Infinia Smartbuy vs airmiles

[infinia_finally]

Hi
I couldn't find info in search. But if there is prior discussion on this, please point me to the thread

Assuming for a particular flight, smartbuy price is same as external websites (and let's just assume, there aren't great discounts externally for any modes of payment that I have),

Then what is preferred? Buying tickets using RPs through smartbuy OR converting RPs to 1:1 airmiles on some airline and purchasing from airline website?

(I have never converted to airmiles)

 

[sxchzy]

airmiles conversion value is on international flights
not much on domestic

 

[infinia_finally]

Thanks. How do hotel prices compare between smartbuy vs websites like mmt etc?

 

[PiperatGatesofDawn]

Hi
I couldn't find info in search. But if there is prior discussion on this, please point me to the thread

Assuming for a particular flight, smartbuy price is same as external websites (and let's just assume, there aren't great discounts externally for any modes of payment that I have),

Then what is preferred? Buying tickets using RPs through smartbuy OR converting RPs to 1:1 airmiles on some airline and purchasing from airline website?

(I have never converted to airmiles)

Rule of thumb - look at a redemption rate of at least Rs. 1/mile. So if a cost of a ticket is Rs. 10000. And it costs 8000 miles and Rs. 1000 in taxes and fees - you're getting a redemption rate of Rs. 1.125/mile so that's good. Anything less than that and you're better of redeeming 70% at Rs. 1/mile through the smartbuy portal.

 

[sxchzy]

Thanks. How do hotel prices compare between smartbuy vs websites like mmt etc?

smartbuy usually has properties listed at 5-10% premium
same with traveledge

 

[Sriim]

Assuming for a particular flight, smartbuy price is same as external websites (and let's just assume, there aren't great discounts externally for any modes of payment that I have),

I have never converted to airmiles but I've always found smartbuy flight prices to be almost same as external websites (they do bookings through external websites actually, you can choose between the sites when you book)

 

[Sriim]

smartbuy usually has properties listed at 5-10% premium
same with travele

No. Smartbuy gives the same price. It just shows the price inclusive of taxes whereas in external websites, taxes are added just before payment

 

[sxchzy]

do a comparative analysis
i have heard this from many users

 

[Vasuki]

do a comparative analysis
i have heard this from many users

Who will bell the cat

 

[techt]

Who will bell the cat

VIPs of this forum who has those Prem cards.

 

[Vasuki]

VIPs of this forum who has those Prem cards.

After magnus devaluation .. all have gone into shell

 

[sxchzy]

Who will bell the cat

somedid it and told me
that direct bookings after instant discounts are a tad bit cheaper than smartbuy

 

[sourpai]

(Smartbuy Price + convenience fees) is roughly 5-9% more than (Aggregator price + Card discounts + convenience fees) on flight bookings. If you don't have the right card for aggregator websites then price will be almost same

 

[Vasuki]

(Smartbuy Price + convenience fees) is roughly 5-9% more than (Aggregator price + Card discounts + convenience fees) on flight bookings. If you don't have the right card for aggregator websites then price will be almost same

Thats why Millniea is best in redemption 😅
1:1

 

[techt]

After magnus devaluation .. all have gone into shell

Does the VIP forum check the validity of cards ?

 

[Vasuki]

Does the VIP forum check the validity of cards ?

Matter of fact - No

 

[subham23]

Last week i made flight booking in easemytrip with flat 10% discount code upto 2000/- and additional 4.5% online rewards using yes marquee card. so total 14.5% savings.

 

[techt]

Last week i made flight booking in easemytrip with flat 10% discount code upto 2000/- and additional 4.5% online rewards using yes marquee card. so total 14.5% savings.

yes yes we @S S V said this in his review that Marquee is really good for those who can't get infinia.
BTW wouldn't it be the same if SBI CB used assuming no goof up of MCC?

 

[Firewing224]

The reality of Smartbuy is that your points are not actually worth 1 rupee / point. When you redeem points, you dont get the 16.5% or the 33% points back.

Assume for calculation sake that for every flight you book, you pay 50% through points , rest 50% through payment (I know it allows 70% but you are constantly flying and you're getting RPs from other transactions to cover only half a ticket every month). ticket costs 5000 rupees.
You get 412.5 RPs. which is only 8.25% of the ticket cost. If 70% redeemed everytime, you get lesser. Its RP. not cashback.

Why DCB and smartbuy still make sense? Well, firstly, u can compare on all websites. 800 rupee difference if u see below :



Secondly, Of course : I Paid only 1000 rupees for this flight by redeeming 70% RPs! - The psychological factor. Thats much better than saying I got all my flights this month at 9% discount.
Thirdly, DCB gives 3.3% on almost every swipe except rent and insurance I think. This is better than most of the cards since it is consistent.
Fourthly : IF you are doing multiple booking, the OTA discounts are heavily capped and are of lesser value than 9% discount. Hence smartbuy flat discount upto CAP makes sense.

I prefer to pay while hotel booking and redeem points while booking air tickets. 33% back on hotel which can be redeemed against flights. IF u do otherway round, its a win for smartbuy.

If u get 0.9 rupee valuation on your air miles, it is genuinely a good deal.

 

[subham23]

yes yes we @S S V said this in his review that Marquee is really good for those who can't get infinia.
BTW wouldn't it be the same if SBI CB used assuming no goof up of MCC?

yes, 5% cashback limit uptp 5000/- per month on all online txns, fligh t ticket should be under eligible MCC