Best Credit Cards in India: Features, Fees, and Rewards (2025)













India's credit card market has grown substantially in recent years, offering consumers a wide array of options tailored to different spending habits and lifestyle needs. This comprehensive guide breaks down the top credit cards available in India, focusing on their fees, key features, lounge access benefits, network type (RuPay, Mastercard, or Visa), and reward/cashback rates.

Quick Comparison Table

S.No.Credit Card NameAnnual Fee & Joining FeeRecommended Use CaseLounge AccessCriteria for Lounge AccessReward Rate (in ₹)
1.SBI SimplyCLICK₹499 annually (Waived on spending ₹1 lakh in previous year), No joining feeOnline shopping2 domestic airport lounges per quarterMinimum spend of ₹10,000 in previous quarterUp to ₹5 per ₹100 on online partners, ₹2.5 per ₹100 on other online spends
2.SBI Cashback₹999 annually (Waived on spending ₹2 lakh in previous year), No joining feeEveryday cashbackNoneN/A₹5 per ₹100 on online spends, ₹1 per ₹100 on all other eligible spends
3.IDFC First SelectLifetime freeRegular shopping4 domestic airport lounges per quarterVia Priority Pass₹5 per ₹100 on preferred merchants, ₹1.5 per ₹100 on all other spends
4.IDFC First DigitalLifetime freeOnline transactionsNoneN/A₹2.5 per ₹100 on online spends, ₹0.5 per ₹100 on all other spends
5.ICICI Bank Coral₹500 annually (Waived on spending ₹1.5 lakh in previous year), No joining feeDining and movies2 domestic airport lounges per quarterVia Visa/Mastercard Lounge Program₹2 per ₹100 on dining, movies and groceries, ₹1 per ₹100 on regular spends
6.ICICI Bank Sapphiro₹3,500 annually (Waived on spending ₹3.5 lakh in previous year), No joining feeTravel and international spends4 domestic and 4 international airport lounges per yearVia Visa/Mastercard Lounge Program₹2 per ₹100 on travel and international transactions, ₹1 per ₹100 on regular spends
7.Tata Neu Plus₹1,000 annually (Waived on spending ₹3 lakh in previous year), No joining feeTata ecosystem shopping2 domestic airport lounges per quarterVia RuPay Select₹5 per ₹100 on Tata brands, ₹1.5 per ₹100 on other spends
8.Tata Neu Infinity₹2,500 annually (Waived on spending ₹5 lakh in previous year), No joining feePremium Tata ecosystem8 domestic and 2 international airport lounges per yearVia RuPay Select₹8 per ₹100 on Tata brands, ₹2 per ₹100 on other spends
9.HDFC Bank Swiggy₹500 annually (Waived on spending ₹2 lakh in previous year), No joining feeFood delivery2 domestic airport lounges per quarterVia RuPay Select₹10 per ₹100 on Swiggy, ₹5 per ₹100 on select merchants, ₹1 per ₹100 on others
10.Paytm HDFC Bank₹500 annually (Waived on spending ₹1.5 lakh in previous year), No joining feePaytm ecosystem2 domestic airport lounges per quarterVia Visa Lounge Program₹5 per ₹100 on Paytm, ₹2 per ₹100 on online, ₹1 per ₹100 on offline spends
11.IRCTC SBI₹500 annually (Waived on spending ₹1 lakh in previous year), No joining feeTrain travel2 domestic airport lounges per quarter + 4 railway lounges per yearVia RuPay Select for airports; automatically for railway lounges₹10 per ₹100 on premium train bookings, ₹3 per ₹100 on dining, ₹1.5 per ₹100 on grocery

SBI Credit Cards

SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: ₹499 (Waived on spending ₹1 lakh in previous year)
  • Network: Visa
  • Key Features:
    • 10x reward points on online spending with Amazon, BookMyShow, Cleartrip, Lenskart, and Netmeds
    • 5x reward points on all other online spending
    • 1 reward point per ₹100 spent on other categories
    • Welcome e-gift voucher worth ₹500
  • Reward Rate: Up to 5% on online partners, 2.5% on other online spends, 0.5% on other spends
  • Exclusions: Fuel transactions, rent payments, insurance premium payments, and government services don't earn reward points
  • Ideal For: Online shoppers and frequent e-commerce users

SBI Cashback Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: ₹999 (Waived on spending ₹2 lakh in previous year)
  • Network: Mastercard
  • Key Features:
    • 5% cashback on online shopping
    • 1% cashback on all other spends
    • No minimum transaction amount for cashback
    • Auto-credit of cashback to statement every month
  • Cashback Rate: 5% on online spends, 1% on all other eligible spends
  • Exclusions: Rent payments, fuel transactions, government services, insurance premiums, and EMI transactions don't earn cashback
  • Ideal For: Those seeking straightforward cashback without category restrictions

IDFC First Bank Credit Cards

IDFC First Select Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: Lifetime free
  • Network: Visa
  • Key Features:
    • 10x reward points on top merchants (including Amazon, Swiggy, and Zomato)
    • 3x reward points on all other merchants
    • Zero forex markup
    • Complimentary movie tickets every month
  • Reward Rate: Up to 5% on preferred merchants, 1.5% on all other spends
  • Exclusions: Fuel transactions, insurance premium payments, rent payments, and wallet loads don't earn reward points
  • Ideal For: Regular shoppers looking for a no-fee card with decent rewards

