Top 20 Best Credit Cards in India 2025 - Compare & Apply Now (original) (raw)

Updated On 2 January, 2025

Finding an ideal credit card can be a difficult task. We are all looking for the “perfect credit card” that offers high rewards, cashback, discounts on top brands, and our beloved complimentary benefits, such as access to airport lounges, railway lounges, and golf rounds/lessons. Many of us desire to have access to all of these services without any charges. However, this is a rather unrealistic expectation as card issuers cannot afford to offer such a rewarding credit card at a nominal or no fee.

Instead, they offer credit cards with benefits in different categories to cater to the varying spending habits of individuals. Since everyone’s preferences differ based on their unique requirements and spending behavior, there is no single credit card that can be deemed the best for everyone. Therefore, to meet the needs of all segments of people, we have compiled a list of the best credit cards available in the Indian market. These top 20 cards are suitable for various kinds of spendings, whether you’re looking for a budget card or a premium one, a lifetime free card or one with moderate fees, or one for online shopping or fuel. Our list of best and top credit cards features the cream of the crop when it comes to credit cards in India. If you’re looking to apply for a credit card or are unsure which one to choose, our list will be of great benefit to you.

Applying for a credit card without doing research is never a good idea. First, understand your spending habits and choose a card that best suits you.

Table of Contents

• • Cashback SBI Credit Card
  • Swiggy HDFC Bank Credit Card
  • HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card
  • Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card
  • Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card
  • American Express Membership Rewards® Credit Card
  • IDFC First Bank Ashva Metal Credit Card
  • Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit Card
  • Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card
  • Axis Bank Neo Credit Card
  • AU Bank LIT Credit Card
  • IndusInd Legend Credit Card
  • Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
  • IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card
  • BPCL SBI Octane Credit Card
  • American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
  • HDFC Bank INFINIA Metal Credit Card
  • BOBCARD Tiara Credit Card
  • MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card
  • HSBC Live+ Credit Card – Cashback on Groceries

List of 20 Best Credit Cards in India

Before applying for a credit card, consider the benefits you expect from your new card. Are you signing up to save on daily expenses, or as a frequent flyer, do you aim to earn extra AirMiles and enhance your travel experience with complimentary airport lounge access? Having clear answers to these questions is crucial, as different categories of credit cards cater to various customer niches, as mentioned earlier.

People looking for a new and rewarding credit card can refer to this list and select the card of their choice.

Cashback SBI Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.7/5)

Joining Fee

Rs. 999 + GST

Renewal Fee

Rs. 999 + GST

Best Suited For

Shopping | Food

Swiggy HDFC Bank Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.6/5)

Joining Fee

₹500 + GST

Renewal Fee

₹500 + GST

Best Suited For

Dining | Food

Welcome Benefits

Complimentary 3-Month Swiggy One Membership

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card

Add to Compare

(5/5)

Joining Fee

Nil

Renewal Fee

Nil

Welcome Benefits

Cashback and Discounts Up to Rs. 2,000 and Free 3-Month Prime Membership

Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card

Add to Compare

(5/5)

Joining Fee

Rs. 500 + GST

Renewal Fee

Rs. 500 + GST

Welcome Benefits

Introductory Benefits Worth Rs. 600 on Card Issuance

American Express Membership Rewards® Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.4/5)

Joining Fee

₹1,000 + GST

Renewal Fee

₹4,500 + GST

Reward Type

Reward Points

Welcome Benefits

Welcome benefit of 4,000 Bonus Membership RPs can be availed on settling the joining fee of Rs. 1,000 and spending of Rs 15,000 within the first 90 days of the card issuance.

