Shajini Surprise

Updated September 2026: in 2018 I wrote about a backup credit card whose 10X reward offer earned me far fewer points than I expected, because of a monthly cap I had not read. I have rewritten it into a guide to reward caps and how to check them before you chase an offer.

I had used this card for over three years as a backup. It had no annual fee, a higher interest rate than my other cards, and a reward points programme. I found that paying bills through the bank's online shopping portal earned 10X points per transaction, so I routed several bills through it and expected a large haul that month. The statement showed far fewer points than I had worked out. When I read the reward terms, there was a maximum number of bonus points that could be earned per month.

Why did the 10X offer pay out so little?

Because accelerated reward offers almost always come with a ceiling. The headline rate applies only until you hit a monthly or per-statement cap on bonus points. After that, spending earns the base rate, or nothing extra at all. Banks also exclude some categories, and bill payments, wallet loads and rent are common exclusions or get a reduced rate.

What should you check before chasing a reward offer?

• The cap: the maximum bonus points per month or per statement cycle.
• Eligible categories: whether bill payments, utilities, wallet loads or fuel count.
• How points are credited: some bonus points arrive a month or more later, in a separate line.
• What a point is worth: a point redeemed for vouchers can be worth much less than one redeemed for flights, and some catalogues are poor value.
• Expiry: points that lapse before you redeem them are worth nothing.

How do you work out if the offer is worth it?

Divide the cap by the bonus rate to find the spend at which the offer stops paying. If the cap is reached at a small amount, routing more spending through the card earns you little and may cost you if the portal adds a convenience fee. Compare what you actually earn with a simple cashback card, which is often easier to value.

Is a backup card with high interest still useful?

It can be, if you always pay the full statement balance by the due date. A backup card helps when a primary card is blocked or declined. The interest rate matters only if you carry a balance, and on most cards in India that interest applies to the whole outstanding amount, not just the unpaid part, until it is cleared.

What did I learn from it?

Read the reward terms before changing how you pay, not after the statement arrives. Terms change, so check the current version on the bank's site each time an offer is advertised. If a scheme needs a spreadsheet to understand, a flat cashback card is often the better choice.

Keep reading

• PF Withdrawal Rules 2026: Why 100 Percent Actually Means 75
• India's 48-Hour Full and Final Settlement Rule and Penalties
• New Gratuity Rules 2026: One Year Counts

Updated September 2026: in 2018 I wrote about starting a proposal with a delivery expert I had never worked with, where I had prepared a draft solution and then received a discouraging response. I have rewritten it into practical advice on getting input from a colleague who is slow to support you.

The first days of this proposal went smoothly. I had standard material ready, and the team was waiting for the client's answers to our questionnaire. Once the client replied, there was a lot to complete, and I needed full support from a delivery expert I had not worked with before. Colleagues had warned me that getting information from her could be hard. I had already drafted a solution deck from my own understanding, so she only needed to review it and adjust it using her delivery experience. The feedback I got left me shocked and disheartened.

Why do subject experts resist reviewing a draft?

Often because the review lands on top of delivery work that is measured and escalated, while presales support is not. Some experts also dislike being asked to approve a solution they did not shape, because their name will be attached to the estimate later.

How do you get useful input from a reluctant expert?

• Ask narrow questions: "Is this staffing mix realistic for a 12-week transition?" gets a faster answer than "please review the deck".
• Book a short call: twenty minutes walking through the draft is easier to give than an open-ended review.
• Show your assumptions: list them on one slide so the expert can correct the ones that matter.
• Agree a deadline in writing: and copy the person who assigned the expert to the bid.

What should you do with harsh feedback?

Separate the substance from the tone. If the expert points out a real gap, fix it and thank them. If the criticism is vague, ask what specifically would change their view. Keep the exchange on email so the decisions are recorded.

When should you escalate?

When the submission date is at risk. Tell your manager early, with the dates of your requests and what is still missing. Escalation after the deadline helps nobody.

Does preparing a draft first help?

Usually yes. A draft gives the expert something concrete to react to and saves time. It only backfires when it is presented as finished, so label it clearly as a starting point for their input.

Keep reading

• Label Your Drafts: A Simple Habit That Protects You
• A Proposal Built on Assumptions: How to Close It
• Setting Expectations for Daily Deck Review Calls

Updated September 2026: this was my reaction to Apple's September 2018 launch of the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR, which I found predictable apart from the prices. I have rewritten it as a look back at that launch and what it means for anyone buying one of these phones second hand now.

I watched the 2018 event expecting something that had not leaked. Almost every announcement had already been reported by analysts, and the only moment that woke me up was the pricing of the three iPhones. The XS looked like the previous year's iPhone X in a new colour. The A12 Bionic chip was faster, but the X's chip had already been very quick. The feature that surprised me was dual SIM support, which I had expected only on the cheaper model.

What did the 2018 iPhones actually change?

