[mukeshgoel]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

Had a Zomato RBL card which they moved to some RBL Shoprite. Pretty bad app and service. Planning to close it.

Same. I also had a RBL Zomato card which they changed to RBL Shoprite. Few months ago, I requested them to close it and they offered LTF RBL World Safari card which has zero forex markup charges and I accepted.

It was useful on my UAE trip a couple of months ago. It also gives lounge access in India and outside India (it comes with priority pass).

It also comes with travel insurance for one year.

Good for a life time free card. Give it a try.

[Oxy]

Which one is the best card that gives good benefits on Rs.1-1.5 lakhs yearly spends?

I am currently using the Axis Ace. The problem is that most Axis cards will undergo devaluation from April onwards so looking for a replacement.

[naj]

Originally Posted by Fuldagap

Wouldn't it be better to employ alternative means like using cash? There has been a sharp decline in card usage abroad since the deductions started to occur. Else you can continue using the card, pay the requisite TCS and get it back with the next ITR.

Hello,
As per my experience till now the CC overseas expenses have not attracted TCS and is a good option, but will eventually come under the purview of TCS. I have been traveling in Europe and Asia for last few months and done expenses only on cards. Faced no problem with TCS deductions so far. Cash will attract 5% till 700k then 20 % TCS.

Source.

In any case as I understand, if a TCS is deducted, same can be claimed back if one is a tax payer and filed ones returns/paid all applicable taxes.

Thanks.

[Fuldagap]

Originally Posted by naj

Hello,
As per my experience till now the CC overseas expenses have not attracted TCS and is a good option, but will eventually come under the purview of TCS. I have been traveling in Europe and Asia for last few months and done expenses only on cards. Faced no problem with TCS deductions so far. Cash will attract 5% till 700k then 20 % TCS.

My bank started deductions in Oct' 23. Since then I have tried not to use my debit card for cash withdrawals/expenditure and instead rely on alternate means.
Hopefully, I'll get my money back with the ITR filing. I don't use a credit card.

Under the new norms for LRS, TCS deductions started in October last year. Credit card transactions are out of the purview as of today but soon to be amalgmated into the process.

October/ November saw a sharp decline in overseas expenditure (outward remitances) due to the TCS deductions but have rebounded a bit now. As one can see, a - 38% and - 14% is there in Oct & Nov which could also be attributed to cyclical nature of the phenomenon. But the quantum itself is quite low in both those months.




Source

LRS was introduced long back in 2004, limiting transactions to USD 250,000 mainly to curb black money processes.

However, this new TCS deduction now could have an adverse consequence as people might prefer switching to alternate means.

Remember, a TCS deduction dents a hole in the pocket of the man who has expenses abroad and only after he files his ITR is he liable to get part or whole of his money back. 20% is a huge figure.

Another article:





Source

[jomyboy]

Originally Posted by Suifuto

4. Discontinued BookMyShow Buy 1 Get 1 offer

6. Revision of Domestic Lounge access - 50K for previous 3 months

I have just booked Godzilla with one on one free at BookMyShow. It seems the scheme has been continued for one more year at least.

Looking at the queues, I have never been able to use the lounge anywhere. T2 Mumbai airport is even more irritating, my Priority Pass membership which gets renewed each year with Axis Select has been of no worth at all.

[Noctis]

Originally Posted by Oxy

Which one is the best card that gives good benefits on Rs.1-1.5 lakhs yearly spends?

I am currently using the Axis Ace. The problem is that most Axis cards will undergo devaluation from April onwards so looking for a replacement.

Co-branded cards are looking good right now.

Amazon pay ICICI is LTF and gives 5% if you have prime membership. HDFC Swiggy card is 500 p.a. but gives you 10% on swiggy and 5% on selected other merchants, great if you use Swiggy/Instamart/Dineout etc. a lot. Tata is often giving away as LTF its Neu Plus and Infinity card, which when used in the Neu app will give you 2/5% over the existing 5% CB from the Neupass.

Alternatively you can continue to keep Ace as a general card as it still gives 1.5% as cashback and not points/wallet returns that have usage restrictions. The 5% on utilities and 4% on selected merchants also continues upto 500 p.m.