IDFC First Bank Ashva Metal Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.6/5)

Joining Fee

₹2,999 + GST

Renewal Fee

₹2,999 + GST

Best Suited For

Travel | Shopping

Reward Type

Reward Points

Welcome Benefits

Bonus 2,500 Reward Points (₹625). ₹2,000 Cashback on Making Four Transactions of ₹500 or Above

Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.5/5)

Joining Fee

₹1,499 + GST

Renewal Fee

₹1,499 + GST

Best Suited For

Travel | Shopping

Reward Type

Reward Points

Welcome Benefits

1,499 NeuCoins on Tata Neu App

Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.7/5)

Joining Fee

Rs. 500 + GST

Renewal Fee

Rs. 500 + GST

Best Suited For

Food | Bill Payment

Welcome Benefits

Amazon Voucher Worth Rs. 500

Axis Bank Neo Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.5/5)

Joining Fee

Nil

Renewal Fee

Nil

Best Suited For

Shopping | Food

Reward Type

Reward Points

Welcome Benefits

Get 100% cashback up to Rs. 300 on your first utility bill payment within 30 days of getting the card.

AU Bank LIT Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.5/5)

Joining Fee

Nil

Renewal Fee

Nil

Best Suited For

Movies | Travel | Dining | Fuel | Shopping

Reward Type

Reward Points

IndusInd Legend Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.5/5)

Joining Fee

Nil

Renewal Fee

Nil

Best Suited For

Travel | Shopping

Reward Type

Reward Points

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.5/5)

Joining Fee

Rs. 5,000 + GST

Renewal Fee

Rs. 5,000 + GST

Reward Type

Reward Points

Welcome Benefits

2,500 Edge Miles on Completing 1 Transaction Within 30 Days of Card Issuance

IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.6/5)

Joining Fee

Nil

Renewal Fee

Nil

Best Suited For

Travel | Shopping

Reward Type

Reward Points

Welcome Benefits

Vouchers worth ₹500 on spends of ₹5,000 within 30 days of card issuance. Also, get a 5% cashback on EMI transactions (up to Rs. 1,000) within 30 days of card issuance.

BPCL SBI Octane Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.8/5)

Joining Fee

Rs. 1,499 + GST

Renewal Fee

Rs. 1,499 + GST

Best Suited For

Travel | Fuel | Food

Reward Type

Reward Points

Welcome Benefits

6,000 Bonus Reward Points Worth ₹1,500

American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.6/5)

Joining Fee

₹5,000 + GST

Renewal Fee

₹5,000 + GST

Best Suited For

Travel | Shopping

Reward Type

Reward Points

Welcome Benefits

10,000 Membership Rewards Points

HDFC Bank INFINIA Metal Credit Card

Add to Compare

(5/5)

Joining Fee

₹12,500 + GST

Renewal Fee

₹12,500 + GST

Best Suited For

Travel | Dining | Shopping

Reward Type

Reward Points

Welcome Benefits

Welcome bonus of 12,500 Reward Points and complimentary Club Marriott membership for the first year offering 20% discounts on dining and stay in the Asia-Pacific region.

BOBCARD Tiara Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.5/5)

Joining Fee

₹2,499 + GST

Renewal Fee

₹2,499 + GST

Best Suited For

Travel | Shopping | Food

Reward Type

Reward Points

Welcome Benefits

Free Swiggy One (3 Months), FitPass Pro, Amazon Prime/Disney Hotstar and Gaana Plus Memberships

MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card

Add to Compare

(4.6/5)

Joining Fee

₹999 + GST

Renewal Fee

₹999 + GST

Reward Type

Reward Points

Welcome Benefits

₹1,000 MMT Voucher and MMTBLACK Gold Tier Membership

Compare India’s Best Credit Cards

Here are the most important features of the best credit cards in India.

Review of the Top Credit Cards in India

Card Insider has compiled detailed features and reviews of the top credit cards in India to help you make the best choice.

Cashback SBI Credit Card

The SBI Cashback Credit Card has stood the test of time and proven itself to be, as many call it, a truly no-nonsense cashback credit card. These days, everyone can order anything online in an instant through shopping, payments, and food deliveries. In an era of comfort and online spending, the SBI Cashback Card reigns supreme.

