Note: If you’re looking for the latest list of top credit cards available in India, check out this article: best credit cards for 2023.
Looking for the best credit cards in India for 2022 that match your needs? You’re in the right place. Whether you want cashback, lounge access, complimentary meals, hotel stays or business-class tickets, this guide covers the top options across categories.
I reviewed over 100 credit cards across multiple banks and compiled this list of the best cards for 2022 by user segment. Below you’ll find entry-level, premium, travel, super-premium and ultra-premium recommendations, along with short explanations for each pick.
Table of Contents
- Entry Level Credit Cards
- 1. HDFC Millennia Credit Card
- 2. Axis Ace Credit Card
- 3. Amex MRCC
- 4. SBI Cashback Card
- 5. ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card
- Premium Credit Cards
- 6. BOB Eterna
- 7. HDFC Regalia
- 8. IDFC First Wealth
- Travel Credit Cards
- 9. Amex Platinum Travel
- 10. Axis Vistara Infinite
- 11. SBI Air India Signature
- 12. SBI Etihad Premier
- Super Premium Credit Cards
- 13. Axis Magnus
- 14. HDFC Infinia
- 15. HDFC Diners Black
- 16. Stan. C. ultimate
- Ultra Premium Credit Cards
- 17. Amex Plat Charge
- 18. Axis Reserve
- FAQ’s
- Bottomline
I actively use more than ten cards and this list includes many I regularly rely on. Let’s begin with entry-level cards suitable for beginners.
Entry Level Credit Cards
- Suggested income: 4 Lakhs+
- Suggested spend: 1 Lakh+
Entry-level cards are designed for first-time credit card users. They tend to have simple reward structures and lower fees, making them a good starting point to build a credit history.
A quick comparison of top beginner cards for 2022:
| Credit Card | Joining Fee | Reward Rate | Reward Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Millennia | FYF | 1% | Cashback |
| Axis Ace | FREE | 2% | Cashback |
| Amex MRCC | FREE | ~10% | Rewards |
| SBI Cashback Card | FREE | 1% – 5% | Cashback |
| ICICI Amazon Pay | FREE | 1% – 5% | Amazon Credits |
1. HDFC Millennia Credit Card
- Best for: Merchant offers & Cashback
HDFC Millennia is an excellent starter card. It provides access to HDFC merchant offers and straightforward cashback benefits, and it helps establish a relationship with HDFC if you plan to upgrade to premium products later.
2. Axis Ace Credit Card
- Best for: Cashback to statement
Axis Ace is a simple card offering 2% cashback on regular spends. It competes strongly on reward rate for its category, though Axis has had occasional issues with tech and modest credit limits.
3. Amex MRCC
- Best for: Membership Rewards & points transfers
American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card (MRCC) is a great entry into Amex’s ecosystem. Monthly bonus points and access to lucrative Amex merchant offers can deliver high value for regular users.
4. SBI Cashback Card
- Best for: Up to 5% cashback on online spends
SBI Cashback is a standout for online shoppers with up to 5% cashback and a generous monthly cap. Note that certain categories such as utilities, rent or wallet loads may not qualify for the top cashback tier.
5. ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card
- Best for: Amazon offers and up to 5% on spends
If you frequently shop on Amazon and are an Amazon Prime member, this card is hard to beat for its platform-linked benefits and elevated rewards on Amazon transactions.
Premium Credit Cards
- Suggested income range: 12 Lakhs+
- Suggested spend range: 5 Lakhs+
Premium cards suit people with occasional luxury needs. They offer more travel benefits such as lounge access, higher reward rates and enhanced merchant offers.
| Credit Card | Joining Fee | Reward Rate | Reward Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOB Eterna | 2500 INR | 0.75% – 3.75% | Cashback |
| HDFC Regalia | – | 1.3% – 5% | Rewards |
| IDFC First Wealth | – | 0.75% – 2.5% | Cashback or Vouchers |
6. BOB Eterna
- Best for: Online spends up to ~40K INR a month
BOB Eterna is attractive for consistent online spenders within its sweet spot. Be aware of recent exclusions to online categories and of the bank’s premium support limitations.
7. HDFC Regalia
- Best for: Merchant offers & Priority Pass for family
HDFC Regalia’s key advantage is Priority Pass membership for family members, which can share lounge access allowances. It’s a cost-effective way to access premium lounge benefits without the highest-tier HDFC cards.
8. IDFC First Wealth
- Best for: Monthly spends > 1 Lakh
IDFC First Wealth rewards high monthly spenders and offers flexible redemption options such as cashback to statement or vouchers, making it a practical choice for heavy non-travel spending.
Travel Credit Cards
- Suggested income range: 12 Lakhs+
- Suggested spend range: 4 – 8 Lakhs
Travel cards focus on travel-related rewards—air miles, airline vouchers and hotel credits—rather than cashback. They are ideal if you travel frequently and can use airline or hotel benefits.
| Credit Card | Joining Fee | Reward Rate | Reward Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum Travel | FREE | ~7% | Rewards |
| Axis Vistara Infinite | 10,000 INR | ~10% | Vouchers & Air miles |
| SBI Air India Signature | 10,000 INR | ~5% | Air miles |
| SBI Etihad | 5,000 INR | ~2% | Vouchers & Air miles |
Note: Many premium and super-premium cards also double as excellent travel cards.
