कैशबैक या रिवॉर्ड पॉइंट्स – क्रेडिट कार्ड में क्या ज्यादा फायदेमंद है?
When you use a credit card, banks usually offer two types of benefits:
Cashback 💰 or Reward Points 🎁
दोनों में फायदा तो है—but सवाल ये है: कौन ज्यादा valuable है?
Let’s decode both options in a simple, no-jargon way and figure out what works best for you.
🟢 What Is Cashback?
कैशबैक क्या होता है?
Cashback means — जो आप खर्च करते हो, उसका एक छोटा हिस्सा सीधा पैसे में वापस मिल जाता है।
📌 Example:
If your card gives 5% cashback and you spend ₹1,000 → You get ₹50 directly back in your account or as statement credit.
✅ Benefits of Cashback:
- 💸 Simple and direct
- 🧾 Reduces your bill instantly
- 📱 Great for day-to-day spending (Swiggy, Amazon, etc.)
- 🧍♂️ Best for beginners
Hindi:
कैशबैक एकदम straightforward benefit है – जितना खर्च, उतना return। कोई complex system नहीं।
🟣 What Are Reward Points?
रिवॉर्ड पॉइंट्स क्या होते हैं?
Reward points accumulate based on your spending and can be redeemed for:
- Gift vouchers
- Flights/hotel bookings
- Gadgets, accessories, and more
📌 Example:
1 point = ₹0.25 to ₹1 in value (depends on bank)
Spend ₹100 → Earn 1–5 points → Redeem later
✅ Benefits of Reward Points:
- 🎁 Big value on large spends
- ✈️ Best for travel lovers (flights, lounge)
- 📦 Redeem for exciting products or vouchers
- 💎 High-end cards offer great reward multipliers
Hindi:
रिवॉर्ड पॉइंट्स धीरे-धीरे collect होते हैं और एक टाइम पर आपको बड़ा फायदा दे सकते हैं – लेकिन थोड़ा patience चाहिए।
🆚 Cashback vs Reward Points: Key Differences
| Feature | Cashback 💰 | Reward Points 🎁 |
|---|---|---|
| 💡 Simplicity | Easy, auto-credit to bill/account | Requires manual redemption |
| 🎯 Value Clarity | Fixed (e.g., 5% = ₹50 on ₹1,000) | Varies (₹0.25 – ₹1 per point) |
| 📦 Redemption | Direct – statement or wallet credit | Gift cards, flights, products |
| 🧍♂️ Best For | Everyday users, beginners | Frequent spenders, luxury cards holders |
| 💸 Minimum Spend Conditions | Often simple | Sometimes high spend needed |
| ✨ Special Use | Daily shopping, bills, groceries | Travel, lifestyle, gadgets |
🧠 Which One Should You Choose?
| Your Lifestyle/Need | Better Option |
|---|---|
| Basic daily spends (Zomato, Amazon, fuel) | ✅ Cashback |
| Want simple savings | ✅ Cashback |
| High monthly spend (₹25K+) | ✅ Reward Points |
| Frequent travel or hotel stays | ✅ Reward Points |
| Want free gadgets or vouchers | ✅ Reward Points |
| Hate tracking points | ✅ Cashback |
Hindi Suggestion:
अगर आप easy और hassle-free benefit चाहते हैं, तो cashback चुनें।
अगर आप premium या strategic spender हैं – तो rewards से बहुत value निकल सकती है।
🎯 Real-Life Example Comparison
Scenario: Monthly Spend ₹10,000 on Shopping
| Card Type | Benefit Type | What You Get Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Pay ICICI | Cashback | ₹300–₹500 Amazon Pay Balance |
| HDFC Millennia | Cashback | ₹500 in bill credit |
| SBI SimplyClick | Reward Points | 500–1,000 points (worth ₹150–₹400) |
| Axis Magnus / Reserve | Rewards | High-value air miles, lounge access |
🔐 Pro Tips to Maximize Either
✅ For Cashback Cards:
- Always check partner merchants (some give more % cashback)
- Avoid wallet reloads—they usually don’t give cashback
- Use for bill payments, groceries, OTTs
✅ For Reward Points Cards:
- Use in reward-boost categories (travel, dining, fuel)
- Redeem during limited-time high-value sales
- Don’t let points expire – set reminders!
🏁 Final Verdict: Choose Based on YOUR Usage
There is no one-size-fits-all.
अगर आप spend कम करते हैं और simple benefit चाहते हैं → Cashback is king
अगर आप travel, premium lifestyle या high-spender हैं → Reward Points is treasure
📌 Bonus Tip:
आप चाहें तो दोनों तरह के card रख सकते हैं –
🛒 Cashback for daily needs + ✈️ Reward card for luxury/travel spends
