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Credit Card - Apply for a wide range of Credit Cards on BankBazaar starting at 0 annual fees, offering many benefits such as lucrative deals and discounts on Shopping, higher Rewards, Cashback, & Welcome Vouchers.
Credits Cards help you make payments for all your expenses with ease. They can be used for both online and offline transactions, and they offer a variety of benefits.
Apply for a credit card online and select a card that best suits your needs. Enjoy instant approval, zero documentation, hassle-free application process and a range of other benefits. Compare the best credit cards in India. You can find credit cards offered by Top banks along with their features, benefits, fees, & latest offers, everything in a single place.
To help you choose the right credit card, we have curated a list of the top ten credit cards in India.
Credit Card | Category |
---|---|
RBL Bank BankBazaar SaveMax Co-branded Credit Card | Reward Points |
FinBooster: YES BANK – BankBazaar Co-branded Credit Card | Reward Points |
Federal BankBazaar Credit Card | Lifestyle |
IndusInd Platinum Card | Fee Waiver |
IndusInd Platinum Aura Edge Card | Lifestyle |
SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card | Reward Points |
HDFC Diners ClubMiles Card | Lounge Access |
HDFC Freedom Card | Reward Points |
Axis Bank Neo Credit Card | Shopping and Movies |
HSBC Platinum Credit Card | Travel and Dining |
Kotak PVR Gold Credit Card | Movies |
Credit Cards come with a range of features and benefits. They allow you to make online and in-store secure payments, build a good credit history, and offer you access to funds in an instant during emergencies. You can earn rewards like points or cashback on your purchases, enjoy travel perks such as access to airport lounges and travel insurance, and get protection for your purchases with extended warranties.
Credit Cards also offer the flexibility to pay off balances over time and provide fraud protection. Overall, they provide convenience and extra advantages for consumers.
Welcome Gift | Many banks offer a welcome gift to new credit card applicants once the card is issued through Bonus Reward Points, Vouchers, Discounts, and other Benefits. |
Rewards Program | All credit cards generally have a reward program, which allows cardholders to earn reward points on every transaction they make using their cards. |
Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Banks offer a fuel surcharge waiver to the cardholders on spending a specific amount of money on fuel every month. |
Cashback Benefits | Many credit cards offer cashback on daily spends and help the cardholder save money. |
Lifestyle Benefits | Cardholders can enjoy various lifestyle benefits on their credit cards, such as offers on dining, shopping, wellness, entertainment, and other benefits. |
Travel Benefits | Travel benefits of credit cards include air miles, airport lounge access, travel insurance, airline offers, hotel offers, and other benefits. |
Airport Lounge Access | Some credit cards offer complimentary airport lounge access to cardholders. The offer varies from one bank to another. |
Add-on Cards | Cardholders can apply for add-on credit cards for their immediate family members and share the benefits of their card. |
Insurance Coverage | Some premier cards come with a comprehensive insurance policy that provides coverage against air accidents, life, lost baggage, lost card, outstanding, and other benefits. |
Balance Transfer | Credit cardholders can transfer the outstanding balance of their existing cards issued by one bank to the credit card account of another bank and pay off the balance at a lower interest rate. |
Global Acceptance | Today, most credit cards that are issued in India are international credit cards and are accepted by various merchants all over the world. |
EMI Conversion | This feature allows the cardholders to convert their credit card transactions into easy monthly instalments (EMIs). |
Credit Score | Owning a credit card helps you build a healthy credit score or a CIBIL score. By making timely payments on your card and in full, you can build your credit history and improve your credit score. |
Credit card issuers in India offer a variety of credit cards to cater to the varied needs and preferences of the users. Some of the popular types of credit cards available include the following:
Choosing the right credit card that aligns with individual spending habits and financial goals can help you reap the maximum benefits of your card.
