10 Best Credit Cards in India

Credit cards have always been our closest buddy, whether we're shopping, travelling, or in an emergency. When there is no cash on hand, a credit card is always an alternative. 

 

A credit card is a basic plastic gadget that becomes your best buddy when your wallet's cash runs out. And the range of credit cards accessible in today's world is seemingly infinite. Shopping cards, travel cards, co-branded cards, fuel cards, and many other types are available.

 

Isn't it a thankless task to choose from such a long list? 

 

Recognizing this challenge, we have compiled a list of the finest credit cards in India for you to purchase with. These cards give reward points, discounts, cashback, and other benefits. Free movie tickets and lots more to pique your attention as a consumer.

 

Choosing a credit card that meets your needs and lifestyle among the various possibilities can be a difficult undertaking. Most credit card companies provide a variety of cards, each with its own set of advantages, eligibility requirements, and fees and charges.

 

In the next section, we will look at the cryptic list of cards and choose the one that will enable you to fulfil your purchasing urge. 

 

(Suggested reading: What is a Credit Rating?)

 

 

A list of best credit cards 

 

1. Citibank Cashback Credit Card

 

This Citibank Card is known as the Cashback card since it gives several cashback deals on purchases. You earn a flat 5% cashback when you buy cinema tickets or use it to pay your utility bills, such as your power bill or cell bill. 

 

Furthermore, you may receive 0.5 percent cash back on other transactions made with this card; this means that every time you spend with this credit card, you will undoubtedly receive a cashback. 

 

You will also convert any purchases exceeding Rs. 2000 into equal monthly instalments.

 

Every year, the annual fee is just Rs. 500 and  there is no joining fee.

 

 

2. Standard Chartered Manhattan Platinum credit card

 

This is one of the best and most popular credit cards in India for shopping, dining out, cashback, and reward points. 

 

This is the only credit card that offers 5% cashback on food purchases; whether you buy groceries from any chain shop such as Big Bazaar, Reliance Fresh, or more, you will receive a flat 5% cashback on your bill amount. 

 

That's a significant savings considering how frequently we use our credit card after sponsoring these shops. Rs. 999 for renewals from the next year onwards.

 

Joining fees are Rs 999 and annual fees are Rs 999.

 

 

3. ICICI Instant Platinum credit card

 

If you're a self-employed person, a housewife, a student, or someone who has a negative credit history as a result of a previous financial disaster and want to possess a credit card, this is the best card for you. 

 

ICICI Bank provides the ICICI Instant Platinum credit card to customers who have Fixed Deposits with them but do not have any financial documentation.

 

This credit card provides a 15% discount at over 800 prominent restaurants in India. You may also receive a Rs 100 discount twice a month if you buy cinema tickets using cardboard. 

 

This card requires absolute zero annual fees as well as joining fees.

 

(Also read about 5 Ways to Improve Credit Score)

 

 

4. IndianOil Citi Platinum credit card

 

This card provides the most benefits to frequent fuel charge customers in India. With this card, you may earn 4 Turbo points for every Rs. 150 spent on petrol at any Indian Oil shop across the nation. 

 

You will be able to exchange these turbo points for free petrol or use them to obtain presents and gift certificates. You may also be able to get your fuel fee waived at Indian Oil locations. 

 

Aside from gasoline purchases, you may also earn turbo points on other purchases. On every Rs. 150 spent, you get 2 Turbo points at grocery shops and supermarkets and 1 Turbo point in all other transactions such as shopping and dining.

 

Joining fees are nil and annual fees are nil if you spent more than Rs 30000 in single membership year otherwise its Rs 1000.

 

 

5. HSBC Visa Platinum Card

 

The HSBC credit card provides its customers with a variety of benefits, including reward points, cashback, and additional savings.

 

This card offers a 10% reward on all transactions made within the first three months provided you make at least three transactions totaling Rs. 10,000. This implies you receiving up to Rs. 3,000 as a total payback in the first 90 days. 

