Latest news with #SmartBuy
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
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
HDFC BizBlack reward points strategy 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 Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills 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 SmartBuy + GYFTR = My Power Combo 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 I bought Myntra vouchers via SmartBuy (5X points) Used vouchers for gold coin purchases Earned points + got coins at discount = Investment + Rewards 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 Key lessons 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 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."Talreja said:That's over Rs 1,00,000 in reward value just for paying taxes you'd pay explains how he earned another 1,00,000 pointsI used Infinia for:Taleja explains: Recently, Myntra had 8% off on Gold CoinsTalreja says: 'This is next-level credit card usage'Talreja says: 'Without overspending. Just smart optimization.'Talreja says:
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
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
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
Mint
14-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Did you know you can donate your credit card reward points to charity? Here's how to do it
Credit card reward points are versatile. Most banks give you multiple options for redemption of reward points. One of the redemption options that many banks provide you to do is donate the reward points for charity. In this article, we will understand how you can donate your credit card reward points for charity and earn good karma. Banks give credit cardholders various options to redeem their reward points. The choice of redemption options provides flexibility to the cardholder to redeem the points as per the need at the time of redemption. Some of the redemption options that most banks provide their credit cardholders include the following. Booking flight tickets or hotel accommodation through the bank's platform like HDFC Bank's SmartBuy or ICICI Bank's iShop portal. Transferring credit card reward points to airline frequent flyer programs (FFPs) or hotel loyalty programs. Purchase of gift cards Purchase of merchandise Payment of online transactions or offline transactions at Point of Sale (POS) devices Cash/statement credit Donation to charity If you don't wish to redeem the reward points for any of the above first six options, you can donate them to charity instead of letting them expire. Please note that credit card reward points from most banks have a validity period, usually of up to 36 months. In the case of some credit card issuers like American Express, the reward points don't expire. Instead of letting the points expire or keeping them unused, you can donate them to charity. Let us understand how. American Express gives you the option of donating credit card reward points to charity. You will have to purchase a 'Points for Good' gift voucher by redeeming your reward points. To purchase the gift card, take the following steps: Visit the American Express website and log into your Dashboard Click on the 'Rewards & Benefits' link Under the 'Redeem for INSTA Vouchers' tab, click on 'View all INSTA Vouchers' From the category dropdown list, select 'Charity'. Click on the 'Points for Good' voucher link. You will be shown two options: a Rs. 1,000 voucher for 4,000 reward points and a Rs. 5,000 voucher for 20,000 reward points. You get a redemption value of Rs. 0.25 per reward point. Select the voucher denomination as per the number of reward points you wish to donate and proceed ahead with the transaction. On transaction completion, the credit card reward points will be debited from your American Express credit card account. You will receive the 'Points for Good' voucher details through SMS and email. The Points for good INSTA Voucher on the Amex website lets you convert your reward points into social impact. (Source: American Express Website) The above is the image of the Points for Good INSTA Voucher available on the American Express website for redemption of reward points. Once you receive the voucher, you must visit the Points for Good website ( and take the following steps. On the homepage, click on the 'Donate/Redeem' button. If you are donating for the first time through the 'Points for Good' website, you must register. If already registered, log in using your mobile number or email id. In your Dashboard, click on the 'Redeem Voucher' link From the 'Select Voucher' dropdown list, select the American Express option. The dropdown will show you the list of various banks from where you can buy the 'Points for Good' voucher by redeeming credit card reward points. Enter the Points for Good 16-digit