[Naetik30]

Originally Posted by piiyush21

I'll mostly use it for bills, gas, and shopping. I don't travel for work, but I do take a couple of trips a year. Thanks!

Originally Posted by agambhandari

Just get whatever credit card you can get from your bank that you hold a salary account in. They would have (Lifetime) free options.

Apart from what @Agambhandari said - here is a different suggestion. Since you mentioned fuel, bills, shopping and if you pay for advance taxes, etc - one of the best ways to make good returns is Amex. If you can meet 4 lakhs in spending on Fuel, taxes, Insurance, Shopping (especially via Amex gyftr), you can easily make 8% returns on the Amex Platinum Travel card.

I personally use Infinia and Amex Plat Travel for most of my day to day expenses. While I use Infinia for all Smartbuy/Gyftr purchases. All my offline , taxes and fuel are on Amex Plat Travel. This is a good way to maximize rewards on spending that does not provide rewards - fuel, taxes, etc.

Do not get Amex Plat Travel, if you cannot make the 4lakhs milestone - which provides 40000+ Amex MR points + 10k Taj voucher + 2k or 4k of joining bonus in the first year. Let me know if you have any questions.

[varkey]

Originally Posted by treyazaghtoth

Questions for the community:
1. Has anyone else faced similar issues across multiple bank credit cards for international recurring subscriptions?
2. Are there specific e-mandate or additional authentication steps I might be missing?

So I've been seeing random failures in the past like you have, mostly for auto renewal or automatic monthly payments based on the invoice. I prefer to use my HDFC card (Infinia) for international payments considering the net rewards, however, with HDFC it's been bit unreliable and I had switched to OneCard (BoB Issued). It's been working without issues for me for the two providers that I need to make payments in USD/EUR (Dynadot, Hetzner). OneCard charges only 1% forex markup, so it's not that bad, but the rewards aren't that great as compared to my HDFC card.

Just yesterday, I tried switching back to HDFC for one provider, have to see if the past issues have been resolved.

Originally Posted by nareshtrao

Are you trying these e Mandates for non-INR International transactions? If that is the case, AFAIK, the recurring option will not work.

When using OneCard, I've not seen any failures, the auto payment has been working for atleast 4+ years.

[treyazaghtoth]

@nareshtrao : thanks for the reply . Unfortunately contacting the customer care of the bank was of no use, all I got, was their automated reply . Yes , I use my credit card for non INR transactions.

@agambhandari : Thanks for the reply. Will definitely check out Amex .

@bravo82in : thanks for the reply. Is Apple Pay activated in India ? my understanding is, that it isn't

@varkey : thanks for the suggestions . will check out OneCard

[agambhandari]

Originally Posted by Naetik30

Apart from what @Agambhandari said - here is a different suggestion. Since you mentioned fuel, bills, shopping and if you pay for advance taxes, etc - one of the best ways to make good returns is Amex.

Since he has No CIBIL and no previous credit card, he will not be eligible for Amex as of now

[glovins2004]

You may call me an pessimist. In my opinion, close all your dues at the earliest and cut that plastic into many pieces. I know it can be used wisely but most of us know the harsh realities how quickly it can get out of hands.

[tejas08]

Originally Posted by glovins2004

You may call me an pessimist. In my opinion, close all your dues at the earliest and cut that plastic into many pieces. I know it can be used wisely but most of us know the harsh realities how quickly it can get out of hands.

I always give this example

- Do you stop using a Knife because it has a potential to give you a cut?

Never going to happen. The knife isn't the problem. The person using the knife has to be careful. Same thing works for Credit Cards.

For those who understand the game, there is absolutely no going back.

I am definitely not letting go of 8-10% savings on my spends throughout the year.

[kavensri]

Originally Posted by glovins2004

You may call me an pessimist. In my opinion, close all your dues at the earliest and cut that plastic into many pieces. I know it can be used wisely but most of us know the harsh realities how quickly it can get out of hands.

I completely agree with what tejas08 has written.
I have credit cards from 5 different banks (one of which is Rupay card used for UPI payments), and I know which card to use for what purpose. 3 of my cards are having Annual fee, but still the benefits outweigh the fee amount.
I may not be getting 8-10% because of different reason (I always use the reward points to convert them onto cash). But I can never go back to the days of cash/debit payments.

[RoadFiend]

Originally Posted by agambhandari

For international payments, Amex works the best for me (through paypal and without) and always without OTP as well. All other banks go through sometimes but on other occasions will flag the transaction and even go as far as to block the card for a few days. I'm using Amex for such smaller recurring payments.

