In today’s world of digital payments, credit cards are more than just a payment method, they can also help you use a lot of fees cleverly. A simple trick called “stacking” allows you to combine multiple offers, discounts, and rewards to get the best deal on your purchase.
What is stacking?
Stacking is about using multiple savings options together to reduce your final bill. Think of it as a tiered discount to get the maximum.
Key components of stacking include:
●Bank and platform discounts– Banks often work with brands to provide additional savings for specific merchants.
●Merchant offer and coupons– Stores often run their own promotions that can be combined with card benefits.
●Credit card rewards– Many cards offer cash back, bonus points or air miles that qualify for the expenditure.
●Wallet & Upi App Discounts– Apps like Paytm, PhonePe and Amazon Pay provide cashbacks on transactions.
●Gift cards and coupons– Purchasing a discount gift card and using it for purchases can further increase savings.
How to apply stacking in daily expenses
1. Online Shopping: Maximize Holiday and Sales Discounts
Say you are buying a worthwhile smartphone ₹50,000. You can stack savings like this instead of paying the full amount:
●Use a credit card that provides additional rewards for online shopping (e.g., Axis Magnus, HDFC Infinia, Amex Platinum).
●Looking for bank quotes – banks such as HDFC, ICICI and SBI often offer instant discounts during sales.
●Purchase Amazon paid gift cards and earn acceleration reward points via HDFC or AMEX GYFTR to earn additional reward points.
By combining these, you can save ₹8,000 – ₹10,000, while earning reward points for future purchases.
2. Dining and travel: Enjoy a small amount of luxury goods
●Dining:
○Use Eazydiner, Zomato Gold or Swiggy Dineout for upfront discounts.
○ Pay with a premium credit card (e.g., HDFC Diners Black, Amex Platinum) for additional cash back or rewards.
○Earn up to 10 times your points by purchasing travel vouchers through SmartBuy (HDFC) or AMEX reward multiplier.
○Enjoy bonuses or reward points using a travel credit card such as Axis Atlas or SBI Air India signature.
○Redend points for hotel accommodation or flight upgrades instead of paying cash.
While stacking can help you save, be aware of the following key points:
Check the terms and conditions– Certain offers cannot be combined and cashback limits may apply.
Reward cap– Some credit cards have limits on rewards – either limiting the maximum reward you can earn or limit on a specific transaction amount.
Avoid extra fees– Some wallets are charged when paying with credit cards.
Use rewards before they expire– Gift cards, points and discounts are usually provided with an expiration date.
in conclusion
Stacking offers are a smart way to get the most out of your spending. Instead of using just one discount, there are multiple benefits to further your money. Whether you are shopping, dining or traveling, the trick is not only to spend less money, but also to spend wisely.
Ashish Lath, Founder saveCredit Card Expert Platform
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