Grocery buying has become one of my favourite things to do now that I haven’t stepped out from the four walls of my apartment for roughly 21 days now. It is my on my daily schedule now to try and secure a slot with one of the so many online grocery services such as BigBasket, Grofers and so on, and resign every day to not getting any slots, or any of the stuff I need (stockout!)
But for those who are able to order provisions these days, here is how to maximise grocery spends to get yourselves travel rewards in the future.
Table of Contents
Online Grocery
Amazon.in Pantry
Amazon Pantry has started delivering again in a whole bunch of PIN codes again. Here are some ways you can maximise your Grocery spends on Amazon India:
- HDFC Bank Smartbuy: HDFC Bank Smartbuy is offering 10X points on Diners Club Cards, Infinia and Regalia cards when you go via Smartbuy website. On other HDFC Bank Credit Cards and HDFC Bank Debit Cards, you get a 5% Cashback. Maximum reward points that could be earned on Infinia Credit Card is 25,000 per calendar month, on Diners Black Credit card is 15,000 per calendar month. On other Diners Club variants or Regalia Credit cards, a maximum of 5,000 reward points per calendar month can be earned. The maximum cashback that can be earned on using other HDFC Bank Credit Cards or Debit Cards is of INR 1000 per calendar month. This is valid until April 30, 2020, for the moment. That is a cool 33% cashback if you have the top-end cards.
- Buy Vouchers via HDFC Bank for 10X Points: When you head on the HDFC Bank Smartbuy website, you can also buy Amazon.in Gift vouchers and get 10X points or 5% cashback as per the terms before. That is a cool 33% cashback if you have the top-end cards.
- American Express SmartEarn Credit Card: The Amex SmartEarn Credit Card is an entry-level American Express Credit Card. It will earn you 5X points on your Amazon India orders, which means 5 Membership Rewards points for INR 50 spent. If you apply here, you get 2,000 bonus Membership Rewards points as well.
- Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card: When you use the Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card, you will get a 5% cashback on non-EMI transactions.
Flipkart Groceries
Flipkart Groceries went live a few months ago in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad & Bengaluru. Here are some ways you can maximise your Grocery spends on Flipkart Groceries:
- HDFC Bank Smartbuy: HDFC Bank Smartbuy is offering 10X points on Diners Club Cards, Infinia and Regalia cards when you go via the Smartbuy website. On other HDFC Bank Credit Cards and HDFC Bank Debit Cards, you get a 5% Cashback. Maximum reward points that could be earned on Infinia Credit Card is 25,000 per calendar month, on Diners Black Credit card is 15,000 per calendar month. On other Diners Club variants or Regalia Credit cards, a maximum of 5,000 reward points per calendar month can be earned. The maximum cashback that can be earned on using other HDFC Bank Credit Cards or Debit Cards is of INR 1000 per calendar month. This is valid until April 30, 2020, for the moment. That is a cool 33% cashback if you have the top-end cards.
- American Express SmartEarn Credit Card: The Amex SmartEarn Credit Card is an entry-level American Express Credit Card. It will earn you 10X points on your Flipkart orders, which means 10 Membership Rewards points for INR 50 spent. If you apply here, you get 2,000 bonus Membership Rewards points as well.
- Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card: When you use the Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card, you will get a 5% cashback.
Grofers
- American Express SmartEarn Credit Card: The Amex SmartEarn Credit Card is an entry-level American Express Credit Card. It will earn you 5X points on your Grofers orders, which means 5 Membership Rewards points for INR 50 spent. If you apply here, you get 2,000 bonus Membership Rewards points as well.
- Standard Chartered DigiSmart Credit Card: 10% off, up to INR 1000 on Grofers per calendar month discount when you use this card to pay for your Grofers order.
