21 Best Credit Cards in India For 2022

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Choosing the best credit card for yourself can be quite tricky. India is a growing market with banks rushing to bring credit cards that offer the most value, every few weeks. To make this hunt easier for you, we have shortlisted credit cards based on categories including cashback, online shopping, and other criteria. So, consider this the updated ultimate guide for the best credit cards in India this year.

This list will be updated as new credit cards, which catch our eye, keep getting unveiled.

List of 21 Top Credit Cards in India for 2022

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1. Flipkart Axis

Points to Consider
  1. One of the best reward credit cards in India in the entry-level segment
  2. Flat 5% unlimited cashback on all your purchases from Flipkart, Myntra, and 2Gud. If you purchase a Rs 1 lakh smartphone from Flipkart, you will get Rs 5,000 back as credit in your card account, no questions asked!
  3. 4% cashback on select merchants and 1.5% on all other transactions
  4. 4 complimentary lounge visits, a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, and Axis Bank-related dining benefits
Joining fees:Rs 500+GST
Annual fees: Rs 500+GST (waived off on spending Rs 2,00,000)
Interest rate: 3.4% per month (49.36% per annum)
pros
  • You can earn up to 5% cashback every time you shop from Flipkart, Myntra, and 2GUD.
  • 4% cashback on additional merchants such as PVR, Uber, MakeMyTrip, and Cure.fit. This card covers three domains, lifestyle, travel, and shopping.
  • If you are someone who is looking to get discounts from multiple platforms, then this card is the perfect match for you.
Cons
  • Cashback only on online spends

2. Amazon Pay ICICI

Points to consider
  1. 5% cashback on Amazon.in purchases for Amazon Prime members
  2. Non-Prime users get 3% unlimited cashback
  3. 2% cashback on Amazon Pay partner merchants
  4. Lifetime free card
Joining fees:0
Annual fees: 0
Interest rate: 3.5-3.8% per month
pros
  • Lifetime free card. You can get cashback even without paying any joining or annual fees.
  • 5% cashback on every Amazon.in purchase for Prime members.
  • 2% cashback on expenses like recharges, gift cards, flight bookings, and bill payments through Amazon Pay partner merchants.
Cons
  • If you wish to enjoy the full benefits, you need to have an Amazon Prime membership.
  • There are no rewards for purchasing gold and none on EMI transactions.

3. Axis ACE

Points to consider
  1. 5% flat (unlimited) cashback on bill payments (electricity, internet, gas, and more), DTH, and mobile recharges on Google Pay on Android
  2. 4% cashback on Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola
  3. 2% cashback on all other spends
  4. 4 complimentary lounge visits per calendar year at select domestic airports
Joining fees:Rs 499
Annual fees: Rs 499 (waived off on spending Rs 2,00,000)
Interest rate: 3.4% per month (49.36% per annum)
pros
  • Axis Bank offers 2% flat-rate cashback on all purchases, which means you can earn a great value on everything you buy.
  • 5% unlimited cashback on bill payments; mobile recharges done via Google Pay and DTH.
  • 20% discount at more than 4000 partner restaurants
  • 4% cashback on Zomato, Ola, Grofers, Bigbasket, and Swiggy.
Cons
  • No welcome benefits

4. SBI SimplyClick

Points to consider
  1. Chances of easier approval in case you have an SBI bank account
  2. This is also one of the best credit cards for students to build credit score.
  3. Free Amazon gift card on joining
  4. 10X rewards on partners like Amazon, BookMyShow, Cleartrip, Dineout, Lenskart, and more
  5. 5X rewards on other online portals
Joining fees:Rs 499 (Get Rs 500 Amazon.in gift card on joining)
Annual fees: Rs 499 (waived off on spending Rs 1,00,000)
Interest rate: 3.50% per month (42% per annum)
pros
  • Option of converting transactions (>Rs 2500) into EMI using Flexipay
  • 10X Reward Points on Cleartrip, FoodPanda, Lenskart, Bookmyshow, and more
  • Earn 1 Reward point on every Rs 100 spent
  • 1% Fuel Surcharge waiver on a minimum spend of Rs 500
Cons
  • No rewards on entertainment and dining
  • Conversion of rewards is almost vague

