Rs 2 lakh worth earning from credit card reward points, here's how a techie working in Pune did it using these HDFC Bank credit cards

Economic Times

3 days ago

ET Online Pune techie shares his strategy by which he earned Rs 2 lakh worth of credit card points using two HDFC Bank credit cards Suraj Kumar Talreja, an data analyst who previously work at Standard Chartered Bank and is currently with V Square Systems in Pune, shared his journey of earning Rs 2 lakh in reward points from his HDFC BizBlack and Infinia credit cards over the past year. According to HDFC Bank website as of August 7, 2025, "1 Reward Point = Upto 1 Re".
Talreja posted on X (formerly Twitter) on August 6, 2025: 'Here's how I earned 2,00,000 reward points in just 1 year worth a whopping Rs 2,00,000 using my HDFC BizBlack & Infinia cards. No overspending. Just smart planning. Here's a thread for anyone who wants to truly master credit cards.'
Speaking exclusively to ET Wealth Online , Talreja said: "Credit cards are not for spending more; they're for earning more on what you already spend." HDFC BizBlack reward points strategy Talreja said:
Let's start with BizBlack. This is a hidden weapon for freelancers, consultants & business owners. Why? Because it gives 5X points on tax & utility payments, including GST and advance tax and each point is worth Rs 1! GST & Tax Payments Strategy I paid my GST & advance tax using Bizblack
BizBlack gives 5X points on these
Monthly cap: 7,500 bonus points
Annual = 90,000 bonus points + base points That's over Rs 1,00,000 in reward value just for paying taxes you'd pay anyway. Point Calculation for HDFC Bank BizBlack credit card Base earn rate: 5 RPs per Rs 150
5X means: 25 RPs per Rs 150 (including base)
Max bonus: 7,500/month = 90,000/year
With base points: ~1,00,000+ points/year
Value: Rs 1 = Rs 1,00,000 saved or earned.
HDFC Infinia credit card strategy Talreja says: Let's talk about the beast --HDFC Infinia. Infinia is not just a premium lifestyle card, it's a reward-generating machine when you use it strategically with SmartBuy + GYFTR vouchers Taleja explains how he earned another 1,00,000 points
SmartBuy + GYFTR = My Power Combo I used Infinia for:
Myntra vouchers (5X points) -Especially during Gold coin deals (8% off)
Pharmeasy vouchers (10X points) - For baby essentials
Blinkit/Swiggy Instamart vouchers (5X points) -For groceries
All bought via SmartBuy, giving huge bonus points. Why Myntra was a double win Taleja explains: Recently, Myntra had 8% off on Gold Coins I bought Myntra vouchers via SmartBuy (5X points)
Used vouchers for gold coin purchases
Earned points + got coins at discount = Investment + Rewards Talreja says: 'This is next-level credit card usage' Infinia Point Mechanics Base rate: 5 points per Rs 150
SmartBuy boost: Up to 10X (50 points per ₹150)
Monthly cap: 15,000 bonus points
Redemption value: ₹1 per point (flights/hotels via SmartBuy)
Yearly reward: 1,00,000 points = Rs 1,00,000 value Talreja says: 'Without overspending. Just smart optimization.'
Key lessons Talreja says:
Use BizBlack for all tax payments
Use Infinia for all expenses via GYFTR vouchers
Hit monthly bonus caps only when you have expenses
Track your usage. Points = money.
Don't just swipe cards - strategize them
Vouchers may feel boring, but they multiply rewards
Even tax can be rewarding with the right credit card
This is how rich people use credit cards