Credit Cards in India come with a variety of annual fees. You need to pay the annual fee in certain cases.
But you can find the best free credit card in India in 3 cases.
- A few credit cards offer welcome gifts equal to or more than the sign-in charges. So the net cost will be zero.
- You can get a credit card annual fee waiver on spending a certain amount in the year. The card will become free for that year.
- There are only a few lifetime free credit cards in India.
The annual fee for Credit Card is not a huge concern for spendthrifts. But for people like you and me saving every penny which can be saved with a little effort, counts.
We have researched for the best Credit Cards in India with no annual fee. In this article, I have added all the 3 types of free credit cards in India.
#1. ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card
Get 5% cashback on Amazon
ICICI Amazon Pay credit card is one of the best zero annual fee credit cards in India for Amazon shoppers. You can save up to 5% on every shopping on Amazon if you are a prime member.
You will get 3% cashback as Amazon pay balance for non-prime members.
#2. IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card
10 Reward Points on spend above Rs. 20,000
The IDFC FIRST Classic credit card is a zero membership fee credit card for beginners. You get amazingly rewards on all your online and offline spends with this card.
You also get up to 25% discount on movies (up to Rs. 100) once every month.
#3. ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card
Easy Approval for Beginners
Platinum chip credit card is beginner level credit card offered by ICICI bank. You can earn 2 payback points on every Rs. 100 spent for all retail purchases except fuel.
You will also enjoy 1 payback point on every Rs. 100 spent on utilities and insurance categories.
#4. Amex Membership Rewards Credit Card Review
1000 reward points after 4 transactions of more than Rs. 1500
Amex Membership Rewards is the only card that gives bonus rewards points on adding money to wallets like Paytm, Amazon Pay and Freecharge.
You can earn 1,000 bonus membership rewards points worth Rs. 375 every month by simply doing 4 transactions of Rs. 1500 each.
You will be charged zero annual fee for first year and Rs 1500 from second year onwards if you apply through my link. You will also get 2000 bonus reward points.
#5. SBI Cashback Credit Card
5% cashback with maximum cap of Rs. 10,000 per month
Cashback SBI credit card is best for all your online and offline shopping needs. The card gives you 5% cashback for every online transaction and 1% cashback on other offline transactions and utility bill payments.
The card comes with an annual fee of Rs 999 but you will get the annual fee waiver and enjoy the free credit card.
#6. Axis Bank Ace Credit Card
5% Cashback on bill payments
Axis Bank Ace credit card is a great option best for basic usage like utility bill payments, mobile recharges, dining out, and other regular spends. The card gives you 5% returns on electricity, water, gas bill payments and recharges made via the Google Pay.
You will also enjoy the 4% cashback on Zomato, Swiggy, Ola and 2% cashback on all your other spends.
#7. Standard Chartered Manhattan Credit Card
Get 5% cashback on groceries
SC Manhattan is the only card that offers a direct 5% cashback on your grocery shopping in the supermarkets. You only need to make a minimum transaction of Rs. 1000 to get a 5% cashback. The maximum cashback is capped at Rs. 500 per month (Rs. 150 per transaction).
SC Manhattan credit card comes with an annual fee but if you have credit card annual spending of more than 1.2 lakh then you will enjoy the benefits free of cost.
#8. Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card
4X reward points on every Rs. 150
Kotak Royale Signature credit card is a lifestyle credit card that offers 4X reward points on hotels, restaurants, travel, and airlines.
You will get 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge access per quarter as well.
#9. Citibank Rewards Domestic Credit Card
10 reward points per Rs. 125 spent on apparel
Citibank rewards credit card is a shopping credit card that offers 10 rewards points on Rs 125 spend on apparel and department stores.
You can redeem the rewards points at departmental stores, travel sites and other gift vouchers.
#10. Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium Credit Card
5% cashback on utility, fuel, and phone bill payments
Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium credit card is best for day-to-day transactions. You get up to 5% cashback on fuel purchases, telephone bills, and utility bill payments.
This credit card comes with an annual fee of Rs 750 but the bank offers lifetime free credit card for premium banking account holders.
#11. MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card
3X My Cash points per Rs. 200 on hotel and flight bookings on MakeMyTrip.
MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Platinum credit card is the best credit card option for frequent travelers with amazing saving on travel and hotel booking.
