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Best Credit Card In India

Looking for a Best Credit Card In India?

Great! You have reached the right place; we are here to help you. When it comes to credit cards, most Indians still don’t know which credit card is best suited to their needs. We often rely on our banking associates when it comes to picking a credit card.

As of 2020, India has over 58 million credit card users. The statistics clearly show a rise in people trusting credit cards more now than they did in the past.

With so many banks and financial institutions offering credit cards, customers may find it overwhelming to pick the one that is best suited to their individual needs, shopping style, income, and lifestyle.

One can avail several benefits as a credit card owner—from saving money while shopping and travelling to availing benefits of credit cards as a student or business owner. Here, we discuss some of the best credit cards available in India and the benefits of using them. 

Top 10 Best Credit Card In India With Buying Guide (Updated 2022)

1. Best for online shopping – SimplyCLICK State Bank of India Credit card

Card Overview

  • One of the top credit cards in India

  • The joining fee for SimplyCLICK is INR 499+ taxes.

  • Customers receive a gift card of INR 500 from Amazon.in on joining.

  • SimplyCLICK charges an annual fee of INR 499+ taxes. This annual fee is nullified on a spend of INR 1,00,000.

Why do we recommend the SimplyCLICK credit card by SBI?

  • A great option for beginners as there are no hidden charges or complex payments to be made.

  • SimplyCLICK covers all popular shopping sites and offers good reward points.

  • Once the utility bills are registered, the timely payments of these bills are ensured.

Features

  • SimplyCLICK is an economical option, in the same category of credit cards
  • It is one of the best point-based and basic credit cards for users who intend to shop and earn points.
  • SimplyCLICK has some exclusive partners like Amazon, Cleartrip, Lenskart, DineOut, and Apollo 24x27. Users receive 10x reward points on online spending with them.
  • Apart from these, 5x rewards are offered on other online spends, and users can get 1 reward point for INR 100 spent. Thus, one reward point is equivalent to 25 paise.
  • The 10x rewards are applicable on payment in INR only. E-wallet transactions done on any partner brand’s website or mobile app identified under MCCs 6540 and 6541 will not accrue reward points.
  • When utility bill payments are made using the SimplyCLICK credit card on the SBI website or mobile app, the 5x rewards are not accrued.
  • You can redeem the reward points from SimplyCLICK brand partners against e-gift vouchers.
  • An add-on facility is available for family members.
  • Users can avail 1% fuel surcharge waiver, up to INR 100 per payment cycle for transactions between INR 500 and INR 3000.
  • On online spends of INR 1,00,000, users get an e-voucher of INR 2000.
  • For purchase of INR 2500 or more, users get the benefit of flexipay by SBI.
  • Add-on cards for spouse, parents, and children above the age of 18.

Eligibility to apply for SBI SimplyCLICK credit card

  • Age limit is between 18 and 60 years.
  • Salaried person with a monthly income of INR 20000 can apply for SBISimply click.

  • Self-employed persons must have a monthly income of INR 30000.

2. Best credit card for food orders and utilities - Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

Card overview

  • Joining fee is INR 499 + 18% GST. If users spend INR 10,000 within 45 days of card issuance, there are no annual fees.

  • Annual fee INR 499 + 18% GST is waived on spending of INR 2,00,000 annually.
  • INR 500 cashback if the user spends INR 10,000 within the first 90 days.

Why did we pick Axis bank ACE credit card?

  • Users avail 5% cashback on payment of bills through Google Pay, with no upper or lower limit.

  • Users can win scratchcards using Google pay and 4% cashback without any cap on Zomato, Ola, and Swiggy.

  • This credit card is value for money.

Features

  • The Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers 2% cashback on expenses, 4% cashback on food orders placed online using Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola, and 5% cashback on payments of bills.
  • There is no upper limit on this cashback.
  • With this credit card, the user also gets 4 complimentary domestic air lounge visits at select domestic airports.
  • Transactions above INR 2500 can be converted to EMIs.
  • 1% fuel charge waiver is applicable for fuel transactions at all petrol pumps for transactions between INR 400 and INR 4000. The maximum benefit is INR 500.
  • No cashback can be earned for fuel transactions.
  • Users can avail 20% off in more than 4000 partners' restaurants.
  • The eligible age limit to avail of this credit card is 18 to 70 years of age with income proof.
  • EMIs with this credit card are calculated on a rate of 1%, or 1.08%, or 1.25% or 2% per month on monthly-reducing balance.
Pros
  • The pros of this card include no fuel surcharge, 5% cashback on bill payments, no upper limit for cashback, free lounge visits, and 20% off when using the credit cards in partner restaurants.
Cons
  • The cons include the fact that interest rate on EMIs with Axis ACE credit cards differ from case to case. Also, users will have to spend INR 10,000 within the first 90 days to receive the welcome cashback.

