Taj Fort Aguada is beautiful but you're right, it's dated. Try Taj Exotica next time - newer property, better beach.
Just got back from a 4-day Goa trip where I used credit card points for literally everything. Here's the complete breakdown:
Trip Overview
Flights (DEL-GOI return)
- Booking Method: HDFC SmartBuy portal
- Used 18,000 Infinia points (10X event)
- Paid ₹2,500 in taxes/fees
- Booked on IndiGo
- Cash price same dates: ₹24,000 (both pax roundtrip)
- Points value: ₹1.19 per point
Tip: SmartBuy flights post as 10X even though portal shows 5X. Always book during 10X events for max value.
Hotel (North Goa beach resort)
- Property: Taj Fort Aguada (4 nights)
- Redeemed 60,000 HDFC points via Taj InnerCircle
- Got Epicure membership benefits (late checkout, breakfast)
- Room upgrade to sea-view (Epicure perk)
- Cash price: ₹65,000 (₹16,250/night)
- Points value: ₹1.08 per point
- Experience:
- Property is dated but well-maintained
- Beach access is private and clean
- Restaurant pricing is high but quality is good
- Breakfast spread worth ₹1,200/person easily
Lounge Access
- Outbound - DEL T3:
- Used Priority Pass (HDFC Infinia)
- Plaza Premium Lounge
- Had breakfast before 6 AM flight
- Value: ₹1,500
- Return - GOI:
- Tried to use DreamFolks lounge
- Only one lounge, super tiny (20 seats)
- Couldn't get in despite valid access (full capacity)
- Grabbed Starbucks instead (paid cash)
Dining & Activities (Point Redemptions)
- Day 1 - Arrival:
- Lunch at Thalassa: Used Axis Reserve dining benefits (1+1 on mains) - Saved ₹1,800
- Dinner at hotel: Epicure 25% discount - Saved ₹1,200
- Day 2 - North Goa:
- Breakfast at hotel (included)
- Water sports (parasailing, jet ski): Paid via SBI Cashback - 5% back = ₹750
- Lunch at Britto's: Paid cash ₹1,800
- Dinner at Souza Lobo: Axis dining (20% off) - Saved ₹900
- Day 3 - South Goa:
- Breakfast at hotel (included)
- Lunch at Zeebop: Cash ₹2,200
- Snorkeling trip: Booked via Headout using Amazon Pay GV (bought on SmartBuy at 10X) - Spent 2,500 points worth ₹4,125 GV for ₹3,500 activity - Net profit: ₹625
- Day 4 - Chill day:
- Breakfast at hotel (included)
- Lunch at hotel (Epicure 25% off) - Saved ₹800
- Sunset cruise: Used HDFC Times food dining discount (30% off) - Saved ₹1,200
Car Rental
- Booked through: Zoomcar
- Paid via Axis Magnus for rental car insurance coverage
- 4 days Maruti Swift: ₹4,000
- Fuel: ₹1,500 (paid via BPCL SBI for 1% cashback)
- Got 100 Edge Rewards on Magnus (₹200 value)
Total Points Breakdown
| Source | Points Used | Value Received | INR/Point |
|--------|-------------|----------------|-----------|
| HDFC Infinia | 78,000 | ₹89,125 | ₹1.14 |
| Axis Edge Rewards | 0 (just earned) | ₹200 | - |
| SBI Cashback | - | ₹750 | 5% |
Hidden Costs People Miss
- Airport parking: ₹800 at DEL (paid cash)
- Toll charges: ₹300 (paid via FASTag)
- Random snacks/drinks: ₹1,200
- Tips at restaurants: ₹600
Total "hidden" spend: ₹2,900 (included in ₹8,500 total cash)
What Worked Well
[YES] SmartBuy 10X for flights is unbeatable
[YES] Taj redemption value was solid
[YES] Axis dining benefits actually worked (surprising!)
[YES] Off-season Goa is amazing - empty beaches, lower prices
[YES] Epicure membership benefits worth it for 4+ nights
What Didn't Work
[NO] GOI lounge is a joke - too small for the traffic
[NO] Zoomcar car condition was poor (scratches, dents)
[NO] Headout customer service is terrible (booking issues)
[NO] HDFC Times food app crashed 3 times during dinner discount claim
Would I Do It Again?
YES! The satisfaction of a ₹95K trip for ₹8,500 cash is unbeatable.
- But realistically, the planning took 15-20 hours:
- Finding 10X SmartBuy availability
- Comparing hotel redemption options
- Tracking dining offers
- Booking activities during sales
For some people, time is more valuable than money. For me, the optimization is part of the fun.
Tips for Goa Points Travel
- Go off-season (June-Sept): Better redemption availability, fewer crowds
- Combine Taj redemption with Epicure: The benefits stack beautifully
- Use dining cards aggressively: Goa restaurants are expensive, 20-30% off adds up
- Book activities via SmartBuy during 10X: Headout/ClearTrip gift cards work
- Avoid GOI lounge during peak hours: It's too small
- Rent car vs taxi: 4 days car rental = 1 day of taxis in Goa
Questions?
3
This is incredible value! ₹95K trip for ₹8,500 is insane. The detailed breakdown is super helpful.
North Goa in September must have been EMPTY. I went in December and it was a nightmare - overcrowded beaches, traffic jams everywhere.