Creget Journal

Money, markets, and method.

Clear, research-backed guides on mutual funds, personal finance, fintech, credit cards, and Indian markets.

Credit Cards·15 Apr 2026

How to maximize credit card rewards without overspending

Reward points are free money — but only if you do not change your spending to earn them. Here is the disciplined approach.

6 min
Credit Cards·13 Apr 2026

Credit score myths that could cost you money

Checking your score lowers it, closing cards helps it, and paying the minimum is fine? None of these are true.

5 min
Credit Cards·12 Apr 2026

The best credit cards in India for 2026: a practical shortlist

Cashback, travel, fuel, dining — we cut through the noise and name the cards actually worth applying for in 2026.

8 min
Credit Cards·11 Apr 2026

Best credit cards for international travel in 2026

Zero forex markup, lounge access, and travel insurance. Here are the cards worth carrying abroad.

6 min
Credit Cards·8 Apr 2026

Why your credit card rewards keep getting devalued

Your favorite card's points got worse again. Here is the business logic behind reward devaluation — and how to protect yourself.

6 min
Credit Cards·5 Apr 2026

The credit utilization hack that boosts your CIBIL score overnight

Your credit score drops the moment your statement generates if utilization is high. Here is the simple fix most people miss.

5 min
Credit Cards·2 Apr 2026

Airport lounge access in India: which credit cards still deliver in 2026?

Lounge access benefits have been nerfed across the board. Here is what actually works at Indian airports today.

6 min
Credit Cards·1 Apr 2026

How to maximize cashback from credit cards without gaming the system

Strategic credit card use can realistically return 2–5% of your annual spend. Here is a practical system for choosing cards and stacking rewards without losing track.

7 min
Credit Cards·31 Mar 2026

How to get your credit card annual fee waived every year

Most Indian banks will waive annual fees if you hit a spend target — but the rules are buried in the fine print and vary wildly. Here is what actually works.

5 min
Credit Cards·30 Mar 2026

The hidden credit card fees that eat your rewards

Forex markup, cash advance, late fee, over-limit, fuel surcharge — a tour of the fees most users never read about until it is too late.

6 min
Credit Cards·30 Mar 2026

How to dispute a credit card charge in India and actually win

Unauthorized transactions, double charges, and merchant fraud are more common than people realize. Here is the step-by-step process to get your money back.

6 min
Credit Cards·29 Mar 2026

Best no-annual-fee credit cards in India for 2026

A credit card that costs nothing but still delivers rewards sounds too good to be true — but several genuinely excellent zero-fee cards exist in India. Here are the top picks.

6 min
Credit Cards·28 Mar 2026

Credit card EMI vs personal loan: which is actually cheaper?

Your card issuer offers to convert your big purchase into EMIs. Is that a better deal than a personal loan? The answer might surprise you.

6 min
Credit Cards·28 Mar 2026

The credit card EMI trap: when converting to EMI costs you more than you think

Banks make EMI conversion sound like a favour. In reality, the interest and processing charges on credit card EMIs are often higher than a personal loan. Here is the full picture.

6 min
Credit Cards·25 Mar 2026

Co-branded credit cards: when they make sense and when they waste money

Amazon Pay, Flipkart Axis, Swiggy HDFC, Tata Neu — co-branded cards flood your inbox. Here is how to pick the ones worth it.

6 min
Credit Cards·22 Mar 2026

7 credit card mistakes that cost Indian cardholders lakhs each year

From minimum payments to over-applications, here are the habits that turn a useful financial tool into a silent wealth destroyer.

7 min
Credit Cards·19 Mar 2026

American Express in India: is acceptance still a problem in 2026?

Amex promises premium rewards but the running joke is that no one accepts it. How bad is it really in 2026?

5 min
Credit Cards·16 Mar 2026

How to pick your first credit card in India (a no-nonsense guide)

Overwhelmed by options for your first card? This guide cuts it down to a simple 4-step decision.

5 min
Credit Cards·12 Mar 2026

Best fuel credit cards in India for 2026: save ₹5,000–₹15,000 a year on petrol

Fuel is one of the largest recurring expenses for Indian households with a vehicle. The right credit card can offset a significant chunk of your annual fuel spend through surcharge waivers and reward points.

6 min
Credit Cards·11 Mar 2026

Best dining and food credit cards in India for 2026

Food delivery and dining out together easily exceed ₹5,000–₹15,000 per month for urban Indian families. The right dining card can recover 10–25% of that spend in rewards.

6 min
Credit Cards·10 Mar 2026

The real value of credit card reward points: what your points are actually worth

Banks advertise "earn up to 10× reward points" on every offer. But what is 1 reward point worth in rupees? The answer varies by 10× across cards and redemption options.

5 min
Credit Cards·9 Mar 2026

Credit card balance transfer in India: how it works and when to use it

Carrying a high-interest credit card balance? A balance transfer to a lower-rate card could save you thousands in interest — but only if you understand the conditions.

6 min
Credit Cards·8 Mar 2026

Credit card auto-pay: the habit that protects your CIBIL score and your finances

Missing a credit card payment by even one day can damage your CIBIL score and trigger late fees. Auto-pay removes human error from the equation entirely.

5 min
115 posts · updated regularly