3. Best credit card for reward points – The Finbooster by YES bank

Card Overview

  • There is no joining fee or annual fee for Finbooster credit cards by Yes Bank. This is a lifetime-free credit card.

  • There is no cap on rewards and rewards never expire.

  • FINbooster by YES Bank offers a cash advance of up to 30% of the credit limit.

  • There is no supplementary fee for up to a maximum of 3 cards.

Why we picked it

  • For every INR 200 swiped using this credit card on retail spends, users get 2 reward points.

  • Users get a 1% fuel surcharge using this card at all fuel stations.

  • With FINbooster, users get 5X rewards on grocery, apparel, and online dating spends.

Features

  • You get assistance and insights to help improve your credit score. 
  • Once a user completes the first transaction with this credit card, they can track their credit score on a dashboard along with a monthly fitness report. 
  • Users get a maximum waiver of INR 125 on fuel charge per statement cycle.
  • An insurance cover of INR 2,50,000 in the case of the primary cardholder's accidental death. 
  • 2.5% of over amount or INR 500, whichever is higher, is charged over limit fees. 
  • Fee on cash advance is 2.5% of the amount or INR 300, whichever is higher. 
  • Depending on the statement balance, the late payment charges range from nil to INR 1000.
  • A maximum of 3 add-on cards is permitted. 
  • The eligibility criteria for this credit card is a minimum income of INR 25000.
  • 18% GST (Goods and Services Taxes) is applicable on all fees and charges.
  • Foreign currency conversion charges are 3.40%. 
  • With a FINbooster credit card, the interest-free period is up to 50 days. 
Pros
  • The pros of having this card are that there is no expiry of rewards, and the card is issued for lifetime. 
Cons
  • The cons are that one needs a relevant high income to apply, and third-party apps are used to apply for cards, leading to risk of sensitive information exposure. 

4. Best for Shopping – Standard Chartered Digismart Credit Card

Card Overview

  • The SCB DigiSmart card offers this credit to salaried users aged between 18 years and 62 years and to self-employed individuals between 18 years and 67 years.

  • In case a user has another credit card issued by SCB, they cannot apply for DigiSmart credit card.

Why did we pick it?

  • With an SCB DigiSmart card, you can get a 10% discount on Zomato. The maximum limit for this discount is INR 750 per month.
  • There are discounts on Yatra.com for domestic and international flights as well as domestic hotels.

  • Users get a 20% discount up to INR 700 per month for shopping on Myntra.

  • With SCB DigiSmart, users can avail of 15% cashback up to INR 600 on Ola bookings.

  • You also get BOGO on Inox on the weekends, with an INR 400 limit per month.

  • You can avail of 10% off on Grofers for grocery shopping on up to five transactions per month. The maximum limit is INR 1000.

Features

  • Users can shop up to INR 5000 without a PIN, using the contactless SCB DigiSmart card.
  • You can avail benefits of supplementary cards with DigiSmart credit cards. 
  • With DigiSmart, users can enjoy payments solutions like Bharat Bill Payment solutions or BharatQR and Samsung Pay.
  • The card balance can be checked online on SCB's website, and users can make payments online too. 
  • With SCB 360-degree rewards programs, users can redeem reward points with ease. 
Pros
  • With the SCB DigiSmart card, you get a loan of up to INR 5,00,000 with a tenure of 12 to 60 months.
  • The card offers up to 10% discount on international flights with a maximum limit of INR 1000 and 25% discount on domestic hotels with a maximum limit of INR 4000. 
  • You can transfer up to INR 5,00,000 of your outstanding balance on your other bank's credit card and pay just 5% of the outstanding balance each month at an interest rate of 0.99% per month.

5. Best Credit card for dining, lifestyle, travel and entertainment — Indusland Platinum Credit Card

Card Overview

  • This is a travel credit card offering a myriad of benefits and rewards for travel and lifestyle expenses.

  • There is no joining fee. The card is issued for a lifetime with no annual fee as well. 

