Top Credit Cards in India 2019: Reviews & Compare 25+ Options

New list is up for 2021: Check out the latest list: Best Credit Cards in India for 2021

Searching for the best credit cards in India that match your lifestyle? Whether you want cashback, rewards, airmiles, premium or super-premium perks, this guide outlines top options across different needs and spend patterns.

There is no one-size-fits-all card — your ideal choice depends on where you spend, how much you spend, and how much joining or renewal fee you are willing to pay.

I reviewed 70+ credit cards from various issuers and selected 25+ cards that stand out for specific user segments. With about ten active cards in my own wallet, the list reflects practical choices and real-world value. Let’s dive in.

Best Lifestyle Credit Cards

Lifestyle cards are versatile and suit most everyday spends such as dining, online shopping and utilities. They’re widely accepted and relatively easy to get approved for.

• Suggested income: 6 Lakhs+
• Suggested spend: 3 Lakhs+

1. SBI Prime

• Reward Rate: 3%–5%
• Joining Fee: Rs.2,999 (welcome gift of equivalent value)
• Full Review: SBI Prime Credit Card Review

SBI Card Prime remains a popular all-rounder offering milestone benefits, lounge access and rent payment rewards that boost overall returns. The renewal fee is waived on meeting the annual spend threshold, making it valuable for regular users.

2. HDFC Regalia First

• Reward Rate: 1%–10%
• Joining Fee: Usually free
• Full Review: HDFC Regalia First Credit Card Review

Regalia First is a fee-friendly entry into HDFC’s range. It frequently benefits from merchant promotions that boost rewards to 5X/10X, making it a useful card to hold alongside others.

3. Amex MRCC

• Reward Rate: 1%–10%
• Joining Fee: Free (limited period offer)
• Apply Now

Amex Membership Rewards Credit Card is a strong entry-level Amex card. Small, targeted monthly spends can unlock high effective returns through monthly bonus points and frequent Amex merchant offers.

4. SBI SimplyClick

• Reward Rate: 1.25%–2.5%
• Joining Fee: Rs.499+GST
• Full Review: SBI SimplyClick Credit Card Review

If most of your spending is online and annual spends are moderate, SimplyClick delivers higher rewards on specific merchants and a useful milestone benefit that adds value to the low annual fee.

5. ICICI Coral Amex

• Reward Rate: 0.5%–1.25%
• Joining Fee: Rs.500+GST
• Full Review: ICICI Coral Amex Review

ICICI Coral is a good starter card within the bank’s Gemstone portfolio. It offers low fees, decent benefits and access to ICICI Amex offers, making it a practical everyday option.

6. ICICI Amazon Pay

• Reward Rate: 1%–5%
• Joining Fee: Nil
• Full Review: ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card Review

A free ICICI card that performs very well on Amazon spends. A solid pick if you want a no-fee card with focused rewards for online shopping.

7. RBL Platinum Delight

• Reward Rate: 0.5%–5%
• Joining Fee: Rs.750+GST
• Full Review: RBL Bank Platinum Delight Credit Card Review

RBL Platinum Delight can deliver strong returns when you trigger its monthly bonus points program. It’s most compelling for existing RBL customers who can access it easily.

8. Standard Chartered Manhattan

• Reward Rate: Up to 5% (limits apply)
• Joining Fee: Rs.999+GST
• Full Review: Standard Chartered Manhattan Card Review

Manhattan is a strong cashback option, especially for cab spends through partner offers. It frequently adds merchant promotions that make it a useful everyday cashback card.

Best Premium Credit Cards

Premium cards are suited to higher spenders and offer enhanced travel benefits like domestic and international lounge access, better reward rates and richer milestone rewards.

• Suggested income range: 12 Lakhs+
• Suggested spend range: 6 Lakhs+

1. HDFC Regalia

• Reward Rate: 1.2%–12%
• Joining Fee: Usually free
• Full Review: HDFC Regalia Credit Card Review

HDFC Regalia is a flagship premium card with low forex markup and frequent merchant promotions that significantly boost rewards. Milestone benefits further raise the effective return for higher spenders.

2. SBI Elite

• Reward Rate: 2%
• Joining Fee: Rs.4,999+GST
• Full Review: SBI Elite Credit Card Review

SBI Elite delivers compelling lifestyle benefits, notably BookMyShow ticket credits each month. For frequent moviegoers and higher spenders it can deliver excellent value, with the renewal fee waiver available on meeting the spend threshold.

3. Amex Gold Charge Card

• Reward Rate: 2%–10%
• Fees: Joining Rs.1,000+GST (intro), Renewal Rs.4,500+GST
• Apply Now

The Amex Gold Charge Card is ideal for those who want stronger Amex benefits and immediate access to premium perks. As a charge card, it differs from typical credit cards and requires full settlement each month.

4. HDFC Diners ClubMiles

• Reward Rate: 1.3%–13%
• Joining Fee: Usually free
• Full Review: HDFC Diners ClubMiles Credit Card Review

Diners ClubMiles is excellent for travellers and online shoppers thanks to generous accelerated rewards and lounge access. Acceptance of Diners cards can be more limited than Visa/Mastercard, so carry a backup card.

5. Indusind Iconia Amex

• Reward Rate: 1%–2%
• Joining Fee: Rs.3,500 (or Rs.10,000 with voucher)
• Full Review: Indusind Iconia Credit Card Review

Iconia suits those who spend heavily on weekends and want Amex benefits like offers and fuel surcharge waivers at certain pumps. It’s best for experienced card users rather than beginners.