To be eligible for a credit card in India, you typically need to be at least 18 years old and have a regular source of income. The income requirement varies depending on the type of card and the issuer. Having a good credit history and a positive credit score can also improve your chances of approval. You must provide identification, address proof, income proof, and other necessary documents when applying. Meeting the eligibility criteria doesn't guarantee approval, as the credit card issuer may consider other factors.
Eligibility Criteria | Requirement |
---|---|
Nationality | Indian |
Age | 18 years |
Employment status | Salaried or Self-employed |
Income | Differs from one bank to the other |
Credit Score | Good credit score (700 and above) |
When applying for a credit card, the documents required may vary depending on the issuer. However, in most cases you will need to submit the following documents:
You can choose a card that best suits your needs, by considering the following factors:
You can Compare & Apply for a Credit Card on BankBazaar by following these four simple steps:
Step 1: Compare credit card offers.
Step 2: Select from the top cards offered by leading Indian banks.
Step 3: Check your eligibility by entering a few personal details.
Step 4: Enjoy instant approval online after filling out your application form.
Alternately, you can also apply for a card online on the bank’s website by following these steps:
Step 1: Go to the official website of the bank that offers the credit card you're interested in.
Step 2: Look for the 'Credit Cards' or similar section on the website.
Step 3: Once you're in the credit cards section, click on the 'Apply' button.
Step 4: Fill in your personal information, such as your occupation, mobile number, monthly income, and PIN code.
Step 5: Select the credit card you prefer and see if you meet the eligibility criteria mentioned by the bank. If you're eligible, proceed with the application. Enter your name, email address, date of birth, employment details, residential address, and PAN (Permanent Account Number) as requested.
Step 6: You will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) on your mobile number. Enter OTP to verify your mobile number.
Step 7: After completing all the required details, submit the application.
You may receive a call from the bank or NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company) to discuss the next steps. They may suggest a time and place to complete the physical documentation process.
Remember that if you don't meet the credit card eligibility conditions or if you've applied for a credit card from the same bank in the last 6 months, your application may be rejected. Take the time to review the terms and conditions and maintain a good credit history to improve your chances of approval.
BankBazaar offers an end-to-end application process, wherein you can browse through most of the credit cards offered by various banks, compare their features and benefits, and apply for the best credit card in just a few clicks.
Let's look at the perks that we offer for applying for a credit card through us.
It is the 12 to 16 digit number printed on the front or back of your card. It is used to identify both the credit card issuer and the account holder and is normally 16 digits long and appears in sets of four.
The following are some of the important tips on how to use a credit card:
If you have more than one credit card, ensure that you are using the right one based on your needs. For instance, use a travel credit card if you spend a considerable part of your income on travel expenses such as booking flight tickets, hotels, and more. This way you can earn more reward points.
One of the best ways to use credit cards is to convert your purchases into EMIs and repay the bills as per your convenience.
Keep a track of your spends to ensure that you do not go overlimit, and that you have sufficient funds to pay of your credit card spends.
Credit cards offer higher reward points when you use them to make purchases online.
You can to redeem their reward points to get discounts on hotel bookings, flight tickets, etc. These reward points provide exclusive shopping vouchers, cashbacks, and recharge voucher to the users.
Shopping Credit Cards are typically affordable with an annual fee starting from Rs. 500. The benefits offered on the cards including the welcome gifts, reward points, deals and discounts, etc., revolve round the shopping category.
Lifestyle Credit Cards typically come with a high annual fee and joining fee, which of course, is worth spending for the privileges offered by the cards. Some cards also have low or no annual fee and are designed for low-income group individuals.
Fuel Credit Cards provide accelerated reward points on fuel spends, fuel surcharge waiver facility, reward points redemption against fuel purchases, and other value back benefits, enabling users to keep fuel costs under check.
Rewards Credit Cards offer accelerated rewards on most of the spending categories. Credit card issuers provide a wide variety of redemption options ranging from gifts to air miles to cashback.