Thanks. I've been tired of trying to renew HBR etc., and failing. What would be the Amex card I should obtain and how (I have Infinia and couple other cards, but no Amex).

[agambhandari]

Originally Posted by RoadFiend

Thanks. I've been tired of trying to renew HBR etc., and failing. What would be the Amex card I should obtain and how (I have Infinia and couple other cards, but no Amex).

If you are sure of completing 4 lacs of spends annually, go for Amex Platinum travel. It has the best returns if you complete the annual 4 lac milestone.

Else, Go for MRCC (Membership rewards card), you get maximum value out if you complete 4x 1500 Rs(or higher) transactions each month and complete the 20k a month milestone. There are extra joining benefits if you use referral links and then apply online. I can share if you need it

[dass]

Originally Posted by kavensri

. But I can never go back to the days of cash/debit payments.

Agree, I have quite a few CC's and most of them are Free For Life while couple of them have an annual charge, which is again waived off on spend criteria. If one is judicious in using and paying the balance amount on time, this is a great tool to use. I do not remember the last time I used by debit card, even to withdraw cash and my wallet usually has no cash in it and it has been like this for a while and I can manage quite well. So much so that, I forget to take my wallet no a days

[s4ch]

Originally Posted by tejas08

I always give this example

- Do you stop using a Knife because it has a potential to give you a cut?

Never going to happen. The knife isn't the problem. The person using the knife has to be careful. Same thing works for Credit Cards.

For those who understand the game, there is absolutely no going back.

I am definitely not letting go of 8-10% savings on my spends throughout the year.

1000% agree with Tejas here. Over the last few years I have optimised 99% of my spends to the right credit card and had some insane value back. Some example redemptions:

1) Return reward flights to Japan - saved 1.4L
2) Weekend staycation in a 5 star Taj - completely free using Amex Taj vouchers
3) 5 day stay in a 5 star Marriott - saved 1L
4) Return reward flights to Hong Kong - saved 1L
5) Another 5 day stay in a 5 star Marriott - saved 1.25L
6) Collected Accor Points worth 1L
7) 5 Domestic flights redeemed on Air India - saved about 60k

This is about 6.5L++ of savings by just choosing to use the right card at the right place. I am not a massive spender, but understanding and optimising spends to the right method can give huge value back.

The key with using credit cards: Only spend what you plan to, don't manufacture spends just to earn points, and PAY THE FULL balance by the due date. (Those who say to never use credit cards or that they are too dangerous just don't understand this simple concept).

[piiyush21]

Originally Posted by Naetik30

Apart from what @Agambhandari said - here is a different suggestion. Since you mentioned fuel, bills, shopping and if you pay for advance taxes, etc - one of the best ways to make good returns is Amex. If you can meet 4 lakhs in spending on Fuel, taxes, Insurance, Shopping (especially via Amex gyftr), you can easily make 8% returns on the Amex Platinum Travel card.

I personally use Infinia and Amex Plat Travel for most of my day to day expenses. While I use Infinia for all Smartbuy/Gyftr purchases. All my offline , taxes and fuel are on Amex Plat Travel. This is a good way to maximize rewards on spending that does not provide rewards - fuel, taxes, etc.

Do not get Amex Plat Travel, if you cannot make the 4lakhs milestone - which provides 40000+ Amex MR points + 10k Taj voucher + 2k or 4k of joining bonus in the first year. Let me know if you have any questions.

This sounds sorted. Can I add Amex to UPI too since I've been told that Amex doesn't work on many POS?

[JMaruru]

Originally Posted by piiyush21

Can I add Amex to UPI too since I've been told that Amex doesn't work on many POS?

The RUPAY cards can ONLY be added for UPI payments.

[Naetik30]

Originally Posted by piiyush21

This sounds sorted. Can I add Amex to UPI too since I've been told that Amex doesn't work on many POS?

Amex is getting better at POS in most Tier 1 cities. It will work in almost all mall shops, major retailers, grocery stores (Dmart, Spar, etc). Definitely works in all fuel pumps - especially HP without any additional cost.

I would say dont bother with Rupay cards for UPI payments. I have HDFC Tata Neu Infinity for UPI. But offlate, almost all retailers have disabled Rupay card payments on their UPI.

[impala]

Has anyone experienced the HDFC IndianOil Card not giving 5% reward points despite filling at IOCL pumps?

I have an open complaint with HDFC for about a week now, but yet to hear back. The bank hasn't recognized any of the transactions across multiple pumps as IOCL transactions, but had waived of surcharge. These pumps are in and around Bangalore and the Nilgiris.

While filling petrol today, I asked the attendant about it. He said 'there is a different (POS) machine' and 'you will get the points on raising a complaint'.