5. HDFC Millennia

Points to consider
  1. 5% cashback on Amazon, Flipkart, and flight and hotel bookings
  2. 2.5% cashback on online spends
  3. 1% cashback on offline spends and wallet reloads
Joining fees:Rs 1,000+GST
Annual fees: Rs 1,000+GST (waived off on spending Rs 1,00,000)
Interest rate: 3.49% per month (41.88% per annum)
pros
  • 8 free domestic airport lounge visits in a year
  • 2.5% cashback on every online purchase on minimum purchase of Rs.2000
  • 5% cashback on Amazon, Flipkart, hotel, and flight bookings if done via PayZapp and SmartBuy
  • Cashback on offline spends and wallet reloads
Cons
  • Cashback has an upper limit of Rs 1000 for first 6 months, and Rs 750 later on

6. Standard Chartered Manhattan

Points to consider
  1. Offers exclusive cashback on supermarket grocery spends
  2. 3 reward points on every Rs 150 spent on other expenses
  3. Annual fee waiver available after first year
Joining fees:Rs 999 (5,000 rewards points on joining)
Annual fees: Rs 999 (waived off on spending Rs 1,20,000)
Interest rate: 3.75% per month (45% per annum)
pros
  • The best cashback credit card for supermarket spends
  • 15% cashback on travel
  • 25% off on movie tickets. Vouchers worth Rs. 2000 from BookMyShow
Cons
  • Not as premium as its counterparts
  • Reward point redemption values are low and keep fluctuating

7. Axis Neo

Points to consider
  1. Good card for online shopping spends primarily
  2. Free memberships include Zomato Pro, Grofers, and 1mg
  3. Discounts across your favourite apps like Zomato, Myntra, BookMyShow
Joining fees:Rs 250 (waived off if you spend Rs 2,500 in first 45 days)
Annual fees: Rs 250
Interest rate: 3.4% per month (49.36% per annum)
pros
  • 40% off on Swiggy and Zomato
  • 10% off on movies, groceries, and online shopping
  • 5% cashback on mobile bill payments and utility bills using Paytm
  • 10% off on Grofers, Myntra, and BookMyShow
Cons
  • No complimentary airport and railway lounge visits on offer

8. Flipkart Axis

Points to Consider
  1. One of the best credit cards in India in the entry-level segment
  2. Flat 5% unlimited cashback on all your purchases from Flipkart, Myntra, and 2Gud. If you purchase a Rs 1 lakh smartphone from Flipkart, you will get Rs 5,000 back as credit in your card account, no questions asked!
  3. 4% cashback on select merchants and 1.5% on all other transactions
  4. 4 complimentary lounge visits, a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, and Axis Bank-related dining benefits
Joining fees:Rs 500+GST
Annual fees: Rs 500+GST (waived off on spending Rs 2,00,000)
Interest rate: 3.4% per month (49.36% per annum)
pros
  • You can earn up to 5% cashback every time you shop from Flipkart, Myntra, and 2GUD.
  • 4% cashback on additional merchants such as PVR, Uber, MakeMyTrip, and Cure.fit. This card covers three domains, lifestyle, travel, and shopping.
  • If you are someone who is looking to get discounts from multiple platforms, then this card is the perfect match for you.
Cons
  • Cashback only on online spends

9. Amazon Pay ICICI

Points to consider
  1. 5% cashback on Amazon.in purchases for Amazon Prime members
  2. Non-Prime users get 3% unlimited cashback
  3. 2% cashback on Amazon Pay partner merchants
  4. Lifetime free card
Joining fees:0
Annual fees: 0
Interest rate: 3.5-3.8% per month
pros
  • Lifetime free card. You can get cashback even without paying any joining or annual fees.
  • 5% cashback on every Amazon.in purchase for Prime members.
  • 2% cashback on expenses like recharges, gift cards, flight bookings, and bill payments through Amazon Pay partner merchants.
Cons
  • If you wish to enjoy the full benefits, you need to have an Amazon Prime membership.
  • There are no rewards for purchasing gold and none on EMI transactions.

10. IndianOil Citibank

Points to consider
  1. 4 Turbo points on every Rs 150 of fuel spends
  2. 2 points on every Rs 150 spent on groceries

Best credit cards for fuel in India are a boon in times of inflated fuel prices. The IndianOil Citibank is a co-branded credit card which offers you 4 Turbo points on every Rs 150 of fuel spending, and gives you 2 points on every Rs 150 spent on groceries apart from 1 point on Rs 150 spent on all other transactions.

