Best Credit Cards in India: Top 10 Cards Ranked
Jaspal Singh
Author
Finding the Right Credit Card in India
India has over 100 credit cards available right now. Most comparison sites just list features without telling you which card is actually worth getting. We did the hard work — compared 24 credit cards across cashback rates, annual fees, rewards, travel perks, and real-world value — to rank the 10 best credit cards in India.
Whether you want maximum cashback on online shopping, a lifetime-free card with premium perks, or a travel card with lounge access, this guide has you covered.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Credit Cards at a Glance
| Rank | Card | Best For | Annual Fee | Top Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HDFC Millennia Apply → | Online Shopping | ₹1,000+GST | 5% on Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy |
| 2 | SBI Cashback Apply → | Pure Cashback | ₹999 | 5% cashback on all online spends |
| 3 | Axis Flipkart Apply → | Flipkart Shoppers | ₹500 | 5% Flipkart, 4% on partners |
| 4 | IndusInd Tiger Apply → | Lifetime Free + Premium | FREE | Lounge access + golf + 1.5% forex |
| 5 | IDFC First WOW Apply → | Beginners | FREE | FD-backed, zero forex, never-expiring rewards |
| 6 | Kotak Cashback Plus Apply → | Groceries & Food | ₹750+GST | 5% on grocery, food delivery |
| 7 | SBI Simply Click Apply → | Budget Online Shopping | ₹499+GST | 10X rewards on partner sites |
| 8 | BOBCARD Eterna Apply → | Travel & Lounges | LTF offer* | 60+ lounges, 2% forex markup |
| 9 | Axis MyZone Apply → | Entertainment & Dining | ₹500 (often LTF) | BOGO movies, Swiggy discounts, SonyLIV |
| 10 | HDFC Pixel Play Apply → | Brand Cashback | ₹500+GST | 5% cashback on selected brands |
*BOBCARD Eterna’s regular annual fee is ₹2,499+GST, but it’s currently offered as Lifetime Free.
1. HDFC Millennia Credit Card — Best for Online Shopping
HDFC Millennia Credit Card
Annual Fee: ₹1,000 + GST (waived on ₹1L annual spend)
- 5% CashBack on Amazon, Flipkart, BookMyShow, Swiggy, Zomato, Myntra, Uber, and more
- 1% cashback on all other spends (max 1,000 CashPoints/month)
- 1 complimentary lounge visit per quarter on ₹1L spend
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver (up to ₹250/month)
- Up to 10% savings on dining via Swiggy Dineout
Why #1: The HDFC Millennia covers the widest range of popular apps — Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, Zomato, Myntra, Uber, and more. If most of your spending is online (and whose isn’t?), this card gives you the best overall return.
Who it’s for: Anyone who shops online regularly and wants cashback without thinking about categories.
Apply for HDFC Millennia2. SBI Cashback Credit Card — Best Pure Cashback Card
SBI Cashback Credit Card
Annual Fee: ₹999 (waived on ₹2L annual spend)
- 5% cashback on all online spends (capped at ₹2,000/month)
- 1% cashback on offline spends (capped at ₹2,000/month)
- Maximum cashback: ₹5,000/month
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver (up to ₹100/month)
- Cashback credited directly to your account — no point conversion needed
Why #2: Unlike most cards that give “reward points” (which lose value during redemption), SBI Cashback gives you actual cashback in rupees. 5% flat on all online spends with no partner restrictions is hard to beat.
Who it’s for: People who want simple, no-hassle cashback without tracking categories or partner lists.
Apply for SBI Cashback Card3. Axis Flipkart Credit Card — Best for Flipkart & Myntra Shoppers
Axis Flipkart Credit Card
Annual Fee: ₹500 (waived on ₹3.5L annual spend)
- 7.5% cashback on Myntra (capped at ₹4,000/quarter)
- 5% cashback on Flipkart & Cleartrip (capped at ₹4,000/quarter per merchant)
- 4% on Swiggy, Uber, PVR, Tata 1mg and other lifestyle partners
- 1.5% on all other spends
- 4 free domestic lounge visits per year
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver (up to ₹400/month)
Why #3: If Flipkart and Myntra are your go-to shopping apps, this card’s 5–7.5% cashback is unmatched. The 4% on lifestyle partners (Swiggy, Uber, PVR) makes it useful beyond just shopping. And at ₹500/year, it’s a steal.
Who it’s for: Heavy Flipkart/Myntra shoppers who also use Swiggy and Uber.
