As someone who enjoys exploring the world of credit cards from rewards programs to travel perks, lounge access, cashback offers, and brand reputation I’ve had the opportunity to use a wide variety of cards over the years. Through hands-on experience, I’ve come to realize that what’s marketed as premium or elite doesn’t always equate to value, especially if the benefits don’t align with your actual lifestyle.
My Current Credit Card Portfolio
Here is the list of the cards I hold currently:
-
HDFC Infinia (Metal) -
Axis Burgundy Private Debit Card -
Axis Bank Magnus (Horizon Edition) -
Axis Flipkart Credit Card -
HDFC Millennia -
Kotak PVR -
IDFC First Wealth -
Amex Membership Rewards (MRCC) -
RBL SuperCard - Standard Chartered Ultimate
- Bank of Baroda EasyCard
- PNB RuPay Select
- IndusInd Nexxt
- ICICI Coral
- Yes Prosperity
- Tata Neu Infinity
- AU Bank Zenith
- HDFC Pixel Play
The Reality Behind Premium Cards
Many of these cards, especially those labelled as elite, come with hefty annual fees and an impressive list of features on paper access to luxury lounges, concierge services, travel upgrades, and more. However, in practice, I’ve found that some of these perks go underutilised. For instance:
HDFC Infinia and Axis Burgundy Private are great instruments for regular flyers, but if you’re not flying frequently or optimising reward portals, much of their value goes unused.
Magnus Horizon Edition and lifestyle cards provide wonderful benefits, but tend to be paired with fine print or milestone rewards that need repeated high spending.
When Simple Cards Outperform the Fancy Ones
Interestingly, a few no-fee or beginner cards have worked out to be way more beneficial for my everyday needs. Cards such as the Axis Flipkart, HDFC Millennia, or even the Kotak PVR provide simple benefits with tangible real-world applicability, particularly for someone prioritising utility over status.
This caused me to reflect on the value proposition behind premium credit cards. Are we indeed getting our money’s worth, or are we simply paying for the looks and the brand at times?
In the end, choosing the right credit card is highly personal. What works for one person might not work for another. It’s not always about going for the flashiest option, it’s about finding what brings actual value to your financial lifestyle.