Be a smart shopper: Don't miss out on credit card offers!

Key Takeaways

To enhance your shopping experience using your credit card, you must research credit cards online and compare them, avoid spending beyond your means, and prefer secure mobile banking apps to make your credit card payments.
To make the most of your credit card rewards, you should take advantage of the sign-up benefits, keep a check on your credit utilisation ratio, and try to use your card daily.
You must also check if the category of your credit card and the rewards offered are relevant to your spending patterns.

02 Jan 2025 by Team FinFIRST

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For most individuals, rewards and cashback offers constitute the second most important criterion for getting a credit card after credit card interest rates. Credit card rewards and cashback offers are often spread across multiple spending categories and are time-sensitive.

Besides choosing a credit card that offers attractive rewards, you must also check if the rewards it offers are relevant to your spending patterns. Checking the category of the credit card is another important step that can help you make the most of your credit card rewards.

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How to enhance your shopping experience with credit cards

Here are a few points that you must keep in mind if you wish to enhance your shopping experience using credit cards -

Research well and compare cards before signing up: To make the most of your credit card rewards and cashback offers, you must research the features of various credit cards online before signing up for one. After doing your research, you must also compare these features and shortlist the cards that suit you best. Choose credit cards that offer more features and charge competitive interest rates. In this step, you can also calculate your future monthly EMIs (equated monthly instalments) by using an online calculator like IDFC FIRST Bank’s credit card EMI calculator.
Avoid spending beyond your means using your credit card: You must maintain a credit utilisation ratio of 70-80% while spending using your credit card. Exceeding this threshold can negatively impact your credit score. Remember that you can benefit from a better shopping experience and better rewards only if you have enough balance left to spend. In the event of your credit limit getting exceeded, you will not be able to make any payment using your credit card. This will directly impact your overall shopping experience.
Assess the overall security offered by your credit card app: Today, most credit cardholders access their credit cards through a mobile banking service. You must prioritise a mobile banking app that enforces security measures like 2FA (two-factor authentication) and biometric login. Even while using your credit card at a store, you must avoid handing your card to the merchant and must do your best to ensure the safety of your card.
Plan your purchases in a way that they align with reward offers: Lastly, to make the most of credit card rewards, you should align your shopping with your credit card rewards. In other words, you must try and shop at brands that offer rewards through your credit card. You can earn up to 10x credit card reward points by shopping using your credit card as an IDFC FIRST Bank customer. These reward points can also be used for making online and offline payments.

Ways to maximise your credit card offers

Choose a credit card that offers relevant rewards: Oftentimes, a customer might end up selecting a credit card with several rewards, but the rewards might not be relevant to their spending patterns. To be a smart shopper and to make the most of your shopping-related rewards, you must also choose relevant credit cards that offer rewards that align with your spending patterns and shopping needs. For instance, getting a travel credit card might not be very beneficial for an individual who does not travel often in a year.
Be conscious of your credit limit: Another way to max out on your credit card rewards is by being conscious of your credit limit. Exceeding your limit will directly impact your ability to spend using your credit card. You can know your credit limit by checking your credit card statements.
Make the most of the sign-up benefits: Banks offer several sign-up benefits with their credit cards. These can help you earn more reward points and in-turn, help you save your money while spending using the card.
Use your credit card for your daily expenses: By using your credit card for daily purchases such as grocery-related purchases, you will end up using your card regularly. Furthermore, you can also make the most of the grocery-related benefits offered by the card.
Consider the category of a credit card before selecting it: Credit cards offer various rewards across different categories at different times of the year. You must try to read up about the upcoming rewards so that you can make the most of your credit card throughout the year.
Repay bills on time to improve your credit score: You can also use your credit card to improve your credit score. IDFC FIRST Bank’s mobile banking app helps customers automate their credit card payments via the Autopay feature.

Upcoming IDFC FIRST Bank credit card offers that you shouldn’t miss out on

Here are some upcoming IDFC FIRST Bank credit card offers that you should not miss out on –

1. FIRST Millenia credit card

The card offers a welcome voucher worth ₹500 on spending ₹5000 or more using the card within 30 days of card generation. With the FIRST Millennia credit card, you can also benefit from a 25% discount on movie tickets up to ₹100 on the Paytm mobile app (valid once per month) and 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per quarter. Plus, grab exclusive Apple iPhone on EMI deals and festive offers to make your gadget shopping even more rewarding!

2. FIRST Classic credit card

IDFC FIRST Bank’s FIRST Classic credit card offers the same privileges as the FIRST Millenia card. Customers can benefit from 300+ merchant offers and an up to 20% discount at 1500+ restaurants.

3. FIRST Wealth credit card

The FIRST Wealth credit card offers a range of exquisite rewards and cashback offers including 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge and spa visits (on spending ₹20,000 monthly). Additionally, customers get 2 complimentary golf rounds per month activated post ₹20,000 monthly statement spends and CFAR (cancellation for any reason) insurance.

4. FIRST Power+ credit card

With the FIRST Power+ credit card, you enjoy 6.5% savings on fuel purchases contributing to an annual savings of up to ₹18,500, enough to buy 175+ liters of fuel. The card also comes with welcome benefits worth of ₹2,500 including exclusive cashback of ₹500 on first HPCL fuel purchase of ₹500 and above within the first 30 days of card activation. In addition, you also get several offers on shopping, bill payments, and travel expenses.

Conclusion

Credit cards can make shopping more rewarding if used smartly. To maximise benefits, choose a card aligned with your spending habits, keep an eye on relevant offers, and use features like IDFC FIRST Bank’s credit card EMI calculator for effective budgeting. Ensure you’re within your credit limit and prioritise secure banking. Leveraging welcome bonuses like those offered by IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards and targeted spending can unlock more value, making every transaction work harder. With a strategic approach, credit cards transform everyday purchases into rewarding experiences.

Disclaimer

The contents of this article/infographic/picture/video are meant solely for information purposes. The contents are generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances. The information is subject to updation, completion, revision, verification and amendment and the same may change materially. The information is not intended for distribution or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or would subject IDFC FIRST Bank or its affiliates to any licensing or registration requirements. IDFC FIRST Bank shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information mentioned. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision.

The features, benefits and offers mentioned in the article are applicable as on the day of publication of this blog and is subject to change without notice. The contents herein are also subject to other product specific terms and conditions and any third party terms and conditions, as applicable. Please refer our website www.idfcfirst.bank.in for latest updates.