GST 2.0 Cuts Shopping Costs — 5 Credit Cards to Maximize Your Savings

India’s middle class has welcomed GST 2.0 with much relief. Under the revised system, the Goods and Services Tax on many daily-use essentials has been cut by 7%, making household budgets easier to manage. 

This move comes at a time when inflation has squeezed disposable income, and every saving counts. Beyond the tax cuts, consumers can now combine these benefits with the rewards, discounts, and cashback offers provided by leading credit cards. 

By smartly choosing the right card for each purchase, households can multiply their savings across e-commerce, groceries, dining, and travel.

What is the Credit Card to Shop on Amazon.in?

For frequent Amazon shoppers, the ICICI Amazon Credit Card is designed to maximise savings across categories. It provides different levels of cashback depending on the customer’s membership status. 

Prime members receive 5% cashback on all Amazon.in purchases, while non-Prime members still enjoy 3% cashback. This makes it one of the most attractive cards for India’s growing base of online shoppers.

The card’s benefits extend beyond Amazon purchases. Customers earn 2% cashback when using Amazon Pay with partner merchants and 1% cashback on all other payments. To sweeten the deal, the card also offers travel-related perks such as 10% off domestic flights, up to 45% off on hotels, and 8% off international flights.
 

These features mean that the ICICI Amazon Credit Card is not only a strong e-commerce card but also doubles as a useful travel companion. For households that already rely on Amazon for essentials, electronics, and services, this card provides layered savings even after the GST 2.0 reductions.

What is the Best Credit Card to Shop TATA Products and Get a 5% Discount?

For loyal Tata customers, the Tata Neu HDFC Bank Credit Card stands out. Tata’s wide ecosystem includes brands such as BigBasket, Croma, Tata 1mg, Westside, and Taj Hotels, making this card relevant to diverse spending habits. 

Customers earn 5% back in NeuCoins when shopping within Tata Neu and its partner brands. This cashback, offered in the form of digital coins, can be redeemed seamlessly across Tata’s retail and online platforms.

Beyond Tata’s ecosystem, the card also delivers value for everyday transactions. It offers 1.5% NeuCoins on non-Tata spending and EMI purchases, as well as 1.5% NeuCoins on UPI transactions, with a cap of 500 coins per month. 

This balance makes the card useful not only for Tata loyalists but also for individuals who frequently use UPI as a mode of payment. The strength of this card lies in its integration within Tata’s digital ecosystem. By consolidating rewards through NeuCoins, Tata ensures that customers keep returning to its services. 

With GST 2.0 lowering the effective cost of daily necessities, this card provides additional savings, particularly for groceries from BigBasket and health products from Tata 1mg.

Which Credit Card Offers a Discount on Food Delivery Apps?

Food delivery is now a staple of urban life, and for those who frequently order online, the HSBC Cashback Credit Card offers unmatched value. Cardholders enjoy 10% cashback on dining, food delivery, and groceries, which directly reduces the monthly food bill. This benefit is particularly attractive in the post-GST 2.0 scenario, where dining and food delivery services are cheaper by 7% already.

Apart from dining-related perks, the card offers 1.5% unlimited cashback on other spending, ensuring that all transactions contribute to savings. HSBC has also bundled lifestyle benefits, including instant EMI cashback at select merchants, up to 10% off Myntra Luxe (on spends above ₹4,000), up to 35% off Samsung products, and significant discounts on travel, 25% off flights and hotels and up to ₹40,000 off on holiday bookings.

Together, these benefits make the HSBC Cashback Credit Card one of the most versatile cards available. It supports everyday needs like groceries and food while rewarding aspirational spending on luxury, gadgets, and travel. 

For households balancing daily expenses and occasional indulgences, this card fits neatly into their financial toolkit.

How Much Discount Will I Get on YES Bank – BankBazaar FinBooster Card After GST 2.0?

The YES Bank – BankBazaar FinBooster Card is designed for customers who shop online for groceries, clothing, and dining. After GST 2.0’s 7% cut on essentials, the card amplifies savings by rewarding transactions with points. 

Cardholders earn 5X reward points on online dining (₹200 = 10 points) and 3X points on online groceries and clothing (₹200 = 6 points). For regular retail spending (excluding fuel), customers still get 2 points per ₹200 spent.

In addition to reward points, the card provides travel perks such as 20% off Goibibo bookings and 25% off EaseMyTrip bookings. This makes it a useful card for digitally savvy consumers who spend across categories and look for savings on both essentials and discretionary items.

When combined with the GST 2.0 benefit, the effective cost of groceries, clothing, and dining is now lower by at least 7%, and with reward points, the net savings become even higher. For example, a family that spends ₹20,000 a month on groceries and clothing could potentially save over ₹1,400 when factoring in GST relief and reward points combined.

Conclusion

The launch of GST 2.0 has lowered the tax burden on essential goods, providing much-needed relief to the middle class. When paired with the right credit cards, these savings can be significantly multiplied. 

The ICICI Amazon Credit Card is ideal for e-commerce enthusiasts, the Tata Neu HDFC Bank Credit Card rewards brand loyalty across Tata’s ecosystem, the HSBC Cashback Credit Card is perfect for food delivery and lifestyle discounts, and the YES Bank – BankBazaar FinBooster Card enhances savings on groceries, clothing, and dining.

By strategically using these credit cards, households can ensure that the benefits of GST 2.0 are not just limited to lower taxes but extend to enhanced lifestyle savings as well. In an age where every rupee saved adds resilience to household budgets, the right card can indeed double the joy of shopping.
 

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