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10 BEST CREDIT CARDS IN INDIA 2020-21

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Are confused with so many credit cards companies around? Well, we are here to ease up your worries and help you in shortlisting 10 Best Credit Card available in India.  We have made this list keeping in mind the cashback, free flights, Complimentary lounge access, free Stays and even free business class tickets, etc.

No single Credit Card is perfect. The one offering bigger benefits usually have hefty joining and renewal fees as well. Also, it’s not about how much benefits you are getting but about how much value you are getting back for your Annual fees and spending. Everyone has different spending style and patterns. And above all, different financial conditions.

Several companies and banks offer different credit cards, but instead of sorting things out eventually, we land up in almost more than 100+ Credit Cards. So, we have studied and analyzed different Credit Cards offerings across various banks and have narrowed down our list to the 10 Best Credit Cards available in India. While writing this article, we had access to almost every credit card that made it to this list.

To simplify things, we will be summarizing the relevant points only in this article for more details, check out our detailed items on our website.

  1. ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card

  • Reward Rate: Earn 5% back on Amazon for Prime customers and
  • Earn 3% for Non- Prime Member
  • Earn 2% on preferred merchants
  • Earn 1% back on all other payments
  • Joining Fees: Nil
  • ICICI Exclusive Bank Privilege: 15% savings on dining bills at over 2,500 restaurants across India through Culinary Treats Programme.
  • Waiver of 1% on fuel surcharge.
  • Please Note: Cashback in the form of Amazon Pay Balance.

If you are new to the Credit Card game then don’t want to shell out a big annual fee then this card is for you. Backed by ICICI Bank brings you the reliability and peace of mind. If you already have an ICICI Bank account, then you will be easily getting the card within 72 hours. For more information, check our Amazon ICICI Bank Credit Card Review 2021.

   2. Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card

  • Reward Rate: Earn 5% cashback on Flipkart, Myntra and 2GUD.
  • Earn 4% on preferred merchants (CureFit, Goibibo, MakeMyTrip, PVR, Uber, UrbanClap).
  •  Earn 1.5% back on all other payments.
  • Welcome Benefit: 3300 worth of welcome benefits upon activation
  • Airport Lounge Access: 4 Complimentary lounge visits per calendar year
  • Joining Fees: Nil (limited period offer)

Another competition for Amazon Pay Credit Card is Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card as it offers a flat cashback of 1.5% for all offline and online transactions, which makes it a perfect card for the first time users, who wants to get a taste of credit card rewards system.

One of the most important benefits it offers is Airport Lounge Access which other Free Credit Cards lacks. Being pampered at the Airport Lounge is definitely frequent flyers, and travellers love to have. Overall, all of the above benefits gives a great value back for your money spent. Click here for Full Review of Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card.

   3. Paytm First Credit Card

  • Reward Rate: Unlimited 1% cashback on all transaction.
  • Welcome Benefit: Complimentary One Year PAYTM First Membership
  • Annual Fees: Rs. 500 (will be waived off on annual spend of Rs. 50,000)
  • Cashback of Rs. 1000 on Spending Rs. 5000 in the first 30 days.
  • Partner Offer: Up to 20% discount at Partner Restaurants and other Exclusive Benefits
  • Please Note: Cashback will be credited to your monthly statement.

While most of the cards restrict cashback for loading your Paytm wallet. The Paytm First Card gives flat 1% uncapped cashback for all your Paytm Wallet spends.

If you use Paytm wallet a lot, then this is the credit card which you should get as it offers cashback on loading money to your wallet which others don’t. Apart from that, you will get benefits worth 12000 INR by claiming your One Year Paytm First Membership and a Flat Cashback of 1000 INR for spending 5000 INR within a month.

Being a Citi Bankcard there is an annual fee, but if your annual spending is more than 50,000 INR, then your annual fee will be waived off. Also, you are entitled to Citibank’s Exclusive Benefits, which you can find here.

