Best Credit Cards in India 2023

Here are the best credit cards that offer decent cashback on online shopping across select brands as well as on online spending in general.

1. Axis Bank Ace Credit Card

                                                                     
Joining Fee: Rs. 499
Annual Fee: Rs. 499

Axis Bank Ace Credit Card is a good option for beginners looking for a high cashback rate at a nominal annual fee. The card offers up to 5% cashback on bill payments and online food delivery along with other benefits such as airport lounge access and dining discounts. The best feature about this card is that there is no upper limit on earning cashback.

2. Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 500
Annual Fee: Rs. 500

Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card is another entry-level credit card, with a good cashback rate on online shopping. The card offers benefits across top brands such as Flipkart, Myntra, and other preferred partners (Uber, PVR, Tata SKY, Swiggy, etc). Despite being a co-branded card, the card functions more as a cashback credit card.

Suggested Read: Which Credit Card gives Best Rewards in India?

3. Cashback SBI Card

Joining Fee: Nil
Annual Fee: Rs. 999

Cashback SBI Card is a comparatively new entrant in the cashback credit cards segment but it has quickly gained popularity among online shoppers. The card gives 5% cashback on online transactions without any merchant restrictions. Where most shopping credit cards limit the benefits to one or more merchants or spend categories,  a card like this is truly a must-have.

4. Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card

Joining Fee: Nil
Annual Fee: Nil

If you are an Amazon loyalist, then Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card is the best cashback credit card for you, since you can earn up to 5% cashback on Amazon spends. The best part about this card is that it is a zero annual fee credit card with a good cashback rate. Also, since Amazon is a leading e-commerce platform for all shopping needs, this card is highly recommended for everyday purchases.

Suggested Read: Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card vs. Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card- Which is better?

5. HDFC Millennia Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 1,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 1,000

HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card is a good option for you if you are specifically looking for an HDFC credit card with a high cashback rate. The card offers good value-back on online shopping across top merchants as well as on other general spends. If you frequently use your credit card to shop online then this card is a good option as you avail annual fee waiver on spending more than a lakh in a year.

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Suggested Read: Best Cashback Credit Cards in India

This list includes the top 5 credit cards in India that would help you save more on your travel expenses in the form of air miles, complimentary memberships, co-branded benefits and more.

1. Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 350
Annual Fee: Rs. 350

Not many entry-level credit cards are counted in the list of the best travel credit cards in India, however, Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit card is a latest addition to this list. This co-branded travel credit card offers benefits on hotel, flights and bus ticket bookings with Instant discount on EaseMyTrip and extra rewards on standalone travel bookings. If you are an EaseMyTrip loyalist, or even if you frequently use your credit card while traveling, this card can be a good option for you.

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2. HDFC InterMiles Signature Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 2,500
Annual Fee: Rs. 2,500

HDFC InterMiles Signature Credit Card is a co-branded travel credit card with InterMiles Loyalty Program (previously Jet Privilege). This card is a good option if you are a frequent traveler, as you can earn high rewards (via air miles) for booking flights and hotels along with complimentary lounge visits. However, note that you can redeem the air miles only on the InterMiles website.

3. Air India SBI Signature Credit Card

Joining Fee: 4,999
Annual Fee: Rs. 4,999

Air India SBI Signature Credit Card is the best-suited card for Air India loyalists. The card comes at a high annual fee of Rs. 4,999 but justifies the fee with welcome benefits, a high reward rate, milestone benefits, complimentary membership, and lounge access, among other benefits.

4. Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 3,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 3,000

Another co-branded travel credit card on this list is Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card. The card is best suited for Vistara loyalists as you can avail complimentary Vistara tickets as a welcome and milestone benefit. The best part about this card, however, is that, apart from travel benefits, the card rewards you for spending across all categories along with other lifestyle benefits such as dining discounts, golf visits, etc.

5. RBL World Safari Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 3,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 3,000

If you are looking for a travel credit card that offers benefits inclined toward international travel, then RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card is a good option for you. The card comes with a 0% forex markup fee along with reward benefits, complimentary lounge access, and travel vouchers as welcome gift.

Suggested Read: Best Travel Credit Cards in India

This section includes some of the top credit cards in India that offer fuel benefits in the form of fuel surcharge waiver and co-branded discounts.

