I have been using credit cards since 2006 when there were only a few credit card options. My first credit card was ICICI Platinum that was a life time free card but not so great with rewards and offers.
Now you can get premium credit cards to get more than 10% as cashback, rewards, hotel points and airline miles If you can spend over 10 Lakh per year and your salary is above 25 Lakh.
Most of people have annual salary around 4 Lakh and want to spend around 50,000 Rs. annually. I would suggest you to pick a credit card that gives you enough rewards and cashback even if you have to pay a small annual fees.
I am going to explain you everything about the latest credit cards that will give you great rewards and cashback in 2023.
Top Credit Cards For Beginners
Apply for entry level credit cards if you have a salary of 2.5 Lakhs per year and your annual expenses are 50,000. You can shop on Amazon and Flipkart, pay your bills, eat out at restaurants, shop offline, and travel occasionally – all without having to pay any joining fees.
#1. IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card – Life Time Free
Best for entry-level segments due to no joining fee & annual fee.
IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card is best for beginners because of life time free credit card and great rewards.
You will enjoy the 25% discount on movie tickets and access to 4 complimentary railway lounges per quarter.
#2. HDFC Millennia Credit Card
5% cashback on partner websites including Amazon, Flipkart and BigBasket (max cap of Rs. 1,000 for the first 6 months and Rs. 750 thereafter) and 2.5% on all other online spends (max cap of R. 750), subject to a minimum transaction of Rs. 2,000.
HDFC Millennia Credit Card is a great choice for millennials who love online shopping. You will get 5% cashback on online transactions and 1% cashback on all other spends.
You will also get access to complimentary 8 domestic airport lounges annually and upto 20% discount on partner restaurants through Dineout
#3. SBI Cashback Credit Card
5% Cashback on every online transaction & 1% on all offline spends and utility bill payments.
Cashback SBI credit Card is a great choice for those who want to earn cashback on their everyday spending.
You will get a maximum 10,000 Rs. cashback per billing statement under 5% cashback category. Utility/rent/wallet payments won’t fall under the 5% cash-back category.
#4. ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card – Life Time Free Credit Card
Up to 5% cashback for Prime members & up to 3% cashback for others.
ICICI Bank has collaborated with Amazon India to provide a no annual fee credit card. You can get this card even if you don’t have an ICICI account or are not an Amazon Prime member.
5% cashback is an amazing deal for people who regularly shop on Amazon.
#5. Axis Bank Ace Credit Card
5% cashback on bill payments and mobile recharges on Google Pay.
Axis Bank has partnered with Google Pay to launch a new beginner-level credit card called Axis ACE Credit Card. The credit card runs on the Visa (Signature) platform and offers cash back on all your spends.
You can get 1% fuel surcharge waiver, 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits every year, and upto 20% off on dining at 4000+ partner restaurants.
Top 10 Credit Cards For Salaried
Apply for one of the cards from this list if your salary is above Rs. 10 lakhs annually. You can easily waive off the annual fees on these cards if you can spend more than 3 lakhs in one year.
#1. IndusInd Pinnacle Credit Card
Gift vouchers from some of the most premium hotel chains like Oberoi hotels and Montblanc India.
IndusInd Pinnacle credit card is a sub-premium lifestyle credit card that offers rewards points every time you swipe the card. You get two golf course rounds every month.
You will also enjoy the entertainment benefits such as Buy 1 Get 1 free on movie ticket and a 20% discount on movie ticket bookings at BookMyShow.
#2. IDFC FIRST Wealth Travel Credit Card – Lifetime Free
Lifetime free credit card with Spa benefits & eVoucher redemptions. Low foreign markup fee on all international transactions.
IDFC First Bank Wealth Credit Card is a lifetime free credit card that offers spa benefits & 1.5% foreign markup fee on all international transactions. This card is best suited for people who have high value transactions.
With this card, you will get access to 4 complimentary domestic & international airport lounge and spa visits per quarter. You also enjoy 2 complimentary Golf rounds per month.
#3. HDFC Infinia Credit Card
Unlimited complimentary domestic and international airport lounges access to primary & add-on cardholders.
HDFC Infinia credit card is best suited for those who travel frequently.
With this card, you will enjoy unlimited access to free domestic and international airport lounges with Priority Pass membership. Add-on cardholders can also access unlimited lounges.
#4. Standard Chartered Manhattan Platinum Credit Card
3 Reward Points per Rs. 150 you spend, and 5% cashback on departmental stores, groceries, and supermarkets.
Standard Chartered Manhattan Platinum credit card is the best choice for people who are looking for cashback offers on daily expenses, especially supermarket spends.
With 5% cashback on all grocery, supermarkets and departmental store spends helps you save a significant amount of money on your everyday expenses. You will also enjoy the 15% dining discount at over 850 restaurants.