   3. SBI Prime Credit Card

  • Reward Rate: 0.5 – 5%
  • Welcome Benefit: E-gift voucher worth 3000 INR
  • Annual Fees: Rs. 2999 + GST (will be waived off on annual spend of Rs 3,00,000)
  • Airport Lounge Access: Complimentary 4 International lounge visits per calendar year to Priority Pass Lounges outside India and 8 Domestic lounge visits (Mastercard/Visa) per calendar year (max. 2 per quarter for both).
  • Complimentary Club Vistara Silver Membership (1 Upgrade Voucher).
  • Complimentary Trident Privilege Red Tier Membership.
  • Partner Offer: Complimentary Golf Privileges and Benefits across 900+ hotels worldwide.

Undoubtedly, this is one of the best and most popular credit cards of SBI in India. Starting from milestone benefits, complimentary membership to lounge access this card has it all. Not only that, but you also get accelerated reward system to maximize your savings.

   5. American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card

  • Reward Rate: 1 – 10%
  • Welcome Benefit: Welcome gift of 4000 Bonus Membership Reward Points and 2000 EXTRA Reward points if you apply through our link here.
  • Annual Fees: Rs. 1000 + Taxes
  • Renewal Fee: 4950 + Taxes (will be waived off on annual spend of Rs. 150,000)
  • Earn 1,000 bonus membership reward points for using your card 4 times on transaction of Rs. 1000 and above every month.
  • Partner Offer: Up to 30% discount at Partner Restaurants and AMEX Merchant Offers

American Express is famous for its premium service and customer experience. Having an American Express Card is itself a status symbol. Fortunately, now even average middle-class person can also enjoy the American Express tag by getting their Smart Earn Card and Membership Rewards Credit Card (MRCC).

Though this one is not among their top of the line offerings, when used smartly this card can actually give you returns that other Super Premium Cards offers. Apply from this link to get extra reward points and lower renewal fees.  For more information, Check our AMEX MRCC Credit Card Review 2021

   6. HDFC Regalia Credit Card

  • Reward Rate: 3 – 13%
  • Welcome Benefit: Complimentary Zomato Pro Membership on spending above Rs. 75,000 in the first three months
  • Annual/Renewal Fee: 2500 + GST (waived off on annual spend of Rs. 300,000)
  • Earn 10,000 reward points when you spend Rs. 5 lakh in Anniversary Year. Earn additional 5,000 reward points, if you spend Rs. 8 Lakh in Anniversary year.
  • Airport Lounge Access: Complimentary up to 6 International lounge visits per calendar year to Priority Pass Lounges outside India and up to 12 Domestic lounge visits (Mastercard/Visa) per calendar year. (Add on cardholders can also enjoy this)
  • Partner Offer: Special Merchant Offers for 2X, 5X and 10X Reward Points benefits.

Among one of the best credit cards in India, HDFC has the most credit card customers in India. And the card behind their massive success is their Regalia and HDFC Diners Club Premium Card. Low currency mark-up fees, up to 10X Accelerated Reward Points, Complimentary Lounge Access worldwide is what makes this card the most successful among all the competitive cards in the market.

For more information, you can click here >>>

   7. HDFC Diners Privilege Credit Card

  • Reward Rate: 3 – 13%
  • Welcome Benefit: Complimentary Zomato Pro, Amazon Prime, MakeMyTrip Double Black, Big Basket Star, Times Prime on spending above Rs. 75,000 in the first three months.
  • Annual/Renewal Fee: 2500 + GST (waived off on annual spend of Rs. 300,000)
  • Earn 10,000 reward points when you spend Rs. 5 lakh in Anniversary Year. Earn additional 5,000 reward points, if you spend Rs. 8 Lakh in Anniversary year.
  • Airport Lounge Access: Total 12 Complimentary lounge access worldwide per calendar year. The best part, you don’t need a separate card for lounge access. And add on cardholders can also enjoy this benefit.
  • Partner Offer: Special Merchant Offers for 2X, 5X and 10X Reward Points benefits.