Apply for Axis Flipkart Card4. IndusInd Tiger Credit Card — Best Lifetime Free Card
IndusInd Tiger Credit Card
Annual Fee: LIFETIME FREE
- Zero joining and annual fees — forever
- 2 free domestic lounge visits per quarter
- 2 free international lounge visits per year (Priority Pass)
- 1.5% forex markup (vs 3.5% industry average)
- Up to 6X reward points (7.2% reward rate on ₹5L+ annual spends)
- 4 free golf games or lessons per year
- Unlimited fuel surcharge waiver
Why #4: This card is absurd value for ₹0. You get lounge access, international lounge visits, golf, low forex — benefits that usually come with ₹5,000+ annual fee cards. No spending requirement to unlock benefits either.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants premium perks without paying a single rupee in fees.
Apply for IndusInd Tiger Card5. IDFC First WOW Credit Card — Best for Beginners
IDFC First WOW Credit Card
Annual Fee: LIFETIME FREE (FD-backed)
- Zero joining, zero annual fees
- Zero forex markup on international transactions
- Never-expiring reward points
- 4X rewards on online, offline, and international spends
- ₹2 lakh personal accident insurance
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver (up to ₹200/month)
- Requires only ₹20,000 fixed deposit to get started
Why #5: This is the easiest credit card to get in India. No income proof, no credit history needed — just park ₹20,000 in an FD and you’re approved. The zero forex markup makes it the cheapest card for international transactions. Perfect first credit card.
Who it’s for: First-time credit card users, students, freelancers, or anyone building credit history.
Apply for IDFC First WOW Card6. Kotak Cashback Plus Credit Card — Best for Groceries & Food Delivery
Kotak Cashback Plus Credit Card
Annual Fee: ₹750 + GST (waived on ₹2L annual spend)
- 5% cashback on online grocery, food delivery & entertainment
- 3% cashback on fuel
- 0.5% cashback on all other spends (no cap on base cashback)
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver (up to ₹3,500/year)
- Up to 3 free add-on cards
Why #6: If your biggest monthly spends are BigBasket, Blinkit, Swiggy, and Zomato, this card gives you 5% back on all of it. The 3% fuel cashback is a nice bonus too.
Who it’s for: Families who spend heavily on groceries, food delivery, and entertainment subscriptions.
Apply for Kotak Cashback Plus7. SBI Simply Click Credit Card — Best Budget Online Shopping Card
SBI Simply Click Credit Card
Annual Fee: ₹499 + GST (waived on ₹1L annual spend)
- 10X reward points on partner sites (Apollo 24x7, BookMyShow, Domino’s, Myntra, etc.)
- 5X rewards on all other online spends (capped at 10,000/month)
- ₹500 Amazon e-gift voucher on joining
- Milestone e-vouchers worth ₹2,000 on ₹1L and ₹2L annual spends
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
Why #7: At just ₹499, this is one of the cheapest credit cards with genuinely useful online shopping rewards. The 10X on partners and milestone vouchers add up fast.
Who it’s for: Budget-conscious online shoppers who want maximum rewards at minimum cost.
Apply for SBI Simply Click8. BOBCARD Eterna Credit Card — Best for Travel & Lounges
BOBCARD Eterna Credit Card
Annual Fee: ₹2,499 + GST (Currently Lifetime Free!)
- 60+ domestic airport lounge access
- Low 2% forex markup (vs 3.5% industry average)
- 15X reward points per ₹100 on online shopping, travel, dining, and international spends
- ₹15,000 welcome perk
- BOGO movie tickets
- Minimum spend of ₹40,000/quarter for lounge access
Why #8: If you fly frequently within India, this card’s 60+ lounge access is unbeatable at this price point — especially with the current Lifetime Free offer. The 2% forex markup is among the lowest for a premium card.
Who it’s for: Frequent domestic travellers who want lounge access and low forex fees. Minimum income: ₹12 lakh/year.
Apply for BOBCARD Eterna9. Axis MyZone Credit Card — Best for Entertainment & Dining
Axis MyZone Credit Card
Annual Fee: ₹500 (often Lifetime Free)
- Buy 1 Get 1 Free movie tickets at District cinemas (up to ₹200 off/month)
- Swiggy discount: ₹120 off per order
- Free SonyLIV Premium annual membership (worth ₹1,499) on first spend within 30 days
- Up to 15% off on dining (up to ₹500) via EazyDiner
- 1 free domestic lounge visit per quarter (on ₹50,000 quarterly spend)
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver (up to ₹400/month)
Why #9: This is the entertainment card. Free movies, Swiggy discounts, SonyLIV subscription, and dining deals — perfect for young professionals who eat out and watch a lot of content.
Who it’s for: Young professionals who love movies, food delivery, streaming, and dining out.
Apply for Axis MyZone Card10. HDFC Pixel Play Credit Card — Best for Brand-Specific Cashback
HDFC Pixel Play Credit Card
Annual Fee: ₹500 + GST
- Up to 5% cashback on selected brands (customisable via PayZapp)
- Flexible billing — choose your billing cycle
- Seamless card control via the PayZapp app
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Digital-first design with instant card activation
Why #10: The Pixel Play stands out for its flexibility — you can choose which brands give you accelerated cashback, and change them as your spending patterns shift. It’s a modern, app-first card.
