Best Credit Cards in India (2026): Compare Benefits & Fees

Choosing the right credit card can be a game-changer for your financial journey. With over 80 million credit cards in circulation across India and countless options flooding the market, finding the perfect match for your spending habits and lifestyle can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re a first-time applicant or looking to upgrade your existing card, understanding the nuances of different credit cards is crucial for maximizing benefits while minimizing costs.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the best credit cards in India for 2026. From cashback rewards to travel perks, annual fees to eligibility criteria, we’ve got you covered with expert insights and detailed comparisons.

Why Choosing the Right Credit Card Matters

Your credit card is more than just a payment tool—it’s a financial instrument that can either work for you or against you. The right credit card can help you earn substantial rewards on everyday purchases, build a strong credit history, access exclusive airport lounge benefits, and even save thousands of rupees annually through cashback and discounts.

Conversely, choosing the wrong card can lead to unnecessary annual fees, poor reward rates on your actual spending patterns, and missed opportunities for benefits that align with your lifestyle. With interest rates on credit cards ranging from 24% to 48% annually, making informed decisions becomes even more critical.

Who Should Apply for Credit Cards

Students and Young Professionals: Entry-level cards with minimal documentation and lower income requirements are ideal for building credit history early. These cards typically offer basic rewards and help establish financial discipline.

Salaried Individuals: Mid-tier to premium cards offering comprehensive rewards, insurance coverage, and lifestyle benefits suit those with stable monthly income. These cards often provide the best value for regular spenders.

Business Owners and Entrepreneurs: Premium business credit cards with high credit limits, expense tracking tools, and corporate benefits help manage business expenses while earning rewards. These cards often come with enhanced features for frequent travelers and high spenders.

Types of Credit Cards in India

Understanding different credit card categories helps narrow down options based on your primary spending patterns.

Cashback Cards

Cashback credit cards are straightforward and perfect for those who prefer direct monetary benefits over reward points. These cards typically offer 1% to 5% cashback on various spending categories. Popular options include flat-rate cashback on all purchases or accelerated cashback on specific categories like groceries, dining, or online shopping. The beauty of cashback cards lies in their simplicity—you spend, you save, no complicated redemption processes required.

Travel Cards

Travel credit cards are designed for frequent flyers and globetrotters. These cards offer benefits like complimentary airport lounge access, air miles accumulation, travel insurance coverage, and foreign currency transaction fee waivers. Premium travel cards often provide milestone benefits, welcome bonuses in the form of air miles, and partnerships with major airlines. If you travel domestically or internationally more than three times annually, a travel card can deliver exceptional value.

Shopping Cards

Shopping credit cards partner with e-commerce platforms and retail outlets to offer accelerated rewards and exclusive discounts. These cards shine during festive sales, offering additional cashback, EMI conversions at zero interest, and early access to deals. Major e-commerce platforms often co-brand cards that provide up to 10% additional rewards on their platforms.

Fuel Cards

Fuel credit cards offer fuel surcharge waivers and rewards on petrol and diesel purchases. With fuel costs representing a significant monthly expense for many Indians, these cards can save substantial amounts annually. Most fuel cards waive the 1% fuel surcharge (subject to transaction limits) and offer additional reward points on fuel station spends.

Best Credit Cards in India (Table Comparison)

Top 5 Credit Cards Detailed Review

1. HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card

Card Benefits: The HDFC Regalia stands as one of India’s most popular premium credit cards, offering comprehensive benefits across categories. Cardholders enjoy complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access (up to 12 visits annually), comprehensive air accident insurance cover of ₹1 crore, and reward points that can be redeemed for air miles, merchandise, or statement credits. The card provides accelerated rewards on travel, dining, and shopping, with special multiplier benefits on partner brands.

Pros: Excellent reward accumulation rate, strong insurance coverage, extensive lounge access, annual fee waiver on meeting spend threshold, wide acceptance globally, and flexibility in reward redemption options.

Cons: Higher annual fee compared to entry-level cards, minimum spend requirement for fee waiver, relatively high income eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria: Minimum monthly income of ₹50,000 for salaried individuals or ITR of ₹6 lakh annually for self-employed. Age between 21 and 60 years. CIBIL score of 750 or above recommended.

2. SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card

Card Benefits: Designed for digital-savvy users, the SimplyCLICK card rewards online shopping enthusiasts. It offers 10X reward points on partner merchants including Amazon, BookMyShow, Cleartrip, and more. The card provides exclusive movie ticket offers, annual fee reversal on minimal spending, and decent insurance coverage. It’s particularly attractive for those who predominantly shop online and use digital platforms for entertainment bookings.

