This Is How I Started - What is Your Credit Card Story?

[Virtual King]

Let’s talk about how you started your credit card journey.

My Credit Card Journey

Till Dec 2023
I was of the view - like many people around me - that credit cards are really a vice, merely disguised in the form of virtue. Even though I had many friends and relatives who had credit cards, however, I was somehow not convinced to take the plunge. So, I had only debit cards (since Sep 2004) and cash till 2020. Then, in 2020, courtesy Covid pandemic, cash too became quite a difficult proposition. So, I graduated to net banking in July 2020 and then PhonePe in Nov 2022. This state of affairs continued till 2023 end.

Jan - Feb 2024
Finally, after discussing some more with some of my friends and colleagues - who all praised the numerous benefits of credit cards - I decided to take the plunge. I had savings accounts in PNB and HDFC Bank. Since PNB was a public sector bank, I assessed that their response would be as usual - lethargic and bureaucratic. HDFC Bank appeared a better choice between the two. So, I spoke to my HDFC Bank RM and he said that he will revert.

Mar - Apr 2024
He informed me in 2-3 days that I am eligible for Infinia Metal Credit Card. At that time, I was not aware of this card and that it was one of the best credit cards in India. So, I asked in brief about the card and he explained to me that it is the best credit card from HDFC. So, without further ado, I said yes. Later on, I did some research on Infinia credit card and compiled a comprehensive guide on Infinia - which I have shared on this forum, and it can be accessed and read here. My eligibility was possibly based on these factors - I have an ITR of Rs 50 L plus and have an Imperia account since June 2019. It is not my salary account. I have some FDs in the bank and some savings. I never had any credit card ever in my life and was using mainly debit cards, cash or PhonePe for my daily transactions. I had taken two loans - one a home loan way back in 2010 which finished in 2015 due to pre-payment by me. The other was a car loan again way back in 2014 which again finished in 2021. My CIBIL score (which I checked on 7th May 2024 after getting the Infinia) showed NH (i.e. No History). I also have a demat account in HDFC Securities with a portfolio of about Rs 6-8 L (it keeps on fluctuating based on the market upheavals). This will give an idea to the readers on the eligibility requirements for Infinia.
* May 2024. Finally, I received the 1st credit card of my life - Infinia Metal - and activated it on 1st May 2024. Along with it, I received two Priority Pass cards and one Add-on card. The Add-on card holder is also having an HDFC Imperia Account with some savings in it and a demat account in HDFC Securities with a portfolio of about Rs 4-5 L. The Add-on card had a different number and CVV from the primary card. My Infinia Metal Credit Cards - Primary and Add-on both were based on Mastercard World. My 1st transaction was to find a shop for prasaad for Rs 101 for offering to my personal deity - it was always in my mind. So, I searched for a few shops for some time who could give me the prasaad and accept Infinia at their POS. Finally, I located one.... and well, did my 1st ever credit card transaction of Rs 101.

June 2024 - June 2025
After getting Infinia Metal as the 1st credit card of my life, I also applied for SBI BPCL Octane in May 2024 and received it in June 2024 (a comprehensive guide on the Octane that I have compiled and shared on this forum can be accessed here). Then, having grasped some more benefits of the credit cards, I applied for American Express Platinum Travel credit card in Jan 2025 and received it in a few days' time in Jan 2025 itself (a comprehensive guide on Amex Plat Travel that I have compiled and shared on this forum can be accessed here).

Status Today
So, today I have these 3 credit cards - Infinia Metal, BPCL SBI Octane, and American Express Platinum Travel. These are meeting my requirements adequately.

So, this has been my credit card(s) journey - not only of the 1st credit card but also two more subsequently - all within one year (Feb 24 - Jan 25).

Let us see, what the future beholds. 🙂

PS. There are two threads on this topic. The other one is here. So, I have posted my journey in both the threads. 🙂

 

[hender]

My Credit Card Journey

Till Dec 2023
I was of the view - like many people around me - that credit cards are really a vice, merely disguised in the form of virtue. Even though I had many friends and relatives who had credit cards, however, I was somehow not convinced to take the plunge. So, I had only debit cards (since Sep 2004) and cash till 2020. Then, in 2020, courtesy Covid pandemic, cash too became quite a difficult proposition. So, I graduated to net banking in July 2020 and then PhonePe in Nov 2022. This state of affairs continued till 2023 end.

Jan - Feb 2024
Finally, after discussing some more with some of my friends and colleagues - who all praised the numerous benefits of credit cards - I decided to take the plunge. I had savings accounts in PNB and HDFC Bank. Since PNB was a public sector bank, I assessed that their response would be as usual - lethargic and bureaucratic. HDFC Bank appeared a better choice between the two. So, I spoke to my HDFC Bank RM and he said that he will revert.