Offline Stores
If you are heading out to buy some groceries, here are some ways to maximise your spends at the stores:
Big Bazaar
Big Bazaar stores across the country are open for groceries and other essentials. Here are some ways you can maximise your Grocery spends on Big Bazaar. Also, remember, recently a Big Bazaar mobile website at shop.bigbazaar.com was also launched. Some of these options work there as well:
- Buy Vouchers via HDFC Bank for 10X: When you head on the HDFC Bank Smartbuy website, you can also buy Big Bazaar Gift vouchers. This E Gift Voucher has to be redeemed in full and partial redemption is not allowed.
HDFC Bank Smartbuy is offering 10X points on Diners Club Cards, Infinia and Regalia cards when you go via the Smartbuy website. On other HDFC Bank Credit Cards and HDFC Bank Debit Cards, you get a 5% Cashback. Maximum reward points that could be earned on Infinia Credit Card is 25,000 per calendar month, on Diners Black Credit card is 15,000 per calendar month. On other Diners Club variants or Regalia Credit cards, a maximum of 5,000 reward points per calendar month can be earned. The maximum cashback that can be earned on using other HDFC Bank Credit Cards or Debit Cards is of INR 1000 per calendar month. This is valid until April 30, 2020, for the moment. That is a cool 33% cashback if you have the top-end cards. - American Express SmartEarn Credit Card: The Amex SmartEarn Credit Card is an entry-level American Express Credit Card. It will earn you 5X points on your Big Bazaar orders, which means 5 Membership Rewards points for INR 50 spent. If you apply here, you get 2,000 bonus Membership Rewards points as well.
- 10% Cashback on Kotak Essentia Credit Card: This credit card gives you 10 Saving Points for every Rs. 100 you spend at Departmental & Grocery Stores. 1 Saving Point is equal to INR 1. The minimum transaction size is INR 1500 and the maximum transaction size is INR 4000. Per billing cycle, you can get INR 500 worth cashback in this category.
- 2.5% Value back on SBI StyleUp Credit Card: This card gives you 10X Reward Points on your spends at Big Bazaar, and Standalone Fbb and Food Bazaar outlets. Each Reward Point is worth INR 0.25.
- Standard Chartered Manhattan Platinum Credit Card: Get 5% cashback on every INR 150 spent at supermarkets and departmental stores. Cashback is capped to ₹500 per month.
- Axis Bank My Choice Credit Card: The Axis My Choice Credit Card gets you 5% cashback on grocery spends at supermarkets if it is one of the two categories you select as your “My Choice”
Spar Hypermarket
Spar Hypermarket stores across the country are open for groceries and other essentials. Here are some ways you can maximise your Grocery spends on Spar Hypermarket:
- 10% Cashback on Kotak Essentia Credit Card: This credit card gives you 10 Saving Points for every Rs. 100 you spend at Departmental & Grocery Stores. 1 Saving Point is equal to INR 1. The minimum transaction size is INR 1500 and the maximum transaction size is INR 4000. Per billing cycle, you can get INR 500 worth cashback in this category.
- Upto 3.75% Value back on Spar SBI Credit Cards: This suite of SBI co-brand cards gives you up to 15 Reward Points on your spends online and offline. The Prime variant offers 15 points/INR 100 spend (INR 3.75), the Select variant offers 10 points/INR 100 spend (INR 2.5) and the Spar SBI Card offers 5 points/INR 100 spend (INR 1.25).
- Standard Chartered Manhattan Platinum Credit Card: Get 5% cashback on every INR 150 spent at supermarkets and departmental stores. Cashback is capped to ₹500 per month.
- Axis Bank My Choice Credit Card: The Axis My Choice Credit Card gets you 5% cashback on grocery spends at supermarkets if it is one of the two categories you select as your “My Choice.”
More Hypermarket
More Hypermarket stores across the country are open for groceries and other essentials. Here are some ways you can maximise your Grocery spends on More Hypermarket:
- Buy Vouchers via HDFC Bank for 10X: When you head on the HDFC Bank Smartbuy website, you can also buy More HyperMarket Gift vouchers. This E Gift Voucher has to be redeemed in full and partial redemption is not allowed.