Cashback Credit Cards offer cashback, cash rebates, and other money-saving benefits on most of the credit card spend.
Mostly providing air travel benefits, Travel Credit Cards are best suited for frequent travellers. The features and services offered on the cards revolve around air travel.
In India, you cannot transfer money directly from your card to other bank accounts. However, you can always use third-party websites and apps to do the same. You can transfer money to other bank accounts using your debit card. This can be done via net banking and mobile banking.
The reward point system of credit cards allows you to earn reward points every time you spend on different purchases. The accumulated reward points can be redeemed for merchandise, air miles, gift vouchers, or cash. The reward points have an expiry date and the minimum points needed for redemption differs from one card to another.
Generally, the rejection of your application for a credit card will not directly impact your CIBIL score. Your CIBIL score is largely affected by default in payments and an unstable income source. You can always reapply for a new card once you have understood the reasons why your credit card application was rejected the first time and rectify the same. This can be done by paying off all dues.
A Credit card statement or (credit card bill) is generated every 30/31 days. The bill generation date depends on the date on which the card is first issued, and the same date will be followed for the subsequent months.
Besides the bill amount, which is also called the outstanding amount on the card, the statement also provides a detailed history of all the transactions conducted during the billing period.
It also reflects the total credit limit, available credit limit, cash limit, due date, and other related information. The statement is typically mailed to the cardholder’s registered e-mail address every month. However, if the total outstanding balance is less than a certain cut-off, say Rs. 200, no statement will be generated.
Fraudulent credit card transactions are very common in today's world. Through credit card skimming, phishing, and vishing, your credit card information can be stolen and used without your knowledge. You need to be very alert about any suspicious emails and calls that you may receive. You must report any fraudulent credit card transactions to your bank at least within two days of the event happening. A few banks also allow you to block your credit card online. Keep in mind that with the growing cases of cybercrimes, you need to be very careful as to where and to whom you give your credit card information.
A credit cards is a financial tool that enables cardholders to pay for their online and offline purchases on credit. The cardholders usually don’t have to pay any interest on their purchases, if they pay off their credit card bills within the due date.
Yes. You can apply for a credit card online on the credit card issuer’s website, or you can conveniently compare multiple cards and apply for one on BankBazaar.
The renewed card usually has the same number as your expired card, but the new card's CVV (Card Verification Value) number is different.
If you already have a credit history, you can check your eligibility, choose a card that suits your lifestyle needs and apply for it on BankBazaar. If you do not have a credit history, you can opt for a secure credit card, usually offered against fixed deposits.
A credit card gives you a line of credit; you can use this to make purchases, cash advances and balance transfers. You will have to pay back the amount by the due date specified by the bank. You have the option to pay the minimum amount, any amount more than that, or the total amount due.
The credit limit is the maximum amount one can spend on their card. A higher credit limit will allow you to spend more, and can also help improve your credit score.
You do not have to use your credit card every month, but you must use it often to avoid the bank labelling it as an inactive card.
A credit score above 750 is ideal for getting a credit card.
Even if you do not have a job and have a substantial cash inflow into your account every month, you may be eligible for a credit card.
Yes. Due to the online application system, your credit card application could be approved in one day. However, you may not get the physical credit card in one day.
Yes. Many credit cards offer complimentary access to domestic and international airport lounges.
Yes. Most credit cards come with a reward point system that lets you earn points on your credit card spends. You can redeem these points for vouchers, cashback, or air miles.
The number one should own is not fixed. It depends on your financial ability and your spending behaviour. However, ensure that you smartly manage all the cards and make payments on time.
Credit scores above 750 are generally deemed suitable for credit card approvals. Scores below 750 are usually considered poor, and approval may be subject to pledging a collateral as security (collateral such as fixed deposits).
The best and easiest way to get a credit card is to apply for it on a platform like BankBazaar. You can compare the features, benefits, fees, interest rates, etc., and choose a card that best suits your needs.