Joining fees:0
Annual fees: Rs 1,000 (waived off on spending Rs 30,000)
Interest rate: ~45% per annum
pros
  • 4 Turbo points on every Rs 150 spent on fuel
  • Up to 20% discount on dining at partner restaurants
  • 2 Turbo points on every Rs 150 spent on groceries and at departmental stores
  • Earned reward points do not expire
  • Turbo points can be exchanged for air miles and cash/ statement credit
Cons
  • Rewards on fuel are only applicable at Indian Oil fuel stations
  • No rewards on entertainment and travel categories

11. BPCL SBI

Points to consider
  1. BPCL has partnered with SBI Card to offer a decent credit card for high fuel spends
  2. 13X reward points on fuel purchases at BPCL petrol pumps, subject to maximum of 1300 reward points
  3. 5X reward points on every Rs 100 spent on groceries, departmental stores, movies, and dining
Joining fees:Rs 499 (Get 2,000 reward points worth Rs 500 on joining)
Annual fees: Rs 499 (waived off on spending Rs 1,00,000)
Interest rate: 3.50% per month (42% per annum)
pros
  • A welcome gift of 2,000 reward points (worth Rs 500) is credited on activation
  • 25X reward points on BPCL fuel stations across the country
  • 4 complimentary access to airport lounges at domestic airports
  • 5X reward points earned on dining, movie tickets, groceries, and departmental stores
Cons
  • Rewards on fuel are only applicable at BPCL fuel stations
  • Fuel Surcharge waiver is capped at Rs 100 per month

12. HDFC Regalia

Points to consider
  1. HDFC Regalia is one of the longest-running mid-range credit cards from HDFC’s bandwagon
  2. Free Dineout Passport membership, and 12 domestic and 6 international lounge visits
  3. Up to 15,000 bonus reward points on completing spending milestones
Joining fees:Rs 2,500+GST (welcome benefit of 2,500 Reward Points)
Annual fees: Rs 2,500+GST (renewal benefit of 2,500 Reward Points) – waived off on spending Rs 3,00,000
Interest rate: 3.49% per month (41.88% per annum)
pros
  • 12 Complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access per calendar quarter
  • 4 reward points are earned for every Rs 150 spent
  • Bonus 10,000 Reward Points on Rs 5 lakhs and additional 5,000 Reward Points on Rs 8 lakhs spent annually
Cons
  • The net reward rate of this card is relatively low

13. American Express MRCC

Points to consider
  1. If you want a no-frills credit card that rewards you for regular payments, there are only a few like the Amex MRCC
  2. One of the best credit cards in India for mid-range users.
  3. Earn 1,000 bonus points for using the card 4 times on transactions of Rs 1,500 and above during each calendar month.
  4. Additional 1,000 Membership Rewards points by spending Rs 20,000 or more in a calendar month.
Joining fees:Rs 1,000+GST
Annual fees: Rs 4,500+GST (waived off on spending Rs 1,50,000)
Interest rate: 3.5% per month
pros
  • Bonus points add up to a lot of value in each calendar year
  • You need not make big purchases to get a high amount of points
Cons
  • American Express cards are not readily acceptable at all online and offline stores

14. Axis Select

Points to consider
  1. Perfect bridge between cashback cards and premium ones
  2. Free Amazon Prime membership, Rs 2,000 Amazon voucher, 20% on BigBasket orders, 40% off on Swiggy, BOGO on BookMyShow
  3. 6 international lounge visits every year
Joining fees:Rs 3,000
Annual fees: Rs 3,000
Interest rate: 3.40% per month (49.36% per annum)
pros
  • One-stop shop for value seekers using online apps
  • Great for frequent international travellers with 6 international lounge visits
  • Regular discounts on BookMyShow and Swiggy, with thousands in yearly savings
Cons
  • Not the best credit card in its range
  • No fee waivers available

15. IndusInd Pinnacle

Points to consider
  1. One of the simplest premium cards in the market
  2. 2.5% rewards on online transactions, 1.5% on online travel bookings
  3. 1% on all other transactions
  4. You can redeem the points for cash credit 1:1
Joining fees:Rs 15,000+GST (up to Rs 15,000 worth of welcome vouchers)
Annual fees: 0
Interest rate: 2.99% per month (36% per annum)
pros
  • You can redeem points as cash equivalent in credit card statement
  • Welcome vouchers offset your joining cost
  • Simple and easy to use
Cons
  • Joining fees are too steep for a premium card

16. SBI Elite

Points to consider
  1. The SBI Elite is a complete package when it comes to benefits
  2. Complimentary movie tickets worth Rs 6,000 in a year
  3. Up to 50,000 reward points in milestone spends
  4. Priority Pass membership, domestic lounge access, Club Vistara Silver membership, Trident Privilege Red Tier membership

The SBI Elite is a complete package when it comes to benefits. You get complimentary movie tickets worth Rs 6,000 in a year, up to 50,000 reward points in milestone spending, Priority Pass membership, domestic lounge access, Club Vistara Silver membership, Trident Privilege Red Tier membership, and an exclusive concierge.

