Last Updated:
He proudly states, “I travel for free, I relax in lounges, I get fuel benefits, and I play golf — all using my reward points and cashback systems.”
Manish isn’t just winging it. He has a strong academic foundation that helps him understand the system (Image: X)
You will truly be amazed when you hear the story of Kanpur techie, Manish Dhameja. Why? Because when most of us hear the words “credit card,” we think of rising expenses, interest traps, and loan troubles. But for Manish, a credit card is neither a trap nor a burden. It’s a lifestyle tool — a gateway to income, travel perks, and VIP comforts.
A Guinness Record for Plastic Power
On April 30, 2021, Manish Dhameja achieved what most would think impossible: he was awarded the Guinness World Record for possessing the most number of valid credit cards, 1,638 of them. Yes, all valid and all active. While most of us struggle with managing just one card’s bills, Manish has mastered the art of managing over a thousand without falling into debt.
It’s not random or reckless. Manish has a precise system. He knows when and where to use each card — planning his transactions in a way that maximizes rewards, cashback, milestone benefits, and travel perks.
Free flights? Yes. Airport lounge access? Of course. Hotel discounts, free movie tickets, fuel rewards? All part of his credit card universe.
According to him, credit cards are not about spending but about optimizing. He proudly states, “I travel for free, I relax in lounges, I get fuel benefits, and I play golf — all using my reward points and cashback systems.”
The Turning Point: Demonetisation
Manish credits the 2016 demonetisation as the moment he realised the true potential of credit cards. While most people stood in long queues waiting for cash at ATMs and banks, he faced no issues. His life was already digitised — a decision that not only made daily life smoother but inspired him to dive deeper into the digital financial ecosystem.
Manish isn’t just winging it. He has a strong academic foundation that helps him understand the system. He earned a Bachelor of Computer Applications from Kanpur University, followed by a Master of Computer Applications from Integral University in Lucknow, and later a Master of Social Work from the Indira Gandhi National Open University. His technical and analytical skills allow him to track, plan, and manage multiple cards without missing a beat.
Not Spending, But Earning
Where most people see credit cards as a route to overspending, Manish sees an income stream. By unlocking milestone rewards and air miles, he has designed a lifestyle where the card companies, in effect, reward him for spending wisely. And because of his smart usage, he never falls into the interest trap. In his hands, plastic becomes profit.
Manish’s story is not a call to hoard credit cards. But it does show how financial tools, when used smartly, can be turned into assets. The key is discipline, strategy, and research. A credit card, like any financial product, can either pull you into debt or push you into comfort — it depends on how you use it.
So next time you hesitate at the thought of using your credit card, remember Manish Dhameja. A man who turned fear of debt into a Guinness World Record, all with a bit of planning and a whole lot of swiping — the smart way.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
October 17, 2025, 15:07 IST
Stay Ahead, Read Faster
Scan the QR code to download the News18 app and enjoy a seamless news experience anytime, anywhere.
