Author
Aakarsh Mohan
I'm the founder of CreditGully. I started my career at Kotak Mahindra Bank and spent 8+ years building data and product systems at Monzo, Spotify, Airbnb, and Better.com — and I try to bring that same analytical mindset to India's credit card space.
LinkedInBackground
I'm the founder of CreditGully. I started my career at Kotak Mahindra Bank, which gave me some ground-level insight into how Indian banking works — before spending 8+ years building ML models, A/B testing frameworks, and financial analytics products at Monzo, Spotify, Airbnb, and Better.com.
A lot of credit card advice gets the analysis wrong — reward rates are misquoted, fee waivers are misunderstood, and redemption value is rarely modelled at all. I try to do better: actually running the numbers on earn rates, caps, and redemption paths rather than just repeating what a bank's marketing team published.
I started CreditGully out of frustration with India's affiliate-driven rankings and vague "it depends" takes. I want to build something that treats readers like adults and helps users take well-informed, data-driven decisions.
How we evaluate credit cards
Every card review on CreditGully is scored against a published methodology — earn rates, caps, fees, and redemption value modelled explicitly.
Read our rating methodology →Articles by Aakarsh Mohan
Axis Bank Credit Card Changes 2026: Every Revision from August to November, Explained
Axis Bank has notified a phased set of revisions to its credit card terms and conditions, taking effect between **28 August 2026 and 15 November 2026**. Nothing has changed yet — the first tranche goes live on 28 August.
American Express and ALL Accor Team Up for Elite Status Matching and Points Transfers — India Not Included
Amex Platinum Card Loses Lufthansa Lounge Access From October 2026
Amex is pulling Lufthansa Lounge access for Platinum Card Members in India starting October 1, 2026 — the latest in a string of premium benefit cuts that also includes the Etihad transfer partner exit and Centurion Lounge changes.
Book Air India Flights via WhatsApp to Skip the Convenience Fee — Here's the Proof
We tested Air India's official WhatsApp assistant against its website for the same flight — the ₹399 convenience fee vanished from the WhatsApp quote entirely. Here's the side-by-side breakdown, how to replicate it, and what to watch for before you book.
JAL x Accor 20% Transfer Bonus (July 2026): The Backdoor Route to Accor Points for Axis Atlas and Magnus Cardholders
Axis removed Accor as a transfer partner in April — but JAL's 20% conversion bonus quietly reopens the route. 5,000 Atlas EDGE Miles become 4,800 Accor points (~₹9,700) until July 31. Here's the maths, the Group A cap trade-off, and the gotchas.
Air India & Booking.com Partner: How to Earn Maharaja Points on Hotel Stays
Air India is rapidly shifting from a standard point-to-point airline into a comprehensive, all-in-one travel ecosystem. In a strategic move under the Tata Group's ownership, the carrier has partnered with digital travel giant Booking.com to let passengers book accommodations directly through Air India’s website and mobile application.
IndiGo BluChip & Accor ALL Loyalty Alliance Is Now Live: Ratios, Real Value, and Strategy
The highly anticipated integration between IndiGo BluChip and Accor Live Limitless (ALL) is officially live. While a two-way points transfer brings unprecedented versatility to Indian travelers, a closer look at the conversion math reveals a steep price for flexibility. Here is a definitive look at how the partnership operates, the exact value proposition, and how to position your rewards strategy.
HDFC Bank Imposes Sub-Caps on SmartBuy Brand Voucher Reward Points
HDFC Bank has implemented a new monthly limit on the accelerated reward points customers can earn via SmartBuy brand vouchers. This restriction applies even if the cardholder hasn't exhausted their overall monthly SmartBuy limit.
Why You Must Never Delete Your Lifetime Free (LTF) Credit Card Confirmation Email
Think your "Lifetime Free" credit card is safe forever? Think again. A recent viral community case reveals how a missing confirmation email forced a user to close their card after being hit with unexpected fees. Here is how to protect your financial assets.
Amex India Launches 50% Points-Back Offer: Is It Actually A Good Deal?
American Express India has rolled out a flash targeted promotion giving cardmembers up to 50% of their redeemed Membership Rewards points back. While getting 1,00,000 points back sounds like a jackpot, a closer look at the cash-redemption fine print and the underlying math reveals why experienced point maximizers might want to pass on this one.
American Express to End Membership Rewards Transfers to Etihad Guest in India From July 1, 2026
American Express is ending Membership Rewards transfers to Etihad Guest in India from July 1, 2026. Cardholders can move their Amex points to Etihad Guest only until June 30, 2026, 11:59 PM IST, after which the partnership will no longer be available. Other Membership Rewards redemption options, including airline and hotel partners, vouchers, and statement credit redemptions, will continue as per American Express terms
Beyond Cashback: Why Young Indian Travelers Are Using Loyalty Points as a Parallel Currency
The concept of a travel wallet has fundamentally changed. For India's emerging generation of travelers, premium perks like elite lounge access, room upgrades, and high-end dining are no longer viewed as rare luxuries or occasional rewards. Instead, a new consumer trend is emerging: treating travel reward ecosystems as a strategic, secondary financial wallet to fund experiential lifestyle choices.