You need to pay a one time joining fee of Rs. 500 and get a welcome bonus worth 500 My Cash which makes absolutely lifetime free credit card. (1 My Cash = Re. 1)
Which Card Should You Apply?
If you are a first-time credit card user, then apply for reward paying credit card without any annual fees – ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card.
If you want to apply for a credit card that gives better benefits then apply for Amex membership rewards credit card.
Final Words
You should calculate the benefits return with the credit card annual fee. If you are not using credit cards then you go for a free or minimum-fee credit card. If you want to maximize the reward value then you can check out our list of best credit cards in India.
Where is the link for amex card?
Amex is not taking new applications due to some RBI regulations.
What abt IDFC First bank. Many time OTP didn’t come
Hi Pardeep, informative article. Please help me choose the right credit card as I’m quite confused. Currently, I’m not working and I’ve never used any credit card before. Which credit card should be good for me? I’m also ideally looking for no joining, no annual fee credit cards. My usage will be mostly online transactions (international). Also, I have an account with SBI. Going for SBI cards will be good? Which one is better SBI simply click or simply save.
Please enlighten.
Why do you want a credit card?
Go for simply click without thinking anything. I am using this card from last 5 years and i am getting lots of rewards points and online discount. You can redeem points with amazon gift card which is best way to use points.
Hi Pardeep,
I have been holding a HDFC Diners Club Credit Card for the past 4 years now. But have not been utilizing too much of it apart from the initial year of approval.
Could you help highlight the benefits of this card apart from the lounge access.
Would be greatful
Regards
Prasad
You get 5 reward points (worth Rs 5) for every Rs 150 spend on Diners black credit card. An approx saving of 3.33%
Dear sir, my cibil score is 697. Possible to get approval?
I want to apply for SBI credit card for first time… it’s advisable or not
SBI is very strict in approval.. its better to go for easily approvable credit card first like icici instant platinum or hdfc moneyback and after creating a solid credit history you can go for SBI cards..
Sir,
I got easily SBI credit card my salary account in SBI. Then I apply HDFC credit card it is also easily approve and issued by the basis of SBI card. Later I apply ICICI platinum chip credit card. But ICICI credit card Officials some more time you wait and apply the ICICI credit card. The wait 4 months after i apply ICICI credit card. No reply from ICICI.
You can track your application on their website but best way is to contact ICICI officials.
Very gud efforts.
Thanks Pankaj for liking my article.
What will be the best cradit card for shopping especially for petrol pump ??
Arijit, Standard chartered Super Value Titanium card.
sir, what to enter in the landline field in Amex application if I don’t have a landline?
Use your family members mobile number which is available at home. or what you can do.. enter your neighbor or friends landline number if it doesn’t work with mobile number..
What about sbi unnati card which is free for 4 years ?
Its good for students or housewives who doesn’t have any income proof to show. They can apply against fixed deposits.
SC platinum card is not free exactly.
Annual fee – 250 Rs gets waived off on 60k annual spend.
If you have a monthly spend of 5K on routine items like grocery through credit card, it is free.
I applied for SCB Platinum Rewards Card reading this article…The bank employee is coming tomorrow to pickup the documents from me…But they are saying that this is not a lifetime free card & I will have to pay 250 joining & also 250 annual fee on the card…Could you Please confirm ??
Also on Bankbazaar site, some reviewers have wrote it’s LTF & some others wrote that it’s a chargeable card…So, I’m a bit confused…
There’s certain spending milestone if you spend that amount in one year, your annual fee will be waived off..
All paid cards have that feature of annual fee reversal on certain amount of spending in the previous year…Main point is, it’s not an LTF card like HSBC Visa Platinum or Amazon Pay ICICI card or Platinum Chip card where no spending is required…
Hey Sushrut, If you are spending regularly from credit card and getting annual fee waiver, it becomes free for you. You are not paying anything to the bank, you are just doing the regular spendings.
Sushruta, I have LTF card from standard chartered. They have recently introduced this fees waiver clause with minimum annual spend. Means, you may get upgraded to totally LTF card in the future but for the time being you have to start with conditional free card.
i got amazon pay card without having existing icici card
Awesome.
Very informative collection. I think most important thing in the credit card selection is the value of 1 reward point. You should mention that in each credit card information.
Thanks for liking my content..