OYO Rooms — often promoted as the world’s fastest-growing hotel chain — has been a regular presence in the headlines for years. The company frequently makes news for acquisitions, investments and other business moves. Recently, however, OYO has increasingly appeared in the media for less favorable reasons. Personally, I haven’t stayed at an OYO property … Read more

During the Covid-19 crisis, American Express India has added value for select cardmembers by launching a three-month promotion called “Double Rewards” on the Platinum Charge card. The promotion enhances both points earned and the value of points when redeemed. With this promotion you can earn twice the points on selected categories and also receive twice … Read more

One day I decided to open an HSBC Premier Account mainly for its Global Account privileges, which are useful for frequent travelers and internationally-active customers. While initiating the account opening, I also explored the HSBC Premier Credit Card to see what it offers alongside the Premier banking relationship. Below is a clear, firsthand account of … Read more

After devaluing many of its credit card benefits, Yes Bank has started sending out a new round of spend-based promotions — a format that was especially popular in 2017. These are personalized offers that assign two spending targets (Target #1 and Target #2). Meeting each target earns the cardholder an Amazon e-voucher of a specified … Read more

Delhi Airport Lounge – Queue The Plaza Premium lounge in Delhi T3 has long been one of the busiest airport lounges in the country. After my visit in early February 2021, I left convinced it might be one of the busiest in the world. Regardless of global comparisons, the crowding here is undeniable. Locals and … Read more

As many cardholders know, the HDFC Infinia card offers a popular dining perk: 2X reward points on dining spends at standalone restaurants. When I first got the card I used this benefit frequently — getting an effective return of around 6.6% on dining is hard to ignore. Over time my usage tapered off after the … Read more

Coffee tastes better with a discount. IndusInd Bank Visa credit cardholders can take advantage of a limited-time offer at participating Starbucks India outlets: a 50% instant discount, up to ₹200, on eligible in-store purchases. If you enjoy Starbucks beverages, snacks or seasonal items, this offer provides a straightforward way to reduce the cost of your … Read more

IndiGo has issued co-branded credit cards through HDFC Bank for the past two years and more recently with Kotak Mahindra Bank. At first glance the cards appear reasonable, but real-world use exposes several frustrating limitations. Speaking with an existing Kotak–IndiGo cardholder highlights why these cards are unlikely to perform as well as they could. Below … Read more

Standard Chartered India has launched a straightforward spend-based promotion for select credit card holders whose cards have been inactive. The offer provides a flat voucher for meeting a modest spending threshold. If you haven’t received a communication but are considering keeping a Standard Chartered card in the future, here’s a clear summary of the offer … Read more

Unless you’ve been completely out of the loop, you’ll know that Axis Bank’s Magnus and other super-premium cards were, until 31 August 2023, among the most generous credit cards available in India. The combination of high earn rates and attractive transfer partners made these cards exceptionally valuable for many cardholders. Axis Bank has announced changes … Read more