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CreditIQ Insight
Start with a lifetime free card like Amazon Pay ICICI or IDFC First. Use it for 6-12 months, pay the full bill every month, and you will qualify for premium cards with much better rewards.
#1
Top pickAmazon Pay ICICI
cashbackshoppingzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#2
Runner upAxis Magnus for Burgundy
premiumtravelrewards
FREE
annual fee
4.8%
Base reward
2%
Forex markup
Unlimited
Lounge access
#3
#3 pickIDFC FIRST Wealth
premiumzero-feerewards
FREE
annual fee
1.65%
Base reward
1.5%
Forex markup
2 networks
Lounge access
#4
#4 pickKotak 811 #DreamDifferent
zero-feeentry-level
FREE
annual fee
0.5%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#5
#5 pickHDFC Freedom Credit Card
cashbackentry-levelzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
0.5%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#6
#6 pickRBL Bank Popcorn Credit Card
lifestylediningentry-level
FREE
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#7
#7 pickStandard Chartered Smart Credit Card
cashbackentry-levelzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#8
#8 pickIDFC FIRST Select Credit Card
rewardszero-fee
FREE
annual fee
1.5%
Base reward
1.5%
Forex markup
1 networks
Lounge access
#9
#9 pickIDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card
rewardsentry-levelzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#10
#10 pickMakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Platinum
travelcashbackzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#11
#11 pickKotak Essentia Platinum
shoppingentry-levelzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
0.5%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#12
#12 pickIDFC FIRST Bank WOW Credit Card
entry-levelzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
0.67%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#13
#13 pickIDFC FIRST Bank Millennia
cashbackentry-levelzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#14
#14 pickRBL Bank Fun Plus
lifestyleentry-levelzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
0.5%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#15
#15 pickYES Bank ACE Credit Card
entry-levelzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#16
#16 pickAU Bank Altura Credit Card
cashbackentry-levelzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#17
#17 pickFederal Bank Signet Credit Card
rewardsentry-levelzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#18
#18 pickHSBC Premier MasterCard
premiumtravelzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
2%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#19
#19 pickOneCard Credit Card
rewardsentry-levelzero-fee
FREE
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#20
#20 pickStandard Chartered DigiSmart
cashbackshopping
Rs.49
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#21
#21 pickAxis Bank NEO Credit Card
lifestyleentry-level
Rs.250
annual fee
0.5%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#22
#22 pickAmerican Express SmartEarn
cashbackentry-level
Rs.495
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#23
#23 pickAU Altura Plus
cashbackentry-level
Rs.499
annual fee
1.5%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
1 networks
Lounge access
#24
#24 pickAxis Bank ACE Credit Card
cashbackentry-level
Rs.499
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
1 networks
Lounge access
#25
#25 pickKotak League Platinum
rewardsentry-level
Rs.499
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#26
#26 pickSBI Card SimplyCLICK
cashbackshoppingentry-level
Rs.499
annual fee
0.25%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#27
#27 pickAU Bank LIT Credit Card
cashbackentry-level
Rs.499
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#28
#28 pickTata Neu Plus HDFC Bank
shoppingcashbackentry-level
Rs.499
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#29
#29 pickSBI SimplySAVE
shoppingentry-level
Rs.499
annual fee
0.25%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#30
#30 pickICICI Bank Expressions Credit Card
entry-level
Rs.499
annual fee
0.5%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#31
#31 pickBajaj Finserv RBL Bank SuperCard
shoppingentry-level
Rs.499
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#32
#32 pickBank of Baroda Prime Credit Card
rewardsentry-level
Rs.499
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#33
#33 pickFlipkart Axis Bank Credit Card
cashbackshoppingentry-level
Rs.500
annual fee
1.5%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
1 networks
Lounge access
#34
#34 pickRBL ShopRite
shoppingentry-level
Rs.500
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#35
#35 pickHDFC MoneyBack+
cashbackentry-level
Rs.500
annual fee
2%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#36
#36 pickSwiggy HDFC Bank Credit Card
cashbackdiningentry-level
Rs.500
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#37
#37 pickICICI Bank Coral Credit Card
entry-levelrewards
Rs.500
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
1 networks
Lounge access
#38
#38 pickAxis Bank My Zone Credit Card
lifestylediningentry-level
Rs.500
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
1 networks
Lounge access
#39
#39 pickHDFC IndianOil Credit Card
fuelcashbackentry-level
Rs.500
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#40
#40 pickICICI Bank HPCL Super Saver
fuelcashbackentry-level
Rs.500
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#41
#41 pickAirtel Axis Bank Credit Card
cashbackentry-level
Rs.500
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#42
#42 pickIndian Oil Axis Bank Credit Card
fuelcashbackentry-level
Rs.500
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#43
#43 pickIDBI Bank Imperium Platinum
entry-level
Rs.500
annual fee
0.5%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#44
#44 pickStandard Chartered Super Value Titanium
fuelcashbackentry-level
Rs.750
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#45
#45 pickHSBC Cashback Credit Card
cashbackshopping
Rs.750
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#46
#46 pickSBI Cashback Credit Card
cashbackshopping
Rs.999
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#47
#47 pickStandard Chartered Manhattan Platinum
cashbackshoppingentry-level
Rs.999
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#48
#48 pickHSBC Live+ Credit Card
cashbackdining
Rs.999
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#49
#49 pickHDFC Millennia
cashbackshoppingentry-level
Rs.1,000
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
1 networks
Lounge access
#50
#50 pickHDFC Platinum Times
dininglifestyleentry-level
Rs.1,000
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#51
#51 pickSBI Card BPCL Octane
fuelcashback
Rs.1,499
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#52
#52 pickSBI Card PULSE
lifestyleentry-level
Rs.1,499
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#53
#53 pickYES Prosperity Cashback Plus
cashbackentry-level
Rs.1,499
annual fee
1%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
#54
#54 pickAmex Membership Rewards Credit Card
rewardsentry-level
Rs.4,500
annual fee
0.5%
Base reward
3.5%
Forex markup
None
Lounge access
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best first credit card in India for beginners?
Amazon Pay ICICI or IDFC First are the best first credit cards in India — both are lifetime free, easy to get approved, and give good rewards. Start with these before moving to premium cards.
What credit score do I need for a credit card in India?
Most banks require a CIBIL score of 700+ for a basic credit card and 750+ for premium cards. If you have no credit history, apply for a secured credit card (against FD) from HDFC or ICICI to build your score.