Who it’s for: Tech-savvy users who want customisable cashback and app-based card management.
Apply for HDFC Pixel PlayBest Credit Card by Category
| Need | Best Card | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall cashback | SBI Cashback | 5% flat on all online spends, real cashback (not points) |
| Best for Amazon/Flipkart | HDFC Millennia | 5% on both platforms + Swiggy, Zomato, Myntra |
| Best lifetime free | IndusInd Tiger | Zero fees forever + lounge, golf, low forex |
| Best first credit card | IDFC First WOW | FD-backed, no income proof, zero forex |
| Best for groceries | Kotak Cashback Plus | 5% on grocery and food delivery apps |
| Best for travel | BOBCARD Eterna | 60+ lounges, 2% forex, currently LTF |
| Best for entertainment | Axis MyZone | Free movies, SonyLIV, Swiggy discounts |
| Best for Flipkart | Axis Flipkart | 5-7.5% on Flipkart/Myntra + 4 lounge visits |
How We Ranked These Cards
We evaluated 24 credit cards on five criteria:
- Cashback/Rewards Value — What’s the real return on every ₹100 spent? Points that require complex redemption are worth less than direct cashback.
- Annual Fee vs Value — Does the card’s benefits justify the fee? A ₹999 card that gives back ₹5,000+ in cashback is a no-brainer.
- Ease of Getting Approved — Some cards require ₹12 lakh income; others need just a ₹20,000 FD.
- Breadth of Benefits — Does it cover multiple spending categories or just one?
- Special Perks — Lounge access, forex markup, insurance, fuel surcharge waivers.
5 Tips Before Applying
- Check your CIBIL score first. Most cards need 750+. Check free at cibil.com. If your score is low, start with the IDFC First WOW (FD-backed).
- Always pay the full bill. Credit card interest is 24–42% per year. Cashback means nothing if you’re paying 36% interest. Use our EMI Calculator to plan.
- Match the card to your spending. Don’t get the Flipkart card if you mostly shop on Amazon. Look at where you actually spend money each month.
- Set up autopay immediately. One missed payment can drop your CIBIL score by 50–100 points and trigger heavy late fees.
- Don’t open too many cards at once. Each application creates a hard inquiry on your credit report. Space applications 3–6 months apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best credit card for beginners in India?
The IDFC First WOW Credit Card is the best starter card. It’s backed by a fixed deposit (just ₹20,000), has no annual fee, zero forex markup, and helps you build a credit score. Once you have 6–12 months of credit history, you can upgrade to a rewards card like the HDFC Millennia.
Which credit card gives the highest cashback?
The SBI Cashback Credit Card offers 5% cashback on all online spends with a ₹5,000 monthly cap — that’s up to ₹60,000/year in real cashback. The Axis Flipkart card goes up to 7.5% but only on Myntra.
Are lifetime free credit cards worth it?
Absolutely. The IndusInd Tiger gives you lounge access, golf, low forex, and up to 7.2% rewards — all for ₹0. There’s no catch. The bank earns from merchant fees on your transactions.
How many credit cards should I have?
Two to three is ideal for most people — one for online cashback (SBI Cashback or HDFC Millennia), one for specific perks (travel or entertainment), and optionally one lifetime-free card for backup. More than three creates complexity without proportional benefit.
What CIBIL score do I need for a credit card?
Most cards require 750 or above. Entry-level cards like Axis MyZone may approve at 700+. The IDFC First WOW has no credit score requirement since it’s FD-backed.
Cards We Didn’t Pick (and Why)
We reviewed 24 cards total. Here are notable ones that didn’t make the top 10:
- Axis Magnus — Exceptional rewards but ₹12,500 annual fee. Overkill for most users.
- AU LIT Credit Card — Good lifetime-free option but limited brand recognition and smaller acceptance network.
- SBI BPCL Credit Card — Great for fuel (13X points at BPCL) but too niche. Most people need broader cashback.
- Axis Airtel Credit Card — 25% savings on Airtel bills but limited utility beyond the Airtel ecosystem.
- Scapia Credit Card — Zero forex + free lounge but very new issuer with limited track record.
- SBI Miles Credit Card — Decent for air miles but the conversion rates don’t match dedicated travel cards.
Want detailed reviews of each card on our list? Read our individual card reviews with full pros, cons, and verdict.
Last updated: April 2026. We review and refresh this guide monthly to reflect the latest fees, offers, and card features.
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you apply for a credit card through our links, at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our rankings — all reviews are based on independent research. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Written by
Jaspal Singh
Founder & Editor
Personal finance writer helping Indians make smarter money decisions through clear, jargon-free guides on taxes, investments, and budgeting.
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