If you are a frequent flier and you travel at least once a month or two then Diners Privilege Credit Card is the best travel companion for you. This card not only offers all the bells and whistles that HDFC cards offer but also offers you the Diners Club Membership Benefits. Diners Club has the most no. of airport lounges in India and is second best worldwide. So, having 12 Complimentary access worldwide is itself going to cover your annual fees. And not only that, special merchant programs of HDFC offers up to 10X reward points on your travel bookings.

   8. SBI Simply CLICK

  • Reward Rate: 1.25 – 2.5%
  • Welcome Benefit: Amazon voucher worth 500 INR
  • Annual Fees: Rs. 499 + GST (will be waived off on annual spend of Rs 1,00,000)
  • Annual Milestone: Cleartrip E-Voucher worth Rs. 2000 on spending Rs. 1,00,000.
  • Partner Offer: Earn 10X Reward Points on online spends with exclusive partners – Amazon / BookMyShow / Cleartrip / Lenskart / Netmeds / UrbanClap.
  • Earn 5X rewards on all other online spends.

If you are using a credit card for the first time and that too for shopping online then this card is perfect for you as it offers 10X reward points on popular merchants like Amazon, Book my show, Urban Company, Cleartrip, Net Meds, Lenskart etc.

This card also provides 5X rewards on other online spends irrespective of the merchant, which is quite remarkable. And don’t forget the annual fee waiver and Cleartrip Voucher on spending Rs. 1,00,000.

   9. AMEX Platinum Travel Credit Card

  • Reward Rate: 1 – 10%
  • Welcome Benefit: Welcome gift of 5000 Bonus Membership Reward Points and 2000 EXTRA Reward points if you apply through our link here.
  • Annual Fees: Rs. 1000 + Taxes (First year Free, if you apply through our link)
  • Renewal Fee: 5000 + Taxes
  • Get Travel Vouchers worth Rs. 30,000 on spending Rs. 4 lakh and benefits worth Rs. 15,000 approx. for spending Rs. 1.9 Lakh
  • Airport Lounge Access: 4 Complimentary domestic lounge access per calendar year. Complimentary membership to Priority Pass with annual $99 fee waived.
  • Partner Offer: Up to 20% discount at Partner Restaurants and AMEX Merchant Offers

American Express Platinum Travel Card is one of the best travel credit cards in India. It offers Travel Vouchers up to Rs. 30,000 by just spending Rs. 4 Lakh annually. You can pamper yourself with a 5 Star vacations every year by just using your AMEX card for shopping. AMEX is currently also offering Flipkart vouchers on achieving your milestone instead of travel ones.

And don’t forget, you also get The famous American Express customer service experience, which is undoubtedly best in India right now. When used smartly, this card can actually give you returns that other Super Premium Cards offers.

   10. Axis Vistara Infinite

  • Reward Rate: 10%
  • Welcome Benefit: Welcome gift of one complimentary Business Class Ticket, which pays off the Joining fee by itself
  • Joining Fees: Rs. 10000 + Taxes
  • Get up to 4 Business Class Vouchers depending on your annual spends.
  • Airport Lounge Access: 4 Visits/quarter via Visa Lounge Access Program & also via Club Vistara Gold Membership.
  • Partner Offer: Up to 20% discount at Partner Restaurants and Travel Insurance.

Backed by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines. Though new, Vistara is the latest among all Indian Carriers, but it maintains the trust of Tata Group and the services of Singapore Airlines. That’s why all frequent fliers are loving them.

So, if you are a frequent flier, then the Vistara Axis Bank Card is perfect for you as it offers complimentary up to 4 Business Class Tickets and a 4 complimentary lounge access per quarter including Kris Gold Lounges globally.

If you spend Rs. 7.5 Lacs per year on tickets then this card can offer you an overall reward rate of up to 15%. You can also opt for Vistara Signature if your spending is not that much.

Concluding Remarks: No Credit Card or Credit Company is perfect. All comes down to your spending pattern and style. Choose the one which suits best for your lifestyle and needs.

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