Curated by Elaris AI — unbiased, data-driven

Best Credit Cards in India – Category Picks (Updated 3 Oct 2025)

Hand-picked lists for Online Shopping, Flights/Hotels, Dining, Fuel, Groceries, Bills/Utilities, and International Spends (0%/low forex). Each pick shows why it made the cut, with official-site links to verify details before you apply.

E-commerce heavyweights for Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy & more.

Online Shopping

Sponsored
Amazon Pay ICICI ICICI Fee: ₹0 (LTF) Lounges: — Forex: Reduced markup (2025)
Prime users earn top cashback on Amazon + strong Amazon Pay categories; lifetime-free keeps net value high.
Up to 5% on Amazon (Prime), 3% (non-Prime) 2% on Amazon Pay categories, 1% elsewhere Lifetime free; broad acceptance
Apply Official site
Sponsored
SBI SimplyCLICK SBI Fee: ₹499 Lounges: — Forex: 3.5% typical
Starter-friendly online earner with easy-to-hit milestones for fee reversal.
Accelerated rewards on popular online partners Fee reversal on hitting annual spend threshold Wide merchant coverage
Apply Official site
Sponsored
HDFC Millennia HDFC Fee: ₹1,000 (waiver possible) Lounges: Domestic access on spend qualifiers Forex: 3.5% typical
Well-rounded for online + everyday categories; fee waiver possible with routine spends.
Accelerated rewards on online/spends Milestone-linked lounge (check latest T&Cs) Big ecosystem acceptance
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Flipkart Axis Bank Axis Fee: ₹500–₹1,000 (varies) Lounges: See latest changes Forex: 3.5% typical
Strong value on Flipkart/Myntra ecosystems; review 2025 lounge policy changes.
High cashback on Flipkart & partners Revised lounge access (mid-2025 updates) Easy online application
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Axis ACE Axis Fee: ₹499 Lounges: 4 domestic/yr (per T&Cs) Forex: 3.5% typical
Utility bill monster: 5% back via Google Pay on bills + solid 1.5% base.
5% on bill payments via Google Pay 4% on select food/ride apps 1.5% elsewhere
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Swiggy HDFC Bank HDFC Fee: ₹500 (often waived) Lounges: — Forex: 2–3.5% typical
10% on Swiggy + 5% on online MCCs caps nicely for heavy e-commerce users.
10% on Swiggy (food, Instamart, Dineout, Genie) 5% on “online” MCCs Swiggy One trial + periodic partner tie-ups
Apply Official site
Airport lounges, miles, hotel credits—get trip-ready.

Flights & Hotels

Sponsored
HDFC Regalia Gold HDFC Fee: ₹2,500–₹2,999 Lounges: Dom+Intl (milestone-linked) Forex: ~2–3.5%
Evergreen mid-premium travel pick with lounges, hotel/flight tie-ins and wide acceptance.
Domestic + international lounge access (per current program) Travel/lifestyle offers rotate frequently Solid default earn + milestone vouchers
Apply Official site
Sponsored
HDFC Diners Club Privilege HDFC Fee: ₹2,500–₹2,999 Lounges: Diners/PP network Forex: ~2–3.5%
If Diners acceptance works for you, the lounge & partner ecosystem is compelling.
Global lounge network access Accelerated earn with partner offers Good travel tie-ups seasonally
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Axis Vistara Signature Axis Fee: ₹3,000 Lounges: Domestic (spend-linked) Forex: 3.5%
Great for (ex-)Vistara loyalists: welcome ticket + tier perks; read merger T&Cs.
Complimentary Premium Economy ticket on fee payment Maharaja/Club points on spends Spend-linked lounge entry (check latest PDF)
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Air India SBI Signature SBI Fee: ₹4,999 Lounges: Domestic + Priority Pass Forex: 3.5%
For Air India flyers: big welcome points + program alignment.
20,000 welcome points (per current T&Cs) Flying Returns membership included Priority Pass (see latest policy)
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Axis Atlas Axis Fee: ₹5,000 Lounges: Tier-based (Silver/Gold/Platinum) Forex: ~3.5% typical
Airline-agnostic EDGE Miles with status tiers; versatile for hotel/flight redemptions.
Accelerated earn on travel spends Status tiers unlock travel perks Check forex & DCC terms if travelling
Apply Official site
Sponsored
RBL World Safari RBL Fee: ₹3,000 Lounges: Dom + Intl (Priority Pass) Forex: 0% on international spends
Zero forex markup + lounge benefits make it a top “go-abroad” travel card.
0% markup on foreign currency transactions Priority Pass access (per product tier) Travel vouchers on milestones (often)
Apply Official site
Restaurant programs & food delivery savings.

