₹2 Lakh in Free Rewards? This Pune Man Cracked the Credit Card Code

A Pune-based data analyst, Suraj Kumar Talreja, has managed to earn ₹2 lakh worth of credit card reward points in just one year without spending beyond his regular budget. By carefully using his HDFC BizBlack and HDFC Infinia credit cards, Talreja accumulated 2,00,000 reward points, each valued at ₹1 as per HDFC Bank's website on August 7, 2025.

Talreja, who currently works at V Square Systems and has previously worked at Standard Chartered Bank, planned his credit card usage around his essential expenses. From tax payments to monthly groceries, he ensured each transaction helped him collect high-value reward points. His method demonstrates how strategic card usage can turn routine spending into meaningful financial benefits.

Instead of falling into the common trap of overspending to chase rewards, he focused on maximizing the return on money he was already spending. His approach included using one card for government payments and the other for retail purchases through brand vouchers. The results speak for themselves: ₹2 lakh in reward value earned without exceeding his usual outflow.

Paying Taxes Turned into ₹1 Lakh Worth of Reward Points

While most people see tax payments as an unavoidable burden, Talreja viewed them as an opportunity. He used the HDFC BizBlack credit card that gives five times more reward points when paying taxes and utility bills like GST and advance tax. This feature made the card especially useful for business owners, freelancers, and consultants.

The BizBlack card offers a maximum of 7,500 bonus reward points per month for such payments. Talreja ensured he reached this cap regularly, ultimately collecting 90,000 bonus points in a year. In addition to this, base points on every transaction brought his total to over 1,00,000 reward points through BizBlack alone.

The card’s reward structure allows 5 reward points per ₹150 normally, but with the 5X multiplier, this rises to 25 points per ₹150 for eligible spends. At a redemption value of ₹1 per point, this equates to more than ₹1 lakh in annual rewards from tax payments that had to be made anyway.

This shows that even paying necessary expenses like taxes can be beneficial if you use the right credit card.

Earning Another ₹1 Lakh with Infinia and Vouchers

To complement his tax-based reward earnings, Talreja used his HDFC Infinia card for everyday spending. Rather than swiping the card directly at stores or online checkouts, he purchased GYFTR brand vouchers through HDFC SmartBuy, a platform that offers accelerated reward points on voucher transactions.

His purchases included Myntra vouchers, often used during gold coin deals offering discounts. PharmEasy vouchers were used for baby essentials, while Swiggy Instamart and Blinkit vouchers helped cover grocery needs. These vouchers not only helped him earn higher reward points but also allowed him to save through additional offers.

With the Infinia card, users can earn up to 10X reward points on SmartBuy transactions, subject to a monthly cap of 15,000 bonus points. Talreja kept his spending within this limit and accumulated approximately 1,00,000 reward points over the year. These points could then be redeemed at full value for travel, shopping, or other redemptions through SmartBuy.

This method allowed him to convert his household expenses into meaningful credit card rewards without increasing his spending.

The Rules That Made It Work

Talreja did not rely on guesswork or luck. He followed a structured plan that focused on earning maximum rewards for necessary spending categories. Tax payments went on BizBlack, while personal and family expenses were handled through Infinia with voucher-based transactions.

He made sure not to chase reward caps blindly. Instead, he based his card usage on actual expenses he was going to incur anyway. By doing so, he avoided debt and made every rupee work harder. Vouchers, while often overlooked, played a big role in increasing the reward value without complicating the process.

Tracking his monthly card usage and redemption limits was also part of his system. He viewed reward points as equivalent to money and managed them with that mindset. This disciplined approach helped him reach the ₹2 lakh mark in a year without straining his finances.

A Case for Smarter Credit Card Usage

Talreja’s story is a practical example of how credit cards, when used carefully, can provide significant financial returns. It challenges the common belief that rewards come only when people spend more. With the right card strategy, it is possible to gain more from what you are already spending.

Credit cards in India now offer a range of benefits, from accelerated rewards on platforms like SmartBuy to category-based bonuses on select expenses. Most people ignore or underuse these benefits, often due to lack of awareness or planning. Talreja’s approach shows that with some basic research and tracking, these rewards can translate into serious money.

His experience is particularly useful for professionals, freelancers, and families who already spend on essentials like taxes, groceries, healthcare, and shopping. By aligning such expenses with the right credit card benefits, it is possible to generate extra value without any extra effort.

Smart usage, regular tracking, and strategic redemption can turn an ordinary credit card into a tool for savings. And as Talreja’s story shows, sometimes even paying taxes can earn you money.

Disclaimer: The image used is not real; it is generated by AI for reference purposes only.