[adimicra]

What could be a nice add on credit card along with HDFC Infinia?
This would be primarily a backup card, So I am looking for something which is free lifetime or have minimal annual/joining fees. Also, I am looking for lounge offer on this card.

Suggestions welcome.

[SoumenD]

Originally Posted by adimicra

What could be a nice add on credit card along with HDFC Infinia?
This would be primarily a backup card, So I am looking for something which is free lifetime or have minimal annual/joining fees. Also, I am looking for lounge offer on this card.

Suggestions welcome.

Whenever someone looks for LTF card, the first one comes to mind is Amazon icici.

[JMaruru]

Originally Posted by SoumenD

Whenever someone looks for LTF card, the first one comes to mind is Amazon icici.

I don't think so Amazon ICICI CC has any lounge access.

[SoumenD]

Originally Posted by adimicra

What could be a nice add on credit card along with HDFC Infinia?
This would be primarily a backup card, So I am looking for something which is free lifetime or have minimal annual/joining fees. Also, I am looking for lounge offer on this card.

Suggestions welcome.

Originally Posted by SoumenD

Whenever someone looks for LTF card, the first one comes to mind is Amazon icici.

Originally Posted by JMaruru

I don't think so Amazon ICICI CC has any lounge access.

You are right. I missed that point.

Scapia(in association with federal bank) is the one I can think of for lounge access. It needs 5k spends in the preceding month for unlimited lounge access.

Rest its LTF as of now.

But one should not have any association with federal bank prior to applying this one, else it gets rejected. I know its weird condition, but it is what it is.

[Phoenix_VR]

Originally Posted by ValarMorghulis

Get it upgraded but don't have any expectations. Have been an Imperia customer for long and there is nothing out of the ordinary.
On paper, you get free locker service, but good luck finding an empty locker.

Originally Posted by libranof1987

There is Infiniti above Imperia, needs a NRV of 5cr+. Imperia over Regalia doesn't really give you a lot of additional benefit, except waiver on locker fees; but as Valar said, most branches are full, and running a waiting list on lockers.

You'll also get Depository Charges waived off, in case you use HDFC Securities, but it is a hassle, as you've to email the RM about it and then they have to raise a ticket and so on. Can easily take 2-4 weeks.

Originally Posted by neelkumar

You should upgrade without thought if you have plans to maintain the required criteria.

1. Your RM doesn’t change immediately. But if you are lucky, you can get a good RM who doesn’t push you to buy another ULIP, but actually help you. You can easily get many things done with their help.
2. You can flex this status in your credit card upgrade requests and few other things and again if your RM has any reach, you might as well get them fulfilled.
3. 50% discount on loan processing fees and free demat account are also some pros

Originally Posted by VaibhaoT

I agree that Imperia over preferred is not a big upgrade and its just a color change in internet banking interface & cheque book. But that should not stop you from upgrading. Imperia RM will still be dumb.

Regarding lockers, its a tough job to get the locker from HDFC. Recently I managed to get one. If you directly go to HDFC bank branch, they will hand over a register with at least 300+ names as "waiting" customers. But frankly all branches have locker available. In city like BLR where every tom, dick and harry have Imperia, they hardly give any value to it.
In my case after visiting 5 branches, I approached the relationship manager assigned for my employer. He arranged a locker for me in same branch where there was waiting of 300+. When I was doing process for locker I got to know that they prefer customer who purchase "Fix Maturity Plan" insurance from them. It gives highest commission to bank. They had at least 3 options of locker number available with them in small category. For non-Imperia customer, small size locker has charges of Rs 5000+. IMHO its way too much.

Thank you all for your inputs. I went ahead and put the request to go forward with the upgrade considering there is really nothing to lose. I am planning to take a home loan shortly and would really like to push for the Infinia card as well so this might be one step closer to that hopefully.

[VaibhaoT]

Originally Posted by adimicra

What could be a nice add on credit card along with HDFC Infinia?
This would be primarily a backup card, So I am looking for something which is free lifetime or have minimal annual/joining fees. Also, I am looking for lounge offer on this card.

Suggestions welcome.

Check IDFC Wealth. Its Visa Infinite and Lounge list is really good. Its LTF free without any joining fees. Rewards are not that great though.

[wildsdi5530]

Which is a good credit card to use internationally? Especially in the USA?

Is it ok to just use Regalia which has a huge credit limit? Or apply for any other credit card, perhaps American express?

Is it a good option to go for a ForEx card? Can non students get the HDFC Bank ISIC Student ForexPlus Card which apparently acts as a student ID and perhaps get student discounts where applicable (Apple, etc.)

Or any other card recommended? Or is cash the best option? If someone had done the due deligence and calculations, please advise.

[akshaymahajan]

Originally Posted by wildsdi5530

Which is a good credit card to use internationally? Especially in the USA?

Is it ok to just use Regalia which has a huge credit limit? Or apply for any other credit card, perhaps American express?

Is it a good option to go for a ForEx card? Can non students get the HDFC Bank ISIC Student ForexPlus Card which apparently acts as a student ID and perhaps get student discounts where applicable (Apple, etc.)

Or any other card recommended? Or is cash the best option? If someone had done the due deligence and calculations, please advise.

Niyo Global and IDFC Wow while both FD backed have no forex markup,

[Naetik30]

I got the SBM Niyo Global credit card (FD backed) and DCB Niyo Global debit card recently for international use.

I understand how the DCB Niyo Global debit card works. But I have some questions on the SBM Niyo Global credit card.

