Credit Cards · India · 2026
Best Credit Cards —
Compared & Ranked
Not sorted by commission. Every card is scored against real reward rates, fees, and eligibility — then matched to your situation.
Editor picks
Best credit card for each goal
Top-ranked card for every spending category, based on actual reward rates.
- ✓Unlimited domestic and international lounge access via Priority Pass
- ✓60 EDGE Reward Points per 200 on Travel Edge portal bookings, up to 2 lakh
- ✓Among the highest reward rates of any Indian super-premium card
- ✓2% flat cashback on all spends via Google Pay / PhonePe
- ✓4% cashback on Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola
- ✓5% cashback on utility bill payments via Google Pay
- ✓24 YES Rewardz points per 200 on accelerated online categories
- ✓8,000 bonus points credited upon annual fee renewal
- ✓Complimentary domestic lounge access (quarterly spend of 1 lakh+ required)
- ✓10% cashback on Swiggy app (food delivery, Instamart, Dineout, Genie), capped 1,500/cycle
- ✓5% cashback on apparel, electronics, personal care and other online categories
- ✓1% cashback on other eligible spends
- ✓Fully digital, app-first metal credit card with no physical paperwork
- ✓5X reward points on your top 2 spend categories each month
- ✓Low forex markup of just 1% on international transactions
- ✓Unlimited domestic and international lounge access via Priority Pass
- ✓60 EDGE Reward Points per 200 on Travel Edge portal bookings, up to 2 lakh
- ✓Among the highest reward rates of any Indian super-premium card
Full comparison
Compare all 88 credit cards
Sorted by featured ranking. Click a card for the full review, or pick 2–3 to compare side by side.
Category guides
Best cards by spending type
Best credit cards for travel
Travel credit cards earn you the most when you book flights, hotels, and international transactions. The best ones offer accelerated points on travel spends, complimentary airport lounge access, and low or waived foreign transaction fees. HDFC Infinia leads this category with up to 16.67% value on travel via SmartBuy portal, unlimited domestic and international lounge visits, and a 3.33% base earn rate. HDFC Regalia is the best mid-range travel card — strong lounge benefits at a ₹2,500 annual fee that is easily justified with a waiver at ₹3 lakh annual spend.
Best cashback credit cards
Cashback cards give you direct money back — no points conversion, no portals, no expiry. Axis ACE is the best flat cashback card in India with 2% on all spends and 4% on dining and groceries via Swiggy and Zomato. Amazon Pay ICICI gives 5% on Amazon purchases and is lifetime free with no conditions. Standard Chartered Smart is the best for online shopping at up to 6% cashback. If simplicity matters, cashback is better than points — you know exactly what you are earning.
Best credit cards for dining
Dining rewards make a big difference if you eat out or order frequently. SBI Card Prime gives 5% back on dining and groceries with a ₹2,999 annual fee that is waived on ₹3 lakh annual spend. Axis ACE gives 4% on orders through Swiggy and Zomato. HDFC Infinia earns 3.33% on dining at premium restaurants. For casual dining, Axis ACE wins on value. For fine dining with lounge access, HDFC Regalia or SBI Prime offer the better overall package.
Best credit cards for online shopping
Online shopping cards maximise rewards on e-commerce spends. Standard Chartered Smart gives 6% cashback on online merchants and is lifetime free — exceptional for shoppers who do not need lounge access. Amazon Pay ICICI gives 5% specifically on Amazon and is ideal if Amazon is your primary shopping destination. Axis Flipkart gives 5% on Flipkart and Myntra. HDFC MoneyBack+ gives an extra 3.33% on EMI spends — useful for large electronics purchases.
Buying guide
How to choose a credit card
Four factors that actually matter when picking a credit card.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best credit card in India?
There is no single best credit card — it depends entirely on your income, spending habits, and goals. HDFC Infinia is widely considered the best premium card. Axis ACE and Amazon Pay ICICI are top picks for everyday cashback. Use our questionnaire to get a personalised verdict for your exact situation.
Which credit card has no annual fee?
Several excellent lifetime-free credit cards exist: Amazon Pay ICICI (up to 5% cashback on Amazon), Axis ACE (2% base cashback), Standard Chartered Smart (up to 6% on select merchants), and IDFC FIRST Wealth (lifetime free with premium lounge benefits). Lifetime free does not mean low rewards.
What is the minimum credit score needed to get a credit card?
Most credit cards require a CIBIL score of 700 or above. Entry-level cards like Axis ACE and Amazon Pay ICICI accept scores from 700. Mid-range cards like HDFC Regalia require 750+. Premium cards like HDFC Infinia and IndusInd Celesta typically require 780–800+.
Which credit card gives the most cashback?
Standard Chartered Smart gives up to 6% cashback on online merchants. Axis ACE gives 4% on dining and groceries, 2% base. Amazon Pay ICICI gives 5% on Amazon, 2% on Amazon Pay merchants. The best cashback card depends on where you spend the most.
What is the best credit card for travel in India?
HDFC Infinia is the top travel card — it gives up to 16.67% value on travel spends via SmartBuy and offers unlimited international lounge access. HDFC Regalia is a strong mid-range travel card with 6.67% on travel and domestic lounge access. IndusInd Celesta offers premium travel perks including golf and concierge.
How do I choose the right credit card?
Match the card to where you actually spend: if you order online often, get an Amazon Pay ICICI or Axis Flipkart card. If you travel frequently, get HDFC Regalia or Infinia. If you want simplicity, get a flat cashback card like Axis ACE. Always check the annual fee against the rewards you will realistically earn.
Personalised verdict
Stop comparing. Get your verdict.
Answer 7 questions about your income, spending, and goals. We score every card against your exact answers and give you one recommendation — with the reasons.