voucher code and the 6-digit pin Select the organisation to whom you wish to donate. For example, CRY, Save The Children, The Akanksha Foundation, etc. Select the cause for which you want to donate. For example, education, nutrition, healthcare, etc. Finally, select the project for which you want to donate Click the 'Proceed' button. The voucher will be redeemed and the money will be transferred to the organisation that you selected for the project that you selected. The good thing about donating through the Points for Good website is that it has multiple organisations listed in one place for donations. The donor can select an organisation of choice to whom they wish to donate from the list of organisations available. Within the organisation selected for donation, you can choose the cause or the project that you want to donate for as per your choice. So, you will have the satisfaction of donating to an organisation and cause/project of your choice. Points for Good keeps a record of your past donations. You can log in to your Dashboard and click the 'History' link to check the record of your past donations. The donation summary confirms successful use of credit card rewards to contribute to social causes under 80G benefits. (Source: Points for Good Website) The above image shows the record of past donations. It gives you details like the name of the charity organisation, the cause, whether it is eligible for tax deduction under Section 80G, the amount, receipt, and how the donation was made (in this case, Points for Good gift voucher bought by redeeming credit card reward points). The Points for Good website lists many banks whose reward points can be donated through their website. Some of these banks include the following. American Express Canara Bank South Indian Bank Axis Bank Bank of India Central Bank of India HDFC Bank ICICI Bank IDBI Bank Indian Bank State Bank of India Standard Chartered Union Bank of India YES Bank The above list has been sourced from the Points for Good website. To check the list, log in to the Points for Good Dashboard and click the 'Loyalty Points' tab and the 'Select Loyalty Partner' dropdown list. The above list may include the donation of debit card reward points from some banks along with credit card reward points. The list includes other loyalty programs besides banks like Advantage Club, Akkado, BI Worldwide, Loylty Rewardz, XoXo Day, Zillion, etc. As explained earlier, credit card reward points can be used for various purposes. One of them is donating them to charity. A platform like Points for Good provides you an opportunity to donate your credit card reward points or other loyalty program rewards to charity. You can choose the organisation and the project/cause for which you want to donate. Thus, donating credit card reward points or other loyalty points can help you earn good karma. Gopal Gidwani is a freelance personal finance content writer with 15+ years of experience. He can be reached at LinkedIn.
Mint
16-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card: 6 reward points redemption options you shouldn't miss
Most banks award reward points on most credit cards, except for some cards on which they give cashback. The reward points are versatile and can be redeemed against various options. It gives the credit cardholder the flexibility to use the reward points for various purposes depending on the need at the time of redemption. The value per point differs depending on the redemption option chosen. In this article, we will understand the various redemption options that HDFC Bank provides its Infinia credit cardholders. Booking flights and hotels on SmartBuy: Infinia credit cardholders can redeem their reward points for booking flight tickets and/or booking hotel accommodation using HDFC Bank's SmartBuy platform. The reward points can be used for domestic as well as international bookings. The redemption value per point is Rs. 1. The flights and hotel bookings are powered by EaseMyTrip, Yatra, Cleartrip, and Goibibo. The cardholder can use the reward points to make bookings for self and others. The cardholder can pay up to a maximum of 70% of the transaction value with reward points. The remaining 30% transaction value must be paid with the Infinia Credit Card. A maximum of 1,50,000 reward points can be redeemed per calendar month for flights, hotel bookings, and transferring to partners on SmartBuy. Transfer reward points to partners: HDFC Bank has a tie-up with various airline and hotel transfer partners. Infinia credit cardholders can transfer their reward points to any of these transfer partners. Some of these include the following. Transfer partner Transfer ratio Reward points transfer timeline Air India Maharaja Club 2:1 Within 48 to 96 working hours Club ITC 2:1 Within 48 to 96 working hours Spicejet SpiceClub 1:1 Within 24 