By country · fees in INR · 34 cards ranked

Best Credit Cards in India 2026

Indian cards ranked: HDFC, SBI, ICICI, Axis, Amex and Standard Chartered cards scored on reward value, lounge access, forex markup, lifetime-free status and the income and CIBIL score each needs.

See the ranking Read the guide
CIBIL score (typical)750+ for premium
Forex markup0% – 3.5%
Lifetime-free cardsSeveral ranked
RegulatorRBI
The Gateway of India and Taj Mahal Palace hotel on the Mumbai waterfront

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Ranked 1–10 at a glance

RankCardAnnual feeRewardsWelcome offerForeign feeWho qualifiesScore
1
HDFC Infinia Credit Card (Metal Edition)High-net-worth spenders who want top-tier travel and luxury perks
 ₹12,500/yr 3.3% base value, up to 33% on SmartBuy bookings 12,500 bonus Reward Points on fee payment 2% markup on foreign curre… Excellent 4.9
2
HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Credit CardFrequent flyers who want luxury perks on the Diners network
 ₹10,000/yr 3.3% base, up to 33% via SmartBuy Club Marriott, Amazon Prime and Swiggy One (3 months) on spe… 2% markup on foreign curre… Excellent 4.8
3
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit CardAmazon regulars who want a free everyday cashback card
 None 5% Amazon (Prime), 3% (non-Prime), 1% elsewhere Amazon Pay balance offer on activation (varies) 1.99% markup on foreign cu… Invite-only; ICICI lists age 21+… 4.7
4
Axis Bank ACE Credit CardAnyone who wants high cashback on bills and everyday spends
 ₹499/yr 5% on bills via Google Pay, 4% on Swiggy, Zomato and Ola (₹500 shared cap per st… No fixed welcome bonus; value comes from ongoing cashback 3.5% markup on foreign cur… Good 4.6
5
Axis Bank Magnus Credit CardPoints maximizers who transfer rewards to airline miles
 ₹12,500/yr Around 4.8% base value, higher via partner transfers Large bonus EDGE Points or voucher on spend milestone 2% markup on foreign curre… Excellent 4.6
6
Cashback SBI CardOnline shoppers who want simple, automatic cashback
 ₹999/yr 5% online (up to ₹2,000 a cycle), 1% offline (up to ₹2,000 a cycle), from 1 Apri… No fixed welcome bonus; annual fee waived on Rs.2 lakh spend 3.5% markup on foreign cur… Good 4.6
7
Axis Bank Atlas Credit CardFrequent travelers who want transferable airline and hotel miles
 ₹5,000/yr 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on Travel EDGE, direct airline and direct hotel spends (up… 2,500 EDGE Miles on the first transaction within 37 days 3.5% markup on foreign cur… Good to Excellent 4.5
8
Flipkart Axis Bank Credit CardFlipkart and Myntra loyalists who want simple cashback
 ₹500/yr 7.5% Myntra, 5% Flipkart and Cleartrip (each capped at ₹4,000 a statement quarte… ₹250 Flipkart voucher (cards issued after 20 June 2025) 3.5% markup on foreign cur… Good 4.5
9
HDFC Regalia Gold Credit CardAspiring premium users who want lounge access and lifestyle rewards
 ₹2,500/yr 5 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spends (from 15 May 2026) Gift vouchers worth Rs.2,500 on joining and on annual fee pa… 2% markup on foreign curre… Good to Excellent 4.5
10
HSBC Live+ Credit CardEveryday spenders on dining, groceries and shopping who want simple cashback
 ₹999/yr 10% cashback on dining, food delivery, grocery, shopping and utility spends (up… See issuer for the current offer 1.99% of foreign currency… Salaried: 18 to 65 years, ₹6 lak… 4.5

The full list: 34 cards

Ranked by editorial score. Scroll the table on smaller screens.

