You may be getting many SMS or calls for lifetime free credit cards but you should know that lifetime-free credit cards come with basic reward value and very few benefits.
The banks may be showing 5x or 10x rewards but the reality is that you would get a maximum of 1% reward value when you convert your rewards to cash.
You don’t get free airport lounge visits with free credit cards in the list. Except IDFC wealth credit card, that provides condition-based free airport lounge access.
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Benefits of Lifetime Free Credit Cards
- Yearly cost savings on annual fees & renewal fees
- Low monthly salary requirements
- Quick and easy application process
- Allows building credit history
- Experience credit card journey, deals, online shopping and rewards system
You should apply for a free credit card either to begin your credit card journey, build credit history or just to grab bank-specific exclusive deals.
10 Best Credit Cards in India Without Annual Fees
#1. Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card
5% discount on Amazon
Amazon Pay ICICI credit card is best for Amazon shopping. You can save 5% on all your spending on Amazon with a Prime membership. Nonprime members will get 3% cashback on Amazon shopping.
You will get 1% on all other online and offline spending which is a decent reward value for a lifetime free credit card.
#2. IDFC First Classic Credit Card
4 Railway lounge visits
IDFC First classic credit card gives 10X reward points for all your spending over and above Rs. 20,000. Spends below Rs. 20,000 will give 3X reward points.
You get a welcome voucher worth Rs 500 on spending ₹5,000 within the first 30 days. And 5% cashback up to Rs 1000 on your first EMI done within 30 days.
#3. IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card
International lounge access
IDFC First Wealth is a next-level credit card as compared to the IDFC First Classic Credit Card.
You get 2 Domestic & 2 International lounges, spa visits per quarter, and 2 complimentary Golf rounds per month in addition to IDFC classic credit card.
Other Features are almost the same.
#4. IndusInd Legend Credit Card
2% reward value on weekends
IndusInd Legend is a lifestyle credit card that gives up to a 2% reward value on all your weekend spending. You get a 1% reward value on your weekday spending.
You get 4000 bonus reward points on spending 6 lakh+ in one year.
#5. Yes Bank FinBooster Credit Card
5X points on travel & dining
Yes Bank FinBooster is a beginner-level credit card that offers 5X reward points on online dining, travel and healthcare. 3x reward points on categories like groceries and apparels.
5X reward points seem great but Yes Bank charges a one time subscription fee of Rs. 2,000 and is valid for 1 year. For 3x rewards you need to pay Rs. 1,000.
You will get a 2 reward points (per Rs. 200 spent) value on all other retail categories.
#6. Bank of Baroda Prime Credit Card
No income proof required
BOB Prime is a secured credit card that you can apply against a fixed deposit of Rs. 15,000 or more without any income proof.
College Students and housewives can apply for BOB prime credit cards to build their credit scores.
#7. Kotak 811 Dream Different Credit Card
Card approval on a Low minimum FD of Rs. 5,000
You can get Kotak 811 Dream Different credit card by keeping a minimum FD of Rs. 5,000 with Kotak Bank. The card is good for students, unemployed youth and housewife with no income proof requirement.
You will get 4 points (0.20% value) on every Rs. 100 spends online and 1 reward point per Rs. 100 on other spends
#8. AU Bank LIT (Live It Today) Credit Card
Multiple options to choose the rewards
AU Small Finance Bank LIT Credit Card allows you to customize credit card features. You can add or change features as per your spending pattern.
You can select from five types of features that you want to use for a period of 90 days. For example, you can choose 10X or 5X accelerated reward points on all your spending.
You need to pay a fee of Rs 299 for 10X points and Rs. 199 for 5X reward points for 90 days.
#9. HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card
Convert points to Air Miles
HSBC Visa Platinum is ideal if you do lots of online shopping and travel. The card allows you to convert reward points into Air Miles which can be later used for ticket bookings.
2 Reward Points = 1 Airline Miles across Air India, Etihad, British Airways & Singapore Airlines.
Online shopping & spends give you 2 Points for every Rs 150 spent. You also get 5x reward points on spends beyond Rs. 4 Lacs.
#10. ICICI Platinum Chip Credit Card
Easy approval
ICICI Platinum is an entry-level credit card and is good to get your first credit card approval. If your credit card applications are getting rejected then you can apply for the ICICI platinum credit card.
The reward value is 0.5% for all retail purchases except fuel.
Final Words
You should compare the return benefit 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.
FAQs
Which credit card is best and lifetime free?
Credit card comes in various categories (super-premium, premium, regular and basic). The best credit card for you will be the one that matches your lifestyle, travel, spending and savings habits.
The regular & basic credit cards mostly will be lifetime-free but they won’t give you the best of experiences. And vice versa the best cards with rewards, travel & lounge experiences won’t be free.
Is free credit card really free?
Free credit cards do not have joining fees, annual fees and yearly renewal fees. Rest all the terms & conditions and charges apply – like interest charges, cash withdrawal charges, late payment charges, and cash payment charges.
Is SBI credit card fee?
SBI does not have a lifetime free credit card. At best SBI has “SBI Card Unnati” which is free for the first 4 years. From 5th year you have to pay an annual fee of Rs. 499.
Can I get credit card without salary?
Yes, you can keep a fixed deposit and get a credit card against it. Kotak, Bank of Baroda and ICICI Bank offer credit cards against FD.
Are free credit cards worth it?
Free credit cards are best for students, housewives and persons who have just started their job.
You should apply for a free credit card either to begin your credit card journey, build your credit history or just to grab bank-specific exclusive deals