Introduction 

India has a variety of credit card options and finding the right credit card could be challenging as most banks offer different features and benefits attached to credit cards. Some credit cards are designed for benefits associated with shopping and hence they come with an excellent rewards program while other cards are loaded with travel privileges. It could be difficult to pick the right credit card from a vast variety of options available today. There are various factors to consider while selecting the right credit card for yourself.

Which are the Best Credit Cards in India?

Here is a list of the top credit cards on offer in India.

  • HSBC Visa Platinum Card

  • Citi Cashback Card

  • IndianOil Citi Platinum Card

  • HDFC Freedom Credit Card

  • Yatra SBI Credit Card

  • HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Card

  • IndusInd Bank Platinum Card

  • Axis Bank Neo Credit Card

  • Kotak PVR Gold Credit Card

  • HDFC MoneyBack Credit Card

What are the Features & Benefits of the Best Credit Cards in India?

  • Indian Oil Citi Platinum Card - This credit card is designed to help you save money on fuel and at the same time earn rewards on all your purchases. Some of the benefits offered are:

    • Annual fee waiver on spend of Rs. 30,000 p.a.

    • 4 Turbo Points on every Rs. 150 spent on the purchase of fuel at IndianOil outlets across India. 4 points to be earned at selected partner stores as well.

    • Fuel surcharge waiver at IndianOil outlets.

    • 2 Turbo Points on every Rs. 150 spent at supermarket and grocery stores.

    • 1 Turbo Point on every Rs. 150 spent on all other purchases.

    • Turbo Points can be redeemed for free fuel at IndianOil outlets. 1 Turbo Point is equal to free fuel worth Rs.1. Points can also be redeemed at selected merchant outlets and for gift vouchers at major brands.

    • Personal concierge services and offers on dining, shopping, etc.

  • HDFC Freedom Credit Card – Here are some of the top benefits offered by this card:

    • 5X reward points can be earned on everything from grocery, dining, movie, railway, and taxi bookings.

    • A birthday celebration can be 25X better with 25X reward points on card expenses made on your birthday.

    • 10X reward points on your SmartBUY and PayZapp purchases.

    • Gift voucher worth Rs. 1,000 when you spend Rs. 90,000 in a year.

    • Spend above Rs. 50,000 in a year and get your renewal fee waived off.

    • Interest-free period of up to 50 days.

    • 500 reward points as your welcome benefit.

    • Renewal bonus of 500 points when you pay your renewal fee.

  • Yatra SBI Credit Card - Yatra SBI Credit Card is one of the best travel credit cards in India at present. Apart from offers on domestic and international travel, this card has multiple benefits in store for the cardholders. The top features and benefits of this card are as follows:

    • The card comes with free access to airport lounges in India.

    • The card offers vouchers worth Rs. 8,250 as a welcome gift. Use card within 30 days of availing it to get Rs.100 worth cashback.

    • Spend up to Rs.1 lakh in a year to avail annual fee waiver from the second year.

    • 6x Reward Points on money spent using the card on Yatra, grocery stores and departmental stores.

    • 6x bonus points on the base fare and rates on bookings made on Yatra.

    • 1 point on every Rs. 100 spent on other retail stores.

    • Points can be redeemed for Yatra vouchers.

    • Discount voucher of Rs. 500 on every Rs. 30,000 spent on bookings made on Yatra.

    • 1% surcharge waiver on Rs. 500 to Rs. 3,000 worth fuel purchases.

  • HSBC Visa Platinum Card - This credit allows users to enjoy cashback, reward points, discounts and much more. Here are the top benefits:

    • Users can avail 10% cashback on all spends during the initial 90 days, provided at least 9 transactions are made and the minimum spend is Rs.10,000. Avail a maximum cashback of Rs. 2,000.

    • 2 points on every Rs. 150 spent using the card.

    • EXTRA points at selected EXTRA partners.

    • Spend at least Rs. 4 lakhs in a year and earn 5x Rewards on all the successive transactions.

    • Spend at least Rs. 50,000 in a month to avail movie vouchers worth Rs. 500.

    • Fuel surcharge waiver when you pay for fuel using the card.

    • Discounts on dining under HSBC Dining Privileges.

  • Citi Cashback Card - This card is designed to let users earn while they spend. It offers cashback and other benefits on spends. The top features of this card include:

    • The card allows contactless payments of up to Rs. 2,000. No PIN required. Simply tap the card at the contactless terminal to pay.

    • 5% cashback on movie tickets and phone bill payments.

    • 5% cashback on utility bill payments, if paid through Citibank Online Bill Pay.

    • 0.5% cashback on all the other spends.

    • Exclusive dining and shopping benefits.

    • Savings of 20% in participating restaurants

    • Make purchases on EMI at over 2,000 mobile phone, electronics and retail outlets.

  • HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Card - This credit card is one of the most popular premium cards in India. It offers reward points and also provides the best protection, golf benefits, travel benefits, lifestyle benefits, etc. Here are some of the top benefits of this card.

    • Reward points on domestic and international air ticket and hotel bookings.

    • Points can be redeemed for air miles or to book air tickets or hotels.

    • Access to over 25 airport lounges in India and over 650 airport lounges abroad.

    • 24x7 concierge service. Get the concierge to reserve golf course and dining or to deliver flowers and gifts or to rent cars. The concierge will also provide business-related services, courier service and make hotel reservations.

    • 5 reward points on every Rs.150 spent at retail merchant stores.