Pros: Exceptional rewards on partner platforms, low annual fee with easy waiver criteria, no income-based fee structure, additional benefits through SBI Card rewards portal, instant discounts on movie tickets.

Cons: Limited rewards on offline purchases, restricted to select partner merchants for accelerated points, lower insurance coverage compared to premium cards.

Eligibility Criteria: Minimum monthly income of ₹20,000, age between 21 and 70 years, valid income proof and identity documents required.

3. Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card

Card Benefits: Perfect for Amazon Prime members, this co-branded card offers industry-leading cashback rates on Amazon purchases. Prime members earn 5% unlimited cashback on Amazon, 2% on Amazon Pay partner merchants, and 1% on other spends. The card comes with no joining or annual fees, making it one of the most cost-effective options for frequent Amazon shoppers.

Pros: No annual fee whatsoever, highest cashback rate on Amazon in the market, instant cashback credit to Amazon Pay balance, simple reward structure, no complex point calculations.

Cons: Requires Amazon Prime membership for maximum benefits, lower rewards outside Amazon ecosystem, no airport lounge access, minimal insurance coverage.

Eligibility Criteria: Minimum monthly income of ₹20,000, age 18 years and above, good credit score preferred, faster approval for existing ICICI Bank customers.

4. Axis Bank Ace Credit Card

Card Benefits: The Ace card focuses on everyday expenses with impressive cashback rates. It offers 5% cashback on bill payments through Google Pay (up to ₹500/month), 4% on Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola, and 2% cashback on other online spends. The card charges a nominal annual fee that’s easily waived, making it excellent value for daily essentials.

Pros: High cashback on utility bills, substantial savings on food delivery platforms, easy annual fee waiver, fuel surcharge waiver, welcome benefits worth ₹500.

Cons: Cashback caps on certain categories, limited offline benefits, no lounge access, requires bill payments through specific platforms for maximum cashback.

Eligibility Criteria: Minimum monthly income of ₹15,000, making it accessible to entry-level professionals, age 18 years and above, basic documentation required.

5. HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card

Card Benefits: Tailored for millennials, this card offers 5% cashback on shopping portals (Amazon, Flipkart), 2.5% cashback on PayZapp and SmartBuy transactions, and 1% on all other retail spends. It includes complimentary Airport Meet & Greet services, competitive insurance coverage, and partnerships with lifestyle brands.

Pros: Strong cashback rates on popular platforms, relatively low annual fee with achievable waiver, good entry point to HDFC’s premium card ecosystem, balanced rewards across categories.

Cons: Lower lounge access compared to premium cards, cashback caps on certain categories, annual fee waiver requires ₹1 lakh annual spend.

Eligibility Criteria: Minimum monthly income of ₹25,000, age between 21 and 60 years, decent credit score required for approval.

How to Choose the Best Credit Card

Selecting the ideal credit card requires honest assessment of several personal financial factors.

Income Consideration

Your income directly determines which cards you’re eligible for and which ones offer the best value. Entry-level cards (income requirement ₹15,000-₹25,000/month) suit beginners and provide basic benefits with minimal fees. Mid-tier cards (₹25,000-₹50,000/month) offer balanced rewards and moderate annual fees. Premium cards (₹50,000+/month) deliver extensive benefits but come with higher fees that only make sense if you can maximize their perks through sufficient spending.

Spending Habits Analysis

Track your monthly expenses across categories for at least three months. If you spend heavily on groceries and utilities, cashback cards excel. Frequent travelers benefit more from air miles and lounge access cards. Online shopping enthusiasts should prioritize e-commerce partnership cards. Understanding where your money goes ensures your card’s reward structure aligns with your actual spending patterns.

Rewards vs Cashback Decision

Rewards points offer flexibility and potentially higher value through strategic redemptions, especially for travel bookings and premium product purchases. However, they require effort to maximize and often come with expiration dates. Cashback provides immediate, tangible value with no redemption hassles but might offer lower overall returns. Choose based on whether you prefer simplicity (cashback) or are willing to optimize redemptions (rewards).

Eligibility & Documents Required

Age Requirements

Most credit cards require applicants to be at least 21 years old, with an upper age limit typically around 60-65 years for salaried individuals. Self-employed applicants might have slightly different age criteria. Some student credit cards or add-on cards may be available to those 18 years and above with parental consent.

