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At the Amex Lounge in Delhi Airport, can i use the icici saphiro amex branded credit card? Or are they only for exclusive amex cards?

If you are talking about the centurion lounge in T3, they do not accept co-branded cards. They accept only Amex Platinum, not even gold or Platinum travel

Thanks for the heads-up. Saved me from embarrassing myself :coldsweat

Thanks. Yes I already have a LTF Coral Rupay credit card from ICICI. Got it pretty much the same way you mentioned via the website. But the reward points system is pathetic and that's why I'm looking for some better alternative.

In general I find the rewards are pretty bad for ICICI cards. Even their Sapphiro card is pretty much useless. The only reason I took it is for the Buy-One-Get-One movie ticket offer on Bookmyshow and the complimentary Priority Pass (gives 2 international lounge visits per year). For domestic lounge access you need to spend 75k per quarter. Makes no sense spending 75K using the ICICI card when I can use some other cards which give some decent cashback at least.

Centurion too.

BLR does not have one and I used the priority pass assciated with the Platinum instead of the Platinum itself leaving me with a $35 charge that Amex thankfully waived. Their T&C says PP is to be used at international non-amex lounges only and I missed the part where it specified international lounges outside India.

I just noticed that the conversion rate to redeem points (for Amazon Vouchers) for my Diners Black CC is reduced from earlier 50% to 40% now.

And yesterday I got another update. Received the Axis Bank Privilege. I was approached by Axis Bank staff at Mumbai T1 for an Axis card. Since I had heard it was quite difficult to get an Axis card, I decided to try. They asked me if I have any other cards. I showed them the Infinia. The entered my details in their app and said I was eligible for the Atlas. The reviews of this card are all good and it's a fantastic card. But I was not really in the mood of spending 5K a year for a card I wouldn't use much. I asked they to apply for any LTF card and they said they would apply for the Privilege. The took a copy of my current card statement and did the KYC. I got a message that the card was approved after a couple of day and the physical card came yesterday.
Current Portfolio is:
- Union Bank Signature / Visa Signature / 3L / 1999 +GST
- HDFC Bank Infinia / Visa Infinite / 9L / 12500 + GST
- ICICI Bank Amazon Pay / Visa Signature / 2L / LTF
- ICICI Bank Coral / RuPay / 2L / 500 + GST
- ICICI Bank Saphiro / Amex / 2L (Shared) / FTF
- ICICI Bank Saphiro / Mastercard / 2L (Shared) / FTF
- Indusind Bank EazyDiner Signature / Visa Signature / 3.3L / 1999 +GST
- Federal Bank Scapia / Visa Signature / 5L / LTF
- IDFC First Wealth Bank/ Visa Infinite / 10L / LTF
- Axis Bank Privilege / Visa Signature / 10L / LTF

Going forward, I'll spend primarily on the Infinia and do a bit on the Axis Privilege and ICICI Saphiro. The idea is to upgrade to something premium from ICICI and Axis. Having 3 primary cards is more than enough for an average person and that's what I plan to carry in my wallet. The others just stay at home.

So out of 9 cards you are having, 5 are LTF.

I wonder if you are able to meet spend requirement on other 4 cards for renewal waiver.

I guess you are keeping ICICI Coral for Rupay UPI benefits. My LTF Sapphiro has credit limit of 6L and RM said Emerald upgrade will be possible if I make spends over 6-8L.

I recently got the scapia, however got a low limit of 2.1L only which is less than my monthly salary :Frustrati

Hunting to buy a washing machine. Can buy from amazon or there are Croma and Reliance Digital stores nearby. On my HDFC Regalia gold, how to use smartbuy? What I understand is, I buy gyftr coupons redeeming my existing points and use those while paying on amazon. Balance amount could be paid using the card. Is that right or do I buy gyftr coupons using my credit card for approximate amount closer to the machine price and the pay almost fully using the coupon? Is there a way to directly access amazon from smartbuy that provides me the benefits automatically??

This is the right way to maximize your bonus rewards earnings. Buy gyftr vouchers and then pay using that.
There was a time when there was direct link to Amazon from Smartbuy. Not anymore. Amazon pay vouchers or gift cards is the only way.

You have option to buy from Amazon / Croma / Reliance Digital / Vijay Sales (if you have it in Indore).
Amazon pay would charge about 4% while buying the gift cards on gyftr site. May not be useful with Regalia. Croma / RD would not charge anything.

Guys, I have the ICICI Emeralde card. I would appreciate some guidance on how to redeem points for air travel. The rewards page only seems to have products. Thank you!

Please buy Gyftr coupons from the website but there is a limit on Amazon and Amazon shopping vouchers so you might be able buy INR 20,000 worth of coupons only in a month (combined). Also, there will be a 3.5% + GST amount charged for these coupons. You will get a better deal on using ICICI APAY card on Amazon as opposed to using Gyftr coupons (5% CB for prime).

Croma might be a better option as there is no additional charge on buying Croma coupons but you might be able to get a better deal on direct card swipe if you walk into Croma showroom.

No no, you don't redeem your existing points to get gyftr vouchers, correct way is to buy gyftr vouchers through smartbuy portal or payzapp app using your hdfc card
That'll fetch you the most reward points and then you spend those points on eg: flight booking which is 1 point = 1 rupee for infinia

A query on GYFTR portal:
I heard significant bonus reward points via GYFTR with select HDFC credit cards.

What is the catch? Why are they throwing away almost 10% extra cashback? Any fine print to be wary of?

Not much of a catch, while buying a voucher you are showcased the original reward points + bonus reward points + redemption value for travel(usually). There are processing fee on few vouchers( e.g. Amazon, Flipkart, etc.) but that is also quoted upfront. Take an informed decision on where you are getting maximum return and shop. Example, recently I was purchasing something at lifestyle physical store and bought a 2k voucher for 1950 at 2.5% discount and got 5x reward points as well. All these small things add up to CC points.
Have been using GyFTR significantly since last year and utilised the points significantly for flight bookings