IDFC First Digital Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: Lifetime free
  • Network: Visa
  • Key Features:
    • Instant digital issuance
    • 5x reward points on all online transactions
    • Zero fuel surcharge
    • No physical card - completely digital
  • Reward Rate: 2.5% on online spends, 0.5% on all other spends
  • Exclusions: EMI transactions, cash withdrawals, and certain merchant categories don't earn rewards
  • Ideal For: Digital-first users who primarily shop online

ICICI Bank Credit Cards

ICICI Bank Coral Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: ₹500 (Waived on spending ₹1.5 lakh in previous year)
  • Network: Visa/Mastercard
  • Key Features:
    • 2 reward points per ₹100 spent
    • 4 reward points per ₹100 on dining, movies, and groceries
    • Culinary treats at partner restaurants
    • Fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹250 per month
  • Reward Rate: 1% on regular spends, 2% on dining, movies, and groceries
  • Exclusions: Fuel transactions (except for surcharge waiver), insurance premiums, utility bill payments don't earn rewards
  • Ideal For: Entry-level card users with moderate spending

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: ₹3,500 (Waived on spending ₹3.5 lakh in previous year)
  • Network: Visa/Mastercard
  • Key Features:
    • 2 reward points per ₹100 spent
    • 4 reward points per ₹100 on travel and international spends
    • Lower forex markup at 1.5%
    • Buy 1 Get 1 movie ticket on BookMyShow every month
  • Reward Rate: 1% on regular spends, 2% on travel and international transactions
  • Exclusions: Cash advances, fuel (except for surcharge waiver), and certain merchant categories don't earn rewards
  • Ideal For: Frequent travelers and high-spenders

Tata Neu Credit Cards

Tata Neu Plus Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: ₹1,000 (Waived on spending ₹3 lakh in previous year)
  • Network: RuPay
  • Key Features:
    • 5% NeuCoins on Tata brands (Croma, BigBasket, Westside, etc.)
    • 1.5% NeuCoins on other spends
    • NeuPass membership worth ₹2,999
    • Welcome benefits worth up to ₹5,000
  • Reward Rate: Equivalent to 5% on Tata brands, 1.5% on other spends
  • Exclusions: Fuel transactions, insurance premium payments, wallet loads, and rent payments don't earn NeuCoins
  • Ideal For: Regular customers of Tata ecosystem brands

Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: ₹2,500 (Waived on spending ₹5 lakh in previous year)
  • Network: RuPay
  • Key Features:
    • 8% NeuCoins on Tata brands
    • 2% NeuCoins on other spends
    • Premium NeuPass membership
    • Complimentary stays at select Taj hotels
  • Reward Rate: Equivalent to 8% on Tata brands, 2% on other spends
  • Exclusions: Utility payments, EMI transactions, cash advances, and government payments don't earn NeuCoins
  • Ideal For: Premium customers who frequently shop with Tata brands

HDFC Bank Swiggy Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: ₹500 (Waived on spending ₹2 lakh in previous year)
  • Network: RuPay
  • Key Features:
    • 10% cashback on Swiggy (food delivery and Instamart)
    • 5% cashback on leading merchants like Amazon, Flipkart, etc.
    • 1% cashback on all other spends
    • Welcome benefit of ₹500 Swiggy money
  • Cashback Rate: 10% on Swiggy, 5% on select merchants, 1% on others
  • Exclusions: Cashback on Swiggy capped at ₹200 per month, fuel transactions, rent payments, and wallet loads don't earn cashback
  • Ideal For: Food delivery enthusiasts and regular Swiggy users

Paytm HDFC Bank Credit Card

  • Annual Fee: ₹500 (Waived on spending ₹1.5 lakh in previous year)
  • Network: Visa
  • Key Features:
    • 5% cashback on Paytm app transactions
    • 2% cashback on all other online transactions
    • 1% cashback on offline spends
    • Auto-credit of cashback to Paytm wallet
  • Cashback Rate: 5% on Paytm, 2% on online, 1% on offline spends
  • Exclusions: EMI transactions, insurance premiums, utility bill payments, and government services don't earn cashback
  • Ideal For: Regular Paytm users and online shoppers

IRCTC SBI Card

  • Annual Fee: ₹500 (Waived on spending ₹1 lakh in previous year)
  • Network: RuPay
  • Key Features:
    • 1% transaction fee waiver on train tickets booked through IRCTC
    • 10% value back on AC1/AC2/AC3/CC ticket bookings as reward points
    • 4 free rail lounge visits per year
    • 1.8% fuel surcharge waiver across all petrol pumps
  • Reward Rate: Equivalent to 10% on premium train bookings, 3% on dining, 1.5% on grocery and departmental stores
  • Exclusions: Cash advances, balance transfers, and certain merchant categories don't earn rewards
  • Ideal For: Frequent train travelers

Recommendation :

  • Best for Online Transactions: SBI Cashback Card is the top choice for online shopping due to its straightforward 5% cashback on all online transactions without complicated category restrictions.
  • Best RuPay Card for UPI Transactions: Tata Neu Plus card for those who prefer RuPay cards with UPI benefits, noting its excellent value within the Tata ecosystem (5% rewards) and competitive returns (1.5%) on general transactions.
  • Best for Offline Spending: ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card as offering the effective returns for offline spending with 2% rewards on travel purchases and in-store transactions, plus premium lifestyle benefits.
  • Best for Usually Excluded Categories: HDFC Bank Moneyback Card for transactions typically excluded by most cards (like fuel and utilities) due to its minimal exclusion list, consistent returns on categories other cards typically exclude, and fuel surcharge waiver.

  • TIP: For extra cashbacks you can checkout CashKaro where you can apply for various credit cards and get cashbacks upto Rs. 2800/-. Signup at CashKaro.com

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