Best Credit Cards in India 2024

Compare cards across reward categories and find the one that fits your lifestyle. Get maximum cashback, travel perks, and fuel rewards.

HDFC Bank Popular

HDFC Millennia

5% Cashback on Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy
1% Cashback on all other offline spends
8 Complimentary Lounge Access per year
Axis Bank High Value

Axis Bank ACE

5% Cashback on Bill Payments via GPay
2% Flat Cashback on all other spends
Unlimited Cashback with no cap
HDFC Bank Premium

Diners Club Black

5 Rewards per ₹150 spent
Unlimited Lounge Access Worldwide
Complimentary Golf Games monthly
SBI Card Fuel

BPCL SBI Card

4.25% Value Back on fuel at BPCL
5X Reward Points on Groceries & Movies
1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver
American Express Travel

Platinum Travel

₹40,000+ Travel Vouchers on Milestones
8 Lounge Access across India
3X Membership Rewards points
SBI Card Shopping

SBI SimplyCLICK

10X Reward Points on Amazon, Netmeds
5X Reward Points on all other Online spends
₹500 Amazon Voucher on joining
Axis Bank Airline

Axis Vistara

Complimentary Economy Ticket on joining
Club Vistara Base Membership
2 CV Points for every ₹200 spent
ICICI Bank Lifetime Free

Amazon Pay ICICI

5% Cashback for Amazon Prime members
2% Cashback on Amazon Pay partner merchants
No joining or annual fee forever

How to Choose the Right Credit Card?

The "best" credit card depends entirely on your spending habits. Follow these steps to find your match:

  • Identify your top spending category: Do you spend more on groceries, travel, or online shopping?
  • Evaluate Fees vs. Benefits: A card with a ₹1,000 fee is worth it if it gives you ₹5,000 in cashback.
  • Check Eligibility: Ensure your income level matches the bank's requirements to avoid rejection.

Quick Comparison

Category Best Feature Fee
Everyday Axis ACE (2%) ₹499
Millennials HDFC Millennia ₹1,000
Online Shopping SBI SimplyCLICK ₹499

Credit Card FAQs

What is a 'Lifetime Free' credit card?

A lifetime free (LTF) credit card has zero joining fees and zero annual renewal fees for life. It's great for beginners or those who want to improve their credit score without any cost.

How can I avoid paying interest on my credit card?

You can avoid interest by paying your 'Total Amount Due' in full every month before the due date. Most credit cards offer an interest-free period of 20 to 50 days if you pay in full.

Does having multiple credit cards affect my credit score?

It depends on how you use them. Multiple cards increase your total credit limit, which can lower your credit utilization ratio (positive for your score). However, applying for many cards in a short time can trigger multiple 'hard inquiries' (negative).

What is a credit card reward point valued at?

The value of a reward point varies per card, usually ranging from ₹0.20 to ₹1.00. You can redeem them for vouchers, flight bookings, or sometimes direct statement credit.

How do I increase my credit limit?

Banks usually offer limit increases based on timely payments and consistent usage over 6-12 months. You can also request an increase by providing updated income proof like salary slips.