands out for straightforward cashback on everyday categories, which is particularly useful in the current economic climate.

This card suits beginners as well as users of higher-tier cards who want an easy-to-understand cashback-focused option. If your priority is low fees and better non-travel rewards, the Axis ACE Credit Card is worth considering.

What are your thoughts on the Axis Bank ACE Credit Card? Share your views in the comments below.

The post Axis Bank ACE Credit Card: 2% Cashback on Everyday Spending first appeared on Kredi Kart Basvurusu.

Diners 10X Rewards

• Validity: Until 31 January 2020.
• Eligible transactions: Purchases made on both offline stores and online websites of FirstCry and Godrej Nature’s Basket qualify for 10X rewards.
• Exclusions: Ola post-paid transactions are not eligible for 10X rewards.
• Posting timeline: The incremental 9X rewards (beyond the base 1X) will be credited within 30 days from the end of the calendar month in which the transaction occurred.
• Refer to the Diners offer terms and conditions on the bank’s Diners privilege page for full details.

SmartBuy 10X Rewards

• Validity: Until 31 January 2020.
• Upper caps:
  • Infinia: 25,000 points per calendar month.
  • Diners Black: 15,000 points per calendar month.
  • Other Diners cards and Regalia: 5,000 points per calendar month.
  • All other cards: 5% cashback up to Rs. 1,000 per calendar month.
• Upper cap reset: Monthly, on a calendar-month basis.
• Eligible channels: Transactions made via SmartBuy on Flipkart and Amazon, plus flights and hotels booked through SmartBuy, instant gift vouchers, and bus & train bookings through the SmartBuy platform are covered for 10X.
• Posting timeline: Reward points or cashback will be credited within 90 working days from the last date of the transaction month, with many non-Amazon SmartBuy credits typically posted much sooner (often within a week).
• See the SmartBuy offer terms and conditions for the full list of eligible merchants and exclusions.

Note: The extension dates are currently reflected on the Diners site and should be updated across other channels shortly.

Bottomline

HDFC Bank has extended the 10X rewards program into January 2020 with no change to the existing benefits or exclusions. This is welcome news for cardholders who rely on accelerated rewards. That said, a longer extension—quarterly or semiannual—would be more convenient for typical credit card users than monthly announcements.

Wishing you a happy and rewarding new year ahead.

The post HDFC Bank 10X Rewards Extended Through January 2020 first appeared on Kredi Kart Basvurusu.