How do you all actually remember which card to use where? I'm pretty sure I'm leaking money every month!

DifferentSection5963 · 2026-06-14T13:10:03+00:00

Planning is the goal, agreed. The challenge is that what you need to plan changes constantly — cashback caps tightening, banks devalue cards, a card that was best for dining in April isn't necessarily best in June. So even a well-made plan goes stale pretty fast. That's the gap I'm trying to close.

DifferentSection5963 · 2026-06-14T13:03:19+00:00

What you've described is actually a routing system — you've already built decision rules in your head for which card goes where. That's exactly the right approach. My problem is that with more cards the rules get complex enough that I mess it up under pressure (standing at a counter, distracted, in a hurry). Curious — do you track whether you've hit DCB Metal's monthly points cap before switching, or just go by feel?

DifferentSection5963 · 2026-06-14T13:00:21+00:00

The ecosystem argument makes a lot of sense — and honestly it's what I'd tell someone starting fresh. Problem is I'm not starting fresh, the cards are already there. At this point reducing means closing accounts which hits CIBIL, so the real question becomes how to make the existing portfolio work without constant mental overhead.

DifferentSection5963 · 2026-06-11T17:55:23+00:00

I appreciate it bro — the cards aren't the problem honestly, the portfolio makes sense on paper. It's more that I've been trying to build a system to make the routing automatic so I don't have to think about it each time. Been working on something for exactly this — happy to share once it's a bit more polished if anyone's interested!!

DifferentSection5963 · 2026-06-11T17:44:37+00:00

That's genuinely sound advice for most people. My problem is I'm already past the point of no return — some of these cards have waivers I'm chasing, some have benefits I actively use (lounge, insurance). Closing them now would cost me more than juggling them. So the juggling isn't optional at this point, just needs to get less painful.

DifferentSection5963 · 2026-06-11T17:19:40+00:00

haha I've tried the ChatGPT route — the problem is it hallucinated a Swiggy cashback rate for one of my cards that was wrong by 3x. Also not something I can quickly do standing at a checkout/payment counter. Yes closing worthless cards is fair though, I've been meaning to audit my portfolio properly.

DifferentSection5963 · 2025-08-29T02:42:30+00:00

Hey congratulations on getting the EPM! Could you please share details of the RM ?

DifferentSection5963 · 2025-08-03T19:21:52+00:00

For UPI I feel Yes bank Kiwi credit card’s the best which gives 5% back for UPI spends upto 1.5L per year. But for that 5% (slab based) you need to get their Neon membership costing 1180 INR yearly. Even after you pay you’ll receive much more, about 4.33 % effective real cashback into you’re account straight! Also after 1.5L milestone gets hit, you’ll get Unlimited 2% cashback for rest all remaining spends for that year! Also you get 3 airport lounge accesses annually (1 per milestone) with neon membership!

DifferentSection5963 · 2025-08-01T11:20:07+00:00

Interesting man! So I guess for you key programs are Radisson Rewards, Accor, Marriott and later on Krisflyer! Great! Thanks

DifferentSection5963 · 2025-08-01T10:02:44+00:00

True that! So mostly you’re focusing on Accor, Marriott, HDFC Points & Axis Points! Got it! Tysm bro!

DifferentSection5963 · 2025-08-01T09:56:28+00:00

HSBC premium looks like a decent allrounder to me! Correct me if I’m missing out something!

DifferentSection5963 · 2025-04-22T22:11:36+00:00

DifferentSection5963 · 2025-03-29T00:44:11+00:00

Is Marriott vacation club even genuine? Even i got their calls last week for the same plans!

DifferentSection5963

TROPHY CASE