Verified 6 Aug
Allu Sundaram
Asked 17 Mar 2026
For the fee waiver condition: most banks count only retail purchases, not EMI, wallet loads, or fuel (in some cases). Read the TnC PDF linked at the bottom of the fee-waiver email — it's usually 2-3 paragraphs of fine print that change everything.
Short answer: no, EMI on credit card is not cheaper than a personal loan for large amounts (>₹50,000). The processing fee (~₹199-₹599) plus the interest (~14-16% reducing) usually adds up to slightly more than a personal loan rate of 11-13%. But for small-ticket EMI (₹10-20K), it is fine.
On the add-on card: yes, the primary cardholder is fully liable for all spends on the add-on. There is no separate credit limit or statement. So only issue it to someone you trust absolutely — spouse, parents. Not friends, not siblings you have money disputes with.
Two things nobody tells you: (1) GST is charged on the annual fee, so a ₹1,000 fee becomes ₹1,180. (2) Reward points usually have an expiry of 2-3 years. Set a calendar reminder to redeem before they lapse.
Don't blindly apply based on YouTube recommendations. Pull your latest CIBIL score first — most premium cards need 760+. If your score is in the 700-750 range, start with a lifetime free card and upgrade after 12-18 months of clean history.
I was worried about the high joining fee but the welcome benefit voucher was credited within 30 days of crossing the spend threshold. Net cost: zero. The trick is to time your application so that you make a big purchase (appliance, travel booking) in the first 45 days.
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