Mar - Apr 2024
He informed me in 2-3 days that I am eligible for Infinia Metal Credit Card. At that time, I was not aware of this card and that it was one of the best credit cards in India. So, I asked in brief about the card and he explained to me that it is the best credit card from HDFC. So, without further ado, I said yes. Later on, I did some research on Infinia credit card and compiled a comprehensive guide on Infinia - which I have shared on this forum, and it can be accessed and read here. My eligibility was possibly based on these factors - I have an ITR of Rs 50 L plus and have an Imperia account since June 2019. It is not my salary account. I have some FDs in the bank and some savings. I never had any credit card ever in my life and was using mainly debit cards, cash or PhonePe for my daily transactions. I had taken two loans - one a home loan way back in 2010 which finished in 2015 due to pre-payment by me. The other was a car loan again way back in 2014 which again finished in 2021. My CIBIL score (which I checked on 7th May 2024 after getting the Infinia) showed NH (i.e. No History). I also have a demat account in HDFC Securities with a portfolio of about Rs 6-8 L (it keeps on fluctuating based on the market upheavals). This will give an idea to the readers on the eligibility requirements for Infinia.
* May 2024. Finally, I received the 1st credit card of my life - Infinia Metal - and activated it on 1st May 2024. Along with it, I received two Priority Pass cards and one Add-on card. The Add-on card holder is also having an HDFC Imperia Account with some savings in it and a demat account in HDFC Securities with a portfolio of about Rs 4-5 L. The Add-on card had a different number and CVV from the primary card. My Infinia Metal Credit Cards - Primary and Add-on both were based on Mastercard World. My 1st transaction was to find a shop for prasaad for Rs 101 for offering to my personal deity - it was always in my mind. So, I searched for a few shops for some time who could give me the prasaad and accept Infinia at their POS. Finally, I located one.... and well, did my 1st ever credit card transaction of Rs 101.

June 2024 - June 2025
After getting Infinia Metal as the 1st credit card of my life, I also applied for SBI BPCL Octane in May 2024 and received it in June 2024 (a comprehensive guide on the Octane that I have compiled and shared on this forum can be accessed here). Then, having grasped some more benefits of the credit cards, I applied for American Express Platinum Travel credit card in Jan 2025 and received it in a few days' time in Jan 2025 itself (a comprehensive guide on Amex Plat Travel that I have compiled and shared on this forum can be accessed here).

Status Today
So, today I have these 3 credit cards - Infinia Metal, BPCL SBI Octane, and American Express Platinum Travel. These are meeting my requirements adequately.

So, this has been my credit card(s) journey - not only of the 1st credit card but also two more subsequently - all within one year (Feb 24 - Jan 25).

Let us see, what the future beholds. 🙂

PS. There are two threads on this topic. The other one is here. So, I have posted my journey in both the threads. 🙂

For HL/ Car Loan, Cibil created, but due to inactivity post that, it showed that way.
If you check ✅ today, it will show past Loans as well.

 

[BVCBVC is verified member.]

Saw this thread and thought I should share my story too. It’s a mix-up of my life and dreams, both of which are interlinked, so I am trying to share as short as possible. Although I will try to keep it short, sorry in advance if it’s lengthy.

Early years of my life and my fate:
It was the year 1991 when I was born, a Kumar Sanu fan 🙂. Schooling - Kendriya Vidyalaya 2008. Medical aspirant - selected in MBBS 2009 (AIPMT, now NEET), but KRISHNA had something else decided for me.

I got a chronic disease in July 2009, and was on bed rest till 2014. For six years, my life was almost on bed. Although in 2011 I did try to at least get enrolled in general graduation in a local college, soon illness struck again, and I wasn’t able to clear one semester.

Anyway, I was off the track for a moment. Sorry about that. So, my banking fascination began in the year 2003, 2004 when I first saw an ATM and ATM card (of course, my father’s, SBI). Fast forward, soon I became 18 years old. I asked my father to make a PAN card. Since I was on bed rest, it was not possible for me to visit the PAN card office, but my papa arranged a personal visit on special request to my home to take the necessary documents. Now the race began.

At that time, you needed an introducer to open an account in PSU banks. But unfortunately, since I was on bed rest, it became difficult for me to open accounts. Then came a boy (he was my best friends colleague). He had an account in BOM (BANK OF MAHARASHTRA), so he took the form and filled in the necessary details and introduced me. The account opening amount was 100 rupees, and the ATM took 3 months to deliver, that too you had to receive from the branch. And since there was not a single ATM of BOM in my city, there was no provision for even ATM PIN change. In 2010, I forced my father to open my account in SBI, so he did (he is a retired class A officer, so again because of his influence special request, a bank employee visited home and opened my account). Instantly, the kit handled to me and name on the ATM card were BRANCH MANAGER 😄 (Maestro card). After that, with the help of my dear friend (late Sumit Tripathi, died in 2010, MBBS 1st year), I opened my account in PNB and CANARA. In 2011, I opened my first private bank account in AXIS (then it was UTI BANK, MAB 5K).

