Choosing your Perfect Credit Card – A Simple Guide

With so many credit cards in the market, choosing the one that’s right for you can be overwhelming. Each card has unique features, benefits, and fees, and it’s essential to understand them before deciding. Credit cards have become an integral part of our financial lives. They offer convenience, security, and flexibility, allowing us to purchase online or offline, anytime, and anywhere. They also provide a line of credit that can be used in case of emergencies or unexpected expenses.

In this guide, we’ll examine some of the best credit cards in India for different categories, such as cashback, travel, online food delivery, fuel, dining, and premium. We’ll discuss their features, benefits, fees, and eligibility criteria so that you can make an informed decision.

Whether you’re a frequent traveler, a foodie, a shopaholic, or a premium cardholder, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive in and find the perfect credit card for you!

Best Credit Cards in India in Various Category

HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card (Cashback)

The HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card is an elementary card that targets Millennials as its prime customers. The card offers many benefits and features, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a basic credit card with good cashback services. This card charges ₹1000 as the joining and renewal fee. Cardholders get a cashback of 5% on Amazon, BookMyShow, Flipkart, Myntra, SonyLIV, Swiggy, Tata CLiQ, Cult.fit, Uber, and Zomato, and 1% cashback on all online and offline spending excluding fuel, rental, and government spending. This credit card provides up to 20% discount on Swiggy Dineout.

On spending ₹1 lakh every quarter a cardholder will receive a voucher of ₹1000. Earlier free airport lounge access was provided to HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card holders. Under the Quarterly Spends Milestone program users can now opt for an airport lounge access voucher or ₹1000 voucher from the available list of brands.

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card (Travel)

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card is a generic travel card offering various benefits and features. ₹5,000 + GST is the joining and renewal fee with 5,000 Edge Miles as a welcome benefit after completing 1 transaction within 30 days of card issuance which can be redeemed for travel or other benefits.

This card offers three membership tiers: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. For frequent travelers, it provides complimentary domestic and international lounge access. 5 Edge Miles are earned per ₹100 spent on travel, and 2 Edge Miles are earned per ₹100 spent on other eligible transactions. At partnered restaurants, this card offers 25% off through EazyDiner.

Swiggy HDFC Credit Card (Online Food Delivery)

The Swiggy HDFC Card is a co-branded credit card between HDFC and Swiggy. It provides 10% cashback on Swiggy app transactions, such as food orders and purchases made through Swiggy Instamart, Dineout, and Genie. Additionally, users will receive 5% cashback on purchases made on various online retailers’ sites, including Amazon, Adidas, H&M, Myntra, Nykaa, Ola, Uber, and BookMyShow. It is a Mastercard Word Tier card that offers its cardholders loyalty memberships, dine & stay, shopping, travel, arts, and culture privileges worldwide.

Additionally, 1% cashback will also be offered for other online purchases. The Swiggy HDFC Credit Card can be availed at a joining charge of Rs. 500 and offers a welcome bonus of a free 3-month Swiggy One Membership will also be provided. The cashback earned will only be used in the Swiggy App as Swiggy Money.

Indian Oil Axis Bank RuPay Credit Card (Fuel)

The Indian Oil Axis Bank RuPay Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Axis Bank in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation Limited.  The main aim of this card is to provide great saving options to cardholders who spend often on fuel. Upon joining and renewal, a ₹500 fee is applicable. However, you can enjoy 100% cashback up to ₹250 on your first fuel transaction within the first 30 days of issuance.

The Indian Oil Axis Bank RuPay Credit Card offers a high rate of 5% on fuel spent at all IOCL filling stations and a 1% reward rate on online spending. This card also offers dining and movie benefits for people who like going out with up to 10% instant discount on movie tickets through BookMyShow and up to 15% discount offers on dining bills at partner restaurants in India via EazyDiner.

EazyDiner IndusInd Bank Platinum Credit Card (Dining)

This is the second credit card launched by IndusInd Bank in partnership with EazyDiner. This is a lifetime free credit card with zero joining and renewal fees. Cardholders will receive 2 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent using the EazyDiner Credit Card. The welcome benefit of this card is a free 3-month EazyDiner Prime membership and 500 Eazy points. The cardholders will earn 2000 reward points upon spending ₹30,000 every 90 days.

One of the most attractive features of the EazyDiner IndusInd Bank Platinum Credit Card is the 2X EazyPoints, which are used to get complimentary dinners and nights at luxurious properties.  The cardholders get an extra 20% off up to INR 500 when they pay via PayEazy on the EazyDiner App using IndusInd Bank Platinum Credit Card. The offer is valid on takeaway too, but limited to 3 uses per month. Discount is not applicable if paid using other modes and there is no need for a promo code. It is not valid for consecutive transactions within 120 minutes at the same restaurant.

Yes Bank Marquee Credit Card (Premium)

Yes Bank launched the super-premium Marquee Credit Card with Purchase Protection Plan. This card offers unlimited access to airport lounges, accelerated Yes Reward Points on online spending, BOGO offers on movie tickets, golf benefits, etc. The joining fee for this card is ₹9,999+GST and the renewal fee is ₹4,999+GST.

Yes Bank Marquee Credit Card offers 60,000 reward points (worth ₹15,000) as welcome benefits. This credit card provides 6 domestic airport lounge access per quarter and unlimited international airport lounge access to frequent travelers. For golf enthusiasts, 4 complimentary golf lessons are added to this credit card. Other benefits like insurance coverage, fuel surcharge waiver, BOGO offers on movie tickets through BookMyShow, and discounts on dining make it an attractive choice for cardholders.

Bottom Line

Choosing the right credit card can significantly improve your financial life. With a plethora of options available in India, it’s crucial to find a card that suits your lifestyle and spending habits. By understanding your needs and comparing different cards’ features, benefits, and fees, you can make an informed decision and get the most out of your credit card.

In this guide, we’ve covered some of the best credit cards in India for different categories, such as cashback, travel, online food delivery, fuel, dining, and premium. We’ve discussed their unique features, benefits, and eligibility criteria so that you can find your perfect credit card.

Remember, a credit card is a powerful tool that can help you build a good credit score, earn rewards, and enjoy various privileges. However, using it responsibly and paying your bills on time is also essential to avoid any negative impact on your credit score. So, choose wisely, use smartly, and enjoy the benefits of your perfect credit card.