You can earn 5% cashback on most online transactions and 1% cashback on offline transactions and bill payments.

Swiggy HDFC Bank Credit Card

The Swiggy HDFC Bank Credit Card has recently gained a lot of popularity as one of the best credit cards for millennials and the younger generation. This card primarily rewards spending made on Swiggy. You can earn 10% cashback for transactions made on Swiggy orders, Dineout, and Instamart. One of the most appealing factors of this card includes 5% cashback on online spends made across numerous platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Ola, Myntra, and H&M. For those with varied spending habits, this is the perfect cashback card as you get high cashback on Swiggy spends while also earning decent rewards on spends made with other platforms and brands. That’s not all – being on the Mastercard World network carries its own benefits, like discounts on hotels and golfing privileges.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to check the Swiggy HDFC Credit Card section on your phone to see if you are eligible for first-year free or lifetime free offers.

HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card

The HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card is widely considered to be one of the most rewarding credit cards in India. It is especially suitable for young people who prefer to shop online for everything, including food. By using this card, you can get a straight 5% cashback on your purchases from popular merchants and platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, cult.fit, Zomato, Swiggy, BookMyShow, and many others.

This credit card can help you save money on expenses such as food, shopping, fitness, and movies. However, the amount of cashback you can earn is capped at ₹1,000 per statement cycle. For those who wish to get more premium credit cards from HDFC Bank, this is the go-to choice.

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card

One of India’s most popular shopping credit cards, the Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Card offers a 5% cashback on shopping from Amazon for Amazon Prime members, 3% cashback on shopping from Amazon for all non-Prime members, 2% cashback on payments made to over 100 Amazon Pay partner merchants and 1% cashback on every other category of transactions made with the card.

When you receive your credit card for the first time, you will also receive benefits worth ₹2,500. As this credit card is a lifetime-free card (no annual or renewal charges), these benefits are very valuable. By simply making a few bill payments, you can get ₹2,500. Not only that, non-Prime members can also enjoy a 3-month Amazon Prime membership as a joining benefit. Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Cards offer a wide range of benefits, from shopping to paying utility bills. The Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card is a must for everyone’s wallet.

Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card

This co-branded offering is best for those who often shop with Flipkart. Whether you buy mobile phones or books, with the Flipkart Axis Credit Card, you can earn unlimited 5% cashback on all purchases made with the online shopping giant. Apart from cashback on Flipkart this card also offers 4% cashback on spends made with Swiggy, PVR, cult.fit, and Uber. Available at a joining and annual fee of ₹500, this card offers welcome benefits worth ₹600. Those who travel can also enjoy upto four complimentary airport lounge access across popular airports in India with a Flipkart Axis Credit Card.

American Express Membership Rewards® Credit Card

The AmEx MRCC is a popular offering by the global giant. The American Express MRCC offers the opportunity to earn 2,000 bonus Membership Rewards each month by simply making four transactions of ₹1,500 or more each and by spending ₹20,000 monthly. Those who fulfill this condition alone can earn 24,000 bonus Membership Rewards. When transferred to certain partners, these Membership Reward Points shall yield the value of ₹1 per point (1 MR Point = ₹1).

By applying through our link, you can get a bonus of 2,000 referral points.

IDFC First Bank Ashva Metal Credit Card

The IDFC First Bank Ashva Metal Credit Card is a unique offering with a luxurious metal design and a joining fee of ₹2,999. It provides a range of benefits, including 10X reward points on spends above ₹20,000, complimentary domestic and international lounge access, free railway lounge visits, and golf privileges. With a low Forex fee of 1%, travel insurance, and free movie tickets on BookMyShow, it’s well-suited for frequent spenders and travelers. However, many benefits are tied to meeting spend thresholds, making it ideal for those who spend consistently but less appealing for irregular spenders.

Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit Card

The Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card is one of the most rewarding cards currently being offered. At an annual/joining charge of ₹1,500, cardholders can take advantage of numerous benefits, including international and domestic airport lounge access. With the Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit Card, cardholders can earn up to 10% cashback as NeuCoins on spends made with the Tata Neu app. This includes spends across Air India, BigBasket, Tanishq, and more Tata brands. Those who opt for the RuPay variant can even get 1.5% on UPI spends via the Tata Neu app.

Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card

Considered to be one of the best cards for utility bill payments, the Airtel Axis Credit Card offers up to 25% cashback on bill payments. You can get 25% cashback up to ₹250 for Airtel recharges, 10% cashback up to ₹250 for utility bill payments like electricity, and 10% cashback for orders placed on Swiggy, BigBasket, and Zomato. These various cashback offers on utility, food, and grocery deliveries make this one of the best credit cards in India. This is a must-have card for every household and comes at an affordable fee of ₹500, offering welcome vouchers worth the same amount.

Axis Bank Neo Credit Card

The Axis Bank Neo Credit Card is an affordable entry-level credit card designed for young individuals, especially millennials, who enjoy shopping and dining. It offers 1 EDGE Reward point for every ₹200 spent, along with a range of discounts and cashback on partner brands like Zomato, Myntra, Blinkit, and BookMyShow. Notable benefits include 10% off on movie tickets, 40% off on Zomato orders, a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, and 5% off utility payments via Amazon Pay. With no joining or renewal fees and easy UPI integration, it is a solid option for those beginning their credit journey.

AU Bank LIT Credit Card

AU Bank is the first customizable credit card in our country. Earn 1 Reward point per ₹100 spent with the card, 5x or 10x accelerated reward points on offline as well as online transactions, and 5% cash back on grocery, travel, and dining spends. The AU Bank LIT Credit Card also offers 4 complimentary domestic lounge access every quarter. All of these features can be obtained by paying an extra fee.

This card stands out among the best credit cards because you can customize your features and pay accordingly.

IndusInd Legend Credit Card

The IndusInd Legend Credit Card is a lifetime free offering that comes with a decent reward rate. You shall earn 1 Reward Point on each spend of ₹100. What’s more, you can earn even higher rewards on spends made over the weekend, 2 Reward Points on spend of ₹100. If you’re a movie buff, you’ll particularly love this card as it offers Buy One Get One on monthly movie ticket bookings. But what really sets this card apart is its low foreign markup charges – it only charges a 1.8% forex fee. This means you can make international payments without worrying about exorbitant charges.

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card

The Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card is a travel category card that offers exclusive air miles to users who frequently travel by air. Unlike other travel cards offered by Axis Bank, the Atlas credit card is not co-branded. It offers exclusive travel benefits, airport lounge access, and dining benefits. With the Atlas Card, you can enjoy complimentary access to international and domestic airport lounges, higher reward rates on foreign currency transactions, and complimentary airport concierge services, making it the perfect card for frequent flyers. This card comes at a fee of ₹5,000 and is considered to be one of the best credit cards in India. The only drawback is that this card does not have a spend-based renewal fee waiver. You would have to pay the joining fee.

IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

The IDFC First Select Credit Card is a feature-packed offering designed for customers seeking a combination of rewards, travel benefits, and lifestyle perks. With no joining or renewal fees, it offers value through benefits like up to 10x reward points on specific spending categories, complimentary domestic lounge access, and exclusive dining and entertainment discounts. Additionally, the card provides useful travel insurance coverage, fuel surcharge waivers, and low forex markup fees for international transactions. Its flexible reward redemption options and lifetime-free membership make it a compelling choice for frequent shoppers and travelers alike.

BPCL SBI Card Octane

The BPCL SBI Card Octane is an excellent fuel credit card that offers a fantastic reward program and several other exciting benefits. You can earn reward points at an accelerated rate of 10X (10 reward points for every ₹100 spent) on dining bills at selected restaurants, with a maximum of 7,500 Reward Points every month.

