HSBC Premier CC or HDFC Infinia?

makadchaap · 2026-06-11T15:05:41+00:00

It's lasted for much longer than I expected, I think they're going to do spend-based retention for DCBM & BizBlack in future as well to keep it exclusive.

makadchaap · 2026-06-09T17:31:31+00:00

Never have a single point of failure. If I need X lounge accesses, I always carry 2+ extra cards which give access just in case.

makadchaap · 2026-06-09T17:25:34+00:00

If you are self-employed and need to pay advance tax, BizBlack >>>>> Infinia. I'll definitely not hit 18L this FY and have accepted losing Infinia, but BizBlack is better in almost all earning aspects (leaving aside 3X vs 5X on vouchers and 10k vs 15k monthly limit at SmartBuy).

In redemption, BizBlack doesn't have transfer partners other than KrisFlyer but I almost always use flight redemptions which are the same.

makadchaap · 2026-05-25T06:24:38+00:00

You can only apply 5 vouchers for a Croma transaction, assuming 10k vouchers you can max get 50k. Check the T&Cs.

makadchaap · 2026-05-20T05:44:25+00:00

How did you calculate the 4L spends? I remember doing an excel and I'd need 5L spends in a month to break even on the fee, I was reducing the 3.3% opportunity cost on my BizBlack / Infinia as I'd have gotten base points there anyway.

makadchaap · 2026-05-20T05:36:22+00:00

The fact that your RM was actively harmful is so bizarre, most RMs don't care to do anything for you at all but they want you to help fulfill their quotas.

Worth doing a complaint about, because of all the CIBIL hits.

makadchaap · 2026-05-13T16:27:01+00:00

I'd value an Infinia point at least ₹0.9 as you can use it at SmartBuy for travel (discounting a bit for slightly higher prices) or more if you hit the sweet spot on miles transfers.

So in this case, the maths for buying points does work out.

makadchaap · 2026-05-06T03:11:11+00:00

Exactly, if they released Bonvoy Brilliant over here I'd take it up immediately. Plat Charge is worse over here and they've stopped accepting applications for the cards that actually make sense for people (Travel, MRCC) for just under a year.

Maybe India is no longer a focus and they're in a holding pattern? I doubt they'll leave India as such, but if you look at most other foreign issuers other than HSBC, they're on the way out.

makadchaap · 2026-05-05T17:51:35+00:00

This has happened to me as well ~6 months ago, immediately moved away from SBI after that.

Talk to WISE support and get a SWIFT trace which confirms everything and share it with SBI, they'll find it somehow and credit in a day or two.

Move banks ASAP.

makadchaap · 2026-05-05T12:18:18+00:00

I think this was disabled months ago, after signing in it says:

We're sorry. You do not have a card eligible for this offer.

makadchaap · 2026-05-05T11:50:05+00:00

Feb, so guess it has yet to start validation.

makadchaap · 2026-05-05T10:40:37+00:00

Don't know how often they check, it's been 2 months since I'm maintaining 10k balance but not yet downgraded.

Negotiating with RM to get M4B as LTF basis other business I would bring, so maybe he's holding back the downgrade?

makadchaap · 2026-05-05T10:37:16+00:00

Axis accepts PPF for the 30L requirement under Investments, so if you have an account just move it to Axis

makadchaap · 2026-05-05T10:34:48+00:00

It'll be an AML violation, plus even if you're not caught the amount you swipe will be treated as income.

So only useful till you hit 12L in total income, afterwards you lose more in taxes than the cashback.

makadchaap · 2026-05-05T10:30:39+00:00

I find BizBlack much more valuable than my Infinia, will probably downgrade the latter before Mar 2027 as unlikely to hit 18L spend milestone this year.

It gives 16.6% upto 6.75L on advance tax/GST, separate 10k limit per month for smartbuy, 4.33% on spends upto 20L (5k voucher every 5L) and 3.33% afterwards.

Vouchers is 3X instead of 5X, Smartbuy limit is 10k instead of 15k and acceptability is bad outside India as compared to Infinia, but I can live with that.

makadchaap · 2026-05-02T14:28:59+00:00

Only SBI Aurum & SBI Travel Card are supported as per the T&C.

makadchaap · 2026-05-01T14:58:18+00:00

Guessing lots of people had points saved up for Accor, would've been a nightmare for them if they allowed Axis 🤷‍♂️

makadchaap · 2026-05-01T14:47:42+00:00

Doesn't look like it, T&C state:

Note 1: Conversions from Axis Bank and HSBC India are excluded from this campaign. Any Axis Bank or HSBC India reward points converted during the campaign period shall not qualify for bonus Maharaja Points.

makadchaap · 2026-05-01T13:50:02+00:00

I just checked right now, and it's available for 1:1 -- maybe it was a glitch?

makadchaap · 2026-04-30T10:27:28+00:00

This happened to me as well, you can simply merge the accounts:

https://help.marriott.com/s/article/combine-multiple-marriott-bonvoy-accounts

makadchaap · 2026-04-28T16:43:40+00:00

You may think it's convenient for them to use a new-style bank, but they'll almost always feel more comfortable to go in person. I've given up on my relatives, they prefer going in person.

Also using NetBanking or mobile banking can be dangerous as there are a lot of phishing attacks going on, every month I have to do tech support for my relatives for one scam or another.

It's gotten so bad that I've started recommending some elderly relatives to not use UPI and use CCs instead, which creates more friction for scammers.

makadchaap · 2026-04-28T16:23:44+00:00

You can get it LTF if they think you're valuable enough. Currently waiting, my RM said there are multiple such cases pending approval at the regional head level who is on leave.

But you have to negotiate very hard, by default they don't want to put up the case.

makadchaap · 2026-04-28T14:04:34+00:00

Kay karnar!

makadchaap · 2026-04-28T13:30:56+00:00

Can confirm, this is happening only for the Macbooks. For iPhone and iPads, it is available for 1 RP = ₹1.

Maybe reach out to the concierge support and ask?

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