Ever wondered how Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card and Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card can offer 5% cashback for purchase transactions on Amazon and Flipkart respectively? 5% is a lot of money. While I am not privy to internal arrangements between the banks and these retailers, 5% is still a hefty cashback. In this… Continue Reading
There are typically three types of benefits that you get when you transact using a credit card. Upfront discount Cashbacks Reward points & miscellaneous benefits (fuel surcharge waiver, airline miles etc.) The benefits for spending on a credit card might take on many other forms too. However, I believe it will fall into one of… Continue Reading
ICICI Bank has recently launched a scheme where new home loan borrowers will get 1% of EMI as cash back. Most of us would associate cash backs with credit card or online purchases. However, as banks try to find competitive advantage in relatively commodity like home loan market, cash back has found its way into plain… Continue Reading
You get a call from your bank. The executive tells you, “Since you are a privileged customer, we are offering you an upgrade on your existing credit card.” Such statements invariably massage your ego. Who does not want to be recognized as a privileged customer? In addition, you are getting better benefits and a higher… Continue Reading
Whether credit cards are useful or harmful depends on the person who uses it. To a prudent spender, a credit card means discounts, cash backs, reward points, easy and interest-free credit. To an irresponsible spender or someone who is struggling with cash flows, credit card may mean high interest rates, minimum payments, penal charges and… Continue Reading
When you walk into a shopping mall, you will be flooded with credit card sales people offering co-branded cards with your favorite store. A co-branded card offers you special deals in the store. One bank offers a co-branded card in a tie-up with Big Bazaar while another offers in Lifestyle stores. And it does not end… Continue Reading
Whenever I write about credit cards, I focus mostly on things that can go wrong when you use credit cards indiscriminately. You may end up spending more than you can afford to. The debt can suddenly pile up if you don’t pay bills on time as the interest rate charged is exorbitant. In this post,… Continue Reading
Many of us use credit cards. Are you aware that you can use your credit card to make cash withdrawal from ATMs too? However, even though cash withdrawal from ATM is permitted, it does not mean you have to withdraw cash using your credit card. Cash withdrawal using your credit card may not be a… Continue Reading
Remember ‘0% EMI’ schemes? Banks made money, manufacturers and merchants exhausted their inventory and consumers spent with gay abandon (for electronic goods and household items) until RBI played the party pooper. Although 0% EMI schemes were discontinued after RBI ban, the importance of the potent combination of ‘convenient credit’ coupled with flexible payment options, was… Continue Reading