Dining

Sponsored
IndusInd EazyDiner IndusInd Fee: ₹1,999–₹4,999 (variants) Lounges: — Forex: ~3.5% typical
Aggressive dining-first benefits with EazyDiner tie-ins & instant discounts.
Instant discounts & complimentary meals (per plan) Priority reservations via EazyDiner program Good city-coverage for restaurants
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Swiggy HDFC (Dining) HDFC Fee: ₹500 Lounges: — Forex: ~2–3.5%
If most of your dining is via Swiggy/Dineout, the 10% + 5% online stack is hard to beat.
10% Swiggy ecosystem 5% on “online” MCCs (caps apply) Seasonal travel tie-ins (e.g., Paytm Travel promos)
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Regalia (Dining perks) HDFC Fee: ₹2,500–₹2,999 Lounges: Yes Forex: ~2–3.5%
Mid-premium card with steady dining offers via partner programs and app-led tie-ups.
Partner-led dining offers (check app) Often stacks with bank promotions Lounge + travel value beyond dining
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Axis My Zone Axis Fee: ~₹500 Lounges: 1/qtr (cond.) Forex: 3.5% typical
Value dining/entertainment (Swiggy/movie) perks + light lounge support.
Dining/movie offers (see current list) 1 domestic lounge/qtr on spend criteria Budget-friendly fee
Apply Official site
Sponsored
SBI Card PRIME SBI Fee: ₹2,999 Lounges: Yes (domestic) Forex: 3.5% typical
Balanced lifestyle card: dining, lounges, milestones; check 2025 policy updates.
Milestone vouchers & birthday benefits Domestic lounge access Large acceptance + partner network
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Diners Privilege (Dining) HDFC Fee: ₹2,500–₹2,999 Lounges: Yes Forex: ~2–3.5%
Pairs lounge access with decent dining promotions via Diners partner network.
Diners dining tie-ups rotate Air/Hotel offers stack occasionally Good for frequent city diners
Apply Official site
Surcharge waivers & co-brands for cheaper refuels.

Fuel

Sponsored
BPCL SBI OCTANE SBI Fee: ₹1,499 Lounges: — Forex: —
Maximised fuel value at BPCL with surcharge waiver + turbo points.
Co-brand benefits on BPCL fuel Surcharge waiver (per limits) Everyday earn on non-fuel too
Apply Official site
Sponsored
IndianOil Axis Axis Fee: ~₹500–₹1,000 Lounges: — Forex: —
Simple fuel value engine at IOCL pumps with EDGE REWARDS.
Accelerated earns at IndianOil Fuel surcharge waiver (caps apply) Easy to hold alongside a primary card
Apply Official site
Sponsored
ICICI HPCL Super Saver ICICI Fee: ₹500–₹1,000 Lounges: — Forex: —
Solid, nationwide HPCL tie-ins + decent non-fuel earn.
Cashback on HPCL fuel & non-fuel 1% fuel surcharge waiver (limits) Covers convenience store purchases
Apply Official site
Sponsored
BPCL SBI Card SBI Fee: ₹499–₹999 Lounges: — Forex: —
Lower-fee alternative for BPCL loyalists.
Co-brand turbo points at BPCL Surcharge waiver per cycle caps Milestone fee waiver possible
Apply Official site
Sponsored
HPCL BoB ENERGIE BOB Fee: ₹499–₹1,499 Lounges: — Forex: —
HPCL-focused with ₹-savings on pumps + routine spends.
Co-brand HPCL benefits Surcharge waiver (per limits) Reward caps apply—verify current T&Cs
Apply Official site
Sponsored
IDFC HPCL Power IDFC FIRST Fee: ₹199–₹499 Lounges: — Forex: —
Low-fee HPCL co-brand; good “second card” for motorists.
Co-brand HPCL savings Fuel surcharge waiver (caps) Rewards on non-fuel too
Apply Official site
Weekly hauls: BigBasket, hypermarkets & local kirana.

Groceries

Sponsored
Amazon Pay ICICI ICICI Fee: ₹0 (LTF) Lounges: — Forex: Reduced markup (2025)
Prime users earn top cashback on Amazon + strong Amazon Pay categories; lifetime-free keeps net value high.
Up to 5% on Amazon (Prime), 3% (non-Prime) 2% on Amazon Pay categories, 1% elsewhere Lifetime free; broad acceptance
Apply Official site
Sponsored
HDFC Millennia HDFC Fee: ₹1,000 (waiver possible) Lounges: Domestic access on spend qualifiers Forex: 3.5% typical
Well-rounded for online + everyday categories; fee waiver possible with routine spends.
Accelerated rewards on online/spends Milestone-linked lounge (check latest T&Cs) Big ecosystem acceptance
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Tata Neu Infinity (HDFC) HDFC Fee: ₹1,499–₹2,499 Lounges: Intl via Priority Pass (milestones) Forex: 2% (as per card page)
Groceries via BigBasket + Tata ecosystem savings; solid for household bills/groceries.
Up to 10% NeuCoins on Tata Neu categories (per chart) 1.5% on other non-UPI spends Milestone-based lounge access (check 2025 rules)
Apply Official site
Sponsored
SBI SimplySAVE SBI Fee: ₹499 Lounges: — Forex: 3.5%
High accelerators on everyday spends like groceries/movies/dining (terms apply).
10X rewards on everyday categories (per T&Cs) Fee reversal at modest annual spends Great “first credit card”
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Flipkart Axis Bank Axis Fee: ₹500–₹1,000 (varies) Lounges: See latest changes Forex: 3.5% typical
Strong value on Flipkart/Myntra ecosystems; review 2025 lounge policy changes.
High cashback on Flipkart & partners Revised lounge access (mid-2025 updates) Easy online application
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Axis ACE Axis Fee: ₹499 Lounges: 4 domestic/yr (per T&Cs) Forex: 3.5% typical
Utility bill monster: 5% back via Google Pay on bills + solid 1.5% base.
5% on bill payments via Google Pay 4% on select food/ride apps 1.5% elsewhere
Apply Official site
Electricity, broadband, gas, DTH, mobile—set and save.