Salary Criteria

Entry-level cards: ₹15,000-₹20,000 monthly income Mid-range cards: ₹25,000-₹40,000 monthly income Premium cards: ₹50,000-₹1,00,000+ monthly income Self-employed individuals typically need to show annual ITR of ₹2.5 lakh to ₹6 lakh depending on the card tier.

CIBIL Score Importance

A CIBIL score above 750 significantly improves approval chances and may unlock better credit limits and premium card options. Scores between 700-750 are acceptable for most cards but might result in lower limits. Below 700, approval becomes challenging, and you might need to start with secured credit cards or work on improving your score first. Regularly check your credit report, ensure timely bill payments, and maintain low credit utilization to build and maintain a healthy score.

Documentation Checklist

Identity Proof: PAN card (mandatory), Aadhaar card, Passport, or Voter ID Address Proof: Recent utility bills, Aadhaar, Passport, or rental agreement Income Proof: Last 3 months’ salary slips and bank statements for salaried; ITR and bank statements for self-employed Employment Proof: Office ID card or employment letter

Credit Card Mistakes to Avoid

Making only minimum payments is the costliest mistake credit card users make. While paying the minimum due prevents late fees, the remaining balance accumulates interest at 24-48% annually, creating a debt spiral. Always pay your full outstanding amount to avoid interest charges completely.

Ignoring annual fees without utilizing benefits wastes money. If you’re paying ₹2,000 annually but not using lounge access, travel insurance, or earning sufficient rewards, you’re essentially losing money. Either maximize the card’s benefits or downgrade to a no-fee alternative.

Applying for multiple cards simultaneously hurts your credit score as each application triggers a hard inquiry. Space out credit card applications by at least six months and only apply when genuinely needed.

Missing payment due dates damages your credit score and attracts late payment fees plus interest on the entire outstanding amount. Set up auto-debit for at least the minimum amount or calendar reminders to never miss a due date.

Using credit cards for cash advances comes with immediate interest charges (no interest-free period), high fees, and lower credit limits. Avoid cash withdrawals unless absolutely necessary during genuine emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which credit card is best for beginners?

For beginners, cards with zero or low annual fees, simple reward structures, and lower income requirements work best. The Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card (no annual fee, straightforward cashback) or Axis Bank Ace Credit Card (low fee, easy to understand benefits) are excellent starting points. These cards help build credit history without complex terms or high costs, while offering decent rewards on everyday spending.

What is the minimum salary required for a credit card?

The minimum salary requirement varies by card type. Entry-level cards require ₹15,000-₹20,000 monthly income, making them accessible to fresh graduates and young professionals. Mid-tier cards typically need ₹25,000-₹40,000 monthly, while premium cards demand ₹50,000 or more. Some banks offer student credit cards or add-on cards with even lower or no income requirements for dependent family members.

Can I get a credit card with a low CIBIL score?

While challenging, it’s possible to get certain entry-level cards with CIBIL scores between 650-700, though you might receive lower credit limits. Below 650, approval becomes unlikely with unsecured cards. In such cases, consider secured credit cards where you deposit a fixed amount as collateral. Use them responsibly for 6-12 months to improve your score, then apply for regular cards.

How many credit cards should I have?

Having 2-3 credit cards is ideal for most people. This provides backup options, allows you to maximize category-specific rewards, and helps maintain low credit utilization ratios. However, only maintain multiple cards if you can manage payments responsibly. More cards mean more due dates to track and greater temptation to overspend.

Conclusion

Selecting from the best credit cards in India requires balancing your income, spending patterns, lifestyle needs, and financial discipline. Whether you prioritize cashback for immediate savings, travel rewards for your wanderlust, or shopping benefits for e-commerce purchases, there’s a perfect card waiting for you in 2026’s competitive market.

Remember that the “best” credit card is subjective—it’s the one that aligns with your financial habits and helps you achieve your goals without pushing you into debt. Start with understanding your monthly spending across categories, assess your eligibility for different card tiers, and choose features that you’ll actually use rather than aspirational benefits that sound attractive but remain unutilized.

Apply smartly, spend wisely, pay on time, and avoid debt. Use credit cards as powerful financial tools for rewards and convenience, not as extensions of your income. With responsible usage, the right credit card can save you thousands annually while building a strong credit profile for future financial milestones like home loans or business financing.

Ready to find your perfect credit card match? Compare the options above, check your eligibility, and take the first step toward smarter spending today.