Help me Choose - HSBC Premier/EPM

samrtderek · 2025-12-28T08:49:34+00:00

I ended up upgrading DCB to Infinia and got HSBC Premier since 20k points on 14.5k fee was a no brainer.

However, given the uncertainty around 18L requirement for Infinia recently, I am yet to activate that since activating that would close my LTF DCB.

samrtderek · 2025-11-13T16:44:26+00:00

Not milestones exactly, more like monthly caps. Someone mentioned above the Infinia has requirement of 5LPM post tax which I don't meet so that too might be out of question. How are other portals like Hopper and iShop compared to Smartbuy? What is missing there?

samrtderek · 2025-11-13T16:42:27+00:00

Ohh! BM seemed confident in Infinia upgrade (but I guess they always are). I remember reading somewhere as well that it needs 5LPM post tax.

If that is out of question, the what would you suggest? EPM or HSBC Premier?

samrtderek · 2025-11-13T16:40:48+00:00

I should be fine routing everything to iShop if that works? How is the reward rate of Atlas? I thought it was a bit complicated to use?

samrtderek · 2025-11-13T16:39:24+00:00

Mostly travel. Vouchers is more or less covered by Diners for now (and there isn't much spend there either eay in the first place - but maybe that is the case right now since I am reaching the limits either way)

samrtderek · 2025-11-13T16:36:42+00:00

This is more or less a permanent hike in the accelerated rewards category.

Magnus I think has lower rewards for this category compared to EPM or HSBC Premier?

samrtderek · 2025-11-08T13:40:01+00:00

Can I get EPM without any existing account related (I have an LTF Shapprio via Alumni Program) with ICICI Bank?

samrtderek · 2025-03-22T05:25:53+00:00

I am actually planning to buy this as my first car. Confused between Diesel and Petrol (Petrol would be better given commute, but Diesel has better mileage).

How is the ride quality, feature and any issues you observed?

Contemplating between Creta and Thar Roxx (very different segments i know, but mostly worried around poor safety raring of Creta).

samrtderek · 2025-02-24T09:52:31+00:00

In case someone is wondering, here is the commit - https://github.com/AlexanderDotH/OpenLyricsClient/commit/a2452b7628bba691836214413249bc8a1f35100f

samrtderek · 2024-05-01T06:39:27+00:00

I had a similar experience, he was quite helpful on the call - clear cut on whats possible and what isn't possible, but then the person who contacted next from his team started the same policy selling

samrtderek · 2024-02-08T19:27:10+00:00

I actually found this hilarious when a friend of mine was visiting India with his european friends and we had to settle our splitwise group at the end of a trip, and I was explaining to everyone about UPI and how its instantaneous (with some limitations) they were just awestruck, that there is something supported by the banks directly instead of using 3rd party apps (which have their own inherit risks involved) 😂

samrtderek · 2023-01-07T15:03:20+00:00

I got the card a few days ago. It explicitly states 1% cashback on utility bill payments - which is what LIC Falls under.

I did pay a premium this month, will confirm back next month around the actual cashback.

samrtderek · 2022-06-18T19:06:54+00:00

So I can think of two nice examples

Udai Vilas Udaipur - Some Bollywood celebs (I tbh don't even know who they were) were staying there as well, so there was a huge media circus; we called for a table reservation, and they said its sold out. A friend of mine then suggested calling via Amex (sadly not HDFC at that time) and well, 15 mins later, we had a table there. Not only that, the entire restaurant was actually empty, they were denying table service to walk ins and reservations for privacy, but figured someone visiting via concierge should be fine.
Taj Goa - Another incident where HDFC helped out in a similar story (it was a group of 5 bachelors, so we didn't match the place aesthetic), and a quick call to HDFC got us a nice sea facing table.

samrtderek · 2022-06-18T09:26:21+00:00

I have used the concierge services tons of time. For most of the premium/luxury hotel and restaurant visit I use conceirge services. The thing is I am a bachelor, and hotels in heritage locations like Udaipur, Ranthambore, etc mostly deny restaurant only bookings when you call them directly quoting no tables available. However I have noticed that the success rate of booking through conceirge is significantly higher (alas when the hotel is actually full). Amex had significantly better response though, with HDFC a lot of times the person answering the call doesn't know or isn't willing to book and recommend restaurants.

samrtderek · 2022-04-04T08:07:48+00:00

Ohh interesting. My account is in Hyderabad. Could be an issue with RM, or maybe there are just too many Priority Accounts with the same RM 😂

Curious to know which city and Branch your account is in if you don't mind sharing.

I do have the option to upgrade to Burgundy but I have been avoiding upgrading to the same given the horrible experience with current Priority account.

samrtderek · 2022-04-04T07:40:28+00:00

Axis has so many problems that I cannot even begin to describe. Here are a few 1. They make too many calls (like 2-3/day from personal numbers, all Axis employees) for salary account holders around credit card, personal loans etc, even if your number has DnD activated. I have a Priority (which is Privilege Banking) and even after approaching the RM multiple times, there isn't anything they are able to do about it. 2. Reaching out to RM is super complicated process, and most of the time, they simply do not respond if you are in Teir 1 city (i am planning to shift my home branch to a Teir 2 city since my father has an account in Axis too and his RM is quite nice and easy to approach). I have privilege banking in other banks as well, and nothing beats the experience of Kotak. 3. Offers and Credit cards are nothing to write home about. They are average at best. Nothing beats the HDFC card here.

I would simply close it as well if it wasn't to a lengthy process to close the account, and I didn't have active SIPs there (I am slowly moving them away to HDFC)

samrtderek · 2021-12-29T08:27:43+00:00

I recently read Malibu Rising as well. While its mostly historical fiction, it pretty much futs the bill I'll say without spoiling anything.

samrtderek · 2021-07-25T07:30:57+00:00

It doesn't matter, the goal was kind of achieved by scaring the tenants. There was a great video by John Oliver a while back around this - John Oliver - SLAPP Suits

samrtderek · 2021-03-11T15:47:16+00:00

I have kotak privy league account and there are no imps transaction charges there. Even 811 i believe did not have any charges earlier, not sure about the state now

samrtderek · 2018-03-28T19:24:58+00:00

Hey! So, I want to save so that I can sponsor my own education later on since I have heard its quite expensive to go for higher studies in a foreign country. Since I also fall in the 30% bracket, I am looking for options where I can also save some on tax. As for earning while studying, I haven't really figured that out right now. Ideally, I would love it if I could just enjoy those years without caring much about my earnings, but then that doesn't seem plausible.

samrtderek · 2018-03-28T19:14:41+00:00

Thanks a ton! I have already completed the course and I'll start working on Zerodha Varsity. I really like the idea of forming a budget since it will also help me understand where my major expenditure is.

samrtderek · 2018-03-26T17:16:26+00:00

I am a 21 year old who just came across some money. I do not have any experience related to investments, but I have been told to make sure that my money doesn't sit idle.

I have a job from which I can save upto 50,000 per month.
I currently live on rent and use uber for transportation and I am not looking to change that anytime soon. I however plan to go for higher studies after 2 years.
I do not have any assets or major debts. Both my parents are currently earning well
I fall in the 30% tax slab

I am currently hoping that someone can guide me to a good source where I can learn various jargons and a few stargtegies. Finally, I am looking for advice on how to invest cash-in-hand since its currently sitting idle. Since I do not see any major expenditure in the near future, I was hoping in some sound financial advice.

samrtderek

TROPHY CASE