Ashwin

Fora Pro travel Advisor. Credit card points, airmiles, and hotel loyalty program enthusiast. Sharing tips & tricks to maximize rewards • Subscribe for $2 ⤴️

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

🚨 Virgin Atlantic: Awards from India

Amex is now transferring at a 5:4 ratio; it is arguably the best transfer option! 🔥

Virgin Atlantic is a good program, and I've been using it for over 5 years now.

✅ Low mileage
✅ Tips and tricks

Definitive Virgin Atlantic Thread ⤵️

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

XP100 fuel is good!

Been using for a month or so now.

Mileage has definitely improved.

Surprised to note that even the CVT’s “rubber band” effect is not there! Acceleration is also good than before.

Previously I use Power 95 and there is a noticeable difference in the way how the car drives.

Get a fuel card or use Apay or OMC apps, etc but try to fill better quality fuel.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

🚨 Such devaluation of Accor Signature over the years

The current "sale" is so worthless (let's not waste time by even talking about it) that the value of Accor points is actually higher than Rs 2.2! 🤯

There is one plan where the cost per point is Rs 2.47 🤡

While there are other benefits, the charm of the offer and the membership itself is so diluted over the years.

Even last year's Black Friday sale was a dud. And anyway we will have hard time buying the membership.

Miss the days of buying Accor points for Re 1 (and then 20% back with Atlas card). 😔

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

Received decent cashback on paying credit card bills

Paid a couple of CC bills on CRED and got decent cashbacks.

Don’t remember when was the last time like this happened! 🤩

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

🚨 Olympus is a great card like no other

This card is a GOAT for a reason and consistently ranks in the top 3-4 cards on almost every CCgeeks list.

The 3rd night free feature is great, and I have always used it.

We receive points, EQNs and the associated benefits with the 3rd night free.

Plus there are creative (and not so creative) ways to even double dip and squeeze out more value.

Sadly Axis devalued its another not on other cards feature and hopefully they keep as it is.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

@Kanna_Twister It is how it is supposed to be.

But we have normalised sending to others so much so that we think it is “strict” once banks do these checks. 😀

Also it is better for everyone (other than those who want to sell/buy) and lower devaluation risk.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

@VoyageBliss It is not that good compared to Instinct for now. Usage limit will be hit in 24 hours for me. Same thing happened with Grok bot too.

https://t.co/Aiuwf3IAY3

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

See, the usage limit would be hit fast.

The way I use it may not even last a day.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

See, the usage limit would be hit fast.

The way I use it may not even last a day.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

🚨 Muse now requires VPN for access! (Muse vs Instinct)

Earlier VPN was required only for joining but now needs access even for usage.

I have connected to WhatsApp and that works.

But honestly, I have mixed reviews, and I personally feel Instinct is better.

Instinct is an "extended thinking" agent and, for now, totally free, unlike Muse ("flash response"), where I have done ~60% of my weekly usage in less than 24 hours.

More Instinct invites if you need them:

https://t.co/Wo918ksD3q

How would you compare Instinct vs. Muse?

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

🚨 Get Muse in India plus invite code

Muse isn't available in India, but here is how you can use it!

1. Connect to a US server with VPN
2. Open https://t.co/fCsXx2jN9h in a browser (forget app) or switch to desktop mode on mobile browser
3. Sign up: https://t.co/KOkmkS6ZAh

VPN is only to join. After signing up, it is not required! 😀

We both get 1 billion tokens if you use my code: TNAC09

After you log in, do this for 1 billion extra tokens within 48 hours (but do it ASAP):

Settings → General → Redeem invite code (TNAC09)

Let me know once you can sign up.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

@smalik0303 No, the invite is still available. Check again.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

🚨 Get Muse in India plus invite code

Muse isn't available in India, but here is how you can use it!

1. Connect to a US server with VPN
2. Open https://t.co/fCsXx2jN9h in a browser (forget app) or switch to desktop mode on mobile browser
3. Sign up: https://t.co/KOkmkS6ZAh

VPN is only to join. After signing up, it is not required! 😀

We both get 1 billion tokens if you use my code: TNAC09

After you log in, do this for 1 billion extra tokens within 48 hours (but do it ASAP):

Settings → General → Redeem invite code (TNAC09)

Let me know once you can sign up.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

@kpsiddhu Thanks!

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

@TheAkshayChopra Check top right hand side.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

@TekwaniMohnish Don't forget this step so that we both get 1B tokens: 😉

Settings → General → Redeem invite code (TNAC09)

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

@Anirban12Mandal Even BA. 😀

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

There is also a zero cash component

Not sure if this is designed to be this way but for some sectors, they show all fares with same mileage.

Saver: zero cash 👍
Flexi plus: Rs 400 extra
Upfront: Rs 1500 extra

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

🚨 Indigo Bluechip requirements are the same for all fares?

But don't get excited as the cash component increases accordingly.

Also it is so difficult to get good value from the chips. Needs constant monitoring (thanfully easy with AI).

Dear 6E, please revalue your program or at least keep it logical.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

@hirenmadan Fantastic! 😉

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

@TheAkshayChopra I used VeePN plugin Chrome browser (free). Let me know if it worked for you.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

🚨 Using Flipkart to buy gift vouchers at a discount

There were some comments about how this doesn't work and how it comes and goes.

Unlike Amazon Shopping/pay vouchers, I don't hoard them and buy them as needed.

So check if the gift vouchers are available to pay via FK GC, and then go ahead. I haven't had any problems doing this so far.

4-5% discount is easy to get, and for the last two days, it has been available at 6.5% on CRED.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

🚨 Flipkart as a gift card buying platform

I hardly use Flipkart, but I recently started using it exclusively for gift cards.

Why?

Because we can buy gift cards with Flipkart gift cards 🔥

You can easily buy Flipkart vouchers at 4-5% off, and brand vouchers also have discounts.

Unlike ASV, this is readily available and with higher discounts.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

@Anirban12Mandal No balance is low enough! Just keep transferring on the bonus.

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

🚨 HSBC’s 50% Accor bonus points are here!

My Premier’s points are posted!

Check yours.

Hopefully HSBC will continue to have transfer bonuses (not necessarily with Accor only). 😉

[Ashwin @PointsPro]

🚨 50% transfer bonus from HSBC to Accor!

With multiple terms though 😬

📅 Only from 5-12 August, 2026

Great offer with almost 11% return on spends! 🔥

Let's deconstruct the offer 👇