What’s in my wallet: Q3 2025?

When it comes to credit cards, I try to keep the right ones in my wallet to earn the maximum number of 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 at the back of my phone daily, which contains the cards I use most frequently. I also have many cards in a wallet, and many sit in a drawer at home, waiting to be used when needed.

The Cards that are always on my person

There has been a shake-up to this list. I’ve removed Atlas from this list and added HSBC Premier and Scapia instead. I’ll make sure to explain why, as you read along.

• HSBC Premier Card: I recently consolidated my business with HSBC (or am still in the process of consolidation). This meant the addition of 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, which is returned as a Taj Experiences Gift Voucher of the same amount (INR 12,000). 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.
• 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 over time. [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: they offer a feature called Airport Privileges, which allows you to pick up a gift or purchase something 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 purchase something, 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 only activated for a billing cycle when you spend INR 10,000 or more in the subsequent billing cycle. So, I spend INR 10,000 on the card every month. Then, I swap out the card. Apply here to get the card and INR 200 worth of coins on approval as well.
• HDFC Bank Infinia: The zenith of invite-only in India (not really, but you get where I’m coming from). While there have been changes to the card proposition over the years, this card continues to offer 5 Reward Points for every INR 150 spent, which can be redeemed at a value of INR 1 for purchasing air tickets at Smartbuy or transferred into 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 for booking travel (via Smartbuy) and earns points for insurance payments. SmartBuy vouchers make the card worth it for 5X and 10X offers [Get an HDFC Bank Credit Card]

The card is always on my phone.

• HDFC Bank TATA Neu Infinity Credit Card: With UPI on RuPay credit cards enabled, I’ve signed up for several cards in this segment. But the Tata Neu Infinity CC is my first and only credit card 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 referral code AJAY499 if you’d like to apply using the Tata Neu app or 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 reward system offering up to INR 2,00,000 for monthly travel bookings. With all my travel, this card is handy in booking tickets directly with the airlines (usually my preferred mode) and paying at checkout at hotels with the 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.  [Get the Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card]
• 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 from Amex that 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 milestones of INR 1.9 Lakhs and INR 4 Lakhs. Additionally, an INR 10,000 Taj voucher is offered upon achieving an INR 400,000 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 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 the Magnus last year 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).
• Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card: I switched to this card last year, giving up my Axis Bank Miles and More Credit Card, as my travel on Vistara picked up again after a long dry spell. However, Axis Bank will no longer be able to renew this card, as my renewal will be after March 2025, when renewals are closed. 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 Gold Tier member, so it is not helpful for me). I’m waiting to see what the new Air India cobrand card will offer, so I can decide whether to keep it or not.
• 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++). I’ve used it for over INR 4.5 Lakhs, but now I’ve paused my spending on this card since the next milestone is far away.
• IDFC First Bank Mayura Credit Card: I signed up for this card, which offers INR 4,000 cashback on transactions within the first 60 days after the fee payment, along with zero foreign exchange charges on the card (while still earning rewards). The fee on the card is INR 5,999 ++. The card has recently updated its redemption offerings. It’s good to try it out for a year, and then we will see if it’s worthy of renewal. Apply Here.
• 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.
• 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, the few times I travelled by train, it provided me with access to railway lounges. However, now that will change.
• 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 the new subscription plans launched by Yes Bank, I might flip it back into the wallet sometime 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 on my EazyDiner app, there is no need to carry the card 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 us 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. I am waiting to see how that works out for me when I travel abroad next. So far, I’ve not needed to withdraw money outside of India at all.
• 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.

Cancellations.

• American Express Platinum Card: I’ve long been a proponent of the American Express Platinum Card (Metal) for my high-end spending in India and outside. However, with the higher fee and lower benefits (They even discontinued alcohol at the Mumbai Lounge), it was time to cancel the card. The experience behind this was that Amex could not handle a dispute properly for me (which I eventually resolved in my favour a couple of months later), and when I asked for a copy of my travel insurance, their partner, ICICI Lombard, dragged their feet on it. My wife’s card, which I was using as an add-on, has also been cancelled.

The lounge network outside of India has been beneficial for me. Last year, I visited the New York JFK and Hong Kong Amex lounges, and the Delhi lounge is a staple. I still trust Amex with high-value purchases. It’s just that we won’t have the card in our household for now.

Some other cards I’ve cancelled over the past few months have been the Kotak 6E Rewards Credit Card (expected to become useful after the IndiGo BluChip programme was launched) and the Fi Card earlier this year. IndiGo has now launched the BluChip variant of its cards.

As you can note, I prefer cards that generate transferable reward points over co-brand 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 do you think I can optimise it? I’m open to answering any thoughts or questions in the comments section. Please share yours, if you can, in the comments section as well. 

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