Verified 6 Aug
Palak Krishnan
Asked 27 Apr 2026
I've held this card for 3 years. Quick reality check: the welcome benefit is good, the first-year fee waiver is easy, but from year 2 onwards you really have to work for the milestone benefits. Don't keep it if your monthly spend drops below the milestone threshold.
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.
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.
Credit score impact: each hard inquiry (which happens on card application) drops your score by 5-15 points temporarily. Applying for 3 cards in 2 months is fine IF you get all 3 approved. If 2 get rejected, you've taken a hit with nothing to show for it. Apply smart, not fast.
Two cards from the same bank usually share credit limit, not stack it. So if bank gives you ₹2 lakh total, splitting between two cards doesn't increase your available credit. That's a common misconception people carry when applying for their second card.
Sign in to post your answer and help the community.
Sign in to postWhy sign in? We moderate Q&A to keep it spam-free.
blog
The card network matters more than the bank for acceptance and forex. Here's how each one stacks up in India.
blog
Every swipe moves money across multiple rails. The network's fee is small per transaction but massive in aggregate.
glossary
A Mastercard premium tier card.
glossary
A Mastercard basic card.
My Kotak Mahindra credit card was approved yesterday. How many days does it usually take to receive the physical card at my address?