[kavensri]

This query is for those who are using IDFC FIRST Credit Card.
Recently I got two add-on cards for my spouse and daughter. While initiating the request, I had selected just Rs5000 as credit limit. Now I would like to increase that amount. But I don't see any such setting to do the same. I had sent an email to their CC, but they are not so responsive.
Let me know if anyone knows how to do this.
Thanks.

[Highh5]

Originally Posted by jomyboy

I have just booked Godzilla with one on one free at BookMyShow. It seems the scheme has been continued for one more year at least.

Looking at the queues, I have never been able to use the lounge anywhere. T2 Mumbai airport is even more irritating, my Priority Pass membership which gets renewed each year with Axis Select has been of no worth at all.

No, Bookmyshow offer will be discontinued for both Magnus and Select from April 20th onwards

[jomyboy]

Originally Posted by Highh5

No, Bookmyshow offer will be discontinued for both Magnus and Select from April 20th onwards

According to Bookmyshow, it says Select Card one on one free valid till 31st March 2025. Maybe Axis decided looking at the churn to reinstate the Bookmyshow offer. All will be revealed by 20th though I suppose.

[Highh5]

Originally Posted by jomyboy

According to Bookmyshow, it says Select Card one on one free valid till 31st March 2025. Maybe Axis decided looking at the churn to reinstate the Bookmyshow offer. All will be revealed by 20th though I suppose.

This is the email I got for Magnus, highlighting the date for the changes to become effective. I got a similar email for Select Card since I have that card as well. So, I believe Bookmyshow things can change overnight.

[Noctis]

Originally Posted by jomyboy

According to Bookmyshow, it says Select Card one on one free valid till 31st March 2025. Maybe Axis decided looking at the churn to reinstate the Bookmyshow offer. All will be revealed by 20th though I suppose.

You can check the revised T&C here: https://www.axisbank.com/docs/defaul...redit-card.pdf

BMS offer will be removed after 20th April. Various websites may take time to update, but this is confirmed.

[sj_koova]

My HDFC Infinia Metal card arrived after a bit of follow up. HDFC wanted me to switch my salary account to HDFC before processing credit card, but I was not fully prepared for the switch. So the application went to hold state.

I will be switching from AMEX Platinum Reserve to this one.

Anyone here using Infinia Metal? Any best practices or suggestions on maximum utilization?

[Highh5]

Originally Posted by sj_koova

My HDFC Infinia Metal card arrived after a bit of follow up. HDFC wanted me to switch my salary account to HDFC before processing credit card, but I was not fully prepared for the switch. So the application went to hold state.

I will be switching from AMEX Platinum Reserve to this one.

Anyone here using Infinia Metal? Any best practices or suggestions on maximum utilization?

Make use of SmartBuy vouchers for everything you purchase, you will get 5x points for everything. Hotel Bookings get 10x points along few other merchants. Over all make good use of below portal and get well acquainted with that.
For Infinia Customers they have a dedicated portal https://offers.reward360.in/v1/infinia
and they have a separate customer care no which will help you avoid long wait times in case you need to reach out to HDFC CC.

[youknowitbetter]

Hi - I was planning on claiming Infinia's 1+1 dining offer at ITC in Mumbai. Out of the restaurants at Grand Central and Maratha, which one would people here recommend. Also, I am on a cleanse for sometime and prefer eating only veg, so let me know if there is a good veg restaurant as well. Thanks

[Noctis]

Originally Posted by sj_koova

Anyone here using Infinia Metal? Any best practices or suggestions on maximum utilization?

Congrats on your new card! First of all the unlimited lounges you get both in India and abroad (through PP) is available to add on cardholders as well. So with other cards getting devalued on this front its an option to consider for your family.

On gaining points, I find the best value for this card is when purchasing vouchers (16.5%) for online stores like Amazon Shopping, Flipkart, Swiggy, Zomato, Myntra etc. Amazon pay is also an option but you have to pay around 3% extra in return for the points.

Alternatively you can book hotels (33%) and flights (16.5%). However for do compare with other providers as the price and fees charged by smartbuy can sometimes be inflated, bringing down the overall benefit. There is also a cap on total bonus points at 15k p.m., which you can easily hit if you book hotels with it.

For utilization of points flights are probably the best option, for which you can cover upto 70% of the cost with points. There are also some good airmile transfer partners, although the transfer rates keeps getting devalued and the 1:1 partners are a lot less now.