Additionally, you can earn 25X reward points (25 reward points every time you spend ₹100) on fuel transactions at BPCL fuel stations using the BPCL SBI Card Octane, with a maximum of 2,500 Reward Points per billing cycle. This card basically offers you a 7.25% value back on fuel purchases from BPCL petrol pumps.

American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card

The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is a great choice for big spenders. Cardholders earn 1 Membership Rewards Point for every ₹50 spent on eligible purchases. What sets this card apart is the benefits offered for reaching spending milestones. If you spend ₹1.9 lakh in a year, you’ll receive 15,000 Membership Rewards Points worth up to ₹4,500. Spending ₹4 lakh earns you 25,000 Membership Rewards Points worth up to ₹7,500 and an additional Taj Stay Voucher worth ₹10,000. This card is perfect for those who can make yearly spends of upto ₹4 lakh.

Apply for an American Express Credit Card with Card Insider and earn additional Membership Rewards points.

HDFC Bank INFINIA Metal Credit Card

One of the most famous and premium credit cards in India, the Infinia Credit Card offers a higher reward rate of 5 points for every ₹150 spent, with each reward point valued at ₹1 when redeemed for travel-related expenses such as flight bookings and hotel reservations. This card offers travel benefits such as lower foreign currency markup charges, complimentary Club Marriott membership, and unlimited complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access with Priority Pass membership. Furthermore, the insurance benefits include personal air accident cover worth ₹3 crore.

This is an invite-only card and is offered to high-net individuals.

BOBCARD Tiara Credit Card

The BOBCARD Tiara Credit Card is a compelling choice for women seeking to combine lifestyle benefits with financial savings. Its competitive reward structure, tailored perks, and health benefits make it a standout card in its category. While it lacks international lounge access, its domestic perks and low Forex markup make it a reliable companion for frequent domestic travelers.

For a modest fee that can be waived, this card provides unmatched value for women prioritizing travel, shopping, and self-care. It’s more than a credit card; it’s a tool for empowerment.

MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card

The MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card is a great choice for frequent travelers who regularly book through MakeMyTrip, offering high rewards like 6 myCash/₹200 on hotel bookings and 3 myCash/₹200 on flights, buses, and cabs, along with ₹1,000 welcome vouchers and MMTBLACK Gold Membership. Its standout features include 8 domestic lounge visits annually, 1 international lounge visit, and a remarkably low Forex markup fee of 0.99%, all at a reasonable annual fee of ₹999 (waived on ₹3 lakh annual spends). However, the card’s value is heavily tied to MakeMyTrip spends, limiting its appeal for general usage outside the platform.

HSBC Live+

Previously known as the HSBC Cashback Credit Card, the Live+ Credit Card offers 10% cashback on grocery, food delivery, and dining spends. With this card, users can save up to ₹12,000 each year just by making spends on these accelerated categories. Every credit card enthusiast should have this card, not only for the cashback, but also for periodic HSBC offers and discounts. For those seeking airport lounge access, this card offers complimentary airport lounge access across airports in the country.

What to Keep in Mind While Applying for a Credit Card?

You must have a particular set of criteria in mind before applying for a new credit card. The criteria may be different for different individuals depending upon their needs, income, financial habits, and, most importantly, the reason for applying for the card. This is how you can compare the best credit cards in India and choose one for yourself.

Your Spends

For example, suppose you are searching for a credit card that can save you on travel spends. In that case, you will give more importance to travel-related benefits like AirMiles, membership in frequent flyer programs, or complimentary air tickets. Consider complimentary lounge access at airports if you are also concerned about making your travel experience a pleasurable one. In contrast, other benefits like discounts on dining bills or complimentary golf games might not matter to you that much.

