With numerous options available in the market, finding the best credit card can be a bit tricky. However, when you compare credit cards based on their features and charges and analyse how much value-back you can earn through them, it becomes easier to select the right credit card offer.
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In order to find the best credit card that not only meets your spending needs but also provides maximum savings and benefits, it is important to do a thorough credit card comparison and pick the card that fits your criteria.
Whether the value-back is in the form of rewards, cashback or direct discount, or the card benefits are focused towards travel, shopping, fuel or other spending categories, a detailed credit card comparison can be of great help in finding the most suitable option as per your individual needs.
Read on to understand how to compare credit cards and find the one that suits your spending habits.
Compare Top Credit Cards
HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card
Joining fee: ₹10000
Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹10000
Unlimited airport lounge access for primary and add-on members
High base rewards rate of 3.33% with 5 reward points per Rs. 150 spent
Product Details
- Up to 10X reward points on SmartBuy and 2X on weekend dining with up to 1:1 redemption ratio
- Annual memberships of Club Marriott, Forbes, Amazon, Swiggy One (3 months) and MMT BLACK on joining
- Low forex markup fee of 2% and renewal of annual complimentary memberships on Rs. 8 lakh annual spends
- Any 2 vouchers of Rs. 500 from Ola cabs, cult.fit Live, BookMyShow, or TataCliQ on Rs. 80,000 monthly spends
- 6 complimentary golf games in a calendar quarter
Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card
Joining fee: ₹50000
Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹50000
Unlimited domestic & international lounge visits via Priority Pass
Low forex mark-up fee of 1.5% with 2X reward points on international spends
Product Details
- Up to 30 EDGE reward points for every Rs. 200 spent
- B1G1 offer on BookMyShow tickets with up to 5 offer tickets per month
- ITC Culinaire, Accorplus, Club Marriott & EazyDiner Prime memberships & offers on Postcard & Oberoi hotels
- 50 free golf rounds every year across select golf courses in India
Axis Atlas Credit Card
Joining fee: ₹5000
Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹5000
2.5X EDGE Miles on Travel spends
Up to 12 international lounge access every year
Product Details
- 2,500 bonus EDGE Miles as welcome benefit
- Up to 5 EDGE Miles per Rs. 100 spent on travel
- Redeem EDGE Miles at value of 1 EDGE Mile = 2 Partner Points
- Milestone benefits of up to 5,000 EDGE Miles
- Up to 18 complimentary domestic lounge visits in a year
HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card
Joining fee: ₹2500
Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹2500
5X reward points on Nykaa, Myntra, Marks & Spencer and Reliance Digital
4 reward points per Rs. 150 across all retail spends
Product Details
- Complimentary Swiggy One & MMT Black Elite Memberships
- Gift voucher worth Rs. 2,500 on the payment of joining fee
- 6 complimentary international lounge visits & 12 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year
- Marks & Spencer, Reliance Digital, Myntra or Marriott vouchers worth Rs. 1,500 on Rs. 1.5 Lakh quarterly spends
- Flight vouchers worth Rs. 5,000 on annual spends of Rs. 5 Lakh
YES Bank Paisabazaar PaisaSave Credit Card
Joining fee: ₹0
Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹499
3% Cashback Points on e-commerce spends, max. 5,000 points/month
Unlimited 1.5% Cashback Points on all other spends, including UPI
Product Details
- Earned Cashback Points can be redeemed as statement credit in 1:1 ratio at zero redemption fee
- 1.5% cashback on online spends made after reaching the monthly capping
- Renewal fee waived off on reaching Rs. 1.2 lakh annual spends
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver, up to Rs. 250 per month, on all fuel spends worth Rs. 500 to Rs. 3,000
Cashback SBI Card
Joining fee: ₹999
Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹999
5% cashback on all online spends
1% cashback across all offline spends
Product Details
- 5% cashback across all online spends with no merchant restriction
- 1% cashback across all offline spends
- Earn cashback of up to Rs. 5,000 per month
- Renewal fee reversed on spending at least Rs. 2 lakh in a year
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver of up to Rs. 100 per month
American Express® Platinum Card
Joining fee: ₹66000
Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹66000
Vouchers of up to Rs. 60,000 from Taj, Reliance or Postcard Hotels on spending Rs. 50,000 in first 2 months
Complimentary access to multiple lounge access programs
Product Details
- Benefits of Rs. 44,300 at the finest hotels/resorts worldwide, like the Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, The Ritz-Carlton, etc.
- Access to top-tier hotel loyalty programs, like Marriott Bonvoy™ Gold Elite, Hilton Honors Gold, Taj Reimagined Epicure, Radisson Rewards Gold, etc.
- Invitations to VIP-only events & access to pre-sale tickets & some of the best seats at Fashion Week, Grammy Award, Wimbledon, etc.