Best Travel Credit Cards

Travel cards focus on travel vouchers, miles or partner redemptions rather than cashback. Many premium and super-premium cards also function effectively as travel cards.

1. Amex Plat Travel Card

• Reward Rate: ~7%
• Joining Fee: Free (limited period offer)
• Apply Now

The Amex Platinum Travel Card offers significant travel vouchers and hotel stay benefits on higher spends, making it one of the most rewarding travel-focused cards for frequent travellers.

2. CITI PremierMiles

• Reward Rate: 1.8%
• Joining Fee: Rs.3,000+GST (free for Citi Priority/Gold)
• Full Review: Citibank Premier Miles Credit Card Review

PremierMiles is a flexible rewards card that allows converting points to airline and hotel programs. It’s especially beneficial to Citi Priority customers and serves as a path to higher-tier Citi products.

3. Axis Privilege Card

• Reward Rate: 1%–2%
• Joining Fee: Rs.1,500+GST (free for Priority customers)
• Full Review: Axis Bank Privilege Credit Card Review

Axis Privilege delivers travel-related vouchers and benefits, and is a reasonable choice for Axis Priority customers seeking travel value.

4. SBI IRCTC Card

• Reward Rate: 1%–10%
• Joining Fee: Rs.500+GST

If you travel frequently by Indian Railways, SBI IRCTC can deliver savings and redemption options on ticket bookings, making it a useful niche travel card.

5. ICICI Makemytrip

• Reward Rate: 0.6%–2%
• Joining Fee: Rs.2,500+GST
• Full Review: MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card Review

This card includes travel vouchers and hotel benefits that can be valuable if you can make use of the bundled hotel vouchers and other travel perks.

Best Airline Credit Cards

Airline co-branded cards deliver the best value when you frequently fly with a specific carrier. Since Jet Airways ceased operations, other airline cards have become more relevant for frequent flyers.

1. Axis Vistara Infinite

• Reward Rate: 10%–15%
• Joining Fee: Rs.10,000+GST (includes business class voucher)
• Full Review: Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card Review

Vistara Infinite is highly rewarding for regular Vistara flyers, offering business class vouchers and strong mileage value for high spenders.

2. SBI Air India Signature

• AI Miles Earn Rate: 5%–10%
• Joining Fee: Rs.4,999+GST
• Full Review: SBI Air India Signature Credit Card Review

SBI Air India Signature earns Air India miles and provides access to Star Alliance partners, which can be valuable if you fly with those carriers regularly.

3. Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card

• Miles Earn Rate: 3%–6%
• Joining Fee: Rs.4,999+GST
• Full Review: Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card Review

Etihad Guest card benefits frequent Etihad flyers with tier credits and partner benefits. It’s worthwhile if you fly Etihad regularly and can leverage the elite perks.

Best Super Premium Credit Cards

Super-premium cards target high-net-worth individuals and offer the highest credit limits, unlimited lounge access, concierge services and premium travel privileges.

• Suggested income range: 25 Lakhs+
• Suggested spend range: 10 Lakhs+

1. HDFC Infinia

• Reward Rate: 3.3%–33%
• Joining Fee: Rs.10,000+GST (often waived for select accounts)
• Full Review: HDFC Infinia Review

Infinia is one of India’s most prestigious cards, featuring No Preset Spending Limit (NPSL) and strong promotional reward multipliers that make it highly rewarding for big spenders.

2. HDFC Diners Black

• Reward Rate: 3.3%–33%
• Joining Fee: Rs.5,000+GST (often waived for select accounts)
• Full Review: HDFC Diners Black Review

Diners Black combines high base rewards and attractive 10X promos for travel and lifestyle spends. Acceptance can be more limited than Visa/Mastercard, so pair it with a widely accepted backup card.

3. Standard Chartered Ultimate

• Reward Rate: 3.3%
• Joining Fee: Rs.5,000+GST (often waived for select accounts)
• Full Review: Standard Chartered Ultimate Review

Standard Chartered Ultimate offers a strong flat reward rate and flexible redemption options. It lacks unlimited lounge access but can be valuable for consistent rewards and occasional Amazon voucher redemptions.

4. Citi Prestige

• Reward Rate: 2%–10%
• Annual Fee: Rs.20,000+GST (waived for Citigold/private clients)
• Full Review: Citi Prestige Review

Citi Prestige is tailored for travelers who maximize airmiles and premium hotel benefits. It delivers excellent value if you actively use its airport, hotel and airmiles features.

5. ICICI Emeralde

• Reward Rate: ~1%
• Annual Fee: Rs.12,000+GST (reversed on high spend)
• Full Review: ICICI Emeralde Review

Emeralde provides a package of premium lifestyle benefits — spa, entertainment and travel privileges — that can offset the fee for users who utilize those perks frequently.

6. Amex Platinum Card

• Reward Rate: ~1.25%
• Annual Fee: Rs.60,000+GST
• Full Review: Amex Platinum Charge Card Review

The Amex Platinum Charge Card focuses on luxury travel benefits, concierge services and premium hotel privileges. Its high fee is balanced by rich welcome bonuses and exclusive benefits for those who use them.

Bonus: For unlimited lounge access at low or no cost, the Yes First Exclusive card can be worth considering if obtained without fee.

Bottomline

Choosing the right credit card depends on your personal lifestyle and spending pattern. Aim to maximize value from welcome vouchers, card-linked benefits and regular spends.

You can hold multiple cards — the key is a clear strategy to extract consistent value from each card’s strengths.

The credit card landscape in India evolves quickly, so review your card strategy approximately every six months to stay updated and benefit from new offers.

If you’d like timely updates on industry changes, consider following trusted sources for the latest developments. Peace!