 

In terms of reward points, you gain 2 points for every Rs. 150 spent on any transaction. You may also be able to earn three times the number of reward points if you spend on eating and entertainment. 

 

You may also be eligible for a fuel fee waiver if you use this card to fill your tank. This card requires absolute zero annual fees as well as joining fees

 

 

6. SimplyCLICK SBI Card

 

This card might be a blessing in disguise for online shoppers because it provides several perks to individuals who shop online. 

 

This is a one-of-a-kind credit card that gives you 10 times the amount of reward points if you buy through any of their online e-commerce partners such as Amazon, Bookmyshow, Zoomcar, and Cleartrip. 

 

Not only that, but you also get 5 times the Reward points on the opposite transaction. Furthermore, if you use your Simply Click SBI credit card to purchase petrol, you will receive a Fuel Surcharge Waiver.

 

Joining fees are Rs 499 and annual fees are generally Rs 499 but they are waived off if you spent more than Rs 1 Lakh.

 

(Recommended reading: Types of credit risk)

 

 

7. AXIS Bank Neo credit card

 

A fantastic card for moviegoers and shopaholics both. This Axis Bank credit card provides outstanding advantages for shopping, eating, and leisure. 

 

If you use this card to book cinema tickets, purchase online, or recharge your phone, you will receive a 10% cashback. You may also receive extra perks from a number of the most popular e-commerce companies. 

 

For example, Jabong offers free Rs. 500 coupons, while Myntra offers an additional 10% discount on any transactions above Rs. 500. Furthermore, the Axis Neo card allows you to turn your purchases into EMIs.

 

Joining fees are Rs 250 but are waived off if the user spends more than Rs 25000 within 45 days. Annual fees are Rs 250.

 

 

8. HDFC Bank Diners Club Card

 

This HDFC Bank credit card is one of the finest cards in India, with amazing perks for shopping, travel, and entertainment activities. 

 

With this card, you will receive double the reward points on every domestic or international flight ticket or hotel purchase, and you will be able to use those reward points to book further air tickets or hotels. 

 

As a member of one of the premium cards, you will have access to a variety of airport lounges both in India and overseas. On all other purchases, you will receive 5 reward points for every Rs. 150 spent.

 

Joining fees is Rs 10,000 and annual fees are Rs 5,000+ taxes.

 

 

9. IndusInd Bank Platinum credit card

 

As a premium card, it provides clients with some luxury dining options as well as lifestyle advantages. 

 

By using this card on BookMyShow or Shopping and travel partners such as United Colors of Benetton, Satya Paul, Jet Airways, and others, you will be able to get fantastic savings. 

 

You will receive 1.5 reward points for every Rs. 150 spent. It provides travel insurance as well as aviation accident coverage of up to Rs. 25 lakhs.

 

Joining fees are Rs 3000 and annual fees are nil.

 

 

10. SBI Elite CARD

 

This nicely designed credit card from the Banking Corporation of India (SBI) has a lot to offer credit card customers. 

 

The programme gives customers savings on travel and hotel bookings, free lounge access (both international and domestic), and enticing deals on shopping, eating, and movie ticket purchases. 

 

In addition, you may be eligible for Club Vistara membership, Trident Privilege membership, and International & Domestic Lounge Program membership. 

 

You may earn up to 50,000 Bonus Reward Points (worth Rs. 12,500) every year with the cardboard. You will receive 10,000 additional Reward Points for spending Rs. 3 Lakhs and 4 Lakhs every year. (source)

 

Joining as well as annual fees are Rs 4999.

 

 

Conclusion

 

The general guideline is to maximise returns through welcome vouchers, merchant incentives, spend-based offers, card-linked bonuses, and frequent spending. You can choose your card while keeping the preceding in mind. 

 

Not to mention, the credit card business is quickly evolving, as seen by the number of new card releases in a single year, and you must be informed of the changes in the space to get the most out of your credit cards.

 

(Related blog: Types of Credit Derivatives)