Credit cards are essential investments with various benefits and features to fit different lifestyles. Find the best credit card in India for first-time users. Our detailed review of the top 10 beginner-friendly cards helps you select the ideal card with maximum benefits. Including their advantages, application policies, required documents, eligibility criteria, and specific perks, here is a complete analysis of the top 10 credit cards available in India:
HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card
With the HDFC Regalia Credit Card, you can earn rewards on purchases across multiple categories, including travel, retail, and more. In addition to the premium benefits, further advantageous features include insurance coverage, a waiver of petroleum surcharges, and concierge service.
Benefits and Features:
Complimentary airport lounge access.
Rewards on dining, travel, and shopping.
Application: Online through HDFC Bank’s website or offline at a branch.
Required Documents: ID proof, address proof, income proof, recent photograph.
Eligibility Criteria: Salaried or self-employed individuals meeting income criteria.
Other Benefits: Travel insurance and concierge services.
SBI Card Elite
The SBI Card ELITE is a multifunctional premium card that offers benefits across various domains, including but not limited to rewards, travel, entertainment, and dining. Users can accumulate commendable rewards on their daily spending and attain substantial milestone benefits. This feature makes it a suitable choice for individuals who spend substantially. Furthermore, in addition to the yearly fee of Rs. 4,999, the card provides privileges for cinema tickets with a per-occurrence value of Rs. 6,000. Club Vistara membership, complimentary lounge access, and a nominal foreign exchange commission fee are among its perks. Detailed below is everything you need to know about this card.
Benefits and Features:
Welcome gift vouchers and reward points.
Complimentary Club Vistara and Trident Privilege memberships.
Application: Online via SBI Card’s website or offline at an SBI branch.
Required Documents: ID proof, address proof, income proof, recent photograph.
Eligibility Criteria: Meeting income and credit score criteria.
Other Benefits: Milestone rewards and fuel surcharge waiver.
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card is an upscale credit card that supports both Mastercard and Visa networks. It grants its holders exclusive benefits, such as complimentary memberships to Dragon Pass, golf privileges, and visa lounge access. It is optimal for both domestic and international travellers.
Benefits and Features:
Complimentary airport lounge access and movie tickets.
Rewards on dining, travel, and lifestyle spending.
Application: Online through ICICI Bank’s website or offline at a branch.
Required Documents: ID proof, address proof, income proof, recent photograph.
Eligibility Criteria: Meeting income and credit score criteria.
Other Benefits: Golf privileges, concierge services.
Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card
A unique characteristic of the Axis Bank Vistara credit card is its provision of rewards across multiple categories. The card provides a 15% discount on dining expenses and air travel coverage. One thousand Vistara points, which are redeemable, will be awarded to you upon activation. An initial and recurring fee of 1,500 rupees each, in addition to an annual interest rate of 41.5%, is associated with this card.
Benefits and Features:
Vistara flight tickets and lounge access vouchers.
Rewards on Vistara spends and dining.
Application: Online via Axis Bank’s website or offline at a branch.
Required Documents: ID proof, address proof, income proof, recent photograph.
Eligibility Criteria: Meeting income and credit score criteria.
Other Benefits: Complimentary base fare ticket, milestone benefits.
Citibank PremierMiles Credit Card
Regarding travel credit cards offered in India, the Citibank PremierMiles Credit Card ranks among the highest. With this card, a frequent traveller can go right, particularly one who frequently travels domestically. This card’s inherent characteristic is accumulating incentive points through AirMiles (or Miles). Although redeemable for various purchases, these Miles are most effectively utilised to make hotel or flight reservations via the Citibank PremierMiles portal or with partner airlines or hotel chains.
Benefits and Features:
Miles are redeemable for flights and hotel stays on every spend.
Complimentary lounge access and travel insurance.
Application: Online through Citibank’s website or offline at a branch.
Required Documents: ID proof, address proof, income proof, recent photograph.
Eligibility Criteria: Meeting income and credit score criteria.