working hours Air Canada Aeroplan 2:1 Within 24 working hours AirAsia Rewards 1:1 Within 24 working hours Accor Live Limitless (ALL) 2:1 Within 24 working hours Avianca LifeMiles 2:1 Within 24 working hours Etihad Guest 2:1 Within 24 working hours Finnair Plus 1:1 Within 24 working hours Air France Flying Blue 1:1 Within 24 working hours IHG One Rewards 1:1 Within 24 working hours Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles 1:1 Within 24 working hours Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus 2:1 Within 24 working hours British Airways Executive Club 2:1 Within 24 working hours Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles 2:1 Within 24 working hours United MileagePlus 2:1 Within 24 working hours Wyndham Rewards 1:1 Within 24 working hours As you can see above, Infinia credit cardholders can transfer their reward points to 17 transfer partners. The transfer ratio for the conversion of reward points into airmiles or hotel loyalty points differs among various partners. It ranges between 1:1 and 2:1. The timeline for the transfer of reward points to most partners is within 24 working hours. However, for some partners it may take up to 96 working hours for the transferred points to reflect in the partner account. A maximum of 1,50,000 reward points can be redeemed per calendar month for flights, hotel bookings and transferring to partners on SmartBuy. Tanishq Gift Vouchers and Apple products: While travel redemptions can give a good redemption value per reward point, not all Infinia cardholders may want to redeem points for this purpose at all times. Other options that can give good redemption value per reward point include Tanishq Gift Vouchers and Apple products. The Tanishq Gift Vouchers can be bought in various denominations ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 10,000. The redemption value for Tanishq Gift Vouchers is Rs. 1/reward point. The cardholder can pay a maximum of 70% of the transaction value with reward points. The balance 30% must be paid with the Infinia card. Redemption of reward points against Tanishq Gift Vouchers is capped at 50,000 reward points for every calendar quarter. Apple products like iPhone, MacBook, watch, iPad, etc., can be bought by redeeming reward points. The redemption value for Apple products is Rs. 1/reward point. The cardholder can pay a maximum of 70% of the transaction value with reward points. The balance 30% must be paid with the Infinia card. Redemption of reward points against Apple Products is capped at one product for every calendar quarter. Gift vouchers: The gift vouchers of various online and offline brands can be bought by redeeming Infinia reward points. The redemption value ranges between Rs. 0.40 to Rs. 0.50 per reward point. Merchandise: In the earlier section, we saw how Infinia credit card reward points can be redeemed against Apple products at Rs. 1/reward point. Apart from Apple products, the reward points can be redeemed against various other merchandise. The categories include electronics, fashion accessories, beauty, wellness, kitchen and home appliances, etc. The redemption value is Rs. 0.50/reward point. Conversion to cash: The reward points can be converted to cash if none of the above-discussed redemption options appeal to you. The redemption value is Rs. 0.30 per reward point. The cash amount will be credited to the credit card account in two working days. The amount will be adjusted towards the next statement balance. Redemption of reward points for cash is capped at 50,000 reward points per calendar month. As we saw in the earlier section, HDFC Bank offers multiple options for Infinia credit cardholders to redeem their reward points. Some options offer a good redemption value, while some offer a lower redemption value. Redeeming points for booking flights and hotels through SmartBuy, transfer to some airline and hotel partners, Apple merchandise, Tanishq Gift Vouchers, etc., offer a good redemption value of Rs. 1/reward point. The cardholder should ideally opt for one of these redemption options. Redeeming points for merchandise and gift vouchers offers a per reward point redemption value in the Rs. 0.40 to Rs. 0.50 range. Conversion of reward points to cash offers the lowest redemption value of Rs. 0.30/per reward point. It should be the last option to redeem reward points. The cardholder should ideally give preference for the redemption option that offers a higher redemption value per reward point. However, it all depends on the need at the time of redemption, and accordingly, the redemption option must be chosen. Gopal Gidwani is a freelance personal finance content writer with 15+ years of experience. He can be reached at LinkedIn.
Mint
03-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
What is a credit card upgrade offer, and should you consider it?
