Best Credit Cards in India 2025
Compare top credit cards from leading banks. Find the perfect card for rewards, cashback, travel benefits, and more. Expert reviews and unbiased comparisons.
Best Credit Cards in India 2025
Priya Sharma is a certified financial planner with over 12 years of experience in credit card analysis and personal finance. She has helped over 50,000 Indians choose the right credit cards and maximize their rewards.
Choosing the right credit card in India can significantly impact your financial health and rewards earnings. With over 50 million credit cards in circulation and hundreds of options from 15+ major banks, finding the perfect card for your spending pattern requires careful analysis. This comprehensive guide compares the best credit cards available in 2025, helping you make an informed decision based on your lifestyle, income, and financial goals.
Whether you're looking for maximum cashback on online shopping, premium travel benefits with airport lounge access, or simply want to build your credit score, we've analyzed every major credit card offering in India. Our comparison includes detailed breakdowns of annual fees, reward rates, welcome bonuses, and hidden charges that banks don't always highlight upfront. Before applying for any credit card, we recommend using our EMI Calculator to understand your repayment capacity and our Credit Score checker to assess your approval chances.
💡 Expert Tip
The "best" credit card varies by individual spending patterns. A card offering 5% cashback on online shopping is valuable only if you spend significantly online. Similarly, premium travel cards with high annual fees make sense only for frequent travelers. Use our comparison filters below to find cards matching your specific needs, and check out our detailed guide on choosing credit cards based on spending patterns.
How We Evaluate Credit Cards
Our credit card rankings are based on a comprehensive 50-point evaluation framework that considers reward rates, annual fees, welcome bonuses, redemption flexibility, customer service ratings, and hidden charges. We analyze data from over 100,000 user reviews, official bank disclosures, and real-world usage patterns. Each card is tested for value proposition across different spending categories including groceries, fuel, dining, travel, and online shopping. For detailed methodology, read our credit card evaluation methodology.
We also factor in the total cost of ownership, which includes not just the annual fee but also GST, foreign transaction charges, cash advance fees, and late payment penalties. Many premium cards appear expensive at first glance but deliver exceptional value when you account for complimentary benefits like airport lounge access (worth ₹2,000+ per visit), golf privileges, dining vouchers, and travel insurance. Our Credit Card Value Calculator helps you calculate the true ROI of any credit card based on your spending.
Credit Card Categories Explained
Cashback
Best for straightforward rewards without redemption hassles. Top picks include SBI Cashback Card (5% online) and Axis Ace (5% on bill payments). Ideal for users who prefer direct statement credits over reward points.
Travel
Perfect for frequent flyers and travelers. Features include airport lounge access, travel insurance, and accelerated rewards on flight and hotel bookings. Check our travel credit cards comparison.
Rewards
Flexible redemption options including shopping vouchers, air miles, and merchandise. Higher reward rates on premium spends. Best for users who want maximum flexibility in how they use their rewards.
Fuel
Specialized cards offering fuel surcharge waivers and cashback at petrol pumps. Essential for daily commuters. Also explore our fuel cost calculator to estimate savings.
⚠️ Important Considerations
Credit cards are powerful financial tools but require responsible usage. Always pay your full statement balance by the due date to avoid interest charges (typically 36-42% annually). Late payments not only incur penalties but also negatively impact your credit score, affecting future loan approvals. Use our credit card payoff calculator if you're carrying a balance to create a debt elimination plan.
10 Credit Cards Found
SBI Cashback Credit Card
State Bank of India
ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card
ICICI Bank
HDFC Regalia Credit Card
HDFC Bank
American Express Platinum Travel
American Express
Axis Bank Ace Credit Card
Axis Bank
IndusInd Iconia Credit Card
IndusInd Bank
Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium
Standard Chartered
Citi Rewards Credit Card
Citi Bank
Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Yes Bank Prosperity Rewards Plus
Yes Bank
Detailed Comparison Table
| Card Name | Bank | Category | Annual Fee | Reward Rate | Rating | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Regalia Credit Card | HDFC Bank | rewards | ₹2,500 | 4 points per ₹150 | 4.5 | |
| SBI Cashback Credit Card | State Bank of India | cashback | ₹999 | 5% cashback on online spends | 4.7 | |
| ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card | ICICI Bank | shopping | Nil | 5% on Amazon, 1% elsewhere | 4.6 | |
| Axis Bank Ace Credit Card | Axis Bank | cashback | ₹499 | 5% cashback on bill payments | 4.4 | |
| IndusInd Iconia Credit Card | IndusInd Bank | travel | ₹5,000 | 2 reward points per ₹100 | 4.3 | |
| American Express Platinum Travel | American Express | travel | ₹3,500 | 5 points per ₹50 on travel | 4.5 | |
| Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium | Standard Chartered | fuel | ₹750 | 5% cashback on fuel | 4.2 | |
| Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card | Kotak Mahindra Bank | rewards | ₹1,999 | 3 points per ₹100 | 4.1 | |
| Yes Bank Prosperity Rewards Plus | Yes Bank | rewards | ₹2,499 | 6 points per ₹100 | 4 | |
| Citi Rewards Credit Card | Citi Bank | rewards | ₹1,000 | 10 points per ₹100 | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The best credit card depends on your spending pattern. For online shopping, SBI Cashback Card offers 5% cashback. For travel, HDFC Regalia or IndusInd Iconia are excellent choices. For Amazon purchases, ICICI Amazon Pay Card is ideal. Consider your primary spending categories before choosing.
Most entry-level credit cards require a minimum annual income of ₹2-3 lakhs. Premium cards like HDFC Regalia require ₹6 lakhs, while super-premium cards like IndusInd Iconia need ₹10 lakhs or more. Some banks also offer credit cards to students and first-time users with lower income requirements.
Choose cashback cards if you prefer straightforward benefits without redemption hassles. Cashback is credited directly to your account. Choose reward points if you want flexibility in redemption (travel, shopping, vouchers) and don't mind the redemption process. Reward cards often offer higher value for premium spends.
Annual fees are worth it if the benefits exceed the cost. For example, if a card charges ₹2,500 annually but offers ₹5,000 in welcome bonus, lounge access worth ₹2,000, and dining vouchers worth ₹3,000, the total value (₹10,000) far exceeds the fee. Calculate your expected benefits before deciding.
Most banks waive annual fees if you meet minimum spending criteria (typically ₹1-2 lakhs per year). Some cards offer fee reversal as reward points. Premium cards may waive fees for high-net-worth customers. Contact your bank to understand the waiver conditions for your specific card.
A credit score of 750+ is considered excellent and increases approval chances significantly. Scores between 700-750 are good and may get approved for most cards. Below 700, approval becomes difficult, especially for premium cards. First-time applicants without credit history can start with secured credit cards or entry-level cards.
Yes, you can have multiple credit cards from different banks. Having 2-3 cards can help maximize rewards across different spending categories and provide backup options. However, manage them responsibly to avoid overspending and ensure timely payments to maintain a good credit score.
Credit limit is the maximum amount you can spend on your card. Available credit is your credit limit minus current outstanding balance. For example, if your limit is ₹1 lakh and you've spent ₹30,000, your available credit is ₹70,000. Available credit increases as you repay your dues.