Other Benefits: Renewal bonus miles and milestone benefits.
Kotak Mahindra Bank Royale Signature Credit Card
The Kotak Bank Royale Signature credit card offers various advantages and privileged positions across several sectors, including retail, leisure, and travel. Between the two varieties Kotak Bank offers, you may choose the one that most effectively accommodates your financial circumstances. At 3.1% per month, the card accrues interest. The application fee is nonexistent, and if the cardholder’s annual expenditures surpass Rs. 1 lakh, a yearly fee of Rs. 999 is waived. A joining charge-inclusive application fee of Rs. 1,499 is mandatory for the Royale credit card variant.
Benefits and Features:
Accelerated reward points on dining, travel, and international spending.
Lounge access, concierge services, and fuel surcharge waiver.
Application: Online via Kotak Mahindra Bank’s website or offline at a branch.
Required Documents: ID proof, address proof, income proof, recent photograph.
Eligibility Criteria: Meeting income and credit score criteria.
Other Benefits: Golf privileges and milestone benefits.
IndusInd Bank Platinum Aura Credit Card
The IndusInd Platinum Aura Credit Card provides supplementary rewards for grocery and department store purchases and rewards for every purchase, making it ideal for frequent consumers. As added perks, the badge offers complimentary access to lounges and concierge services.
Benefits and Features:
Rewards on shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Complimentary lounge access, movie tickets, and golf rounds.
Application: Online via IndusInd Bank’s website or offline at a branch.
Required Documents: ID proof, address proof, income proof, recent photograph.
Eligibility Criteria: Meeting income and credit score criteria.
Other Benefits: Fuel surcharge waiver and concierge services.
HSBC Cashback Credit Card
A 10% increase in spending with the HSBC Cashback Credit Card translates to an additional monetary amount available for daily necessities, such as entertainment and supplies. In addition to complimentary access to domestic facilities during travel, cardholders can receive reimbursement of their card charge for annual expenditures of no more than 2 lakh rupees.
Benefits and Features:
Cashback on all spends, with higher rewards on dining and groceries.
There is no annual fee with a minimum spend.
Application: Online via HSBC Bank’s website or offline at a branch.
Required Documents: ID proof, address proof, income proof, recent photograph.
Eligibility Criteria: Meeting income and credit score criteria.
Other Benefits: Fuel surcharge waiver, EMV chip-enabled for security.
Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium Credit Card
5% cash back is available on Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium Credit Card purchases of petroleum and utility expenses. The card’s benefits include reward points, premium banking, and balance transfers. To assess the suitability of this credit card for your needs, please continue reading for supplementary details concerning its eligibility criteria, application process, and associated fees.
Benefits and Features:
Cashback on fuel, utility bill payments, and dining.
Rewards on other spends and waiver of fuel surcharge.
Application: Online via Standard Chartered Bank’s website or offline at a branch.
Required Documents: ID proof, address proof, income proof, recent photograph.
Eligibility Criteria: Meeting income and credit score criteria.
Other Benefits: EasyEMI options, discounts on dining.
YES Prosperity Edge Credit Card
Each transaction offers rewards with the YES Prosperity Edge Credit Card. Bonus incentive points are earned on purchases of consumables, departmental products, dining, and supermarket items. Additional details concerning the card are provided in the subsequent section.
Benefits and Features:
Rewards on grocery, dining, and online spending.
Complimentary lounge access and fuel surcharge waiver.
Application: Online via YES Bank’s website or offline at a branch.
Required Documents: ID proof, address proof, income proof, recent photograph.
Eligibility Criteria: Meeting income and credit score criteria.
Other Benefits: Milestone rewards and exclusive lifestyle offers
Conclusion
Choosing the appropriate credit card in India requires considering one’s lifestyle, purchasing patterns, and financial objectives. Each of India’s ten best credit cards provides distinct advantages and functionalities, accommodating various requirements. Before applying, please read the terms and conditions to ensure that they meet your needs and desires.
Discover the Best Credit Card in India for First-Time Users.