When an individual starts their credit card journey, their first card is usually an entry-level card with basic features and benefits. With time, as the individual progresses through the credit card journey, they realise that they need a higher variant credit card with better features and benefits from the same bank. They can do that when the bank sends an upgrade offer or the customer asks the bank for a credit card upgrade. In this article, we will understand what a credit card upgrade is, its benefits, how to become eligible for it, and should an individual opt for it. A credit card upgrade is the process of transitioning from an existing card to a higher variant card with better features and benefits from the same bank. For example, suppose an individual holds an HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card. If the bank sends a request to the individual for the HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card, it is a credit card upgrade. Similarly, suppose an individual holds an American Express Membership Reward Credit Card (MRCC). If the individual gets a request for the Platinum Travel Credit Card, it is a credit card upgrade. If the individual accepts the credit card upgrade offer, the bank will send the new credit card. Once the individual activates the new credit card and starts using it, the existing credit card will be disabled. The upgraded credit card usually comes with better features and benefits. Some of these include the following. Higher credit limit: Usually, the upgraded credit card comes with a higher credit limit. When an individual gets a higher credit limit and their monthly expenses using the card remain the same, the credit utilisation ratio (CUR) goes down. The credit utilisation ratio (CUR) measures the percentage of credit limit used from the total credit limit available. A CUR of 30% or lower contributes towards improving the credit score. Higher rewards: The upgraded credit card usually comes with better features and benefits including reward points. For example, the HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card provides 3X reward points for the purchase of instant vouchers of various brands through the SmartBuy portal. If the cardholder gets upgraded to HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card, they will get 5X reward points for the purchase of instant vouchers through the SmartBuy portal. Similarly, an American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card (MRCC) provides 2X reward points for the purchase of instant vouchers of various brands through the Rewards Multiplier platform. If the cardholder gets upgraded to American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card, they will get 3X reward points for the purchase of instant vouchers through the Rewards Multiplier platform. Banks keep monitoring the usage pattern of the existing card and other factors regularly and send card upgrades to cardholders from time to time. Some of these factors include the following. Spends on the existing card: The spends done through the existing credit card is one of the most important factors for a credit card upgrade offer. If the cardholder spends a specified amount within a specified time using the existing card, they may become eligible for an upgrade, provided other eligibility criteria are also met. Hence, you may put most of your regular spends on the credit card of the bank from whom you are looking for a credit card upgrade. In the last few months, if you have spent a decent amount using the card, and have still not received a card upgrade offer, you may contact the bank and request for a card upgrade offer. If your salary has increased recently, and the monthly income meets the eligibility criteria of the credit card you want, you may contact the bank. Share your updated income details and request the bank for a credit card upgrade offer. Timely payments: Irrespective of whether you are looking for a credit card upgrade offer or not, you must pay the credit card monthly bill before or by the due date. Banks usually give preference to cardholders who make timely payments for credit card upgrade offers, provided other eligibility criteria are met. Long-term relationship with the bank: If you have a long-standing relationship and a good net relationship value (NRV) with the bank, they may offer you a credit card upgrade. If you don't get an upgrade offer, you may contact the bank and highlight the long-standing relationship and the good net relationship value (NRV) you have with them and request for a credit card upgrade. Good credit score: If you make timely payments, maintain a CUR below 30%, have a good mix of secured and unsecured credit, hold loans/credit cards with long ageing, etc., you will have a good credit score. Maintaining a good credit score is an important factor, along with other factors, that can make you eligible for a credit card upgrade. In the earlier section, we understood how an individual can become eligible for a credit card upgrade. If you meet the above eligibility criteria, you may have already received a credit card upgrade offer. You can check for credit card upgrade offers in your net banking or bank mobile app in the credit card section. You may have received communication on the credit card upgrade offer through email, WhatsApp, SMS, phone calls, etc. Once you accept the card upgrade offer, the bank processes the request. Usually, a credit card upgrade offer doesn't require KYC and income documents, as the bank already has this information. The bank will send you the upgraded credit card within the specified timelines. At the time of credit card upgrade, most cardholders have reward points on their existing credit card. You need not worry about losing them. The reward points on the existing credit card are transferred to the upgraded credit card in a specified ratio. For example, if an individual's credit card is upgraded from HDFC Bank Regalia to HDFC Bank Diners Club Black, the reward points will be transferred in the 2:1 ratio. It means every 2 Regalia reward points will be converted into 1 Diners Club Black reward point. For example, at the time of upgrade, if the Regalia Credit Card has 1,000 reward points, they will be transferred to Diners Club Black Credit Card as 500 reward points. The monetary value of the reward points remains the same after the transfer to the new credit card. If you have received a credit card offer with better features and benefits, you may consider going for it. If you get a higher credit limit on the new card, and your monthly expenses remain the same, it can lower your CUR and contribute towards improving your credit score. The better features and benefits will give you a higher value for every Rupee spent using the card. However, check the annual fees on the upgraded credit card, which will usually be higher than the existing card. Also, your existing card may be lifetime free and the upgraded card may be paid. So, before upgrading, check whether you are okay with the fee structure of the new credit card. Gopal Gidwani is a freelance personal finance content writer with 15+ years of experience. He can be reached at LinkedIn.