RankCardAnnual feeRewardsWelcome offerForeign feeWho qualifiesScore
11
IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit CardHigh earners who want a free premium card with lounge, golf and a 1.5% forex markup
 None 10X Reward Points on monthly spends above ₹20,000 and 3X up to ₹20,000 (1X = 1 p… See issuer for the current offer 1.5% forex markup Annual income of ₹36 lakh or mor… 4.5
12
Scapia Federal Bank Credit CardTravellers who book on the Scapia app and want zero forex on a free card
 None 10% rewards as Scapia Coins on eligible Visa card spends of ₹20 and above; 20% o… See issuer for the current offer Zero forex markup See issuer 4.5
13
Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit CardRegular shoppers on Tata Neu and partner Tata brands who spend ₹3 lakh a year
 ₹1,499/yr 5% back as NeuCoins on Tata Neu and partner Tata brands (non-EMI); an extra 5% o… 1,499 NeuCoins on the first transaction within 30 days of ca… 3.5% of the transaction va… Salaried: ₹1 lakh monthly income… 4.5
14
HDFC Millennia Credit CardYoung professionals who shop heavily on Amazon, Flipkart and food apps
 ₹1,000/yr 5% on partner brands, 1% on other eligible spends 1,000 CashPoints on fee realization 3.5% markup on foreign cur… Good 4.4
15
SBI Card ELITEFamilies who want entertainment perks plus travel benefits
 ₹4,999/yr Around 0.5% base, up to 2.5% on accelerated categories e-Gift voucher worth Rs.5,000 on joining 1.99% markup on foreign cu… Good to Excellent 4.4
16
Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit CardPremium users who want a simple flat-rate rewards card
 ₹5,000/yr Flat 3.3% reward value on most spends Reward points and benefits worth the annual fee on activatio… 2% markup on foreign curre… Excellent 4.4
17
American Express Membership Rewards Credit CardDisciplined spenders who hit monthly milestones for bonus points
 ₹4,500/yr Around 1 point per Rs.50, boosted by milestones 4,000 Membership Rewards points on spending Rs.15,000 in 90… 3.5% markup on foreign cur… Good to Excellent 4.3
18
Axis Bank Horizon Credit CardFrequent flyers who book direct with airlines and want lounges without spend rules
 ₹3,000/yr 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on Axis Bank Travel EDGE and direct airline spends; 2 EDGE… 5,000 EDGE Miles on a first transaction of ₹1,000 or more wi… 3.5% of the transaction va… Age 18 to 70, Indian resident; s… 4.3
19
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit CardLifestyle spenders who want dining, movie and travel perks together
 ₹3,500/yr 4 Reward Points per ₹100 on international spends, 2 on domestic spends, 1 on uti… Joining vouchers worth over ₹13,000 3.5% markup on foreign cur… Good to Excellent 4.3
20
IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit CardLifetime free rewards on dining, travel and foreign spends with zero forex markup
 None 10X Reward Points on dining, travel and international spends from the first tran… ₹500 voucher on spending ₹5,000 within 30 days of activation… Zero forex markup See issuer for income and CIBIL… 4.3
21
Swiggy HDFC Bank Credit CardFrequent Swiggy users who also shop online for apparel, electronics and cabs
 ₹500/yr 10% cashback on Swiggy food, Instamart, Dineout and Genie (up to ₹1,500 a billin… 3-month Swiggy One membership on activating the card within… 3.5% foreign currency mark… Salaried: monthly income of ₹15,… 4.3
22
BPCL SBI Card OCTANEDrivers who fill up at BPCL pumps and spend on dining and groceries
 ₹1,499/yr 25 Reward Points per ₹100 on BPCL fuel, lubricants and Bharatgas (website and ap… 6,000 bonus Reward Points (worth ₹1,500) on payment of the a… 3.5% foreign currency tran… See issuer 4.2
23
SBI SimplyCLICK Credit CardFirst-time cardholders who mostly shop online
 ₹499/yr Around 2.5% on partners, 1% on other online spends ₹500 Amazon voucher, sent within 21 days after the ₹499 annu… 3.5% markup on foreign cur… Fair to Good 4.2
24
Axis Bank Privilege Credit CardMid-level spenders who want EDGE points, a milestone bonus and domestic lounges
 None 10 EDGE REWARD points per ₹200 spent in India or abroad; 10,000 bonus points (wo… 12,500 EDGE REWARD points (worth ₹2,500) only when a joining… 3.5% of the transaction va… Age 18 to 70, Indian resident; i… 4.1
25
HDFC Bank PIXEL Play Credit CardApp-first shoppers who want to choose their own 5% cashback brands
 ₹500/yr 5% CashPoints on two chosen merchant packs; 3% on your pick of Amazon, Flipkart… See issuer for the current offer 3.5% Salaried: ₹25,000 monthly income… 4.1
26
One Credit Card (OneCard)Young earners who want a free metal card with app controls and low forex fees
 None 1 reward point per ₹50 spent; 5X on your top 2 spend categories each month (mini… See issuer for the current offer 1% forex markup Age 18 to 60; a credit score of… 4.1
27
SBI SimplySAVE Credit CardEveryday spenders who want simple rewards on essentials
 ₹499/yr Around 2.5% on bonus categories, 0.25% base 2,000 bonus Reward Points on spending Rs.2,000 in 60 days 3.5% markup on foreign cur… Fair to Good 4.1
28
ICICI Bank Coral Credit CardNew cardholders wanting dining, movie and starter lounge perks
 ₹500/yr Around 0.5% base, higher with offers Activation benefits and offers (varies by channel) 3.5% markup on foreign cur… Fair to Good 4.0
29
IndianOil HDFC Bank Credit CardDrivers who fill up at IndianOil and want a low fee and easy eligibility
 ₹500/yr 5% as Fuel Points at IndianOil outlets; 5% on groceries and bill payments (up to… ₹250 voucher on activating the card and making one transacti… 3.5% of the transaction va… Salaried: net monthly income abo… 4.0
30
SBI Card PRIMESpenders who will use milestone vouchers and want domestic and Priority Pass lounges
 ₹2,999/yr 10 Reward Points per ₹100 on dining, departmental stores, grocery and movies; 20… e-Gift voucher worth ₹3,000 from brands including Yatra, Bat… 3.5% foreign currency tran… See issuer 4.0
31
AU LIT Credit CardPeople who want a free card and will pay only for the benefits they use
 None 1 Reward Point per ₹100 base (up to 10,000 points a cycle); optional paid featur… See issuer for the current offer See issuer Resident Indian; salaried 21 to… 3.9
32
Kotak 811 #DreamDifferent Credit CardNew-to-credit users who can place a fixed deposit and want a free card
 None 2 points per ₹100 online, 1 per ₹100 on other spends; none on fuel or railways No fixed welcome bonus; lifetime free card 4% markup on foreign curre… Secured card: fixed deposit of a… 3.9
33
RBL Bank ShopRite Credit CardHouseholds that want a low-fee card for monthly grocery spending
 ₹500/yr 20 Reward Points per ₹100 on grocery (5% value back at up to ₹0.25 a point), up… 2,000 Reward Points on meeting the issuer's conditions 3.5% markup See issuer 3.8
34
Kotak League Platinum Credit CardModerate spenders who can reach ₹1.25 lakh every six months for tickets or points
 ₹499/yr 8 Reward Points per ₹150 on special categories and on anniversary-year spends of… 5,000 Reward Points (worth ₹500) on joining, after fee payme… 3.5% foreign currency tran… Age 21 to 60; annual income of ₹… 3.7

