What’s in my wallet: Q1 2026?

When it comes to credit cards, I try to keep the right ones in my wallet to earn the most points (to use them later, of course). Here is a quick look at my cards and whether I’m walking the talk. Sharing this also adds a bit to the transparency of my credit card strategy, as I extensively cover credit card rewards.

The cards I hold are divided into three groups. I carry a card wallet that holds the cards I use most frequently. I also have many cards in a thicker wallet, and many sit in a drawer at home, waiting to be used when needed.

The Cards that are always on my person

The list has been consistent over time.

• • Axis Olympus Credit Card: Old is gold, they say. This card has remained largely untouched for over a decade, and I hope it stays under the radar in the years to come. It has been formally transitioned to the Axis Bank stable, and I finally started using the Axis Olympus Branded Metal Cards. There are no category bonuses, no Gyftr tie-ups, and no kickers. Just a good old 1 Point (4 airmiles)/INR 100 spent domestically and 2 Points (8 airmiles)/INR 100 internationally.
    Additionally, it’s my oldest credit line, so I have no reason to consider closing it. Axis Bank added some sweeteners, such as Airport Transfers and Concierge Services, to the product. I continue to tap away at the card. [Get an Axis Bank Credit Card]. The card provided ten guest entries across Indian lounges, which came in handy when we travelled together a few weeks ago at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1 Lounge, allowing us to bring in a group of friends without the usual fuss of everyone trying out their cards.
  • Scapia Credit Card: There is a particular reason I added Scapia to my portfolio a year ago. They offer a feature called Airport Privileges, which allows you to pick up a gift or make a purchase for yourself at the airport (or dine without needing to enter a lounge). You can also access an airport lounge. You need to scan your boarding pass for any of these. Suppose you visit a shop at the airport and make a purchase, or dine at an airport outlet listed on Scapia (after activating your privilege). In that case, you receive Scapia’s money up to INR 1,000, not as a refund, but added to your Scapia Coins Account. You can use the coins to purchase tickets, hotels, and other items.
    Given that I make many trips to Indian airports, it makes sense to have the option to spend money on the card and get something in return. Please note that this feature is activated only for a billing cycle in which you spend INR 20,000 or more in the subsequent billing cycle. So, I spend INR 20,000 on the card every month. Then, I swap out the card. Apply here to get the card and INR 200 worth of coins, subject to approval.
  • HDFC Bank Infinia: The zenith of invite-only credit cards in India. While the card proposition has changed over the years, this card still offers 5 Reward Points for every INR 150 spent, which can be redeemed at INR 1 for air tickets on Smartbuy or transferred to miles. With frequent offers, HDFC Bank Credit Cards are also helpful for online spending. I currently hold the PVC version, and this card offers 16.6% points on travel bookings (via Smartbuy) and earns points on insurance payments (albeit with limitations). SmartBuy vouchers make the card worth it for 5X and 10X offers [Get an HDFC Bank Credit Card]
  • HSBC Premier Card: Last year, I consolidated my banking business with HSBC (or I am still in the process of consolidation). This meant adding an HSBC Premier Credit Card to the portfolio, which offers 3 points/INR 100 across all transactions. For initiation, a fee of INR 12,000++ is charged to the credit card and is now credited as 20,000 reward points. The card, despite placing limits on spending in some categories, remains fairly liberal, and the new addition of partners is solid. The ongoing Forex Cashback offer ensures that I spend on this card. [Get an HSBC TravelOne Credit Card, which is the second in line and is now available for the self-employed as well]

The cards always on my phone.

