Unlock Hidden Treasures: Lesser-Known Credit Card Perks Every Indian Should Know

Hello! Are you a smart Indian consumer like the rest of us who pays his/her EMIs using a UPI payment method and finds it difficult not give in to all of the purchasing temptations from e-commerce stores? Many people think of credit cards as just another payment option, but what you do not know is that your credit card contains a tremendous amount of benefits and value beyond just these typical 1-2% of your total monthly spend and access to lounges at airports, etc. These benefits have been hidden from you within the fine print of your credit card terms and conditions, and they provide you with ways to save thousands of rupees, improve your overall lifestyle and provide protection to your hard-earned money in ways that you may have never known about or understood!

In India, with close to 100 million credit cards in circulation (according to RBI statistics), banks are in competition to provide customers with the best options. Credit cards now come with features that are suitable for different customers. For example, some credit cards provide discounts on fuel, and others provide discounts on golf. The problem is that most people do not know what benefits their credit cards offer because they do not read the lengthy (50-page) terms and conditions. Today, I will show you the best benefits available to you if you live in Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore, and how you can take advantage of those benefits.

 

Fuel Surcharge Waivers: Beat the Petrol Pump Blues

Picture this: You’re filling up your Swift at a BPCL station in Gurgaon, cursing the ₹100+ per litre petrol rates. What if your credit card quietly waived 1% of that surcharge? Sounds niche, right? But for the 70% of Indian households owning two-wheelers or cars (NITI Aayog data), this is gold.

Take HDFC Bank’s Regalia or ICICI’s Coral cards—they offer up to 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400-₹5,000, capped at ₹250-₹400 monthly. Lesser-known twist? Many extend this to EV charging stations like Tata Power or Statiq, perfect as India races towards 30% EV adoption by 2030. Axis Bank’s Flipkart card even throws in 1% extra for fuel via their app. Pro tip: Link it to your RFID fastag for highway tolls—some cards like SBI’s SimplyCLICK waive 1% on those too, saving ₹50-100 per trip from Delhi to Jaipur.

But wait, the real hack? Milestone-based boosts. Spend ₹50,000 monthly on Axis Magnus, and snag ₹400 extra fuel waiver. In a city like Chennai, where fuel eats 20% of your budget, this alone justifies the card’s annual fee. Always check your bank’s app under “Fuel Benefits”—it’s often auto-activated but needs transaction limits hit.

 

Travel Perks Beyond Lounges: Insurance and Upgrades That Save Big

Airport lounges are so 2018—everyone from entry-level cards to premium ones offers them now. The real magic? Hidden travel insurance and ancillary perks Indians overlook.

Did you know your Visa Infinite or Mastercard World card (think Axis Magnus or HDFC Infinia) covers trip cancellations up to ₹50 lakh? RBI mandates it, but few claim it. Last monsoon, a Mumbai family saved ₹2 lakh on a cancelled Goa flight thanks to ICICI Emeralde’s coverage for weather delays. Even better: baggage loss up to ₹2 lakh per bag. Lost your Samsonite at T3? File via the insurer hotline (details in your welcome kit)—payouts hit your account in 30 days.

Airline miles? Yawn. Focus on “priority pass upgrades” or hotel status matches. American Express Platinum gives complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, unlocking 25% bonus points and late checkouts at Taj or Oberoi properties. For domestic flyers, IndiGo’s co-branded Axis card offers 2x edge miles on bookings, redeemable for seat upgrades—crucial on those packed Delhi-Bangalore routes.

Overseas? Currency conversion hacks shine. HSBC Premier card waives 2% forex markup on international spends, saving ₹200 on a ₹10,000 Europe shopping spree. Pair it with zero-liability fraud protection—report via app, and disputed charges vanish instantly. Indians travelling to Dubai or Singapore, this is your edge against dynamic pricing scams.

 

Entertainment and Lifestyle Boosts: Movies, Golf, and Spa Days on Discount

Forget basic dining discounts; let’s talk perks that jazz up your weekends. Movie buffs, rejoice—your card might score you 2 free tickets monthly via BookMyShow.

HDFC Diners Club Black offers “Buy One Get One” on weekend shows, capped at ₹250 per ticket. But the sleeper hit? Axis Bank’s Vistara Infinite gives 1.5% as vouchers for PVR Inox, stackable with UPI offers. In multiplex-mad India (₹15,000 crore box office last year), this means free Pathaan reruns without breaking the bank.

Golf enthusiasts? Premium cards like ICICI Sapphiro unlock rounds at top clubs like Delhi Golf Club or Royal Calcutta—up to 4 per quarter, green fees waived. Not a golfer? Try “priority golf lessons” on Amex Membership Rewards cards, tying into wellness perks.

Spa and wellness? Citi Prestige card’s “Escapes” program gives 20% off at Ananda Spa in Rishikesh or Taj Mansions. For everyday Indians, Swiggy One-linked cards (like Axis-Swiggy) offer 10% off Zomato Gold, but the hidden gem is “experience vouchers”—redeem points for masterclasses at Atta Girl kitchens in Mumbai.