1. BPCL SBI Card Octane

Joining Fee: Rs. 1,499
Annual Fee: Rs. 1,499

SBI BPCL Octane Credit Card offers a high value back of 7.25% on fuel purchases across BPCL petrol pumps. Apart from fuel, the card also gives extra reward points on movie tickets, dining, and grocery spends which can be redeemed to get more free fuel. If you prefer BPCL petrol pumps over other fuel stations, you can consider this fuel credit card and avail the all-rounder benefits.

2. Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 750
Annual Fee: Rs. 750

While most fuel credit cards offer co-branded benefits, Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium Credit Card, does not extend the benefits at selected fuel stations, but offers cashback on all fuel transactions (with minimum transaction value of Rs. 2,000). Additionally, the card offers benefits around utility bill payments and phone bills. Thus, if you are looking for a low-annual fee card with general fuel benefits, this card can be a good option.

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3. IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 500
Annual Fee: Rs. 500

Indian Oil Axis Bank, another co-branded fuel credit card, offers up to 4% value back (via reward points) on fuel spent on IOCL petrol pumps. The silver lining here is that the value back is not offered only on fuel spends but on online shopping as well. If you are looking for a credit card with decent benefits across spends on IOCL petrol pumps, but do not want to pay a high fee, then you consider getting this card.

4. HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 500
Annual Fee: Rs. 500

If you want to earn cashback on all your transactions including fuel spends, then HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card is a good option. The 5% cash back earned via this card, is reflected in the statement, which can be used to pay the statement balance. If you are looking for a low annual fee fuel credit card with cashback benefits on fuel instead of rewards, then you can consider this card.

5. BPCL SBI Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 499
Annual Fee: Rs. 499

BPCL SBI Credit Card is an entry-level fuel credit card under a co-branded card association between BPCL and SBI Card. You can get up to 4.25% value back (via reward points) across any BPCL petrol pump, along with rewards on groceries, dining, movie ticket booking, and departmental stores. If you are looking for a low annual fee card with inclined benefits towards BPCL petrol pumps, you can consider this card.

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This section includes credit cards that charge a high annual fee but also offer benefits you would not find on low-fee or medium-fee credit cards.

1. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 10,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 10,000

The first super-premium card on this list is the Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card. The card offers benefits across multiple categories such as travel, rewards, movies, and dining. Offered to Indian residents earning an annual income of Rs. 18 Lakh or more, this card is offered in metal form. The features of this credit card are beyond satisfactory, and at par with other premium/super premium credit cards like HDFC Diners Club Black and HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card. Additionally, it charges a low foreign exchange markup fee of 2%, making it suitable for international travel.

2. SBI Elite Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 4,999
Annual Fee: Rs. 4,999

SBI Elite Credit Card is an all-rounder premium credit card, best suited if you use your card frequently for most of your expenses. This card offers benefits across hotel bookings, lounge access, movies, travel and dining. You get a decent reward rate with accelerated earnings on dining, groceries, and departmental store spending. Thus, this credit card can match all your needs, and thereby justifies a high annual fee of Rs. 4,999.

3. HDFC Infinia Credit Card Metal Edition

Joining Fee: Rs. 12,500
Annual Fee: Rs. 12,500

HDFC Infinia Credit Card Metal Edition is an invite-only premium credit card suitable for high-net-worth individuals. The card offers all-rounder benefits across travel, dining, shopping, rewards, etc. If you are a heavy spender you can consider getting this card, as you will be able to avail the renewal benefit of up to 12,500 points and maximize the benefits.

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4. HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 10,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 10,000

If you are a high-net-worth individual looking for exclusive privileges on your credit card across travel, shopping, reward, dining, and golf, then HDFC Diners Diners Club Black Credit Card is the go-to option. The card comes along with welcome and milestone benefits, high rewards rate, a low forex markup fee, and unlimited airport lounge access and more. At an annual fee of Rs. 10,000, the card offers way more than it charges.

5. Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 50,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 50,000

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card is the most premium credit card with the highest annual/joining fee in this list, of Rs. 50,000. In comparison to other premium credit cards, the extent of benefits offered in this card is huge. With this card, you get complimentary airport concierge service; unlimited lounge access; 50 golf rounds; leisure hotel memberships from AccorPlus,  Asia Pacific, Oberoi Hotels, etc; 50,000 complimentary reward points; and a fairly low forex makeup of 1.5%.

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Also Read: Best Credit Cards for Different Income Groups in India

Credit cards that offer one of the best reward points to their users are mentioned in the list below:

1. SBI Card Prime

Joining Fee: Rs. 2,999
Annual Fee: Rs. 2999

SBI Card Prime is one of the best rewards credit card that offers high rewards on dining, grocery, and departmental stores along with benefits across multiple categories such as shopping, travel booking, and utility bill payments. This credit card is a good option at an annual fee of Rs. 2,999 for availing all-rounder benefits with a high reward rate.

