The Great Indian Points and Miles Show

Axis Bank Credit Card holders, this one’s for you!In this explosive deep-dive, we break down EVERY major Axis Bank credit card — Magnus Burgundy, Atlas, Select, Privilege, Samsung Infinite, Olyumpus, Vistara Infinite and more — through real talk, real redemptions, and real warnings.We've covered the length and breath of:What’s changing in 2025?Is Magnus Burgundy still numero uno post-devaluationWhy Atlas might be the sleeper hit!How to smartly transfer Edge Rewards & Edge MilesWhat they don’t tell you about lounge access, vouchers & taxes.Which credit cards work best with your lifestyle (travel, cashback, dining and more)Axis Group A vs Group B points — fully decoded.This episode is your guide to mastering Axis Bank Credit Cards in 2025, especially if you’re serious about squeezing the most value from your spends.🎧Whether you’re holding on to Magnus or Magnus Burgundy, considering Atlas, or juggling multiple Axis cards like the Select, Privilege or Vistara Infinite— this episode helps you decide what to keep, what to ditch, and how to maximise.🚀Subscribe, share, and join us on The Great Indian Points & Miles Show to unlock smarter travel, better rewards, and zero buyer’s remorse!Cards mentioned in this episode (some of these are affiliate links):Axis Bank Credit Cards:⁠Axis Magnus⁠⁠Axis Atlas⁠⁠Axis Reserve⁠⁠Axis Privilege⁠⁠Axis Select⁠⁠Axis Flipkart Credit Card⁠⁠Axis Samsung Infinite⁠⁠Axis ACE⁠⁠Axis MyZone⁠HDFC Bank Credit Cards:⁠HDFC Regalia⁠⁠HDFC Regalia Gold⁠ ⁠HDFC Diners Black⁠⁠HDFC Infinia⁠⁠HDFC Marriott Bonvoy Diners Club Credit Card⁠⁠⁠HDFC Swiggy Credit Card⁠⁠⁠⁠Tata Neu HDFC Bank Credit Card (Plus/Infinity)⁠⁠ICICI Bank Credit Cards:⁠ICICI Emeralde Private Metal (EPM) Credit Card⁠⁠ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Card⁠⁠ICICI Bank Emirates Emerlade Credit Card⁠⁠ICICI Bank Amazon Pay Credit Card⁠Other Cards Discussed:⁠SBI Card Elite⁠⁠Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card⁠⁠Small Finance Bank Ixigo Credit Card⁠⁠IDFC First Wow Credit Card⁠⁠IDFC First Bank Mayura Credit Card⁠⁠HSBC Travel One Credit Card⁠⁠HSBC Live Plus Card⁠Timestamps:00:00 - Axis Bank Credit Cards Special from The Great Indian Points & Miles Show05:20 - Sudeep's Axis card stack revealed09:10 - Will future Air India cards still offer status?16:50 - Star Alliance Gold: What benefits truly carry over?18:00 - Our current Axis card stacks – who holds what?20:00 - Atlas vs Olympus: Which card gives better value?22:50 - Why Olympus might come diluted when re-launched27:00 - What if you’re new to Axis? How to build your card journey29:00 - The Privilege + Select combo: underrated but powerful30:50 - Edge Rewards 101: Building long-term value32:40 - The golden age of edge rewards family pooling (RIP)34:30 - Regalia Gold? Still a great place to start36:10 - Best zero Forex cards for international travel38:50 - Forex strategy: Carrying 3 cards, choosing wisely43:00 - Using Amex as a chargeback shield: When peace of mind wins46:10 - Atlas’s 4% Forex fee – the elephant in the room48:10 - Booking woes: Flying Blue, Lufthansa, and Access card failures49:20 - Axis's rewards currency: Edge Rewards vs Edge Miles51:10 - Group A vs Group B explained (and the cognitive load rant)54:00 - Partner limits, redemptions, and optimal transfer planning59:10 - What we transferred last year (and where we’re eyeing this year)01:03:00 - Using group B smartly: ITC, Marriott, and experimenting01:07:40 - Club ITC to ITH: Flights, hotels, cabs with points!01:13:00 - Marrying Axis with Marriott: How to max out Group B annually01:21:30 - Domestic redemptions: Which programs make sense?01:32:50 - Aeroplan’s sweet spot: SF to BLR to SIN – One PNR!01:36:30 - Our Group A & B strategy for 2025: Real talk01:40:00 - Axis GrabDeals 101: The good old 45X multipliers!01:42:50 - Gyftr and Flipkart SuperCoins stacking explained01:48:10 - Final thoughts: Axis stack wisdom from the points and miles crew