    • 10 reward points on every Rs.150 spent on HDFC Bank Diners Club website.

    • Complimentary golf games and lessons in India and abroad.

    • The card offers Rs. 2 crores worth Air Accident Cover, up to Rs. 50 lakh worth Emergency Medical Expenses cover, up to Rs. 9 lakh worth Credit Liability cover and up to Rs. 55,000 worth Travel Insurance Cover on baggage loss/delay.

  • IndusInd Bank Platinum Card - This premium credit card offers multiple lifestyles and dining benefits to the cardholders. Here are the top benefits and features of this card.

    • This card offers Accor Plus Program membership which allows cardholders to enjoy up to 15% discount on beverages across Asia and up to 50% discount on dining across the Asia Pacific. Members can also avail discount on hotel bookings, complimentary night stays and Silver Membership Status at Le Club Accor Hotels.

    • 1.5 Reward Points on every Rs. 150 spent using the card.

    • Discounts from various travel and shopping partners. For Example – Satya Paul, Jet Airways, Woodland, United Colors of Benetton, etc.

    • Complimentary golf lessons and games at golf courses in India.

    • Discounts on movie tickets when you book using this card on Bookmyshow.

    • Complimentary Priority Pass and get access to airport lounges in India and abroad.

    • Benefits under the Travel Plus Program.

    • Travel Insurance cover and enjoy 24x7 concierge services. The card’s Total Protect feature will protect you from fraudulent transactions.

    • Free air accident cover up to Rs. 25 lakh.

    • Services during an emergency through the bank’s 24x7 Auto Assist Facility.

  • HDFC MoneyBack Credit Card – Here are some of the top benefits offered by this card.

    • 2 reward points for every spent of Rs. 150 on your card

    • 2X more reward points for online spends

    • Cashback against card outstanding by redeeming earned reward points (100 reward points = Rs.20)

    • Redeemable points for gifts and air miles from the exclusive rewards catalogue.

    • Minimum of 2,500 points are required to redeem reward points.

    • Accumulated points are valid for 2 years from the accumulation date.

    • E-voucher worth Rs. 500 on spends of 50,000+ per quarter on retail purchases. This voucher is valid for 60 days.

    • Annual savings of up to Rs. 1,800 on fuel at stations anywhere in India

    • 100% waiver on fuel surcharge with up to Rs. 250 savings every billing cycle

    • Zero liability on fraudulent transactions made on your card after the loss of the card is reported.

  • Axis Bank Neo Credit Card - This card is preferred by moviegoers and shoppers. It offers some of the best dining, shopping and entertainment benefits in India. Cardholders can also earn reward points on their spends and make purchases on EMI.

    • 2 EDGE Loyalty Rewards points on every Rs.200 spent using the card.

    • 10% cashback on mobile recharge, online shopping and movie tickets.

    • Vouchers of Rs. 200 from Bookmyshow.

    • Transactions of Rs. 2,500 and above can be converted into EMI.

    • 10% discount on every transaction of at least Rs. 500 made on Myntra.

    • This card is protected through an EMV certified chip.

    • Zero lost card liability.

    • No annual fee is charged for the first year.

  • Kotak PVR Gold Credit Card - This credit card has been exclusively designed for movie buffs. It is offered by Kotak Mahindra Bank in partnership with PVR Cinemas.

    • 1 free PVR movie ticket on a minimum spend of Rs. 10,000 per billing cycle or 2 free tickets on a minimum spend of Rs. 15,000 per billing cycle. To avail the free tickets, cardholders can make any type of spends.

    • Avail up to Rs. 75,000 worth insurance coverage for a stolen or lost card.

    • Avail Add-on cards for family members.

FAQs

  1. What are the best credit cards available for a wide range of dining benefits?

The top credit cards mentioned above come with dining privileges. Some of the cards offer discounts and cashback while ordering online. The HDFC Bank Diners Club Credit Card and the IndusInd Bank Platinum Credit Card are some of the credit cards which offer best-in-class dining benefits.

  1. If I am a first-time borrower, which credit card should I opt for?

As a first-time borrower, it is ideal to go for credit cards which have a zero annual fee and no joining fee. It also depends on the features and benefits of the card which will cater to your specific requirements. You can go for Axis Bank Neo Credit Card which has a minimal annual fee of Rs. 250 and offers a wide range of benefits across many categories.

  1. How do I redeem the benefits which are offered by these credit cards?

To redeem the reward points, you can visit the website of the bank and redeem the points which have been accumulated in your card. Benefits such as movie tickets, dining, etc., will be automatically given to you once you use the credit card. However, it is important to know the terms and conditions of the benefits which are given with your card.

  1. What are the top credit cards to avail the best entertainment benefits?

Kotak PVR Gold Credit Card, HDFC Moneyback Credit Card and the Axis Bank Neo Credit Card are among the top credit cards for entertainment expenses.

  1. Do the lounge benefits come free of cost with these credit cards?

Depending on the total number of lounge visits allotted to you, these will come free of cost. However, after exceeding the maximum number of visits, you will have to pay a certain amount as a fee to utilise the lounge in domestic and international airports. The fee generally is the same for most credit cards. It is advised that you read the terms and conditions for domestic and international lounge access before using the card.

End Note

While searching for the best credit card in India, you will come across multiple top credit cards with different types of features. With so many options at hand, it is easy to get confused. You must always look for a credit card that matches your spending habits and caters to your specific requirements.