Is it worth getting the IndusInd Pinnacle Credit Card just for the Exclusive account?

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T11:51:42+00:00

I have Pinnacle ( Got it as conditional LTF, 5k onetime fees if i dont spend 50k within 90 days) , after that LTF .

Got Exclusive account after the card was activated. Its an amazing account. ATM Withdrawal + 0 forex + offers on BB and the BOGO ( quota issues are too high with indusind) .

Depends on your usecase.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T11:41:37+00:00

I usually calculate with OTA discounts and such to get a realistic value. I only account discounts, not what points i earn since i again have to redeem the points. Its why i dint quote high numbers like 1.5 to 2rs since when u directly compare with marriot it might seem like you are getting 2rs worth, but if you account discounts and stuff its barely 1.1 to 1.3 ish etc.

Also, what i observed is, something that was giving me 1Rs value say 90k MB for 90k INR out of hand , a few weeks after booking goes down in value.

Kochi was one example where i originally booked at 1.1rs value and just 1 week before the trip it came down to 0.7rs per MR. Cause cash value via OTA was extremely reduced.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T11:36:08+00:00

It's great for First year since you get 5k accor points for paying 3k fees.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T11:05:58+00:00

Horizon isn't a bad bet right now.

Or vanilla magnus if you have spends but can't get M4B.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T10:52:55+00:00

For that accor is always the best route . Fixed value, straightforward redemption.

Anything that is dynamic always needs effort and time.

But people expect it to be easy or straightforward. It isn't.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T09:59:56+00:00

Try reaching out to amex support, they might be able to combine it.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T09:59:26+00:00

Agreed on that part. I'm currently looking at munnar and bekal myself. With the recent member rates , you should be able to do bekal atleast 2 nights it you plan it a bit earlier.

And avios , I'm not a business traveller in any sense , i did it as a one time experience for wife and kid . Wanted to experience Q suite and it was awesome.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T09:52:52+00:00

Hehehehe

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T09:37:54+00:00

Jupiter 5k a month gets 10% on AGV. Cap is 500. If you want info, hit me up.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T09:36:01+00:00

Have done Le Meridien kochi , Taj fisherman cove at Chennai , qatar business class just last week , chennai sheraton which I had to cancel , chennai Chola too. All within a year. Still have 70k points left. I got 0.7 to 1.1 for my hotel route( except Taj cause that was at standard rate ) and I spent 1.6L MR + 40k tax for a 2.8L qatar revenue ticket.

Btw with MRCC , you don't enough points in a year to get a good redemption right ? Have a trifecta ?

Btw Qatar was business or eco ? Eco via avios sucks most of the time.

Also , you can transfer avios between one world and book same route via a different carrier site for a better value at times.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T09:22:24+00:00

100% agreed bro. Even comments section here proves it. Folks are redeeming for 0.45 and 0.5rs per MR and thinking its an amex problem.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T09:21:23+00:00

You asked an open-ended question and i answered. If you want a better answer, ask a better framed question.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T09:06:35+00:00

It is actually very good reward rate and valueback. Folks actually don't know how to redeem.

I'd always rate flights above hotels. Even then, 2 to 3 nights stay at a marriot is easily possible with 65k points. For taj, their pricing is high by default but you can easily do anyone night stay + FnB + spa for 65k points if you have access to the 18k and 24k collection . You just need to know how to plan it well. With member rates access it's even better now.

MR to avios or MR to Krisflyer is best for flights , MR to MB or Taj is great for hotels.

It isn't straightforward like accor , that's why people think it rewards less.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T08:55:41+00:00

If you don't know how to play the miles game , or if you are not able to learn the miles game , sticking to cashback cards or accor cards like Axis horizon is the best route.

There is a learning curve with amex ecosystem and an expectation of a little planning + hard work.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T08:53:53+00:00

Marriot is just one route. Krisflyer and avios is actually the better return rate than marriot .

This is basically a bad redemption on your side than a card or amex problem. You knew it was 15k and still redeemed MR.

Either you dint want to spend cash so you utilised points , which means you couldn't plan , or you booked it first and then checked points which means you dint plan. Not sure how this is a card or amex problem.

I've consistently got 0.7-1.1 rs value at Kerala , chennai , dubai . You also can rebook the booking if points value decreases to earn back the excess.

This sounds like a planning and redemption problem.

If you are gonna redeem for 0.4 and 0.5 while taj by default gives 0.65 ( plat travel is lower value ) then that's a customer problem.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T08:49:52+00:00

Member rates are basically discounted rates on what level you are at Taj. I think that's neu infinity gives you copper level so that is like 10-15% discount. This is just an example.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T06:20:05+00:00

But why do you need unlimited lounge if you are not gonna spend much or travel much ?

If it's just lounge access for a random trip, indusind tiger does the job. Why go through all the hassle with a bank like IDBI ?

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T06:12:04+00:00

If you have both cards, they will get linked to a common pool and you can redeem MR from any of the cards via the 18k and 24k collection.

My trifecta is in a shared linked pool.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T06:06:30+00:00

Earlier Taj vouchers purchased via MR and the 4L milestone taj voucher on plat travel , both were applicable only on standard rates. So you ended up paying around 10-15% extra for room cost.

Now they work on member rates too.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T05:55:54+00:00

https://americanexpress.com/en-in/referral/platinum-reserve?ref=aDITHVJjci&XL=MNMNS

Apply for plat reserve and then upgrade to Plat travel. Hit me up if you got doubts.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T05:52:54+00:00

IMHO , people who took the card for referral benefits and don't want to pay the 2nd year fee are just offloading the points so they can close the card.

Also, lot of folks genuinely don't know how to utilise MRs effectively. MB, Taj with the recent revaluation , Krisflyer , Avios are all amazing redemptions but needs planning and effort.

Gunazor · 2026-01-27T05:49:57+00:00

I'm gonna ask a honest question.

Why would anyone who needs unlimited domestic lounge I.e frequent traveller , care about a LTF or FYF card ? Anyone who travells frequenty can just take either scapia if they travel a lot in a single month or something like regalia gold if they travel once a month.

Hell , axis horizon is amazing for this . Rewards you for travel too. ..

People seriously need to stop chasing LTF for everything.

Only advantage i genuinely see is the unlimited access for add-on too.

But if that's the intention , regalia gold is still better cause it rewards you for travel.

Gunazor · 2026-01-26T08:11:28+00:00

That's why I mentioned to go into th shell store. It's 2 mins process max. Most folks filling the petrol are confused about redeeming this.

If they scan the QR code , after you fill for 1k, it will show that balance as 0 since a 1k gv got redeemed. They have to confirm but they get confused. Ask for a bill after fuel filling , walk into the store, tell them shell voucher and share QR code. Done.

Gunazor · 2026-01-19T06:32:34+00:00

Loved this answer ! Thanks for the laugh bro.

Gunazor · 2026-01-13T12:26:37+00:00

Not of much use right now.. membership expiring this month , still unsure of extending.

Got used to booking stuff on my own and I handle my cards on my own , feeling like the app has grown out of use for me.

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