India is going plastic. No, not literally. With the growing globalisation, the Indian consumer has taken a liking for plastic money, better known as credit cards. The good news is that banks realise this liking and are offering many features. The bad news is that there are too many banks to choose from!

Confused? Don’t be!

The Indian credit card story just seems to be expanding. Gone are the days when the credit cards were rejected by the people, when they were first introduced to the Indian market in 1991. Today it is impossible to imagine how many credit cards are being used in this country. It is rightly called plastic money. However, not only does it function as a substitute of cash, it is bettering it! Banks these days are offering reward points on every transaction that an individual makes. With banks constantly trying to increase their customer base in the credit card segment, it surely is advantage consumers!

Jayant Bhadauria, 34, head of education solutions at Adobe India, is one such beneficiary of the credit card reward points. Jayant and his wife are expecting their second child this month, for which he has his heart set on a Shoppers' Stop pram that costs Rs 7,800. Says Bhadauria: "I liked the pram. To dish out Rs 7,800 would hurt, but since I have credit card points to redeem I don't mind the indulgence.” Adds Bhadauria "I use cards for their convenience and other benefits which I can milk."

You too can follow Jayant’s example and use the monetary value of the points collected on your card to buy the product which you desire.