Hey guys, need some help for a friend of mine and thought this community would be the right place.
He’s 26, MBA grad, recently joined a consulting / product role. Very disciplined with money, always pays credit card bills in full, no interest ever. The confusion is around whether premium credit cards actually make sense or if they’re just hype.
People keep recommending random premium cards, but no one explains the actual reward math. He wants real value, free flights, useful perks, justified fees, not flashy metal cards.
Quick profile:
What he wants from cards:
He’s 26, MBA grad, recently joined a consulting / product role. Very disciplined with money, always pays credit card bills in full, no interest ever. The confusion is around whether premium credit cards actually make sense or if they’re just hype.
People keep recommending random premium cards, but no one explains the actual reward math. He wants real value, free flights, useful perks, justified fees, not flashy metal cards.
Quick profile:
- CTC: ₹20–25 LPA
- Monthly in-hand: ₹1.25–1.4L
- Credit score: 750+
| Category | Spend |
|---|---|
| Food & dining (restaurants + Swiggy/Zomato) | ₹15,000 |
| Online shopping / lifestyle | ₹10,000 |
| Travel (flights + hotels) | ₹60,000 annually |
| Petrol | ₹8,000 |
| Utilities | ₹6,000 |
| Insurance | ₹6,000 |
| Rent | ₹30,000 |
| Total | ~₹80,000 / month |
What he wants from cards:
- 2–3 free domestic flights per year
- Good reward points + milestone benefits
- Annual fees should be justified (fees < benefits)
- Some premium perks (airport lounges, dining offers, travel insurance)
- 100% bill payment, no interest
- No manufactured or shady spends
- Max 2–3 cards only
- Strategy should be practical and logical
Which 2–3 credit cards would you suggest for someone like this? (At least one premium card)
One smart optimization tip (reward transfers, milestone planning, lounge + travel stacking, etc.)