1. As this FD backed, you can only increase the credit limit by increasing the FD. I am not a big fan of this, as the amount gets blocked. (Note: You still have to pay the monthly credit card bills. The FD does not pay the bill).
I read on some forums that you can prepay some amount to the credit card. This basically leaves a positive balance on the card and then use the increased limit. Ex - Lets say you have FD of INR 5000. Now credit limit is INR 5000. Instead of increasing the FD, prepay say 20000 on the card. This gives credit limit of INR 20000 + INR 5000.

Has anyone tried this and does it work?

2. Is the Forex rate applicable based on the date of transaction (or) on date of settlement. Read in some forums that date of settlement is ~10 days and currency fluctuation is a problem over 10 days. Any knows how this works?

3. I heard there is a server downtime of 4 hours from 8PM to 12AM IST everyday. And the card may not work. Is this true?

4 Any acceptability issues of the Niyo card anywhere?

[car_addict]

Originally Posted by Naetik30

1. As this FD backed, you can only increase the credit limit by increasing the FD. I am not a big fan of this, as the amount gets blocked. (Note: You still have to pay the monthly credit card bills. The FD does not pay the bill).
I read on some forums that you can prepay some amount to the credit card. This basically leaves a positive balance on the card and then use the increased limit. Ex - Lets say you have FD of INR 5000. Now credit limit is INR 5000. Instead of increasing the FD, prepay say 20000 on the card. This gives credit limit of INR 20000 + INR 5000.

Has anyone tried this and does it work?

I have not tried this with this particular card. But some of the other banks have different polices on over paying. They generally refund the amount back if you over pay. Might be better to check if customer care. In my case, I use this card for payment during the trip and hence have kept a basic balance. The FD interest is quite competitive also.

Originally Posted by Naetik30

2. Is the Forex rate applicable based on the date of transaction (or) on date of settlement. Read in some forums that date of settlement is ~10 days and currency fluctuation is a problem over 10 days. Any knows how this works?

From their website:
For international PoS transactions, there’ll be Fx adjustments. Let me try to help you in detail.
When you do an international PoS transaction, the merchant settles the transaction within 2-5 days. Meanwhile, if there is a difference in foreign currency exchange (transaction date and transaction settlement date), the difference amount will be debited/credited to the customer account.
Here is an example of it.
a. T0 - The day at which you make a transaction, we debit your account by prevalent Fx rate for the day (T0 day)
b. T2 - Typically, the merchant sends settlement after 2 days at the prevalent Fx rate for that day (T2 day)
c. If there is any difference between T0 and T2 Fx rates the same is debited (if T2 rates are more) or credited (if T2 rates are less) to you.
For International ATM withdrawal and balance enquiry, you’d be charged ₹200 + GST. This is in addition to the ATM charges that any bank can charge you while using their ATM.

Originally Posted by Naetik30

3. I heard there is a server downtime of 4 hours from 8PM to 12AM IST everyday. And the card may not work. Is this true?

Never faced this issue. They are very proactive in announcing their downtime well in advance and tell very clearly what works and what doesn't.

Originally Posted by Naetik30

4 Any acceptability issues of the Niyo card anywhere?

I have been using the Niyo card for the last 1 year in Bali, Thailand and Dubai. I have swipped the card in small resturants, ATM, big/small stores, metro, taxi cabs and never faced any rejections.

[ashwinsid]

Originally Posted by adimicra

What could be a nice add on credit card along with HDFC Infinia?
This would be primarily a backup card, So I am looking for something which is free lifetime or have minimal annual/joining fees. Also, I am looking for lounge offer on this card.

Suggestions welcome.

Wanted to PM you something but looks like your TBHP inbox is full..

[Naetik30]

Originally Posted by car_addict

I have not tried this with this particular card. But some of the other banks have different polices on over paying. They generally refund the amount back if you over pay. Might be better to check if customer care. In my case, I use this card for payment during the trip and hence have kept a basic balance. The FD interest is quite competitive also.

In some forums I read that people over pay just ahead of the spend and use it immediately. I think if the over payment is done few days ahead then as per RBI guidelines it will be credited back to linked savings account, as you cannot have a positive balance on the credit card.

However, their schedule of charges mentions 'over limit charges of INR 150'. This might mean that if you spend over the FD limit (credit limit) they can charge you INR 150 per transaction that is over limit (even with the advance/over payment). Just wanted to understand practically how this would work.

May be better off to use the Niyo Global Debit card from DCB.

[czar6502]

Hi! I am a fresher out of college and in my first job. I tried applying for the HDFC Millenia CC, but was told that I had to apply for their base CC "Freedom" and use it for a few months in order to be eligible for the other cards that come with better benefits. I have applied for the Freedom card as of now but I do not understand why they do not provide a better card even when I fall inside the specified income bracket.

[whitewing]

Originally Posted by czar6502

.. I do not understand why they do not provide a better card even when I fall inside the specified income bracket.

Once you build up a credit history & score these will get resolved automatically. In case you have an assigned RM with your corporate account, try reaching out and ask for a CC with higher credit.

[Highh5]

Originally Posted by czar6502

Hi! I am a fresher out of college and in my first job. I tried applying for the HDFC Millenia CC, but was told that I had to apply for their base CC "Freedom" and use it for a few months in order to be eligible for the other cards that come with better benefits. I have applied for the Freedom card as of now but I do not understand why they do not provide a better card even when I fall inside the specified income bracket.

You might not have a credit history right now. A good credit history will enable you to get approval for better cards. As of now, go ahead with Freedom and put in the upgrade request after 6 months. Make sure you put some spending on your freedom card.