Ready to turn your credit card points into Singapore Airlines First Class Suites and Ritz-Carlton Reserve villa stays in Bali? In this episode of The Great Indian Points & Miles Show, we sit down with four power users who’ve mastered the art of luxury travel using Indian credit cards—especially the iconic HDFC Infinia. They’ve cracked redemptions like:✈️ Singapore Airlines First Class Suites 🌴 Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Mandapa Bali on points🚗Business class redemptions to New Zealand on the iconic Singapore Airlines 🍽️ Maximizing SmartBuy 5X and 10X and vouchers to earn 16.5% and 33% returns💳 And we pit Infinia vs. ICICI Emeralde Private Metal in a head-to-head battle of India’s best cards.We also bust myths like:“Is redeeming points for Apple products a sin?”“Should you ever settle for 90K over 58,500 KrisFlyer miles?”“Can cashback cards ever make sense in a miles-first world?”👉 Whether you’re a newbie starting with Regalia or a veteran eyeing the Suites at 35,000 ft, this episode is your blueprint to booking first class experiences without first class prices.Cards mentioned in this episode (some of these are affiliate links):HDFC Bank Cards:HDFC Infinia / Diners Club Black (DCB)HDFC Regalia / Regalia GoldHDFC Swiggy Credit CardTata Neu HDFC Bank Credit Card (Plus/Infinity)Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit CardICICI Bank Cards:ICICI Emeralde Private Metal (EPM)ICICI Bank Amazon Pay Credit CardAxis Bank Cards:Axis Magnus Credit CardAxis Atlas Credit CardHSBC Bank Cards:HSBC Travel One Credit CardHSBC Live Plus / Cashback Credit CardOthers:SBI Cashback Credit CardTimestamps:00:00 Flying Business Class on HDFC Infinia03:50 Intro to HDFC Infinia and luxury travel discussion04:25 Prakhar’s introduction and Phuket travel anecdotes07:00 How Prakhar got the HDFC Infinia Credit Card and started using it10:15 Singapore Airlines First Class Suites experience via HDFC Infinia points13:00 Singapore Airlines Saver vs. Advantage fare discussion and value of flexibility17:00 SQ mobile app advantages and booking tips18:05 Top 3 highlights of Singapore Airlines First Class Suites and Private Room dining22:50 Ameya’s journey to Infinia and redemption philosophy24:30 Dhimant's bumpy relationship with HDFC and his Infinia acquisition28:10 How Prakhar and Ameya use Infinia today and their spend strategies32:00 Cashback vs. travel cards: value and tradeoffs35:00 Vouchers, and Amazon stacking tips39:00 HSBC Cashback and SBI Cashback pros and cons43:00 Redemption styles: flights, hotels, or Apple products48:00 The ‘sin’ of redeeming for Apple products50:00 Step-by-step journey from Regalia to Infinia53:00 Income thresholds to qualify for Regalia, Diners Club Black, and Infinia57:00 Wrap up of Apple product redemption debate58:00 Ritz-Carlton Reserve Mandapa, Bali: redemption details and experience1:04:00 5-night stay at Ritz-Carlton Reserve Mandapa using Amex to Marriott transfer1:07:00 Service experience at Ritz-Carlton Reserve Mandapa and property highlights1:13:00 Al Maha Dubai: desert redemption using Amex points1:18:00 JW Marriott Mauritius and luxury redemption reflections1:20:00 New Zealand flights on Singapore Airlines Business Class using HDFC Infinia Credit Card1:23:00 New Zealand trip: hotels, farm stays, and road trip1:24:30 Time vs. value vs. complexity of travel card redemptions1:25:00 Truth bombs:HDFC Infinia Credit Card vs. ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card1:27:00 Roundtable views on EPM as a challenger to Infinia1:30:00 Final takes and analogy: Infinia vs. EPM = India vs. Pakistan

Ankit Mehrotra, former CEO and co-founder of Dineout, shares his journey of revolutionizing India's dining culture and the innovative HDFC partnership that turned credit card swipes into extraordinary travel experiences. He reveals how to book a lavish honeymoon on miles while unemployed and explains the art of maximizing credit card rewards for luxury stays. With insights into evolving dining trends among Gen Z and strategic tips to avoid hoarding or wasting miles, Ankit provides a treasure trove of information for aspiring points enthusiasts.