In 2012, I first saw a credit card in my JEEJA JI hand (SBI GOLD AND MORE card). Instantly, I decided I wanted one, but who will give a credit card to a person who is not able to leave the bed without help, let alone have any ITR or JOB? But I was desperate, and now I don’t have any one to help me (since my friend died). My elder brother was in Singapore (JOB), my sister married, my father was posted in another city, and all my other friends and cousins are now in jobs. Then came my MOTHER INDIA. She visited the bank and got me a personal to visit home. He opened a FD-backed (3L FD, limit 2.6 lakh) card (GOLD AND MORE card, now discontinued).

In 2014, finally KRISHNA laid his AASHIRVAAD on me, and I was up, joined the nearest college (MBBS age over, BRAHMAN, so no reservation), but still, I had to fight mental depression because of a long-time illness, so I had to visit a neuropsychiatrist weekly, restricted me to stay in my hometown. Anyway, I enrolled for graduation in 2014, passed out in late 2017 because of a college delayed session. I wasn’t able to change the college, even though I got rank 3 in the Central University Combined Entrance Exam. In 2022, I got my master’s (although the session was 2017-2019, but again delayed session and COVID too). Meanwhile in 2015 opened my account in HDFC BANK, after few years in 2017 got a call from HDFC BANK that I am eligible for a credit card I told him that I am not employed, he said it is pre-approved and lifetime free, at that time I didn’t even know the exact meaning of pre-approved but I got the card limit 3L, BUSINESS REGALIA. In 2020 opened my account in ICICI bank, then kotak. Currently have 9 functional/active account.

Turning point year 2022:
In 2022, I got qualified in NTA UGC NET (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR), currently pursuing my research doctoral work and teaching on AD-HOC/need based in a government college (till permanent appointment). Salary is 55K/month, which is not enough to get the most of the premium card.

In the year 2022, I published a book (AMAZON BESTSELLER for two weeks straight), currently selling on all online and offline stores.

Back in 2020 my mother gave me 7L to book a FD on my name, I said give to me instead I want to start my own business, since all my friends are now in job (BTECH COMPUTER), they were earning more than 1 lakh/month. And here I was just completed my degrees, not even applicable for any entrance exam and most of the job because of age. Anyway I started my own business from that money mostly freelancing work and started to earn more than 1L/month, more than my first/actual salary.

Influence of Apple Card and my first metal card:
In 2020, Apple introduced Apple Card in titanium. Instantly, my whole body was in utter ecstasy to get this, but unfortunately, that’s not available in India. Then I started to find out about other cards and discovered that there are other cards of metal, but in India, only ONE CARD is available. So, it was my first metal card and third credit card in my list.

Journey to next 25 cards:
In 2023, I came across a video on YouTube where a guy was talking about credit cards and how getting credit cards is his hobby. (I was searching for AXIS MAGNUS on Google and it directed me to YouTube, and I didn’t even know that you have these kinds of videos too.) Suddenly, I was relieved that I am not alone in the world of credit card hobbyists. And that YouTube personality was any guess? Of course; TECHNOFINO, Sumanta.

Influence of TECHNOFINO:
Although I was in the credit card game, with little knowledge, I wasn’t fully aware of its perks and benefits. But with the help of Technofino, I realised that there is more than aesthetic/hobby value in credit cards. In the last two years, I have saved more than 3L rupees.

Journey to premium card:
Soon I upgraded my cards BUSINESS REGALIA into DCB METAL, got BIZ BLACK, AND TIMES BLACK, IDFC ASHVA, etc. Currently in pursuit of EPM and INFINIA.

MY DREAMS
Two things which I love most are first wildlife (pursuing my doctoral work on this) and CREDIT CARDS, and there is a third too, visit ICELAND and see AURORA BOREALIS (NORTHERN LIGHTS), for which I am saving money. Since I am yet single, who is going to marry a person who was ill for six years 😆, most of them run like fire-lightened tail horses once they hear my illness history, anyway there loss 🤣, so solo travelling cost I calculated almost 4L, so I am not far from fulfilling my third dream.

I don't know when my illness strikes again or how much time I do have, so just wanna fullfill all my dreams before that day comes. lets see how much further I can go.

NOTE - My family is upper middle class. they tried to sponsor my trip to Iceland, but I always denied them because I want to go on my terms with my own earned money. I want to feel that feeling of satisfaction when you achieve something on your own. After all, I am not a charity case.

THESE ALL ARE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THIS COMMUNITY, SO MANY MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE. 🙏🏻

Saw this now. You journey left me speechless.

You have proved again that hard times will definitely move away and we need to be strong.

Hope you complete your travel plans soon and get hands on EPM and Infinia.