No. You don't have to pay interest on all the transactions. However, if you're not repaying the due amount within the stipulated time, the unpaid due would attract interest along with all the new transactions till the due amount is repaid in full.
The minimum amount due is the minimum amount a credit cardholder needs to pay in case they cannot pay the total outstanding. It is typically 5% of the total outstanding amount on the card.
Yes. Banks do charge processing fees for loans against credit cards. However, you need to pay a very nominal processing fee.
Credit cards are automatically renewed toward the end of the expiration period. A renewed card with a new expiration date is usually sent to the cardholder a month before the existing card's expiration.
Credit cards issued in India are usually valid for 3 to 5 years.
It depends on your card type. If your credit card is accepted globally, you can use it in other countries, as mentioned by your card issuer. However, a foreign transaction fee may be charged for all purchases abroad.
It depends on various factors - the number of days late, the number of instances, and the amount due. Based on all this, your credit card issuer would decide whether to report the same to the credit agencies.
You can always reopen a credit card account if it is closed. The credit card issuer will consider how long ago you closed the credit card account. However, remember there is no guarantee that the issuer will allow you to reopen the account.
In most cases, credit card issuers will not charge you any fee if your credit card hasn't been used for months. They will likely charge you an inactivity or dormant account fee. Depending on the credit card issuer, an inactivity fee is generally charged on deposit accounts.
Different banks will charge different fees. Typically, the charge will range from 2.5% to 3% of your transaction amount. There will be a minimum amount of Rs.250 to Rs.500.
When you lose your credit card, you need to notify the bank immediately, and they will block your account.
Yes, you may be able to get a secured credit card without having a credit score. However, the bank will charge a higher fee. Usually, banks accept a CIBIL score of 700-750 and above to issue a card.
This process is also known as a cash advance. The bank will set the maximum amount you withdraw from an ATM using your credit card. Remember that this is generally capped at up to 30% to 40% of your card limit.
You must be minimum 18 years old to apply for a credit card.
If you apply for a credit card online, the approval process may be completed within a day.
You can use international credit cards in India. You can contact your credit card issuer to learn if you card can be used in India.
Yes. You can set a transaction limit on your credit card. You must contact your credit card issuer to set the limit.
You can reach a bank's credit card customer care by calling their customer care number or by sending an email to them. You may also contact them though chat support or WhatsApp support.
You can easily disable or enable international transactions either by contacting your card issuer’s customer support or through their website, or their mobile app.
You will have to submit a form to change the phone number of your credit card. Some credit card issuers will allow you to change your number online; while others will need you to visit their branch to update contact details.
The credit card issuer will decide the credit limit for your card by looking into a lot of factors, like your repayment history, credit score, monthly income, total debt, etc.
Yes, you might be charged a fee of 1% to 4% of the transaction amount for international transactions.
A CPP service will protect your credit card from loss, theft, fraud, etc.
The five major credit card networks in India are Visa, MasterCard, American Express Banking Corp (Amex), Discover, Diners Club International, and RuPay (by the National Payments Corporation of India).
Yes, you can pay your credit card bill with another credit card, by transferring the balance of your card to the other card.
On the cardholder's demise, the payment of the remaining bills must be made by the legal heir.
In most cases, you cannot use your credit card at an ATM without a PIN.
Yes, you can apply for multiple cards simultaneously if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Due to festive season purchases on e-commerce platforms, credit card spending touched the record of Rs.1.78 trillion in October, which dipped in September. In October, the total credit spending increased to 38.3% year-on-year and 25.4% month-on-month. Out of this, the spending on e-commerce platforms grew 30% m-o-m to Rs.1.2 trillion, and point-of-sale terminals spending grew 16% m-o-m to Rs.57,774 crore. Total spending on SBI credit cards, and ICICI bank credit cards and Axis Bank credit cards rose by 42% m-o-m, 35% m-o-m, while HDFC Bank credit cards lagged by only 17% m-o-m growth.