Ever dreamed of sipping champagne at 40,000 feet without burning a hole in your wallet? 🥂✈️In this epic episode of The Great Indian Points & Miles Show, we reveal how YOU can travel First and Business Class for (almost) FREE using miles and points!We’re joined by one of India's points game gurus — Jay aka @TheTrickyTrade — who spills insider secrets:How to snag Etihad Apartments and ANA First/Business Class seats using miles ✈️💺The magic of companion vouchers and LifeMiles hacks 🔥Why Marriott, American Airlines, and LifeMiles are pure GOLD for luxury redemptions 🏨🌟How to handle hidden pitfalls like aircraft downgrades like a PRO 🧠If you think luxury travel is only for the rich, think again. It’s for the smart. And it’s YOUR turn. 🎯Credit Cards discussed in this episode:💳 Axis Magnus Credit Card 💳 Axis Atlas Credit Card 💳 HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card 💳 SBI Etihad Guest Credit Card 💬 Drop a comment: What’s your dream first-class flight? Or tell us if you’d love to be a guest on the show!👇 Hit PLAY to unlock your dream travels!👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and FOLLOW us for more insights, tips, and crazy points stories. Trust us — your passport (and your wallet) will thank you. 💳🌍#FirstClassForFree #PointsAndMilesIndia #TravelHacks #LuxuryTravel #FirstClass #BusinessClass #etihad #avianca #lifemiles

🔥 REVEALED: The complete guide to fast-tracking Accor Platinum status through the China program!This step-by-step tutorial shows viewers exactly how to:✅ Navigate the Accor China program✅ Fast-track to valuable Platinum status in record time✅ Secure free night certificates valid in Greater China (Mainland & Hong Kong)✅ Step-by-step purchase process explained✅ Detailed instructions on redeeming benefitsThis method saves THOUSANDS in hotel stays while unlocking premium benefits like room upgrades, lounge access, and personalized service across all Accor properties globally!👉 Resources mentioned:- Accor China website {Use Google Translate}- Chinese characters for Hong Kong: 香港#AccorHotels #PlatinumStatus #TravelHacks #HotelStatus #AccorChina #TravelTips #FreeLodging #StatusMatch #LoyaltyPrograms #HotelDeals

Dive into the world of credit card strategies for 2025! Discover must-have cards for flights, hotels, and dining, plus smart stacking techniques for maximizing rewards. The hosts share insider hacks like leveraging gift vouchers and direct booking advantages. Learn about the evolution of travel rewards and how to navigate dining perks with ease. With personal anecdotes and wit, get ready to transform your spending into amazing benefits, ensuring you're always ahead in the rewards game!

Dreaming of a getaway to Hong Kong? Learn how to travel in luxury without burning your wallet! Discover the best award flights with top airlines and score hotel upgrades with savvy redemption tricks. Find out the ideal times to visit, avoiding typhoon season while enjoying festive cheer. Dive into the local food scene with unbeatable dim sum and hidden gems. Armed with credit card points tips, you’ll navigate Hong Kong like a pro, making unforgettable memories for less!

🚀 Ready to unlock the full power of American Express points? In this episode of The Great Indian Points & Miles Show, we’re diving deep into why Amex is the ultimate credit card ecosystem for points and miles enthusiasts in India. If you’re a travel hacker or just getting started, this episode is packed with gold, silver, and platinum tips on how to maximize Amex Membership Rewards (MR) points for dream vacations, flights in economy, business and first class, and five-star hotels.🔥 What you’ll learn:✅ Which Amex cards give you insane value in India✅ How to optimize Membership Rewards (MR) points for maximum travel benefits✅ Amex Transfer Partners & Sweet Spots – Where to move your points for the best redemptions✅ The Amex Trifecta Strategy – How to stack cards for 100,000+ points every year✅ LIVE Tutorial – How to transfer Amex points for free flights & 5-star hotels🎙️ Hosted by Aadil Bandukwala, with points & miles pros Dhimant Negandhi & Ameya Karve, this is the most detailed breakdown of American Express rewards ever done for the Indian market.💳 Best Amex Cards Covered in This Episode:✅ Platinum Travel Card – The no-brainer Amex to get started ✅ Gold Charge Card – The secret 5X multiplier hack for everyday spends ✅ MRCC – The budget-friendly, points-maximizing beast ✅ Platinum Charge Card – Is the ₹78K fee worth it? We break it down! ✈️ Some Amex Redemptions Covered:🔹 Fly to Hong Kong for FREE with Asia Miles!🔹 Stay in Maldives for FREE at Sheraton or Le Méridien Maldives!🔹 Turn 100K Amex points into Business Class flights on Emirates!🔹 Virgin Atlantic & ANA – The hidden redemption sweet spots!💡 Don’t make the usual Amex transfer mistakes! We also share hacks to avoid wasting your points and how to time your transfers for max bonuses.👀 Watch till the end for a live walkthrough on how to transfer Amex points & book dream trips.🔔 Hit LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for more points and miles hacks!📌 Follow us for more on 📷 Instagram & 🐦 X. #CreditCardHacks #PointsAndMiles #TravelHacking #AmexIndia #AmexMembershipRewards #FreeFlights #LuxuryTravel #AmericanExpress #AmexPlatTravel #AmexPlatCharge #AmexMRCC #amexgold #amexplatinum #AmexPlatCharge #ChargeCard #creditcard