- Eazy Diner Prime membership with up to 50% off at premium restaurants in India
- Vouchers worth Rs. 35,000 from Taj Hotels, Reliance Brands Ltd., Postcard Hotels on annual spends of Rs. 20 Lakh
Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card
Joining fee: ₹3000
Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹3000
2X EDGE Reward Points acrosss all retail transactions
10,000 EDGE Reward Points worth Rs. 2,000 as welcome benefit
Product Details
- 10 EDGE Reward Points on every Rs. 200 spent
- Flat Rs. 500 off per month on BigBasket on minimum spend of Rs. 3,000
- Rs. 200 off on Swiggy, twice a month, on minimum spend of Rs. 1,000
- Up to 12 complimentary international lounge visits in a year & 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter
- Up to 12 complimentary golf rounds in a year
IndianOil RBL Bank XTRA Credit Card
Joining fee: ₹1500
Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹1500
Up to 8.5% savings on IOCL fuel spends
1,000 Fuel Points on reaching Rs. 75,000 quarterly spends
Product Details
- Save 7.5% as 15 Fuel Points per Rs. 100 spent on IOCL fuel
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel spends of Rs. 500 to Rs. 4,000
- 2 Fuel Points per Rs. 100 spent on other categories; 1 Fuel Point = Rs. 0.50 for IOCL fuel purchase
- 3,000 Fuel Points as welcome benefit on making 1st card spend of min. Rs. 500 within the 1st 30 days
- Annual Fee waived of on Rs. 2.75 lakh annual spends
Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Credit Card
Joining fee: ₹1499
Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹1499
Up to 10% value-back on Tata Neu spends
8 domestic and 4 international Priority Pass lounge access per year
Product Details
- 5% NeuCoins on all non-EMI spends at Tata Neu & its partner brands
- Additional 5% NeuCoins on select spends at Tata Neu app/website
- 1.5% NeuCoins on UPI, non-Tata brand and merchant EMI spends
- 1,499 NeuCoins after the first spend within 30 days of card issuance
- Low forex markup fee of 2%
Compare Credit Card as per Your Spending Habits
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How to Choose the Right Credit Card?
Choosing the right credit card can be challenging, especially for those who are new to credit cards. Besides checking whether you satisfy the card’s eligibility criteria, here are some of the factors you must consider and challenges you may come across when you compare credit cards before picking the right one:
Identifying Your Spending Habits
The first step before applying for a card can be analysing your spending patterns and identifying the categories you frequently spend on. For example, some may spend more on online shopping while for others travel might be a major part of their expenses. So, based on your specific needs and lifestyle, you can compare credit cards that offer features focussing on similar category spends.
Understanding How Credit Cards Work
Before you start exploring the card options, it is important to know how credit cards function and read the related terms and conditions to ensure you use them well. Understanding credit card related terms, like credit limit, statement cycle, forex mark-up fee, finance charges, minimum amount due and many more, is crucial. If you begin your credit journey without a clear understanding of how credit cards work, you might end up falling into a debt trap.
Choosing the Type of Value-back
Once you know your spending habits, you can decide what kind of value-back you would prefer. You can choose from a variety of options, including cashback, reward points, brand loyalty points, air miles or even direct discounts, and shortlist the credit cards accordingly.
Comparing Features & Fees
Apart from the rewards program, you should also compare other credit card features, such as lounge access, complimentary services, associated dining programs, brand offers, and others. Furthermore, you must also consider the annual card fees, along with the fee waiver condition, if any. There are few credit cards which are lifetime free without any annual fee. The card that offers decent savings on your usual spends in comparison with the fee it charges would be a more suitable fit for you.
Find Your Perfect Credit Card Match in a Few Clicks
You can carry out a credit card comparison and find the right fit by simply knowing which cards you are eligible for and then going through their features online by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Click here and enter your mobile number in the available form.
Step 2: Click on the ‘Proceed’ button and enter the OTP sent to your mobile number
Step 3: Enter the details as asked, including employment type, salary and current residence.
Step 4: A list of cards you are eligible for will be shown. Compare credit cards’ features and apply for the card of choice.
Note: You may contact the respective bank to check your eligibility for other cards.
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5 Essential Tips for Smart Credit Card Comparison
Some smart credit card comparison tips to help you save money and maximise rewards are as follows:
- Check the Card’s Eligibility Criteria: Different credit cards have varying eligibility requirements. Before applying, compare credit cards that match your credit profile to ensure a higher chance of approval. If you’re building credit, look for beginner level cards.
- Check Which Card Suits Your Spending Habits: Apply for the card that suits and aligns with your spending patterns and needs. You may compare and choose the card that is either co-branded with your preferred brand or platform or offers higher value-back on your favoured spending categories.