9. Amex Platinum Travel
- Best for: Accumulating Taj vouchers and travel-focused rewards
Amex Platinum Travel remains one of the strongest travel cards, especially for users who value Taj hotel vouchers and flexible travel redemptions.
10. Axis Vistara Infinite
- Best for: Flying Vistara business class
With compelling first-year benefits and high returns on spend, Axis Vistara Infinite is a top choice for Vistara flyers. Availability of award seats can vary, so book early for busy routes.
11. SBI Air India Signature
- Best for: Flying business class on Air India and selected Star Alliance partners
If you frequently fly Air India, this card offers targeted benefits that can make premium travel more affordable over time.
12. SBI Etihad Premier
- Best for: Companion ticket benefit
SBI Etihad Premier can be highly rewarding for those who understand its redemption mechanics and can use companion tickets for premium long-haul travel.
Super Premium Credit Cards
- Suggested income range: 25 Lakhs+
- Suggested spend range: 10 Lakhs+
Super-premium cards offer higher reward rates, larger credit limits, unlimited lounge access and exclusive benefits tailored to a luxury lifestyle.
| Credit Card | Joining Fee | Reward Rate | Reward Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Magnus | 10,000 INR | 1.2% – 12.4% | Rewards & Miles |
| HDFC Infinia | 10,000 INR | 3.3% | Rewards |
| HDFC Diners Black | 10,000 INR | 3.3% | Rewards |
| Stan C Ultimate | 5,000 INR | 3.3% | Shopping Vouchers |
13. Axis Magnus
- Best for: Airport meet & greet services and high spends
Axis Magnus adds premium airport experiences like complimentary meet & greet services and strong rewards for high monthly spenders. It’s a top pick for those who value airport convenience and elevated redemptions.
14. HDFC Infinia
- Best for: 5X & 10X rewards via Smartbuy
HDFC Infinia is a widely admired card for broad, high-value rewards and strong redemption options. It’s a solid all-around choice if you want one card to cover most spending categories.
15. HDFC Diners Black
- Best for: 5X, 10X rewards and direct unlimited lounge access
Diners Black is an excellent alternative to Infinia for many users, offering strong monthly rewards and unlimited lounge access. Note that Diners acceptance can be lower than Visa/Mastercard, so carry a backup card.
16. Stan. C. ultimate
- Best for: Any spend with rewards as shopping vouchers
Standard Chartered Ultimate offers a straightforward 3.3% reward rate on many spend types, with rewards redeemable as shopping vouchers—good for users who prefer tangible redemptions.
Ultra Premium Credit Cards
- Joining fee range: > 50,000 INR
Ultra-premium cards emphasize benefits over points—hotel privileges, concierge, meet & greet, airport transfers and first-class upgrades. They are designed for a high-end lifestyle where benefits outweigh the fee.
17. Amex Plat Charge
- Best for: Hotel benefits, cashback & targeted offers
The Amex Platinum Charge card offers premium hotel perks, concierge service and targeted offers that can deliver exceptional value, particularly when non-travel offers are strong.
18. Axis Reserve
- Best for: Luxury airport transfers, meet & greet and golf
Axis Reserve is built for airport luxury and lifestyle perks—meet & greet, premium transfers and golf privileges. Its value is highest for members who use those benefits frequently.
FAQ’s
Which is the best credit card in India for 2022?
There’s no single best card for everyone. Calculate your annual spend and choose cards from the categories above that match your primary expenses and goals.
How many Credit Cards can I have?
You can hold multiple cards. If you’re new, start with two and expand as needed. For most people, around five cards cover diverse needs effectively.
Which Credit Card has the best customer service?
American Express and Citi are often recognized for premium customer support. Many banks offer enhanced service for their super-premium cardholders as well.
Which bank credit card is best in India?
HDFC is a market leader with strong merchant offers. It’s a good place to start, and pairing it with an Amex card can provide a balanced mix of benefits.
Which is the best fuel credit card?
Fuel-focused cards are less compelling nowadays. Buying fuel retailer gift cards or using apps for fuel payments with your existing cards often works better.
What about Uni, Slice and other BNPL cards?
BNPL cards like Uni and Slice offer attractive merchant deals for new customers. Uni tends to offer a more consistent experience than Slice, but offers are often targeted to new users.
Bottomline
This list assumes travel and lifestyle trends would normalise through 2022, bringing travel-focused cards back into prominence. When choosing cards, prioritise welcome vouchers, merchant offers, spend-based promotions, card-linked benefits and your regular monthly spend to maximise returns.
The credit card industry in India evolves quickly with new products and updates. Keep an eye on trends and offers to get the best value from your cards.
If you find this list overwhelming, consider a personalised credit card consultation service to identify the right combination of cards for your needs.