#5. Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card
Foreign currency exchange rate at 2% (lower than the average fee of 3.5%).
Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card is the best choice for those who have a need for international transactions because of 2% foreign currency markup fee.
You will also enjoy the 1 complimentary domestic golf game per month. The card also offers other benefits like 5% cashback on duty-free spends at airports.
#6. American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
E-Gift card worth Rs. 10,000 from the Taj, SeleQtions and Vivanta Hotels with 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge access annually.
If you’re a frequent traveler, consider the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card.
With this card, you will get a Taj experiences E-Gift card worth Rs. 10,000 from the Taj, SeleQtions and Vivanta Hotels with 6 free domestic airport lounge access annually (two per quarter).
Your first year annual fee will be waived off and you will get 2000 bonus reward points if you apply through my link.
#7. Amex Membership Rewards Credit Card (MRCC)
Spend Rs.6000 every month (4 transactions of Rs. 1500 each), you get 1000 points which is equivalent to Rs. 375.
American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding credit cards available in the market.
With this card, you can earn bonus rewards every month which can be redeemed for statement credit, gift cards, hotel booking, or air ticket booking.
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.
#8. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Unlimited complimentary domestic & international airport lounge access with 8 for additional guests.
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card is a good choice for salaried individuals with great travel benefits.
You can avail unlimited complimentary domestic & international lounge visits with 8 additional guest visits annually with the Priority Pass card. You will also enjoy the discounts at Oberoi hotels and a 24×7 hotel concierge service.
#9. Citibank PremierMiles Credit Card
10 Miles on every Rs. 100 spent on airline transactions (1 Mile = 0.5 AirMile for partner airlines).
Citibank PremierMiles credit card provides a premium offer in the travel segment in the form of AirMiles.
You earn AirMiles or Miles on all categories of spends which can be redeemed miles for 100+ domestic and international air ticket bookings or can be transferred your miles to other airline and hotel partners.
#10. SBI Prime Credit Card
10 reward points for every spend of Rs. 100 on groceries, dining, movie and departmental store.
SBI Prime Credit Card is best suited for people who spend on multiple categories such as travel, movies, dining, utility bill payments, and shopping. This card offers great reward points on all categories.
Top 20 Credit Cards Issued by Various Banks in India
#1. Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card
Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card is best suited for people who love to shop online. You will earn 5% cashback on all purchases of Flipkart and Myntra. This card also offers 4% cashback on preferred merchants including Swiggy, Uber, PVR and cure fit.
#2. SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card
SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card is the best option for frequent online shoppers because of its high reward rate. With this card, you will get 10x reward points on online shopping from merchant e-commerce partners including Amazon, Cleartrip, BookMyShow, Lenskart, UrbanClap.
#3. RBL Bank’s World Safari Credit Card
RBL World Safari Credit Card is best for foreign currency transactions with zero markup fee. This card allows you to save up to 4% on all foreign currency transactions.
#4. Paytm SBI Credit Card
Paytm SBI credit card is a great choice for Paytm users who shop online via Paytm app. This card offers welcome cashback worth Rs 750 in your Paytm wallet on the activation of your credit card. You can earn 5% cashback on spends on Paytm Mall, movies, travel spends on the Paytm app, 2% cashback on all other purchases made on the Paytm app and 1% cashback on every other online or offline purchases.
#5. IndianOil Citi Credit Card
With the Indianoil Citi credit card, you will get fuel cashback on every purchase made at IndianOil petrol pumps. You can earn 4 turbo points (as reward points) for every Rs. 150 spent on fuel transactions at authorized IndianOil outlets. (1 Turbo Point – Rs 1)
#6. Axis Reserve Credit Card
Axis Reserve is a super premium credit card that offers luxury airport transfers and golf benefits. Luxury airport transfers means that your card issuer will arrange your travel from the airport to your final destination, making your travel experience hassle-free. You also get 50 complimentary golf rounds every year at most premium golf courses in your country.
#7. American Express Centurion Black Card
American Express Centurion Black card is an invitation-only charge card issued by American Express to platinum card holders. This card is best for the wealthy and super rich lifestyle people.
With this card, you get complimentary membership of luxurious including Hilton Hotels Diamond membership, Accor Hotels Platinum membership, Shangri La Inner Circle Gold membership, British Airways Gold Membership, Etihad Airways Gold membership
#8. SBI Etihad Guest Premier Credit Card
State Bank of India (SBI) has partnered with Etihad Airways to launch a co-branded credit card named SBI Etihad Guest Premier Credit Card. This card is best for Indians who frequently travel overseas. You get up to 10% (3% on economy class and 10% on business class) instant discounts on direct Etihad Airways booking & Upto 10% discount on travel rewards miles redemption.