Joining fees:Rs 4,999+GST (Get Rs 5,000 gift voucher on joining)
Annual fees: Rs 4,999+GST
Interest rate: 3.50% per month (42% per annum)
pros
  • Loads of free premium subscription services on offer
  • Milestone spends can unlock high reward rate
  • Great card for frequent moviegoers
Cons
  • Not the best card for low spending

17. Citi PremierMiles

Points to consider
  1. Citi PremierMiles is the best premium credit card in India if you want to maximise airmiles
  2. 10 miles for every Rs 100 spent on airline transactions
  3. 4 miles for every Rs 100 on all other spends

Citi PremierMiles is the best premium credit card in India if you want to maximise airmiles. You get 10 miles for every Rs 100 spent on airline transactions. Plus, you get 4 miles for every Rs 100 on all other spends. These miles never expire, so you don’t have to worry about lockdowns spoiling travel plans.

Joining fees:Rs 3,000+GST
Annual fees: Rs 3,000+GST
Interest rate: 3.75% per month (45% per annum)
pros
  • Airline miles on this card never expire, so no plans will be spoilt
  • 10% return on miles on airline spends
Cons
  • Fee waiver only for Citigold customers
  • High reward rate only when you book through Premier Miles website

18. HDFC Infinia

Points to consider
  1. HDFC Infinia is probably the most exciting super premium credit card in India
  2. Exclusive benefits on Amazon, Flipkart, and travel bookings
  3. Super premium card benefits like international lounge access, golf games, movie offers, and dining benefits
Joining fees:Rs 10,000+GST (welcome benefits of 10,000 points)
Annual fees: Rs 10,000+GST (renewal benefits of 10,000 points) – waived off on spending Rs 8,00,000
Interest rate: 1.99% per month (23.88 per annum)
pros
  • 10X reward points on Amazon, Flipkart, travel bookings
  • Multiple super premium benefits - lounge access, accelerated rewards, etc
  • VISA acceptability is extremely high
Cons
  • This card is solely an invite only card. No eligibility mentioned
  • Membership Fee of Rs. 12,500 + Applicable Taxes. Card is not lifetime free anymore

19. American Express Platinum

Points to consider
  1. The Amex Platinum is one of the most unique cards in the market
  2. Access to a ton of unspoken benefits like access to exclusive events, offers, and locations
  3. These are some things money really can’t buy, however cliched it might sound
Joining fees:Rs 60,000+GST
Annual fees: Rs 60,000+GST
Interest rate: 3.5% per month
pros
  • 3X rewards on every spend while you are abroad
  • Earned rewards never expire
  • Complimentary Access to 32 Golf courses in India
Cons
  • Has an internal or shadow limit
  • Joining Fees: Rs. 60000 + Applicable Taxes!

20. Yes First Exclusive

Premium features include an exclusive interest rate for revolving credit, movie offers, insurance coverage, and a lot more.

Joining fees:Rs 9,999+GST
Annual fees: Rs 9,999+GST
Interest rate: 1.99% per month (23.88% per annum)
pros
  • 12 reward points on every Rs.200 spent on travel, airlines, and dining
  • 6 reward points on every Rs.200 spent on other categories
  • Super affordable fees
Cons
  • Benefits might not be on par with other super premium card options

21. HDFC Diners Black

Points to consider
  1. HDFC Diners Black is another gem from HDFC Bank’s credit card lineup
  2. Offers a lot of benefits on par with the Infinia, albeit with lower monthly limits
  3. Free memberships for Amazon Prime, Zomato Pro, MakeMyTrip, Club Marriott, and more
Joining fees:Rs 10,000+GST
Annual fees: Rs 10,000+GST (waived off on spending Rs 5,00,000)
Interest rate: 1.99% per month (23.88 per annum)
pros
  • 6 Complimentary golf games per quarter
  • 10X reward points on partner brands and 2X on weekend dining
  • Earned reward points can be redeemed for flight and hotel bookings using Smartbuy
Cons
  • Accelerated reward accrual monthly limits
  • Not accepted everywhere due to Diners Club network

