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Who doesn’t love travelling? It is always a good idea to just pack your bags and explore the world. However, travelling can be quite expensive, especially if you plan on staying at 5-star hotels overseas. But what if we tell you that a software engineer took his family out to a luxurious vacation to <keyword id="23242973" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Masai-Mara" source="keywords">Masai Mara</keyword>, Kenya, without spending a single rupee? Moreover, they stayed in JW Marriot and the total cost of their trip was Rs 27.5 lakh. However, it was a <keyword id="9895613" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="free-vacation" source="Orion">free vacation</keyword> and they didn’t pay any cash. <keyword id="22128581" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anirban-Chowdhury" source="keywords">Anirban Chowdhury</keyword>, a resident of Jharkhand, managed to fund the entire trip using only credit card reward points. Speaking to Moneycontrol, <keyword id="19987974" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="chowdhury" source="keywords">Chowdhury</keyword> revealed that he utilised <keyword id="19968778" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Marriott-Bonvoy" source="keywords">Marriott Bonvoy</keyword> points, the rewards currency of <keyword id="20179157" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="marriott" source="keywords">Marriott</keyword> International's loyalty programme. These points can be earned and redeemed for various travel experiences, including stays at premium hotels and resorts. However, instead of purchasing these points—which would have cost him roughly ₹84 for every 10 points—Chowdhury accumulated them over a year through his strategic use of credit cards. <h2>Software engineer takes free vacation</h2> At 34 years old, Chowdhury told the portal that he is an enthusiastic traveller and self-proclaimed <keyword id="23242976" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="credit-card-expert" source="keywords">credit card expert</keyword>. He also revealed that he owns over 40 credit cards but primarily uses around five. By funnelling almost all of his household expenses through these credit cards, he was able to gather a significant number of reward points. "I own more than 40 credit cards but mostly use four or five of them. My wife and I collected points for a year for us to be able to afford this trip solely by using the points," he told Moneycontrol. He also focused on how they use American Express credit card for most of their purchases. Chowdhury also revealed that he booked his Masai Mara trip a year in advance when the JW Marriott lodge was charging 1.06 lakh points per night. Marriott’s loyalty programme offers a bonus for guests who book four consecutive nights using points: the fifth night is free. As a result, Chowdhury only needed 4.24 lakh points for the entire stay, covering not just accommodation but also food, luxury car transfers, and safari rides. “I did not have to pay a penny extra. My invoice was zero,” he told the publication. The family stayed in a lavish 1,220-square-foot tent that featured a whirlpool bath, a patio for stargazing, and stunning views of the Talek River. They experienced top-tier safaris and travelled in Land Rovers, living the high life—all on points. <h2>Using credit cards for a decade</h2> Chowdhury also told Moneycontrol that he has been using credit cards for a decade and has honed his strategy to maximise returns. He prefers not to use debit cards at all, citing the potential to earn rewards as a reason to rely almost exclusively on credit. American Express cards play a major role in his approach, especially the Gold Charge card, which gives users 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for every ₹6,000 spent across four transactions of ₹1,500 each. For those intrigued by the possibility of funding their own travel dreams through credit card points, Chowdhury’s journey offers an inspiring roadmap. It’s all about discipline, planning, and, of course, choosing the right credit cards.

Techie goes on free vacation worth Rs 27.5 lakh, says he owns more than 40 credit cards

Lured by discounts and a growing range of spirits and perfumes stocked by operators, more Indian travellers are spending money at <keyword id="2941478" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="duty-free-stores">duty-free stores</keyword> in local <keyword id="43661" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="airports">airports</keyword> instead of overseas. 

	"There has been an upswing in Indian passport holders shopping at Indian duty-free areas," Anirban Dutta Chowdhury, India head of Zurich-based duty free retailer Nuance Group, told ET. 
 

	He said that the average contribution of Indians to total sales was 72% from 2008 to 2011 and now there has been an increase of 18%, taking it to 90% from 2012 to 2015 period. 
 

	The size of the duty-free market in India is about $500 million and will double to over $1 billion in the next 3-4 years, according to industry figure. 
 The experience of passing through an Indian international airport such as Delhi or Mumbai has changed and this could be the possible reason behind rise in sales, said <keyword id="353318" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Manishi-Sanwal">Manishi Sanwal</keyword>, managing director of <keyword id="2941479" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="DFS-India">DFS India</keyword>. 

	"Privatisation of airports, too, has led to a large-scale change in the business. Also, tastes and preferences of Indian travellers have changed. They are much more aware of the latest consumer brands, he said."
 

	Dutta Chowdhury of Nuance, which operates stores at Mumbai and Bengaluru airports, said the largest chunk of duty-free shoppers — about 50% — buy liquor. About 15% buy chocolates, 13% buy perfumes and the rest go for souvenirs, clothes and gadgets. 
 

	"Our global relationship with the brands helps us to launch the offerings at the same time as it would happen at any international duty-free airport," Chowdhury said. 
 <keyword id="1892045" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="DFS-Group">DFS Group</keyword>, which is majority owned by Moet Hennessy <keyword id="5940" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Louis-Vuitton">Louis Vuitton</keyword>, shifted to a 60,000 square foot area at Mumbai's new international Terminal T2 in February 2014. Its store at the previous Mumbai airport terminal covered a third of that area. According to Sanwal, gone are the days when whisky meant Jack Daniels and Chivas Regal for Indians. 

	"Nowadays, people demand brands such as Glenrothes, Glengoyne and Bruichladdich," he said, referring to increasing preference for a wide range of singlemalt whiskies. 
 

	Duty-free stores also offer discounts, the most popular being pre-orders, said Sanwal. The customer places an order before leaving for an overseas destination, which is delivered on his return at a 5%-10% discount. It's cheaper, saves the passenger from carrying extra luggage and reduces shopping time after an exhausting trip. 
 

	Chowdhury said fast growth in duty-free sales is at the Mumbai and Bengaluru airports. 

	 
	(Image: Indiatimes)

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Techie goes on free vacation worth Rs 27.5 lakh, says he owns more than 40 credit cards

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