24 November 2023
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has tightened norms for unsecured lending portfolios of banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) due to concerns over abnormally high growth in these loan categories.
Unsecured loans, particularly personal loans and credit cards, have surged in Indian banks, exceeding the overall bank credit growth of approximately 15% in the past year.
The RBI has increased risk weights by 25% points to 125% on retail loans for both banks and NBFCs, excluding housing, education, vehicle loans, as well as loans secured by gold and gold jewellery.
Additionally, risk weights on credit card exposures were raised by 25% points to 150% for banks and 125% for NBFCs.
17 November 2023
India has issued approximately 560 million card tokens since October last year, complying with the Reserve Bank of India's directive for card tokenisation in e-commerce, as reported by Visa.
According to The Economic Times, Visa has issued almost 300 million tokens, as per the research stated in the upcoming research ‘Enabling the Digital Shift: Tokenisation in India's Economic Landscape.’ The report stated India's overall value of digital payments is expected to expand at an average yearly rate of 14% to reach $5.2 trillion by 2030. The report states the rise in the number of cyberattacks from 0.2 million in 2018 to 1.3 million in 2022 and how card tokenisation can protect consumers.
RBI’s move for card tokenisation aims to restrict access to customers' unique card numbers by e-commerce merchants. Card companies such as Visa and Mastercard convert these card numbers into random tokens, ensuring your card details are protected even if customer data from the merchant site gets stolen.
Visa predicts that India will reach 100 million credit cards by the end of 2023, up from 93 million in September.
16 November 2023
Reliance has partnered with the State Bank of India (SBI), one of India's largest banks, to introduce two co-branded credit cards on the Indian RuPay network, as reported by TechCrunch. These cards, likely to be named 'Reliance SBI Cards,' are set to offer customers exclusive benefits, including vouchers for Reliance Retail, the retail venture of Mukesh Ambani, along with discounts on various Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) products like JioMart, Ajio, Urban Ladder, and Trends. Although the SBI briefly showcased the cards on a web page, they have since been removed. This strategic move represents the entry of India's largest conglomerate into the rapidly growing Indian credit card market, which recorded transactions totalling Rs. 1,33,000 crore last year, surpassing the debit card market with Rs. 53,000 crore in transactions. This initiative further expands Ambani's footprint in the financial sector, following the foray of his company's financial arm, Jio Financial Services, into lending and insurance, with plans for debit card offerings in the pipeline.
2 November 2023
According to data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), credit card spending dropped to Rs.1.42 trillion in September, down from Rs.1.48 trillion in August, marking a 4.2% decline. This downward trend affected major credit card issuers, except for IndusInd Bank, which reported a robust 10.9% growth. Notably, State Bank of India, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and HDFC Bank reported month-on-month declines of 8.9%, 8.4%, 4.9%, and 1.8%, respectively. Transactions at point-of-sale (PoS) terminals decreased by 7% from August, reaching Rs.49,440 crore in September. Similarly, credit card spending on e-commerce websites saw a 3% decrease, amounting to Rs.92,879 crore in September. Experts suggest that this drop in credit card spending in September can be attributed to consumers actively saving for the upcoming Diwali festival in November this year. Last year, Diwali fell in October, and festive campaigns began in September, driven by the Reserve Bank of India's card-on-file (COF) transaction implementation date, set for 30 September 2023. This year, with Diwali in November, the major festive sales kicked off in October. The reduction in corporate spending for September may have contributed to the overall drop in credit card transactions. On a positive note, new credit card additions increased by 1.9% month-on-month, with ICICI Bank leading in new card additions. Credit card issuers are looking to the festive season to attract new customers and stimulate spending after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Persistent inflation remains a concern for consumer spending, as highlighted by RBI deputy governor Michael Patra.