Compare Best Credit Card

Credit CardsJoining FeesCategory
Axis ACERs 500Cashback
SBI SimplyCLICKRs 500Entry-Level, Cashback
Amazon Pay ICICI0Cashback
Flipkart AxisRs 500Cashback
HDFC Bank MillenniaRs 1,000Cashback, Wallet Reloads
Axis NeoRs 250Online Shopping
IndianOil Citibank0Fuel
BPCL SBIRs 499Fuel
HDFC RegaliaRs 2,500Mid-range
American Express MRCCRs 1,000Mid-range
Axis SelectRs 3,000Mid-range
IndusInd PinnacleRs 15,000Premium
SBI EliteRs 4,999Premium
Citi PremierMilesRs 3,000Travel, Premium
HDFC Bank InfiniaRs 12,500Super Premium, Luxury
American Express PlatinumRs 60,000Super Premium
Yes First ExclusiveRs 9,999Super Premium
HDFC Diners BlackRs 10,000Super Premium

How to choose the best credit card?

There are a variety of factors that should be considered before applying for a new credit card. But they are categorised into two major areas - your eligibility and the benefits that the credit card offers you. First, let’s have a look at the multiple eligibility criteria.

Age

Age is an essential factor in determining your credit card eligibility. Largely, anyone in the working population is eligible for most credit cards in India. If you are between the age of 21 and 50-55, you shouldn’t have much problem while applying for one. Bonus if you are a salaried professional, too.

Location

Once the age factor is considered, your location–where you reside currently–should be serviceable by the bank. Most major pincodes in India are covered, and you shouldn’t be worrying except if you live in an extremely remote part of the country.

Income

Income is one of the major factors that will influence your credit card approval. Depending on your income, you can know whether you are eligible for basic, mid-range, premium, or super premium credit cards. The higher the income, better the chances of getting approved for a more premium card. Usually, banks are strict about this criteria but might offer waivers in case you have a solid and long running relationship with the issuing bank.

Credit score

Once you have been cleared of the above factors, your credit score is analysed to check your credit history, including your loan repayment schedule, credit utilisation, age of accounts, and so on. Keep your score as high as possible by following the tips mentioned in this blog.

FAQs

Which is the best credit card in India 2022?

Honestly, there is no single best credit card in India. However, we have tried to categorise them above on the basis of usage and level. They are all great options in their respective categories, so you can pick the one that suits you best.

Which is the best rewards credit card in India?

While the SBI SimplyClick is a great entry-level card for rewards, you can’t ignore the American Express Membership Rewards card that offers great value. We would suggest you read the above list carefully to make the right choice.

Which credit card is best for daily use?

A credit card is suited for different needs. Whether you need it for travel bookings, grocery, or online shopping primarily decides which card you should go for. We have an exhaustive list that should help you.

Which credit card is best in India for a salaried person?

Almost all banks prefer salaried professionals for credit card approvals. However, the card level depends on your salary and relationship with the bank. Check the list above for the best credit cards in India to have a clearer idea of which one you should get first.

Which credit card is best for online shopping in India?

Flipkart Axis and Amazon Pay ICICI are some of the best online shopping credit cards in India. Axis Neo is also a good overall card to have for popular online shopping apps.

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

No. In fact, a lot of popular cards like Amazon Pay ICICI have zero joining and annual fees. Read this blog to know more.

Which credit card in India is best for travel?

The Citi Premier Miles is a good credit card for travel. It lets you convert your card points into airline miles with several airlines. These can be used to obtain free flights.

What is the best lifetime free credit card in India?

Amazon Pay ICICI could be regarded as the top ranker in the list of lifetime free credit cards in India. It gives you flat 5% cashback on Amazon.in orders.

Which bank give credit card easily?

Although there is no direct answer to this, but SBI credit cards can theoretically be obtained easily by SBI bank customers.

Conclusion

The above list has been updated as of February 2022. These are the best credit cards in each of their categories. Considering India is a fast-growing financial market with several new launches and upgrades every couple of weeks, we should see regular updates to these credit cards, and thus this list, often. Be sure to check back to see if any of your preferred cards have received any changes. For other questions, please put them down in the comments. Someone from our team or our reader base will get back to you