• HDFC Bank TATA Neu Infinity Credit Card: With UPI-enabled RuPay credit cards, I’ve signed up for several cards in this segment. But the Tata Neu Infinity CC is one of my two credit cards with UPI. Even for non-Tata brands, users receive 1.5% rewards when using the TATA Neu App; for Tata brands spent via Neu, the reward increases to up to 10%. Each Neu coin is worth INR 1 and can be utilised across the Tata Neu universe. It is now the default option on my preferred UPI payment scanner. You can use the referral code AJAY499 if you’d like to apply using the Tata Neu app or apply here.
• Jupiter EDGE+ CSB Credit Card: I had the EDGE Card, which was upgraded to the EDGE+ Card. The card offers a 10% cashback on shopping with Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Ajio, Zara, Nykaa, Croma, Reliance Trends, Tata Cliq, and Reliance Digital; a 5% cashback on travel bookings made with MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, Yatra, and Cleartrip; and a 1% cashback on everything else. The maximum cashback applicable under each category is 10% cashback for boosted shopping at INR 1,500 per billing cycle (merchant limit of INR 500);  5% cashback for travel upto INR 1,000 per billing cycle, and no limit for the 1% cashback. [Apply Here]

The Cards in my wallet

• Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card: This card is a joy to use, with an annual limit of up to INR 15 lakh and an accelerated rewards system that offers up to INR 2,00,000 for monthly travel bookings. With all my travel, this card is handy for booking tickets directly with airlines (usually my preferred mode) and for paying at hotel checkouts with 5 EDGEMiles (10 airmiles)/INR 100 on each swipe. Even for usual spending, I earn 2 EDGE Miles (4 airmiles)/INR 100 on each swipe. The card has restricted transfers and taken away some of the perks. It’s a mid-tier card, so it’s not difficult to obtain for new sign-ups. Since it is not being offered at the moment, if you want, you should try to get the Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card, which also gets you accelerated earnings on flight bookings.
• HDFC Bank Biz Black: This card is excellent for business expenses, and the bank doesn’t ask why I pay taxes with it or spend money on something else. Getting 5X points for taxes (which can be used on SmartBuy or transferred to SQ) is also a great incentive to keep the card. If you are a proprietor, partner, promoter or director at a company, you are eligible for this range of cards. [Sign up for an HDFC Bank Business Credit Card]