2. HDFC Regalia Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 2,500
Annual Fee: Rs. 2,500

HDFC Regalia Credit Card offers up to 15,000 reward points for achieving the milestone benefit along with additional rewards on retail spends. The best part about this card is that you can get rewards even on insurance, utilities, education, and rent spends, which most cards do not offer. This credit card is a good option for you if you spend a lot via credit card.

Suggested Read: Best Credit Cards for Grocery Shopping in India

3. HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 2,500
Annual Fee: Rs. 2,500

HDFC Diners Club Privilege not only offers rewards on retail spends, but exclusive 2X rewards on weekend dining as well. Additionally, with this card, you can avail complimentary annual memberships, lounge access, travel, and golf benefits. If you are looking for premium benefits at a comparatively lower fee, then you can consider opting for this card.

4. Standard Chartered Platinum Rewards Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 250
Annual Fee: Rs. 250

If you are looking for exclusive rewards on dining, and fuel then you can consider getting Standard Chartered Platinum Rewards Credit Card. At a low fee of Rs. 250, the reward rate offered is more than satisfactory. The reward points earned via this card can be used to pay credit card bills or can be redeemed against gift cards and vouchers.

5. IDFC First Millennia Credit Card

Joining Fee: Nil
Annual Fee: Nil

IDFC First Millennia Credit Card is a suitable reward credit card if you are a beginner looking for a zero annual fee card. The card rewards you for both offline and online spends, with additional rewards on birthdays and on spending above Rs. 20,000 in a billing cycle. The best part about rewards earned via this card is that the earned points never expire.

Suggested Read: Credit Cards with Zero-annual Fee in India

Which credit card is best for online shopping in India?

Some of the best credit cards for online shopping in India are Axis Bank Ace, SBI SimplyClick, HDFC Moneyback+, Flipkart Axis Bank, and ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card.

Which credit card is best for the rewards program?

Almost all credit cards in India offer reward points with every purchase. But some credit cards offer higher reward points with certain purchases and they have multiple redemption options. Click here to read about the best rewards credit cards in India.

Do all best credit cards in India charge high annual fees?

No, there are some credit cards with the best offers in India that are either free for a lifetime or charge a minimal annual fee. A few examples of the best low annual fee credit cards include HDFC Moneyback, HSBC Platinum, and ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card.

Which bank credit card is the best in India?

Some of the most popular credit card issuers in India are HDFC, SBI Card, ICICI, Amex, Axis, Standard Chartered Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. However, the best credit card for you would be the one that matches your needs. To make your search easier for you, we have listed some of the best and most popular cards in India above.

Also Check: Best Credit card in UAE

Which is the best credit card for travel in India?

A lot of banks offer travel credit cards in India with benefits like complimentary airport lounge access, air tickets, extra rewards, air miles and more. Some of the top credit cards for travel are HDFC InterMiles Signature Credit Card, Air India SBI Signature Credit, Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card and RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card.

Is credit score important when applying for a credit card?

Credit score is one of the factors that card issuers consider when reviewing your credit card application, however, if you have a pre-approved card offer or have a prior relationship with the lender, they might not look at your credit score when approving your card application. Also, there are some entry level cards that doesn’t require credit score for application, so even if you do not have a credit score of 700 and above, which is considered good for credit applications, you still stand a chance to get a credit card.

What is the minimum salary required for a credit card?

The minimum salary required for a credit card may vary across the card issuer and your occupation type. Additionally, it may also vary as per the card type. Premium credit cards have a higher income eligibility requirement in comparison to entry-level or basic credit cards. Know more about Credit Card Eligibility.

Which is the best credit card for airport lounge access?

Some of the best credit cards for airport lounge access include, SBI Card Elite, HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Card, and Axis Bank Select Credit Card. These cards offer access to both domestic and International lounges. Click here to check Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access in India 2023.

How to apply for the best credit card in India?

To get the best credit card, you must first analyze your spending patterns and requirements. For instance, if you largely spend on shopping, you can get yourself a Shopping Credit Card, or if you are looking for fuel benefits, get a fuel credit card. Additionally, you must also compare various similar type of cards offered by different lenders. For that, you can compare & apply for credit cards at Paisabazaar. Click here to compare card & check pre-approved loan offers.