• Dual SIM: one physical SIM plus an eSIM, a first for iPhone.
• A12 Bionic: Apple's first 7nm chip, faster and more efficient than the A11.
• Three sizes and prices: the XS, the larger XS Max, and the cheaper XR with an LCD screen and a single rear camera.
• Camera processing: Smart HDR improved photos in difficult light.

Was I right that the prices were too high?

The pricing was a jump, particularly in India, where import duties pushed the XS Max well above what most buyers expected to pay for a phone. The market's answer is instructive: the cheaper XR went on to sell very strongly, which suggests many buyers reached the same conclusion I did and chose the model that shared the flagship chip for less money.

Should you buy an iPhone XS or XR today?

Generally no, unless it is almost free. These models no longer receive the newest iOS versions, which means some apps will eventually stop supporting them, and security fixes become less certain over time. Batteries in phones this old are likely to be worn. Check Apple's current support list before buying any older iPhone second hand.

What is the lesson from a predictable launch?

When every feature leaks in advance, judge the phone on price and how long it will be supported, not on the event. A phone you keep for four or five years is better value than a new model bought for a feature you will rarely use.

Keep reading

• Which iPad to Buy: Standard, mini, Air or Pro
• Buying a MacBook Pro in India at a Sensible Price
• Who Pays For A Work Phone: BYOD Reimbursement Explained

Updated September 2026: in 2018 I wrote about waiting for my annual salary revision after getting the top rating, with the letter delayed by a month and no clarity on the percentage. I have rewritten it into a guide to what to do while a revision is pending.

In my first year at the company I received a low rating because I had joined late in the cycle, and the small hike I got made little difference. The next year I was given the top rating and even hoped for a promotion, though I knew it was a long shot. No promotion came, the revision was delayed by a month, and nobody could say what the hike would be. I just hoped it would at least cover rising prices and my own expenses.

Why are salary revisions delayed?

In large IT services firms, revisions depend on company results, budget approval at several levels and the timing of the financial year. Delays of a month or more are common in weak quarters, and the delay often says more about the company's finances than about your performance.

What does a top rating usually get you?

A higher share of the hike budget than your peers, but not a fixed number. The overall pool is set first, then split by rating and band. A top rating in a lean year can mean a smaller hike than an average rating in a good year. Promotions are usually a separate decision with their own criteria and slots.

What can you do while you wait?

• Ask your manager for the timeline: not the number, just when letters are expected.
• Write down your achievements: so you are ready if there is a conversation about promotion or a correction.
• Check the market: compare your pay with similar roles, so you know whether the hike is fair when it arrives.
• Avoid rumours: forum posts about percentages are often wrong for your band and unit.

How should you respond if the hike is disappointing?

Ask how the number was worked out and what would change it next year. If the answer is vague and the gap to the market is large, that is useful information for your own planning. A calm, documented conversation is more effective than a heated one.

Is a promotion worth pushing for separately?

Yes, if you meet the criteria. Ask what the criteria are, get them in writing, and track them through the year, rather than hoping the rating alone will carry you.

Keep reading

• Getting Performance Feedback When Reporting Lines Blur
• New Gratuity Rules 2026: One Year Counts
• Who Pays For A Work Phone: BYOD Reimbursement Explained

Updated September 2026: in 2018 I wrote about joining a new company at a basic grade despite more than five years of experience, and being treated like a fresher before earning my place. I have rewritten it into advice for anyone who accepts a lower grade to switch jobs.

I left my second company because there was little learning and no recognition, and I accepted a moderate hike and a basic role at the new one. On joining, I was treated as a fresher and asked to learn from graduates with a year of experience. A colleague who joined with me at a higher grade was given priority in the team, and at one point I felt more disappointed than ever. After a long stretch of hard work on the projects I was given, I became one of the top performers in the team.

Why would anyone accept a lower grade?

To get out of a role with no growth, to move into a new domain, or because the new company maps experience to grades differently. It can be a sensible trade, but it helps to be clear about it at the start.

What should you agree before joining at a lower grade?

• The reason for the grade: in writing, if possible.
• A review point: when your grade will be looked at again, and on what basis.
• The work you will do: a basic grade with meaningful work is very different from a basic grade with basic tasks.

How do you get recognised faster?

Deliver on the first projects you are given, even small ones, and make the results visible. Share short updates with your manager. Help the people you are asked to learn from, since goodwill in the team is noticed. Keep a record of your contributions for the first appraisal.

How should you handle being treated as junior?

Treat the learning period as short and deliberate. Learn the internal tools and processes quickly, then start offering what your earlier experience gives you. Avoid comparing yourself openly with a colleague on a higher grade; let the work make the case.

When should you walk away?

If the review point passes with no change and no clear reason, and the work stays basic, the trade has not paid off. At that point, your improved track record is useful when you look elsewhere.

Keep reading

• Getting Performance Feedback When Reporting Lines Blur
• No Work for the Whole Team? Using Idle Days Well
• New Gratuity Rules 2026: One Year Counts

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