The Cards in my Drawer

• American Express Gold Card: The Amex Gold Charge Card was the first card I signed up for with Amex, so it still stays in my pocket. The 1,000 bonus MR for six swipes a month helps keep the card, and I also spend on it regularly. Amex is not sourcing new accounts, so this one is a keeper. I just paid the INR 4,500 fee on the card to renew it (even though Amex no longer offers retention offers)
• American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card: The American Express MRCC is one of the credit cards I have held for a long time. It offers a 1,000 bonus MR for four swipes a month, worth at least INR 1,500, which I earn. It also provides an additional 1,000 bonus MR for spending at least INR 20,000 per month, which I sometimes utilise and mostly do not.
• American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card: Although the card does not offer special travel perks, it provides 40,000 bonus MR points (convertible to vouchers or Amex Travel vouchers) at the INR 1.9 Lakhs and INR 4 Lakhs milestones, and the recently added INR 7 Lakhs milestone. Additionally, an INR 10,000 Taj voucher is offered upon reaching INR 700,000 in spending, making it a sweet bonus. I use the card only for a few big swipes in a year. The card was offered to me for life, free of charge, as a replacement for the Jet Airways Amex Card.
• Marriott HDFC Bank Diners Club: The card was launched in 2023. For a small annual fee of INR 3,000, I receive a complimentary night worth up to 15,000 points (plus ten elite nights credits) with this card. It’s a good enough reason to keep it in my wallet when I check out of a Marriott Hotel.
• Samsung Axis Bank Infinite Credit Card: I swapped Magnus two years ago for the Samsung Axis Bank Infinite Credit Card. It provided 30,000 EDGE Rewards for spending three times on the card within 30 days as an activation benefit, 10% cashback on Samsung product purchases, and accelerated rewards on spending at BigBasket, 1mg, Urban Company, Myntra, and Zomato (and on international transactions). At some point of time, it will go away from my drawer, when a better card comes around.
• Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card: I switched to this card in 2024, giving up my Axis Bank Miles and More Credit Card, as my travel on Vistara resumed after a long dry spell. However, we won’t be able to renew this card. This card helped me gain an additional year of status on Vistara (Gold Tier), which eventually translates into Air India Gold Tier as well (I am already an Air India Platinum Tier member, so it is not helpful for me). I’m waiting to see what the new Air India co-branded card will offer, so I can decide whether to keep it.
• Club Vistara IDFC First Credit Card: I signed up for this card in August 2024, just as it was about to disappear. This card provides rewards for rent payments and accumulates complimentary tickets. This feature is guaranteed for a year, but we cannot guarantee what will come after that. I could also receive an upgrade voucher and a complimentary Vistara/Air India Premium Economy ticket, so it’s not a bad deal for the fee they charged (INR 4,999++). Again, the fate awaits what will be the next move by Air India.
• RBL Bank World Safari Card: I received this card from RBL Bank as a replacement for the Zomato co-brand card. It’s a great card to keep with you when travelling abroad, with zero foreign exchange fees. That makes it better than debit cards, which I’d have to carry otherwise for zero forex. I use this one for some consumables abroad, such as delis, cabs, and low-ticket items. On the last trip, the Mayura took over from this card for small spending.
• Axis Horizon: I flipped to Citi Premier Miles over a year ago, which transitioned to Axis Horizon. With some significant travel expenses last year, it was good to keep the money in the pocket if needed (gains 5 EDGE Miles for every INR 100 spent on air travel and 2 EDGE Miles for every INR 100 spent on other expenses). The EDGE Miles earned on this card were transferable at a 1:1 ratio, unlike the Atlas, which had a 1:2 ratio. Plus the signup bonus is great at 3,000 EDGE Miles.
• IDFC First Select: This is one of IDFC First’s mid-tier cards, which is helpful because IDFC First participates in various sales and promotions with major websites, such as Amazon, on multiple occasions. Additionally, on the few occasions I travelled by train, I had access to railway lounges. However, now that has changed.
• Yes, First Exclusive (Reserv): I’ve had this credit card for a long time, as it is a lifetime-free credit card. However, I hardly ever use it, given that I have better cards in my wallet. However, with Yes Bank’s new subscription plans, I might flip it back into the wallet soon. For now, the discounts on food orders are the only things it gets used for occasionally.
• EazyDiner IndusInd Bank: The best card to go dining, with all the discounts it showers on the dinner table, with up to 25% off (INR 1,000) every time you pay via EazyDiner’s PayEazy feature. (This feature has changed in July 2025 with a capping introduced) Since the card is tokenised and saved in my EazyDiner app, there is no need to carry it everywhere.
• IndusInd Pinnacle Credit Card: IndusInd Bank replaced my IndusInd InterMiles Credit Card (Visa) with an IndusInd Bank Legend Credit Card, which I had requested be upgraded to the IndusInd Pinnacle Credit Card. The upgrade was approved with an INR 50,000 spend, allowing me to avoid paying the annual fee and making it a lifetime-free card. I took this one specifically to withdraw money via the Exclusive Account that one can have with a zero AQB.
• HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal: I’ve held on to the Plastic Card for a long time (over a decade), but it was time to upgrade. The Bank offered the Metal Variant of the card with an upgrade for a one-year fee waiver, and I took it. Expect the usual use cases for it, and spending on weekend dining going on this card if it’s useful (as in not being done via EasyDiner). Otherwise, there is always a better point bonus than the plastic version.
• ICICI Bank Sapphiro (Amex and Visa): These cards are lifetime free for me, as they were replacements for the InterMiles co-brand cards. I use them when I come across some discounts, but otherwise, I keep them in the back of my mind. Similarly, I also hold the ICICI Bank Amazon Pay Card.

One of the new cards that has just been approved is the Equitas Power Miles Card. And I’m considering getting the Etihad BOBCard as well.

As you can see, I prefer cards that offer transferable reward points to co-branded credit cards. The rewards need to be travel rewards, not retail rewards. The only cards I await are the new Maharaja Club co-brand cards. I am waiting until their house is in order on the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal and the Times Black.

What do you think of my portfolio, and where can I optimise it? I’m open to answering any thoughts or questions in the comments section. Please share yours in the comments section as well, if you can. 

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