Why did we pick this credit card?

  • The card offers BOGO offers on movie tickets with Sathyam cinemas and Bookmyshow every month.

  • Travel insurance cover is offered, and as a part of the Priority Pass Program, users can get access to over 600 airport lounges (VIP) across the globe.

  • With this card, the cardholders get INR 25,00,000 worth of personal air accident cover free.

  • Offers 1% surcharge as per the Indusland surcharge waiver facility. It is available for transactions from a minimum of INR 400 up to INR 4000.

Features

  • The card offers 1.5 reward points for every INR 150 spent on it.
  • Users get welcome gift vouchers with expiry date when the card is issued. 
  • Fuel charge waiver is available at every petrol pump across the country. 
  • With this card, users get the benefits of the Platinum Auto Assist Program, which means they get roadside assistance in case of a flat tyre or breakdown of the vehicle.  points with ease. 
Pros
  • The pros of this card are that it offers the users a personal coverage of up to INR 25,00,000 for air accident. Fuel surcharge waiver is available at every fuel station. There are rewards and discounts for dining, travelling, and other such lifestyle expenses available with this card.
Cons
  • The cons are a fee is applicable for the priority pass membership and the joining and annual fees is also very high. 

6. Best credit card for lounge access – HDFC Regalia credit card

Card Overview

  • The annual fee of this card is INR 1000+taxes.
  • One of the best rewards credit card in India

  • Within India, the card offers up to 8 complimentary visits 8 per year to airport lounges.

  • For every INR 150 spent, the users of this card get 4 reward points.

Why did we pick it?

  • Users get 2500 reward points on payment of the annual fees.

  • Since every reward point is equivalent to 50 paise, users get half their fees back.

  • The insurance cover offered is one crore rupees, in case of an air accident, specifically if this card is used to book the air tickets. The cover is INR 15,00,000 if the user is hospitalised abroad. 

Features

  • The age limit for salaried individuals is from 21 years old to 65 years, with a minimum annual income of INR 8,4,000 per annum.
  • This card is issued only to Indian citizens. 
  • The card users get 10000 reward points on a spend of INR 5,00,000 and an additional 5000 reward points on spend of INR 8,00,000 annually.
  • The card offers 12 complimentary airport lounge visits in India and access to 6 international airports. 
  • On a spend of INR 3,00,000, the annual fee is waived fully. Thus, this is a great option for those users who make luxury purchases using their credit cards. 
  • Regalia has a tie up with DineOut. The users get exclusive DineOut passport membership, enabling them to receive great discounts at these restaurants across 20 cities. 
Pros
  • Lost card liability insurance cover of up to INR 9,00,000.
  • The markup for foreign currency is 2%.
  • Insurance cover of INR 15,00,000 in case of hospitalisation abroad.
Cons
  • The cons are that the 2500 reward points are not issued if the annual fee is waived, and the net income of the cardholder needs to be high. 

7. Best card for fuel – Indian Oil Citi credit card

Card Overview

  • The card is issued as a result of a Citi Bank and Indian oil tie up.

  • It is extremely useful for people who use their vehicle a lot for either their daily commute or for commercial purposes.

  • The annual fees is INR 1000+ taxes, which is waived off on a spend of INR 30000 per year.

Why did we pick it?

  • Users get 4 turbo points for INR 150 spent at Indian oil petrol pumps. These turbo points can be exchanged for free fuel at these fuel stations.
     
  • Users are eligible to get a loan against the card.

  • Users can convert any spend above INR 2500 to EMIs.

Features

  • Interest rate is 45% per annum.
  • 2.5% is the fee for cash advances. 
  • Fuel transaction charge is 1% + taxes.
  • The card offers 12 complimentary airport lounge visits in India and access to 6 international airports. 
  • On a spend of INR 3,00,000, the annual fee is waived fully. Thus, this is a great option for those users who make luxury purchases using their credit cards. 
  • Regalia has a tie up with DineOut. The users get exclusive DineOut passport membership, enabling them to receive great discounts at these restaurants across 20 cities. 
Pros
  • Within 30 days of issuance, users can earn 250 turbo points, with no expiry date. The annual fee is waived on spend of INR 30000. Users can enjoy exclusive dining and shopping privileges

8. Best card for shopping – RBL shoprite

Card Overview

  • Earn 1 reward point for INR 100 spent.

  • No annual or joining fee. This is a lifetime free card.

Why did we pick it?