These aren’t flashy ads; they’re in your rewards portal. Log in, filter by “Lifestyle,” and watch your spending transform into freebies.

 

Rewards Redemption Hacks: Turn Points into Real Rupees

Everyone earns points, but redeeming them smartly is the art. Standard 1 point = ₹0.25? Boring. Savvy users squeeze 2-3x value.

Take SBI Card Elite’s “Transfer to Partners”, where 1 point = 0.5 Air India miles—book a Delhi-Dubai business class for 40% fewer points. Lesser-known: HDFC SmartBuy portal multipliers. Book IRCTC tickets there for 10x points, then redeem at 1:1 for vouchers. A ₹20,000 train to Howrah? Earn ₹2,000 back.

Cashback kings like Amazon Pay and ICICI give 5% on Amazon, but hack it by buying gift cards via their portal for 15% effective return during sales. Points expiry? Most reset annually, but Axis Priority waives it on renewal if you spend ₹5 lakh yearly.

Pro move: Milestone redemptions. Hit ₹1.5 lakh spent on IDFC First Wealth? Get ₹1,500 vouchers for Flipkart or Reliance—pure profit. Track via apps like Card Maven to optimise.

 

Insurance Shields: Health, Gadget, and Purchase Protection

Credit cards aren’t just spenders; they’re your financial bodyguard. Most cover air accident insurance up to ₹1-5 crore—zero premium, just hold the card.

But dig deeper: Extended warranty on electronics. Buy an iPhone 15 from Vijay Sales on RBL World Safari? Get 2 extra years’ warranty automatically, claimed via helpline. In gadget-loving India (₹1 lakh crore market), this saved a Bangalore engineer ₹20,000 on a MacBook repair.

Zero depreciation car insurance? Axis Atlas covers it for new cars up to ₹10 lakh. Purchase protection reimburses stolen goods within 90 days—your Diwali shopping haul is safe.

Health riders? ICICI Lombard-tied cards offer COVID hospitalisation cashback up to ₹5,000 per day. Post-pandemic, this is clutch for middle-class families without super-premium policies.

Claim process? Download the insurance certificate from your bank’s site, email docs—90% approvals under 15 days.

 

Shopping and E-Commerce Secrets: Cashback Layers and Vouchers

Online shopping is our national sport—₹4 lakh crore Flipkart sales last festive season. Cards amplify it.

Lesser-known: “Accelerated rewards” on specific merchants. HSBC Cashback card gives 10% on Myntra, but stack with their “voucher wallet” for 5% extra. Paytm-linked cards like BoB Easy offer 3% on bill payments, turning utility spends into rewards.

Ghost perks: “Ghost vouchers.” Axis Bank’s ACE app auto-loads ₹100 BigBasket coupons after 5 transactions. Swiggy Instamart? HDFC Millennia gives 5x points, redeemable as grocery credits.

For big-ticket: No-cost EMI on appliances via Bajaj Finserv-tied cards, with 2% cashback hidden in rewards. Bought a Samsung fridge? Effective 7% savings.

 

Fee Waivers and Renewal Tricks: Make Annual Fees Disappear

That ₹999 joining fee? Often waived on ₹1 lakh spends. But elite hacks: Amex Platinum Charge refunds ₹60,000 fee if you spend ₹4 lakh—includes ₹10,000 vouchers.

Upgrade paths: Spend consistently on entry cards like Kotak 811, get auto-upgraded to PVR Gold with zero fee. Track “fee reversal” in statements—RBI rules make banks flexible.

Telecom and Utility Perks: Bill Payments That Pay You Back

Recharge Jio for ₹500? ICICI iMobile app gives 1% back via cards. Lesser-known: Annual recharge waivers. Airtel Thanks app with Axis Bank card scores 10% off plans.

Electricity bills via Amazon Pay? 2% rewards on SBI Cashback. In power-cut-prone UP-Bihar, this adds up.

Emerging Fintech Perks: UPI and Wallet Integrations

With UPI at 15 billion transactions monthly, cards are jumping in. Google Pay’s RuPay Credit Cards (like bob FC) offer 3% on UPI groceries—scan and earn.

PhonePe Axis card: 5% on Swiggy via UPI. Hidden: “UPI mandate” for auto-bills with rewards.

 

Maximising Value: Actionable Tips for Every Indian

To squeeze the maximum juice:

• Download bank apps and enable notifications for “unlock perks.”
• Use trackers like Zing or MoneyBuddha to compare.
• Redeem quarterly—points dilute otherwise.
• Combine with bank offers (HDFC Good Food Trail for 25% off local darshinis).

Annual savings? Easily ₹10,000-50,000 for moderate users.

 

Wrapping Up the Hidden Goldmine

Your credit card is more than plastic—it’s a silent partner in India’s fast-paced financial world. From fuel waivers easing your commute to insurance shielding your trips, these lesser-known perks are designed for us—the everyday Indian hustler. Don’t let them gather dust; activate, use, and claim. Start with your current card’s app today, and watch your wallet thank you.

Next time you’re at the pump or booking flights, remember: the real reward is knowledge. What’s your card? Share in comments—let’s uncover more!