The Return of Credit Card Rent Payments: How PhonePe and CRED are Bypassing RBI Restrictions
After a massive ₹1,250 crore revenue hit following the RBI's crackdown, fintech giants PhonePe and CRED are testing a major comeback for credit card rent payments. Here is how the new, document-verified marketplace model affects your wallet.
Flipkart SuperCoins Can Now Be Converted Into IndiGo BluChips: How to Maximize the Value
IndiGo has partnered with Flipkart, allowing users to convert SuperCoins into IndiGo BluChips at a 3:2 ratio. Find out how to seamlessly transfer your points and discover which credit cards can accelerate your next free flight booking.
SBI Cashback vs HDFC Millennia: Which Should You Pick in June 2026?
SBI Cashback vs HDFC Millennia in June 2026: compare fees, cashback, lounge access, and welcome benefits to choose the better card for your spending.
Best Travel Credit Cards in India (June 2026): Post-Devaluation Picks
Looking for the best travel credit cards in India 2026? See top picks for flights, hotels, lounge access & zero-forex, plus who each card suits best.
HDFC Regalia Gold & Diners Lounge Rules Change July 2026
HDFC Bank mandates a ₹60,000 quarterly spend for lounge access on Regalia Gold and Diners Privilege cards from July 2026. Learn how this impacts your travel.
IndusInd Bank Credit Card Fee Changes Effective June 15
IndusInd Bank revises fees for Legend, Aura, and EazyDiner cards from June 15, 2026. Learn about the new 1% fuel fee and interest-free rules to save money.
IndiGo offering a limited-time 2X Welcome Bonus
Looking for the best credit cards India offers? IndiGo's limited-time 2X welcome bonus on Axis and IDFC cards is live now. Find out which one suits you best.
What is a RuPay Credit Card? Complete Guide & Benefits
Discover what a RuPay credit card is, its top benefits, and how to link it to UPI. Compare top options in India and find out which one suits you best.
The Future of Credit Cards in India: Will UPI, AI and Fintechs Change Everything?
UPI isn't killing credit cards—it's transforming them. Here's how AI, fintechs, co-branded ecosystems, digital wallets, and changing consumer behavior could reshape India's credit card industry over the next decade.
SBI Card Is Devaluing PhonePe SBI Credit Cards: Black Card Holders Take the Biggest Hit
SBI Card's latest PhonePe SBI Card update reduces monthly reward caps and introduces new reward exclusions. Here's how Purple and Select Black cardholders are affected—and why Black users lose the most.
ICICI Bank's ₹75,000 Lounge Access Rule Is Changing the Credit Card Industry
ICICI Bank's ₹75,000 quarterly spending requirement has fundamentally changed airport lounge access for millions of cardholders. The catch? Rent, education payments, government transactions, and EMI conversions don't count toward the target.
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Card Changes From June 18, 2026: Wealth, Select & Rewards Program Overhaul Explained
IDFC FIRST Bank is rolling out major credit card changes effective June 18, 2026. While the Wealth Card changes have received the most attention, the update also reshapes reward earning mechanics, reward validity, spending thresholds, and category-based rewards across premium cards. Here's what cardholders need to know.
HDFC's ₹150-to-₹200 Reward Point Change: A Quiet Devaluation You Shouldn't Ignore
Think your credit card reward rate is static? Think again. By widening its core reward calculation block from ₹150 to ₹200, HDFC Bank has introduced a stealth structural devaluation affecting popular cards like Regalia Gold, Diners Club Privilege, and BizPower. Here is an exact mathematical teardown of how much points value you are losing on every daily transaction, alongside a look at the new DCC fee spikes and the luxury 'Boarding Edge' program.
Credit Utilisation Explained: Meaning, Formula & CIBIL Impact
Learn what credit utilisation means in India, how to calculate it, how it affects your CIBIL score, and what ratio is best for credit card approvals.
The Ultimate Guide to Credit Scores in India: How to Hit 750+ for Easy Credit Card Approvals
Learn how CIBIL and credit scores work in India, what affects your score, how to improve it, and what score you need for credit cards and loans.
Guide to Getting Started with Credit Cards in India 2026
New to credit cards in India? Learn how credit cards work, CIBIL score basics, rewards, cashback, miles, entry-level cards, MCC codes, caps, fees, and smart usage tips.
How CreditGully Rates Credit Cards in India
Learn how CreditGully reviews and rates Indian credit cards using a transparent 0–5 score based on rewards, fees, eligibility, usability, and real-life value.