Card Culture Field Report
Soft-Landing Toolkit for 3-Month US Intrapreneurship Assignments
Corporate builders can survive 90-day US assignments with prepaid housing, lounges, and structured stipends.
Soft-Landing Toolkit for 3-Month US Intrapreneurship Assignments
Short stints in SF/NYC can cripple cash if per diems arrive late. Cards smooth the ride so you can focus on intrapreneur wins.
Signal: ₹9 lakh of assignment spend through Axis Atlas-credit-card/)-credit-card/)-credit-card/) + Amex Platinum Travel + HDFC Regalia nets ₹1.1 lakh value and ensures lounge access for every commute leg.
Toolkit
| Need | Solution |
|---|---|
| Housing | Pay first month via Axis Atlas-credit-card/)-credit-card/)-credit-card/); switch to employer ACH later. |
| Transport | Amex Platinum Travel for Uber/Lyft credits + insurance. |
| Groceries | SBI Cashback on Instacart/Whole Foods. |
| Flights home | HDFC Infinia points → United/Air India. |
Budget Grid (90 Days)
| Item | Cost (USD) | Card |
|---|---|---|
| Housing + deposits | 4,000 | Axis Atlas-credit-card/)-credit-card/)-credit-card/) |
| Transport + Uber | 1,500 | Amex Platinum Travel |
| Groceries + meals | 2,000 | SBI Cashback |
| Flights | 1,200 | HDFC Infinia points + cash |
Compliance
- Keep per diem receipts; US payroll teams check cards used.
- Update HR with card statements monthly to claim reimbursements faster.
- Carry travel insurance docs; US healthcare is unforgiving.
Next Steps
- Build a Notion “soft-landing” hub with SIM/eSIM, bank, and SSA checklists.
- Convert part of your stipend to USD via Wise/Remitly to avoid ATM fees.
- Host brown-bag sessions post-trip—teach colleagues how to reuse this toolkit.
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