With numerous options available in the market today, finding the right credit card can be difficult. But when you compare credit cards on the basis of their features and charges, along with how much value-back can you earn through them, it becomes easier to make an informed decision while selecting the best credit card offer.
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For credit card comparison, you can focus on your own spending habits and needs first and then pick the card that best aligns with them so that you can minimise your costs and maximise the card benefits. 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 mindful credit card comparison helps in finding the most suitable option as per individual needs. Read below to understand in detail how to compare credit cards to find the best suited one for you.
Compare Top Credit Cards in India
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
Compare Credit Card as per Your Spending Habits
Compare the credit cards based on the spending category on which you wish to save on:
How do I Choose The Right Credit Card?
Choosing the right credit card can be challenging, especially for those who are new to credit cards. Apart from 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 focus 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 the related terms and conditions to ensure you use them well. Understanding the credit-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 in a debt trap.
Choosing The Type of Value-back
Once you know your spending habits, you can decide what kind of value-back would you prefer. You can choose from cashback, reward points, brand loyalty points 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, etc. Furthermore, you must also consider the annual card fees and the fee waiver condition, if any. The card that offers decent savings 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 the spending categories with accelerated rewards. 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, spending 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 you can afford to pay and which doesn’t overshadow the value-back that 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.
FAQs Related to Credit Card Comparison
What factors should I consider when comparing credit cards?
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.
Can I compare credit cards based on specific criteria like rewards, interest rates, or fees?
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 as credit cards come with high interest rates that can even force you into a debt spiral.
Can I compare credit cards from different banks?
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 lifestyle.
How can I find the best credit card for my needs?
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.
What are the best credit cards for travel freaks?
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 without any partner brands that offer incremental value-back on travel spends via higher rewards that can be converted to air miles and offer complimentary travel services like lounge access, airport services, bonus travel vouchers, etc.