Bills & Utilities

Sponsored
Axis ACE Axis Fee: ₹499 Lounges: 4 domestic/yr (per T&Cs) Forex: 3.5% typical
Utility bill monster: 5% back via Google Pay on bills + solid 1.5% base.
5% on bill payments via Google Pay 4% on select food/ride apps 1.5% elsewhere
Apply Official site
Sponsored
SBI Cashback SBI Fee: ₹999 Lounges: — Forex: 3.5%
Simple flat-style cashback structure; good for utility+online with caveats.
Flat cashback framework (exclusions/caps apply) Fuel surcharge waiver Check 2025 reward revisions before apply
Apply Official site
Sponsored
IDFC FIRST LIC Credit Card IDFC FIRST Fee: ₹0–₹499 (variants) Lounges: — Forex: —
Focused essential-category accelerators incl. utilities & insurance.
5X on essentials (Grocery/Utilities/Govt/Rail/Edu) up to monthly cap 10X on LIC premiums (variant-specific) Low fees; easy keeper
Apply Official site
Sponsored
IDFC FIRST Select IDFC FIRST Fee: LTF (often) Lounges: — Forex: —
Good “fee-light” everyday card; utilities earn base rewards and stackable promos.
1X on utilities/insurance (per latest guide) Higher X on other categories Lifetime-free on many offers
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Amazon Pay ICICI ICICI Fee: ₹0 (LTF) Lounges: — Forex: Reduced markup (2025)
Prime users earn top cashback on Amazon + strong Amazon Pay categories; lifetime-free keeps net value high.
Up to 5% on Amazon (Prime), 3% (non-Prime) 2% on Amazon Pay categories, 1% elsewhere Lifetime free; broad acceptance
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Tata Neu Infinity (HDFC) HDFC Fee: ₹1,499–₹2,499 Lounges: Intl via Priority Pass (milestones) Forex: 2% (as per card page)
Groceries via BigBasket + Tata ecosystem savings; solid for household bills/groceries.
Up to 10% NeuCoins on Tata Neu categories (per chart) 1.5% on other non-UPI spends Milestone-based lounge access (check 2025 rules)
Apply Official site
Cards that minimise foreign transaction fees.

International Spends (0% / Low Forex)

Sponsored
IDFC FIRST WOW! (0% Forex) IDFC FIRST Fee: ₹0 (secured FD-backed) Lounges: — Forex: 0%
True 0% forex markup with FD-backed issuance; excellent for first-time overseas users.
0% forex markup LTF (secured); instant issuance possible Rewards + cash withdrawals policies—see T&Cs
Apply Official site
Sponsored
RBL World Safari RBL Fee: ₹3,000 Lounges: Dom + Intl (Priority Pass) Forex: 0% on international spends
Zero forex markup + lounge benefits make it a top “go-abroad” travel card.
0% markup on foreign currency transactions Priority Pass access (per product tier) Travel vouchers on milestones (often)
Apply Official site
Sponsored
Club Vistara Explorer (0% Forex) IndusInd Fee: ₹40,000 join / ₹10,000 renew (indicative) Lounges: Priority Pass Forex: 0%
Metal-class perks + zero forex; pricey but premium globetrotter tool.
0% forex; no late/overlimit fees (per issuer) CV Gold yr-1; premium vouchers Heavy joining fee; evaluate break-even
Apply Official site
Sponsored
ixigo AU Travel (0% Forex) AU Fee: Often LTF Lounges: Domestic (spend-linked), 1 Intl/yr (varies) Forex: 0%
Zero forex markup with ixigo travel discounts; lounge on spend criteria.
0% forex; strong ixigo discounts Domestic lounge after ₹20k/qtr spends Check reward exclusions/intl RP policy
Apply Official site
Disclaimers

Benefits change regularly. Always check the issuer’s official page before applying. Lounge access is frequently spend-linked now; foreign markup & wallet/gaming/rent exclusions have tightened in 2025. Reward caps and category definitions (e.g., “online MCCs”) vary by bank.

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