Ever dreamed of an unforgettable Italian getaway without burning a hole in your wallet? In this episode of The Great Indian Points & Miles Show, we break downhow to fly to Italy using points & miles, the best & worst redemptions, insane foodie spots, and why some travel hacks are pure gold.Show notes:⁠https://bit.ly/ep7-shownotes-pointsmiles⁠ 🎯What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅Best Routes to Italy from India—Direct flights vs. stopovers (and which makes sense for you)✅Flying Blue Redemption: Was It Worth It? (Or did we screw up? 🤔)✅Top Mileage Programs—Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Avios & the sweet spots nobody talks about✅Lufthansa First Class & The Munich Experience—Is it worth your miles? 🍾✅How to Fly Business Class to Italy for Cheap—Maximize your points like a pro! 💳 💼✅Secret Award Redemptions—Underrated gems to save BIG on flights 🔥✅Train vs. Flights: The Best Way to Travel Inside Italy—Spoiler: The answer isn’t what you think 🚆 ✈️✅Hotel Hacks—Maximizing Marriott, Accor & Airbnb for insane value 🏨✅AirBnB affiliate link: ⁠https://www.britishairways.com/conten...⁠ 🏨✅Hidden Foodie Gems—Where to eat the best pizza, pasta & gelato in Italy! 🍕 🍷✅The Best Wine Tours & Road Trips in Tuscany—Sipping your way through Italy 🍇 🚗✅Venice & Cinque Terre: Overrated or Must-Visit? (Our honest take!)✅Dolce Far Niente—Why the Italian art of doing nothing is the key to real travel joy ☀️✅Ultimate Italy Bucket List—Football matches, scenic road trips & crazy experiences💡Pro Tip: If you’ve ever wanted to fly business or first class for free, maximize your hotel stays, or just make your dream Italy trip more affordable—this episode is packed with game-changing insights!📌 Drop a comment if you have any questions or need help planning your next trip! And don’t forget to LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for more points & miles hacks. ✈️ 🔥

In this special episode of The Great Indian Points & Miles Show, we take you on an incredible journey through the world ofQatar Airways Privilege Club and its ✨ game-changing benefits. Whether you're a points rookie or a seasoned miles geek, this episode has something for everyone! Here's what you'll discover:💥Pallav’s Exclusive Virat Kohli Story: Hear how Pallav used his Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios to meet cricket icon 🏏 Virat Kohli, proving that rewards programs go far beyond just travel.🔄Avios Transfers Made Simple: Learn how to seamlessly transfer Avios from programs like British Airways Executive Club ✈️ and combine them with Qatar Privilege Club for maximum value.🌍Best Redemption Routes: Unlock the secrets to booking award-winning Qsuite flights on routes from India to the US, Europe, and beyond—often for a fraction of the miles you'd expect.💺Inside the Qsuite Experience: Get a peek into what makes Qatar Airways' Qsuite the 🏆 best business class in the skies, from its private suites to dine-on-demand service and 5-star hospitality 🍽️.🍴Al Mourjan Lounge Access: Discover why Qatar's lounges are a cut above the rest, offering gourmet dining, luxurious showers 🚿, and even nap rooms 💤 for the ultimate pre-flight relaxation.🧐Phantom Seat Availability Explained: Avoid the frustration of phantom award seats with our expert tips to find real availability and make your miles work harder for you.💳Credit Card Strategies for Avios: Maximize your earning potential with the right credit cards 🤑 and learn how to take advantage of bonuses, offers, and promotions to fast-track your Qatar Airways Privilege Club goals.⚡Bonus Tips: Stay tuned until the end for tips on finding last-minute award availability ⏳ and avoiding common redemption pitfalls!This episode is your ultimate guide to making the most of Qatar Airways Privilege Club, creating unforgettable experiences, and living the good life 🌟.🎧 Tune in now and let’s take your points game to new heights! ✈️✨Credit Cards Discussed in this episode: 💳 IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card ⁠https://bit.ly/3PRmToF⁠💳 Axis Atlas Credit Card ⁠https://bitli.in/m31UQkj⁠💳 Axis Magnus Burgundy Credit Card ⁠https://bitli.in/q6PRQ6b⁠ 💳 HDFC Infinia Metal Credit Card ⁠https://bitli.in/oLNDAXJ⁠💳 HSBC Premier Credit Card ⁠https://bit.ly/40BbHmc⁠💳 American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card ⁠https://bit.ly/3ZtbiAH⁠💳 American Express Platinum Charge Card ⁠https://bit.ly/4g1ITZp⁠