- Compare Rewards Programs: During credit card comparison, check the form of rewards, redemption options, reward rate as per the redemption ratio and accelerated rewards categories. Also, take conditions like monthly rewards capping or minimum order value, if applicable, into consideration.
- Look for Additional Perks: Additional benefits and complimentary services can help you save more. These can include welcome bonus, lounge access, free air tickets, spend-based milestone benefits, discounts on dining, movies or partner brands, insurance cover, concierge services, etc. Make sure to check whether these benefits are attainable or if they are actually useful as per your lifestyle.
- Compare Fees and Charges: Check the annual fee and other charges charged on the cards you are considering. Choose the card whose fee is within your budget and doesn’t overshadow the value-back that the card offers. If there is a fee waiver condition, check whether you can satisfy it or not. If you want a card for international spends, then look for a card with zero or low forex mark-up fee.
Compare Credit Cards FAQs
Q. What factors should I consider when comparing credit cards?
A. When you compare credit cards, you can consider factors like your spending habits, spends on which you wish to get accelerated value-back on, card rewards and benefits with the form of value-back it offers, along with the associated charges. You should also keep in mind whether you can maximise on the card benefits without over-spending.
Q. Can I compare credit cards based on specific criteria like rewards, interest rates, or fees?
A. Yes, you can analyse such card features during credit card comparison. The card with a higher reward rate on your preferred spends would be a better choice. Moreover, if a card charges an annual fee, you should check if you can justify the fee with the value-back you earn using that card. A card with a lower interest rate can also be considered but that should not be the deciding factor as it is advisable to pay your monthly dues timely and in full to avoid any such charges altogether. This is so because credit cards come with high interest rates that can even force you into a debt spiral.
Q. Can I compare credit cards from different banks?
A. Yes, you can compare credit cards irrespective of which bank or provider they are associated with by analysing how much you can save through each card depending on your usual spends.
Q. How can I find the best credit card for my needs?
A. You can find the most suitable credit card for your needs by reviewing your spending patterns and keeping in mind the financial needs for which you wish to get a credit card. For example, if you usually spend online on a specific platform, then getting a co-branded credit card for that platform would be a good choice, whereas if you want to get a card to save on your travel costs, then getting a card with accelerated rewards on travel bookings, lounge access, rewards to air miles conversion, etc. would be a better option.
Q. What are the best credit cards for travel freaks?
A. The best credit cards for avid travellers can include those co-branded with travel platforms like EaseMyTrip, Yatra, MakeMytrip, etc. or airlines like IndiGo, Etihad, Emirates, and others. You can also consider cards that aren’t partnered with any brand and offer incremental value-back on travel spends. Here, the travel features can include higher rewards that can be converted into air miles and complimentary travel services like lounge access, airport services, bonus travel vouchers, etc.
Q. Which bank credit cards have no annual fee and how can I compare those cards?
A. There are several lifetime free credit cards that you can compare. You can choose the most suitable card by comparing the overall savings you can accrue by utilising their features. For instance, if you frequently shop from Amazon then you can choose Amazon Pay ICICI, or if you want a zero forex travel credit card then you can opt for Federal Bank Scapia. Other options like ICICI Platinum Chip, IDFC FIRST Millennia, etc. can also be considered.
Q. How do I compare and find the best fuel credit card?
A. You can find the best-suited credit card to save on your fuel spends after a thorough credit card comparison. Generally, fuel cards are co-branded with fuel providers, like BPCL, HPCL, or IOCL. So, based on your preferred fuel brand, spending categories on which the card offers accelerated rewards, and overall lifestyle benefits offered by the cards, you can compare and pick the most suitable card option.
Q. Which credit card is the best for UPI transactions?
A. Most card providers, like Axis, HDFC, SBI, ICICI, YES, and others, offer RuPay credit cards that not only allow you to make UPI transactions but also offer rewards or cashback on such spends. You can carry out a RuPay credit card comparison to find a card that offers both – good rewards on UPI and decent benefits on the spending categories you usually spend the most on. You should also consider the redemption value of the accumulated rewards to know which card offers the highest overall value-back.
Q. What are the ways to compare credit cards in India?
A. Multiple factors must be taken into account when you compare credit cards to find the most suitable option. You must first analyse the features and benefits offered by the credit card and check whether you can utilise them well or not, depending on your lifestyle.
Also, keep in mind the purpose of getting a new card. For instance, if you want a card to save on your travel or dining spends then the one offering discounts and accelerated rewards on the desired spending category should be preferred.
You should also consider the final value-back that you can earn via the card during credit card comparison as a card may offer 10X rewards on a category, but the final redemption value of those rewards might be low, thus affecting the overall savings rate.