HDFC Bank Smartbuy is offering 10X points on Diners Club Cards, Infinia and Regalia cards when you go via the Smartbuy website. On other HDFC Bank Credit Cards and HDFC Bank Debit Cards, you get a 5% Cashback. Maximum reward points that could be earned on Infinia Credit Card is 25,000 per calendar month, on Diners Black Credit card is 15,000 per calendar month. On other Diners Club variants or Regalia Credit cards, a maximum of 5,000 reward points per calendar month can be earned. The maximum cashback that can be earned on using other HDFC Bank Credit Cards or Debit Cards is of INR 1000 per calendar month. This is valid until April 30, 2020, for the moment. That is a cool 33% cashback if you have the top-end cards. - 10% Cashback on Kotak Essentia Credit Card: This credit card gives you 10 Saving Points for every Rs. 100 you spend at Departmental & Grocery Stores. 1 Saving Point is equal to INR 1. The minimum transaction size is INR 1500 and the maximum transaction size is INR 4000. Per billing cycle, you can get INR 500 worth cashback in this category.
- Upto 2.5% Value back on SBI SimplySpend Credit Cards: The SimplySpend variant offers 10 points/INR 100 spend (INR 2.5).
- Standard Chartered Manhattan Platinum Credit Card: Get 5% cashback on every INR 150 spent at supermarkets and departmental stores. Cashback is capped to ₹500 per month.
- Axis Bank My Choice Credit Card: The Axis My Choice Credit Card gets you 5% cashback on grocery spends at supermarkets if it is one of the two categories you select as your “My Choice”
Spencers Retail
Spencers Retail stores across the country are open for groceries and other essentials. Here are some ways you can maximise your Grocery spends at Spencers:
- Buy Vouchers via HDFC Bank for 10X: When you head on the HDFC Bank Smartbuy website, you can also buy Spencers Retail Gift vouchers. This E Gift Voucher has to be redeemed in full and partial redemption is not allowed.
HDFC Bank Smartbuy is offering 10X points on Diners Club Cards, Infinia and Regalia cards when you go via the Smartbuy website. On other HDFC Bank Credit Cards and HDFC Bank Debit Cards, you get a 5% Cashback. Maximum reward points that could be earned on Infinia Credit Card is 25,000 per calendar month, on Diners Black Credit card is 15,000 per calendar month. On other Diners Club variants or Regalia Credit cards, a maximum of 5,000 reward points per calendar month can be earned. The maximum cashback that can be earned on using other HDFC Bank Credit Cards or Debit Cards is of INR 1000 per calendar month. This is valid until April 30, 2020, for the moment. That is a cool 33% cashback if you have the top-end cards. - 10% Cashback on Kotak Essentia Credit Card: This credit card gives you 10 Saving Points for every Rs. 100 you spend at Departmental & Grocery Stores. 1 Saving Point is equal to INR 1. The minimum transaction size is INR 1500 and the maximum transaction size is INR 4000. Per billing cycle, you can get INR 500 worth cashback in this category.
- Upto 2.5% Value back on SBI SimplySpend Credit Cards: The SimplySpend variant offers 10 points/INR 100 spend (INR 2.5).
- Standard Chartered Manhattan Platinum Credit Card: Get 5% cashback on every INR 150 spent at supermarkets and departmental stores. Cashback is capped to ₹500 per month.
- Axis Bank My Choice Credit Card: The Axis My Choice Credit Card gets you 5% cashback on grocery spends at supermarkets if it is one of the two categories you select as your “My Choice”
Now, there may be other options which exist and I have no insight about. Feel free to leave me a comment, and I will be happy to add other options as well to the options. Remember, the information is current as of April 2020, so if something changes, give me a heads up and I will be happy to amend.
