Best Credit Cards in India for Different Income Groups

If you are earning a monthly income of less than Rs. 25,000, you can still get approved for some of the most popular credit cards such as HDFC MoneyBack and SBI SimplyCLICK. Credit cards for low-income earners typically charge a low annual fee and come with basic features such as a rewards program, EMI conversion facility, spend-based fee waiver, etc. However, cardholders will be able to avail all the bank-specific offers promoted on e-commerce websites or other brands.

List of Credit Cards for Income Below Rs. 25,000

The annual fee on these credit cards can go up to Rs. 3,000. The list includes some of the most popular cards best suited for online shopping, cashback, travel, rewards and more. If you have just started with your credit journey and have a monthly income of Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 35,000, these credit card options will not only help you build a good score but also avail multiple benefits across categories.

List of Best Entry-Level Credit Cards for Income between Rs. 25,000 & Rs. 35,000

Premium and super-premium credit cards usually require applicants to have an income of above Rs. 50,000. Such cards provide many perks including a higher number of free airport lounge access, low foreign exchange mark-up fee, concierge service, memberships to loyalty programs, bonus reward points, exclusive offers and much more.

Some premium credit cards provide over-the-top benefits and privileges; however, these cards are offered only to high-net-worth individuals. If your monthly salary is over Rs. 1 Lakh then you may apply for such a premium credit card. These cards will prove beneficial to international travellers, golfers and even shoppers. This is because they provide lounge access, free golf sessions, discounts and bonus reward points on shopping and so on. Top cards in this category are:

How to check the income requirement for a credit card?
Credit card providers usually list the income requirement for their credit cards on their websites.  You can find the income requirements for all the credit cards that we source on respective bank pages. If you cannot find the income requirement on the official website or our site then the same will be shared at the time of application.

Should I choose a credit card if I meet its income eligibility?
Meeting the income criteria is the pre-requisite to get approved for a credit card. However, income eligibility should not be the only criterion on the basis of which you should select a credit card. Choose a card that rewards your spending patterns and complements your lifestyle. For example, if you prefer to shop online then you should apply for a credit card that provides you with a discount or bonus reward points on online shopping.

Which credit card is best for low-income earners?
Regular credit cards such as HDFC MoneyBack, ICICI Platinum Chip Card or SBI SimplySAVE can be good for applicants with low income. You can explore other credit cards with income requirements below Rs. 15,000 here.

I have received a pre-approved credit card offer. Does this mean I meet the income requirement?
If you hold salary or savings account with the bank that is offering you the pre-approved credit card then chances are you already meet the income requirement for the offered card. However, sometimes banks just send a pre-approved offer based on a basic screening and you will be required to fill the application form. It is only afterwards that the bank checks whether you meet the income eligibility or not.

I have extra earnings other than my salary. Should I disclose it during credit card approval?
Yes, you may submit Form-16 or ITR acknowledgement slips to disclose your earnings. Note, this may be beneficial if your salary alone does not meet the minimum income eligibility criterion for the credit card.

My credit score is 800 and I meet the income requirement. Why was my application rejected?
There can be many reasons for a possible rejection which could include, frequent job change, wrong information provided in the application form, blacklisted organisation, etc. We suggest you get in touch with the credit card provider and know exactly why your application was rejected.