This is a credit card I’ve possessed twice in the past, first as a Master Card and on the latter occasion, a VISA card. I used it more on the second occasion in 2016. But unfortunately, it was a card I’ve never really cared too much about. Perhaps, it is apt that I share my thoughts on this now.
MAIN DIRECT FEATURES:
1) Accrues 2x points on Rs. 150 spent at certain grocery outlets and supermarkets.
2) Accrues 4x points on Rs. 150 spent on fuel at authorized outlets, across the country.
3) There is also a 2.5% savings on fuel surcharge waiver.
4) Accrues 1x point per Rs. 150 spent anywhere else.
5) There is also a provision of accruing 4x points on very select partners like “MakeMyTrip”.
POINTS REDEMPTION:
In the document it is advertised, it boldly mentions “1 point is Rs. 1” but it doesn’t clearly mention that it is only applicable to redemption of fuel purchases at certain outlets. Not in other scenarios. I got to know that through some random detailed document I discovered.
Other than that, the redemption of points is as usual from the universal catalogue of Citibank Rewards based on your points earned.
CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUPPORT:
The customer support team is very prompt and helpful. They provide definitive, timely and effective support for various scenarios and give the rights inputs at the right times. Cordial and useful – like customer support should be.
NOTABLE FEATURES OF THE CARD:
1) Being the card that it is, points accrual is relatively slow for one’s spends. Considering the redemption scale with earned points is the universal one, one definitely won’t be happy with that.
2) From the features list, it appears that it would be a popular with those riding their own vehicles. That’s the only area the redemption scale is “golden” in my opinion.
3) One good feature of this card for those fond of using credit cards extensively is that the credit limit was quite high.
4) One really convenient feature of this card is that the remaining rewards points can be transferred and even credit limit can be added to any other card of existing bank, if one possesses the same at the time of card closure. Since some cards don’t yet offer this flexibility, I count this as a positive.
5) There is an embedded chip in the card in the 2016 version as is common for most latest credit cards. This is more convenient and secure for online / physical swiping of cards at machines. Not so in the earlier version.
6) The subsequent year fee can be waived off with spends of at least Rs. 30, 000 with the card in the preceding year.
I used this card in 2 separate periods 2010-11 and 2016-17. I have to say for a person like myself, who doesn’t use one’s own vehicle extensively as yet and pays credit card bills in a timely manner, overall benefits of the card would not count as great but perhaps between average and above average. Perhaps marginally more towards average. There are certainly better cards out there.
However, it is easy for me to see how it could even count as “good” for those who are using their own vehicles extensively. I would only recommend it to those aspiring to reap big rewards on fuel purchases alone.