25 October 2023
Amazon, the Indian e-commerce giant, has introduced the option for RuPay credit card users to make payments in equated monthly instalments (EMIs). This move is aimed at enhancing the convenience and affordability of shopping for customers. During the initial 48 hours of the Great Indian Festival Sale, EMI payments became the most popular mode of payment, with one in four orders utilising the instalment option and three in every four people opting for No Cost EMIs. Mayank Jain, Director of Credit and Lending for Amazon Pay India, emphasised that this new feature, in partnership with NPCI, will enhance customer access to credit, offer great value, and maximise savings, particularly during the festive season.
Amazon Pay remains committed to providing innovative and user-friendly digital payment solutions for customers. In a press release, Amazon reported that this year's Great Indian Festival Sale witnessed record-breaking shopping activity during its first 48 hours, with approximately 9.5 crore customer visits. Prime members' shopping surged 18 times in the first 24 hours, marking the highest level ever on the platform. The data revealed that 80% of customers ordering from Amazon hailed from non-metro cities, and over 65% of sellers during the first two days were from tier two and tier three cities. Introduced in 2019, Amazon Pay offers various payment options, including Pay Later, Pay Wallet, and UPI, along with rewards for both new and returning customers.
20 October 2023
Fibe, previously known as EarlySalary has made an announcement that it has collaborated with Axis Bank to launch India’s first numberless credit card on 10 October 2023. There is no card number, CVV, or expiry date printed on this co-branded credit card. Apart from this, there is no joining fee and annual fee associated with this card.
12 October 2023
The Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale 2023 will start on 8 October 2023 and will continue till 15 October 2023. This sale will continue for a week and will offer discounts on various categories, such as smartphones, home appliances, electronics, fashion, and others. During the sale, Flipkart will also provide various deals, and cashback offers along with discounts on credit cards. Customers can avail themselves of 10% discounts on payment through UPI (Unified Payment Interface), Flipkart Pay Later, and credit cards.
Customers can avail themselves of a 10% instant discount purchasing any product through credit cards of Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank. An instant 5.00% discount along with an additional 5.00% unlimited cashback can be availed through Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card.
5 October 2023
The Great Indian Festival sale is set to start on 8 October 2023 and will offer 24-hour early access to all Prime members through the 'Kick Starter Deals' on over 25,000 products. Unlimited cashback of up to 5.00% can be availed through Amazon Pay ICICI Bank credit card, and customers applying for new cards will receive welcome rewards worth Rs.2500. The benefits of the exchange offer, and no-cost EMI options can also be availed through these cards.
5 October 2023
Starting on 1 October 2023, India will implement new Tax Collection at Source (TCS) rules affecting various financial transactions, such as the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) and the purchase of overseas tour packages. These regulations establish a Rs.7 lakh threshold per financial year per individual for TCS, irrespective of payment mode or purpose. In an exclusive interview, Virender Bisht, Co-founder & CTO at Niyo, sheds light on the implications of these TCS changes. TCS is anticipated to exert a limited influence on students financing their overseas education, especially regarding tuition fees and essential expenditures. However, frequent remittances for daily costs may become cumbersome and expensive. Numerous students choose Indian international cards like the Niyo Global card, which are exempt from TCS for transactions up to Rs.7 lakh annually and do not incur forex markup fees. To effectively navigate the TCS regulations, it is crucial to comprehend what falls within the scope of TCS, monitor transactions diligently, employ the appropriate LRS code, and accurately classify remittances. Regarding international travel packages, TCS rates vary based on expenditure. Purchases up to Rs.7 lakh annually incur a 5% TCS rate, while amounts exceeding this limit face a 20% TCS rate. The most effective way to bypass TCS for students and travellers is to utilize international cards with zero forex markup, leading to significant savings on international transactions. Credit cards without zero forex markup may lead to higher costs, including annual fees, forex markup, and interest on international ATM withdrawals. Prepaid Forex cards are subject to a 20% TCS, making them a less attractive option.
1 October 2023
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