#9. RBL Bank Edition Credit Card
RBL Bank Edition credit card is the best choice for those who frequently order food online. With this card, you get complimentary Zomato Gold membership every year. You earn 10 Edition Cash for every Rs. 100 spent on Zomato app/website, 2 Edition Cash for every Rs. 100 spent on other online food platforms and 1 Edition Cash per Rs. 100 spent on all other online/offline spends.
#10. Bank Of Baroda Eterna Credit Card
Bank Of Baroda Eterna credit card is a lifestyle credit card with high reward rate on all categories of spends. You earn 15 reward points per Rs. 100 spends on online shopping, travel, movie, and dining (max cap of 5,000 points at this rate) and 3 reward points per Rs. 100 for spends on all other categories (1 Reward Point = Rs. 0.25).
#11. Yes Bank’s YES FIRST Exclusive Credit Card
YES FIRST Exclusive credit card is the ideal option for frequent travelers who want unlimited international lounge access. This card offers you unlimited international lounge access under the complimentary Priority Pass Membership and 3 domestic lounge access per quarter for both primary and add-on cardholders.
#12. Kotak Indigo Ka-ching 6E Rewards XL Credit Card
Kotak IndiGo Ka-ching 6E Rewards XL credit card offers travel benefits, especially when you book IndiGo flights. This card allows you to earn 6% 6E Rewards on your spends on goindigo.in. and up to 20% 6E rewards on Indigo’s partner brands. You also get a discounted convenience fee on Indigo flights and 8 complimentary domestic lounge access annually. (1 6E Rewards = Rs. 1)
#13. SBI Air India Signature Credit Card
SBI Air India Signature is a travel credit card and a great option for people who want to save money on Air India flight bookings. With this card, you earn up to 30 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on booking Air India tickets via airindia.in or Air India mobile app.
#14. Axis Vistara Infinite Credit Card
Axis Vistara Infinite credit card is best suited for people who travel business class. The card offers complimentary Club Vistara Gold Membership and CV points on eligible spends. You can receive up to four business class tickets on achieving your spending on milestones worth up to Rs. 7,50,000. You also get 1 complimentary business class ticket on payment of the annual fee every year.
#15. HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card
HDFC Diners Club Black credit card is one of the best super-premium credit cards that offers unlimited complimentary international and domestic airport lounge access to both primary and add-on cardholders. You also get complimentary annual memberships of Club Marriott, Forbes, Amazon Prime, Dineout Passport, MMT BLACK and Times Prime.
#16. Indusind Legend Credit Card
If you’re looking for a lifetime free credit card, the Indusind Legend credit card is a great option. However, you need to pay one-time joining fee of Rs. 5,000. This credit card also offers a standard reward rate of 2% on all spends on weekends.
#17. BookMyShow RBL Bank Play Credit Card
BookMyShow RBL Bank Play credit card is best for discounts on movie tickets. You will enjoy the monthly movie discounts worth Rs. 500 on BookMyShow. In addition, you will also get a discount of up to Rs. 100 on food & beverages when booking movie tickets.
#18. EazyDiner Indusind Bank Credit Card
Indusind Bank has partnered with EazyDiner to launch a new credit card that offers exclusive dining benefits. You can earn 10 reward points for dining spends through the EazyDiner app. You also get a complimentary membership to EazyDiner Prime, which gives you access to exclusive deals and discounts on restaurants.
#19. Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium Credit Card
Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium credit card is best for fuel and utility bill transactions. You get up to 5% cashback on fuel purchases, telephone bills, and utility bill payments. As a welcome benefit, you also get a 100% surcharge waiver on fuel purchases up to Rs. 1,500 within the 3 months of card issuance.
#20. MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card
MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Platinum credit card is a great option for travelers who want to save money on travel and hotel bookings along with access to airport and railway lounges.
You get up to 3 My Cash points per Rs. 200 spent on hotel and flight bookings via MakeMyTrip. You also receive a My Cash worth Rs. 500 which is redeemable on the MakeMyTrip website and MakeMyTrip holiday voucher worth Rs. 3,000 within the 45 days of card issuance. You’ll also get 1 complimentary lounge access at the airport as well as the railway per quarter each.
I have 2 ICICI cards (HPCL super saver and apay)
I had got call for getting coral amex variant 1 Month ago as paid variant.
I’m not interested to pay joining fee for both coral and super saver
Anyway reward reward are worse with ICICI Bank
How to get LTF of coral amex and how to convert existing hpcl card otherwise can I close it.
Hpcl is my first card preceding apay by 3 months. If i choose our will my credit history will shortened by 3 months or there won’t be any problem please help