  • Reward points can be used to recharge mobile phones. There are rewards for fuel and grocery spending.

Features

  • Users can earn 2000 welcome reward points on making a purchase within the first 30 days of the issue of the card. 
  • A maximum of 1000 rewards points can be earned within a month. 
  • Users can earn 10 reward points for spends on fuel, and 20 rewards points for spends apart from fuel
Pros
  • The pros are mobile recharge and fuel waiver is available. 
Cons
  • The cons are the process of reward is complicated and users only get 1000 reward points per month. 

9. Best card for hotels, movies, and cashback – Axis bank Neo Credit Card

Card Overview

  • The card has various offers for regular movie buffs and online shoppers.

  • The card offers a welcome gift voucher worth INR 250 from Amazon within the first 30 days.

Why did we pick it?

  • It offers lost card liability.
  •  Many shopping and movie vouchers are given as rewards.

  • The reward points can be redeemed from the Axis Bank catalogue. 

Features

  • Joining and annual fees is INR 250, penalty on overlimit is 3% of overlimit.
  • The age limit for primary cardholders is between 18 and 70 years of age.
  • The card is issued to non-resident Indians also. 
Pros
  • Vouchers from Myntra, Bookmyshow and Amazon are given. Users can avail from a 10% to 40% discount on different categories.
Cons
  • The con is there is no fuel surcharge waiver or renewal fee reversal. 

10. Best card for online shopping – Flipkart Axis Bank credit card

Card Overview

  • Joining fees is INR 500 + 18% GST, Annual fee is INR 500 + 18% GST.

Why did we pick it?

  • Unlimited cashback, 20% discount on dining, and numerous welcome benefits. 

Features

  • Access to 15 months of Gaana+ at a discounted rate.
  • If INR 2,00,000 is spent, the annual fee for next year is nullified. 
  • 20% or up to 500 off on Plum goodness, up to 15% cashback on Myntra. 
Pros
  • Pros are no upper or lower limit on purchase, 5% cashback on purchase with partners. 
Cons
  • Cons are, with non-partners, cashback is just 1.5%. The amount to spend to get annual fees waived is INR 2,00,000. 

Reasons to use a credit card

  • Unlike a debit card, there is a one-time joining bonus with credit cards.

  • Credit cards offer cashback up to 6% on purchases.

  • Users earn reward points for every single rupee they spend using the card. The reward points become incredibly useful when redeemed and usually cover the amount spent on joining fees or annual fees.

  • Credit card users who travel very frequently can earn miles per rupee spent using the credit card to book airline tickets. These miles offer up to 50% discount.

  • Credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard offer zero liability coverage for unauthorised purchases. This protects credit card users from fraudulent payments.

  • Making big-ticket payments with credit cards ensures vendors are held liable to offer the best service or product.

  • Credit cards offer grace periods, unlike debit cards, where the money is immediately deducted from your account.

  • Most credit cards offer some form of insurance.

Bottom Line

The credit card industry in India is growing at a fast pace. It is important for you, as a consumer, to be wise with your money and read the terms and conditions properly before making the decision to pick the best credit card for yourself.

I hope you liked our article on which is the best credit card in India, and it must have solved your queries such as top 10 credit cards in India, which credit card offers the following benefits, which bank credit card is best, or best credit card offers

if you have any comments or suggestions do share them in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Question

Q1. Which credit card is best in India for travel?

For travel, the best credit card is IndusInd Bank Platinum credit card.


Q2. Which credit card in India has the best rewards program?

The FinBooster card by Yes Bank has the best rewards programs. 


Q3. Which is the best credit card in India, RuPay or Visa?

RuPay is much more secure than other cards. 


Q4. Which is the most premium credit card in India?

The SBI ELITE is the most premium credit card in India. 


Q5. Which are the two major credit cards?

SBI simplySAVE and HDFC Regalia credit cards. 

Ankur Aggarwal

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About the Author

Hi all, I am Ankur Aggarwal – Digital Marketer, Entrepreneur, Traveller, Blogger, and Foodie. Have been blogging since 2010. In 2016 I scored 99.2 percentile in XAT Exam for MBA, left that to pursue my Online business dreams.
The purpose of ankuraggarwal.in is to pass on 100% accurate, genuine and FREE information on Personal Finance, Entrepreneurship, Investing, Career, and Learning Digital Marketing Online. Know more about me here: About Ankur Aggarwal

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