If you’ve been wondering how to maximize rewards on credit card spending, you aren’t alone. It can be confusing with all the "5x points" and "accelerated earnings" jargon. But don't worry, we’re going to break down exactly how you can turn your plastic into gold with top issuers like SBI, HDFC, AU, and IDFC, and introduce you to the ultimate secret weapon: Demandeals.
The Golden Rule: Never Shop "Directly"
Before we even talk about the specific banks, we need to address the biggest mistake people make: going directly to a merchant's website to buy shoes (for example), you get the item, and maybe some card points. That’s it.
- To truly earn rewards online, you need to stack your benefits. This is where Demandeals changes the game.
- Think of us as your entry pass to double-dipping on rewards. It is hands-down the best cashback and offer site available right now. By combining a solid credit card strategy with the exclusive offers on Demandeals, you are essentially getting a discount that no one else knows about.
1. Cracking the Code with the HDFC Bank Credit Card
HDFC is often called the king of the Indian credit card market for a reason. If you hold an HDFC Bank Credit Card—especially variants like the Millennia, Regalia Gold, or the Infinia—your strategy should be "SmartBuy."
HDFC has a dedicated portal called SmartBuy. If you purchase flight tickets or shop on major e-commerce platforms via this portal, you can earn up to 10x reward points. That is a massive return rate that beats almost any other investment!
- The Strategy: Don’t use your HDFC card for random offline swipes if you can avoid it. Save big purchases for online transactions where their multipliers kick in.
- Redemption: The best way to use these points is usually for flight bookings or converting them to cash statements (though the conversion rate varies by card).
2. The Everyday Essentials: SBI Bank Credit Card
SBI Cards are fantastic because they are practical. They know we spend a lot online, and they reward that directly. The SBI Bank Credit Card lineup, particularly the "SimplyClick" or the "Cashback" card, is designed for the modern internet user.
With the SBI Cashback card, for example, the premise is simple: flat cashback on almost all online spends. No complex point calculations, just straight returns.
- The Strategy: Use this card for your daily online transactions—Swiggy, Zomato, BookMyShow, or utility bills.
- The Booster: Since SBI cards are already great for online shopping, routing these transactions through Demandeals ensures you earn rewards online from two sources simultaneously. It transforms a 5% saving into a 7-8% saving instantly.
3. The New Powerhouse: AU Bank Credit Card
The unique thing about AU is that they often offer "feature-based" rewards. With their Lit card, you can actually switch features on and off. Do you want extra grocery rewards this month? Turn it on.
- The Strategy: Customization is key here. If you know you have a big travel month coming up, configure your AU card to reward travel spends. If it's festival season, switch it to shopping rewards.
4. The Ethical Saver: IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Bank cards are famous for one specific thing: Reward points that never expire. They also don't charge joining or annual fees on many of their popular cards, which is a breath of fresh air.
- The Strategy: Use this as your backup card or for offline retail purchases where other cards might offer poor rates. Since the points don't expire, you can treat this as a long-term piggy bank.
How to Actually "Get" the Rewards
Here are the steps to ensure you get the maximum rewards on credit card transactions:
- Identify the Category: Are you booking a flight (HDFC), ordering food (SBI/Axis), or buying groceries (AU/IDFC)? Pick the cards according to the specific category.
- Go to Demandeals: Never skip this step. Open Demandeals.com, search for the merchant and click to Avail Deal. This tracks your visit and ensures you get extra cashback.
- Checkout: Pay with the specific credit card you chose in step 1.
- Redeem Wisely: Don’t hoard points forever (unless it’s IDFC)
The Bottom Line
Credit cards are powerful financial tools, but only if you strategize, and use portals like Demandeals, you win.
It is entirely possible to get 5% to 10% of your annual spending back in your pocket just by paying attention. Know your card's strength,
Start treating your expenses like an opportunity to earn rewards online. Your bank account will thank you later.