Annual Charges

The annual membership fee is another very important parameter to look for in a credit card. Many credit cards are free for a lifetime, while some premium credit cards are issued with an annual fee as high as over ₹2 lakh per annum; for example, the annual fee of the American Express Platinum Credit Card is ₹66,000 per year. Rather than looking for a card that is lifetime free or a card with a lesser annual fee, what you should consider instead is whether the benefits that a card offers outweigh its annual fee and by what margin.

Rewards

This is the very first and the most obvious thing to look for when applying for a new credit card. You must know whether a credit card earns you cashback (which is later adjusted against your card’s statement balance) or rewards you with Reward Points. In the latter case, another point that becomes very important is the redemption of reward points.

Milestone Benefits

Many credit cards reward you for achieving a certain spend-based milestone, i.e., on spending a certain minimum amount with the card within a given time period, which may be one statement cycle, calendar quarter, or calendar year (or any other time period specified by the card issuer.). Any milestone benefit that a card offers is beneficial for you only if you are able to achieve the stipulated milestone. You must evaluate your spends in order to understand the utility of the milestone benefits that the card offers.

Lounge Access

Many credit cards (in fact, all credit cards in the mid to premium and super-premium segment) offer some additional privileges like complimentary lounge access at airports/railway stations, on top of the regular Reward Ponts/cashback benefit. Before making up your mind about a particular credit card, it is essential to know whether it offers any additional benefits and, if yes, what the utility of the benefit is for you. For example, if you frequently fly overseas, a value-added benefit like complimentary lounge stays at international airports might be important for you.

Forex Mark-Up Fee

International transactions made with credit cards attract a mark-up fee known as a foreign currency mark-up fee or forex mark-up fee. The standard is to charge 3.5% on the transacted amount as a forex markup fee on international transactions. However, some credit cards in the premium and super-premium categories charge a lower foreign markup fee on international transactions. For someone who plans to use the card for international transactions frequently, a lower foreign mark-up fee becomes an important feature.

Process Behind Selecting the Best Credit Cards in India

The team at Card Insider has spent a lot of effort researching different cards offered by issuers and banks in India to compile a list of the top credit cards available in the country. Our list includes the best credit cards for the masses, fuel credit cards, and credit cards for high-income individuals. We have curated the most popular and literally the best cards available in the country. Everyone can find a card on our list that suits their needs.

Bottom Line

Choosing the most beneficial credit card in india can be a daunting task unless you are very clear about your spending needs. But, if that is not the case, you must first evaluate your spending habits. For that, you should determine what portion of your credit card bill the various categories of spends account for. This data will make the choice of the best credit card easier for you. It’ll obviously be better to go for a card that gives you maximum benefit in your favorite spends category.

With our list of the best credit cards in India, you can easily choose the best-suited credit card for yourself and apply for it through our website. Card Insider allows you to compare the various credit cards available in India. You can also read detailed credit card reviews and apply for the one that suits your needs the best.

Share your thoughts on our list of the top cards in India. Did we miss any? Tell us in the comments below.

FAQs:

No credit card can be labeled as "the best" for everyone. The best card for you depends upon your financial habits and your needs at the end of the day. People who love traveling will find the travel cards best, and those who are shopping lovers will like to go for a card with the best shopping benefits. Another factor that may affect your decision while choosing the best credit card is the annual fee associated with it. This is how different people have different choices, and hence, no single credit card is best for everyone.

Two of the best credit cards for online shopping are the Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card and HDFC Millennia Credit Card. If you are someone who shops very often through Amazon, you should go with the Amazon Pay ICICI Card (which is lifetime free), and if you tend to spend on different platforms like Flipkart and Myntra, then you should opt for the HDFC Millennia which offers 5% cashback on multiple platforms.

There are lots of credit cards with good reward programs in India; some of the most popular ones are Infinia Metal, Millennia Card, and AmEx MRCC Credit Card.

Rather than narrowing your search to a particular card issuer, it's better to look for a credit card that is the best suited for your needs. HDFC, Axis, SBI, AU, and IDFC Bank are all known for their rewarding and affordable credit cards.