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Maximizing Your Credit Card Benefits This Festive Season

While Dussehra just passed, the grand festival of Diwali is fast approaching on October 31st, and with it comes the perfect time to make the most of your shopping, gifting, and travel plans. What better way to enjoy the season than by maximizing your credit card benefits?

Credit cards are very useful because they offer rewards, cashback, and discounts. But there are many ways to get even more value from your credit cards this festive season! Let’s understand here.

Why Should You Maximize Credit Card Benefits?

Using your credit card wisely during the festive season can:

  • Save you money through cashback and discounts.

  • Earn rewards points that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, or merchandise.

  • Help you manage your expenses better by spreading payments over time.

  • Enhance your credit score when used responsibly, opening doors to future financial products.

To really make the most of your credit card, you need to use it wisely during the festive season. Let's look at some smart strategies to maximize its benefits this time of year.

1. Look for Festive Offers and Discounts

During the festive season, credit card companies and banks collaborate with merchants to offer special discounts, cashback deals, and festive sales. Keep an eye on your email or check your bank’s website regularly for Diwali-specific offers.

Popular Festive Season Offers:

  • ICICI Bank Festive Bonanza: Credit/ Debit Card offers: Giving attractive on big brands across electronics, mobiles, gadgets and many more.

  • Axis Bank “dil se open celebration” offer many attractive discounts, cashback and many more

  • Look out for many offers

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2. Opt for EMI Conversion on Big Purchases

One major advantage of credit cards during the festive season is the ability to turn big purchases into monthly installments (EMIs). This is especially useful if you're buying costly items like TVs, smartphones, or home appliances for Diwali.

How to Maximize EMI Benefits:

  • Many credit card providers offer no-cost EMI during the festive season. This means you can spread the cost of your purchase over several months without paying any interest.

  • Look for subsidized interest rates on EMIs, where the merchant may cover part of the interest cost, further reducing your expenses.

Tip: Always check the total cost of an item when you convert it to EMIs. Hidden fees can make the deal less appealing compared to paying the full amount upfront.

3. Leverage Reward Points

Most credit cards give reward points for every purchase. During the festive season, banks usually offer more points for each rupee spent. You can use these points for vouchers, discounts, or products.

Ways to Maximize Reward Points:

  • Focus on categories: Many credit cards offer bonus points on specific categories such as dining, travel, and shopping during the festive season. Identify which category gives you the highest points and prioritize spending in those areas.

  • Check if your credit card has a partnership with specific merchants for extra reward points. For instance, many banks offer double or triple points on purchases made through select online retailers.

  • Use your points smartly. Don’t just let them pile up. Instead, redeem them for flight tickets, hotel stays, or gifts for the festival.

Tip: Use your reward points strategically for big purchases or travel bookings to further reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

4. Take Advantage of Cashback Offers

Cashback offers are a great benefit of using credit cards during the festive season. Many banks provide cashback on certain purchases like electronics, clothes, and groceries.

How to Make the Most of Cashback:

  • Choose the right card: If you have multiple credit cards, use the one offering the highest cashback on purchases. For instance, some cards offer 5-10% cashback on electronics during Diwali.

  • Some banks offer tiered cashback, meaning the more you spend, the higher percentage of cashback you receive. Plan your purchases in advance to maximize your cashback.

  • Check if the cashback is capped. Often, banks place a limit on the maximum cashback you can earn, so plan high-value purchases accordingly.

Tip: Use cashback credit cards for utility payments, groceries, and fuel to increase your overall savings.

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5. Redeem Exclusive Festival Vouchers

During Diwali, banks and credit card companies offer special vouchers for dining, travel, and shopping. These vouchers can help you save a lot on things like flights and restaurant meals.

How to Get the Best Festival Vouchers:

  • Some banks send festive season vouchers directly to your email inbox or mobile app. Look for these and redeem them before they expire.

  • Redeem your rewards points for vouchers from popular brands like Amazon, TataCliq, or BigBasket.

  • Travel-related credit cards often offer discounted flight tickets or hotel vouchers during Diwali, making this a perfect time to plan your winter vacation.

Tip: Redeem your vouchers wisely — look for deals that offer cashback + vouchers to get dual benefits.

6. Use Your Credit Card for Bill Payments

Did you know you can use your credit card for paying utility bills and still earn rewards? Many banks offer bonus reward points or cashback on bill payments made through their credit cards, especially during the festive season.

Why Use Your Credit Card for Bill Payments?

  • You can earn reward points or cashback on every transaction.

  • Some credit cards offer additional rewards during the festive season when you use their auto-pay feature for recurring bills like electricity, water, and internet.

  • This also helps you consolidate all your expenses in one place, making it easier to track and manage.

7. Maximize Benefits with Co-Branded Credit Cards

Many banks have special credit cards teamed up with popular stores and airlines. These cards provide unique benefits that can make your festive shopping even better.

Tip: Co-branded credit cards often have partnerships that offer tiered benefits — the more you spend, the better the rewards.

Summary

Strategy Benefit
Look for Festive Offers and Discounts Saves money on purchases with instant discounts and cashback.
Opt for EMI Conversion on Big Purchases Allows easy repayment over time with no interest or low rates.
Leverage Reward Points Earn and redeem points for vouchers, merchandise, or travel.
Take Advantage of Cashback Offers Direct savings on purchases, especially in specific categories.
Participate in Festive Contests and Draws Chance to win gifts, cashback, or travel packages.
Redeem Exclusive Festival Vouchers Additional savings on dining, shopping, and travel.
Use Credit Card for Bill Payments Earn points and cashback while managing bills.
Maximize Co-Branded Credit Card Benefits Extra perks through partnerships with retailers and airlines.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the festive season is a perfect opportunity to maximize the benefits of your credit card. By strategically using features like EMIs, reward points, cashback offers, and exclusive vouchers, you can enhance your shopping experience while saving money. Remember to stay informed about your card's benefits and use them wisely to make the most of this joyous time. With smart planning, you can enjoy the festivities without compromising your financial health. Embrace the season with confidence and make your credit card work for you!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What are the key benefits of using credit cards during the festive season?

    • Credit cards offer rewards points, cashback, discounts, and the option to convert large purchases into EMIs, making them valuable for festive shopping.

  2. What should I consider before using EMIs for large purchases?

    • Always calculate the total cost after converting to EMIs, including any hidden fees, to ensure it’s more beneficial than paying upfront.

  3. How can I earn more reward points during the festive season?

    • Look for promotional offers from your bank that increase the points earned per transaction or bonus points for specific categories during the festive period.

  4. What’s the best way to redeem my reward points?

    • Redeem points for valuable rewards like flight tickets, hotel bookings, or festive gifts rather than letting them accumulate without a plan.

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