How are you maximising the returns on your Grocery Spends in the current times where it seems to be the most important activity of the day?
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Hey Ajay,
Its a very good list. I had come here to specifically look for big basket offers which I think was skipped. Its quite a major player here in Ahmedabad.
Regards,
Prathmesh
There is no option to use the vouchers bought through HDFC SmartBuy online for Bigbazaar on shop.bigbazaar.com.
Pls share procedure if you have used vouchers online.
Hi Ajay, if I want to buy Amazon Gift Vouchers directly from Smartbuy, there is a INR5000/- limit that is showing. If I bypass this and go directly to the amazon website via smartbuy and buy the voucher, does it still qualify for the 10X rewards?
@Arjun, you could buy the vouchers more than once. Other technique I am not very sure.
Lots of useful information! Maybe you can consider adding Yes Prosperity card to the list which give accelerated RPs on offline grocery spends and BigBasket DBS card which gives cashback at BigBasket.
Hi Ajay, thanks for the information.
However- I once checked with DCB Customer Care – they said 10x points are not applicable on Amazon Pantry/Fresh transactions. Your article says – 10x is applicable- could you please reconfirm?
@Arjun, I seem to have gotten points for that. But the better way might be to just get a voucher, load up on Amazon Pay otherwise.
Big bazaar vouchers are credited to the big basket wallet and therefore you can partially use them. Balance remains in the wallet.
I guess technically it’s a full redemption but you can use the money partially
Hope my this post will not be deleted as other ones.
1. DCB or Infinia – How many people are privileged to have DCB or Infinia? Those who have already much aware of accumulating an using reward point on Smartbuy.
2. AMEX SmartEarn – This only gives 500 maximum 10X point, equivalent to Rs.125 per month, Rs.1500 per year. Annual Card charges Rs.590. So much pain for Rs.900
3. Amazon Pay ICICI – Free Card with reward but no privileges, even lower credit limit than normal ICICI credit card.
4. Flipkart Axis Bank – Annual charges Rs.590. Not much privileges apart from few Airport lounges.
Moral of the Story,
FIRST TO HAVE 2 DOZEN CREDIT CARD, THEN LOOK OUT FOR OFFER SPECIFIC OFFER WHILE SHOPPING, THEN USE THAT CARD AND ALSO DO REMEMBER TO PAY THAT.
AJAY AND SHIPRA both of you are privileged that most of your travel expenses are reimbursed by office and benefits you by accumulating reward point on card, Miles through Airlines and Status of Hotel.
@Abhishek Singh I was not going to respond to your comment, but eventually, I thought I’d correct some of the factual inaccuracies in your comments.
1) DCB/Infinia: The categories keep shifting, and so do the vendors. So, I don’t see a problem listing it out. I don’t understand your agitation here.
2) Amex SmartEarn: If on an entry-level card you can get as many Membership Rewards points as you can, then why won’t you? This is a great opportunity to earn MR for less. Again, if you are worried about the money value, it is not about that. It is about how many miles you can convert it into.
3) Amazon ICICI: Free Cardholders also deserve to get the value they can out of their cards. So what seems to be your point here?
4) Flipkart Axis: Yes. Unfortunately at 500+GST, those are the best privileges one gets. These are entry-level cards and not targetted at the affluent.
Moral of the story is, if you shop at a particular place, this list gives you how to maximise your returns there. If you don’t have access to a specific product, you are under no obligation to get it for earning a few points. Your assessment counts. We just lay the tools out there.
I think its sensible to say that if you did not like this wonderful post, you can just move on. Constructive criticism is always welcomed however, such admonishing posts are better deleted. Ajay has outlined the options, its for us to see which fits each one of us better.
Please recheck the details, too much of inaccuracies. It would have been better had cards been listed instead of stores as headings.
@AS why don’t you tell us what the inaccuracies are rather than just telling us there are inaccuracies? Happy to correct if you tell us what is wrong in the benefit of the community.