Authored by Bhargav Errangi, Founder, POP: Big shopping days like Amazon Prime Day, Flipkart’s Big Billion Days, Singles’ Day (11.11), and Black Friday don’t just bring huge discounts—they also bring powerful
opportunities to earn rewards through your credit and debit cards. With the right approach, each transaction can lead to long-term savings and benefits. Here’s how to be strategic with your card usage this festive season.
1. Match Your Card to Your Spend
Understanding the strength of your card is essential. Every card is designed to reward different spending behaviours—some return cash, some give you points, and some offer lifestyle perks.
- Cashback Cards (like SBI Cashback or Axis Ace) are ideal for online purchases, often giving 5% or more as a return.
- Rewards Cards (e.g., HDFC Regalia, ICICI Coral) accumulate points that can be exchanged for vouchers, flights, or other perks.
- Co-branded Cards such as Amazon Pay ICICI or Flipkart Axis are perfect during partner sales, sometimes offering 10% or more in exclusive benefits.
2. Combine Discounts for Maximum Value
Don’t just stop at the sale price. Use platform coupons, instant discounts from partner banks, exchange offers, and your card’s own benefits—all at once. Let’s say a phone is ₹3,000 off during a flash sale, your card might provide ₹1,500 cashback plus rewards. Tools like price trackers or card benefit calculators can help you figure out which combo gets you the best deal.
3. Be Smart About “No-Cost” EMIs
While 0% EMIs seem attractive, they sometimes come with hidden costs. Some banks block your full credit limit or charge upfront processing fees. Before you opt in, always verify:
- Are there any hidden charges or taxes?
- Will the EMI impact your usable credit limit?
- Does a longer tenure involve indirect interest?
Banks such as HDFC, ICICI, and Axis frequently promote real no-cost EMIs on categories like electronics during sale events, but the fine print matters.
4. Track Flash Offers Linked to Cards
Major sale events often include limited-time offers—sometimes only available during specific hours or for a few minutes. These offers may be exclusive to certain credit cards, providing extra cashback or instant discounts. Set up alerts in your shopping apps and check your bank’s festive notifications so you can act fast.
5. Don’t Forget to Redeem What You’ve Earned
Many people forget the value sitting unused in their account post-sale. Cashback can reduce your upcoming bill, while reward points can be traded for gift cards, travel, or even premium services. Some cards (like Axis Magnus or HDFC Infinia) offer extra rewards during festive periods, which can be redeemed for luxury products or curated experiences.
6. Distribute Your Spending Wisely
Spending across multiple cards instead of focusing on just one can help you unlock tiered rewards, avoid hitting credit limits, and make the most of all available perks.
- Use your Amazon Pay ICICI for Amazon purchases.
- Use the Flipkart Axis Card on Flipkart.
- Use a travel or lifestyle rewards card for non-sale categories.
This approach helps you reach milestones on multiple cards and avoids over-reliance on a single account.
7. Spend Strategically, Not Emotionally
Chasing rewards doesn’t mean overspending. Stick to your budget and make sure you’re only buying what you can pay off in full. Otherwise, interest charges will quickly eat up any reward benefit.
- Don’t miss bill payment deadlines—interest charges nullify your cashback.
- Keep tabs on expiry dates for points or milestone benefits.
- Always understand the return policy—returning items can lead to reversal of rewards or cashback.
8. Mistakes Real Users Made—So You Don’t Have To
Let’s look at actual scenarios where people lost value by misusing rewards:
- Over-Spending for Milestones: One user spent ₹50,000 in a hurry to get a ₹2,000 bonus but ended up paying ₹3,000 in interest because they couldn’t pay the bill in full.
- Expired Rewards: Many cardholders missed redemption windows, especially on co-branded cards, losing thousands of rupees in unclaimed points or cashback.
- Hidden EMI Costs: A customer opted for a “no-cost EMI” but later discovered a ₹499 processing fee and a frozen credit line, impacting their other planned purchases.
- Returns Gone Wrong: Returned an item after earning rewards? You’ll likely lose those points too—and if you were counting on those points for a milestone benefit, it could push you below the threshold.
- Late Payments Disqualify Rewards: One delayed payment during a festive sale resulted in a user losing their eligibility for a “spend-based” Diwali voucher worth ₹1,000.
Conclusion: Shop Smarter, Not Harder
Festive season shopping doesn’t have to be impulsive. With a well-planned approach, you can save money, earn valuable rewards, and avoid common traps. Choose your cards carefully, spread out your spend, take advantage of stackable deals, and stay mindful of the fine print. The goal isn’t just to shop—it’s to shop in a way that pays you back.
Authored by Bhargav Errangi, Founder, POP
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication.
