Rs 2 lakh worth earning from credit card reward points, here’s how a techie working in Pune did it using these HDFC Bank credit cards

Suraj Kumar Talreja, a data analyst who previously worked at Standard Chartered Bank and is currently with V Square Systems in Pune, shared his journey of earning Rs 2 lakh in reward points from his HDFC BizBlack and Infinia credit cards over the past year. According to HDFC Bank website as of August 7, 2025, "1 Reward Point = Upto 1 Re".

Talreja posted on X (formerly Twitter) on August 6, 2025: “Here’s how I earned 2,00,000 reward points in just 1 year worth a whopping Rs 2,00,000 using my HDFC BizBlack & Infinia cards. No overspending. Just smart planning. Here’s a thread for anyone who wants to truly master credit cards.”

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Speaking exclusively to ET Wealth Online, Talreja said: "Credit cards are not for spending more; they’re for earning more on what you already spend."

HDFC BizBlack reward points strategy

Talreja said:

• Let's start with BizBlack. This is a hidden weapon for freelancers, consultants & business owners. Why? Because it gives 5X points on tax & utility payments, including GST and advance tax and each point is worth Rs 1!

GST & Tax Payments Strategy

• I paid my GST & advance tax using Bizblack
• BizBlack gives 5X points on these
• Monthly cap: 7,500 bonus points
• Annual = 90,000 bonus points + base points

That’s over Rs 1,00,000 in reward value just for paying taxes you’d pay anyway.

Point Calculation for HDFC Bank BizBlack credit card

• Base earn rate: 5 RPs per Rs 150
• 5X means: 25 RPs per Rs 150 (including base)
• Max bonus: 7,500/month = 90,000/year
• With base points: ~1,00,000+ points/year
• Value: Rs 1 = Rs 1,00,000 saved or earned.

HDFC Infinia credit card strategy

Talreja says:

• Let’s talk about the beast --HDFC Infinia. Infinia is not just a premium lifestyle card, it’s a reward-generating machine when you use it strategically with SmartBuy + GYFTR vouchers

Taleja explains how he earned another 1,00,000 points

SmartBuy + GYFTR = My Power Combo

I used Infinia for:

• Myntra vouchers (5X points) -Especially during Gold coin deals (8% off)
• Pharmeasy vouchers (10X points) - For baby essentials
• Blinkit/Swiggy Instamart vouchers (5X points) -For groceries
• All bought via SmartBuy, giving huge bonus points.

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Why Myntra was a double win

Taleja explains: Recently, Myntra had 8% off on Gold Coins

• I bought Myntra vouchers via SmartBuy (5X points)
• Used vouchers for gold coin purchases
• Earned points + got coins at discount = Investment + Rewards

Talreja says: “This is next-level credit card usage”

Infinia Point Mechanics

• Base rate: 5 points per Rs 150
• SmartBuy boost: Up to 10X (50 points per ₹150)
• Monthly cap: 15,000 bonus points
• Redemption value: ₹1 per point (flights/hotels via SmartBuy)
• Yearly reward: 1,00,000 points = Rs 1,00,000 value

Talreja says: “Without overspending. Just smart optimization.”

Key lessons

Talreja says:

• Use BizBlack for all tax payments
• Use Infinia for all expenses via GYFTR vouchers
• Hit monthly bonus caps only when you have expenses
• Track your usage. Points = money.
• Don’t just swipe cards - strategize them
• Vouchers may feel boring, but they multiply rewards
• Even tax can be rewarding with the right credit card
• This is how rich people use credit cards