Premium & Luxury in India

Full ranking

Cash Back in India

Full ranking

Travel Rewards in India

Full ranking

Store & Retail in India

Full ranking

Points & Rewards in India

Full ranking

No Annual Fee in India

Full ranking

Dining & Groceries in India

Full ranking

Gas & Commuting in India

Full ranking
The guide

How to choose: Credit Cards in India

India's card market has grown faster than any other we cover, and the best cards are now world-class — super-premium metal cards with unlimited lounges and 3.3% reward rates, and lifetime-free cards with genuinely useful cashback. Our Indian rankings weight reward value at realistic redemption rates, forex markup (3.5% on most cards, 0% on a few), lounge access and the CIBIL score and income each card needs.

The Indian rankings at a glance

  • Super-premium — HDFC Infinia and Diners Club Black, Axis Magnus, ICICI Sapphiro, SBI Card Elite.
  • Cashback and everyday — Cashback SBI Card, Axis ACE, HDFC Millennia, Amazon Pay ICICI (lifetime free).
  • Travel and forex — Axis Atlas, HDFC Regalia Gold, zero-forex-markup cards.
  • Lifetime free and entry — Amazon Pay ICICI, Kotak 811, SBI SimplyCLICK (with spend waiver).

What to check before applying in India

Minimum income and CIBIL score (most banks want 750+ for premium tiers), whether the fee is waived on a spend milestone, the forex markup if you travel, reward caps and devaluations (issuers change reward rules often — our pages carry dates), and RuPay availability if you want to pay through UPI.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best credit card in India?

For super-premium value, HDFC Infinia or Axis Magnus; for everyday cashback, the Cashback SBI Card or Axis ACE; for a lifetime-free starter, Amazon Pay ICICI. The rankings above show the current order by category.

What CIBIL score is needed for a credit card in India?

Most banks approve from 700–720 for entry and mid-tier cards and prefer 750+ for premium cards. Secured cards against a fixed deposit approve with no score.

Which Indian credit cards have zero forex markup?

A small group including certain Axis, IDFC First and SBI variants charge 0%–1% forex markup against the usual 3.5%; our zero-forex guide and the travel ranking list the current ones.

Guides for this ranking

All guides