Top 20 Best Credit Cards in India [2025] – Cashback, Travel, and Rewards Compared

Last Updated: July 25, 2025
Author: Pearl, Financial Researcher at CardMela.com

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Credit Card Industry Overview – 2025
3. How to Choose the Right Credit Card
4. Top 20 Credit Cards in India – Ranked & Compared
5. Best for Cashback
6. Best for Travel & Lounge Access
7. Best for Food Delivery & Dining
8. Best Lifetime Free Credit Cards
9. Conclusion
10. FAQs

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1. Introduction

India’s credit card ecosystem in 2025 is at its most competitive phase yet. With over 11 crore active cards, issuers are launching attractive offers every quarter, making it both exciting and confusing for users to choose the best credit card. This guide is created to help you compare India’s top 20 credit cards and choose one based on your spending style, lifestyle preferences, and benefits like cashback, travel, dining, and rewards.

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2. Credit Card Industry Overview – July 2025

The top card issuers in India are pushing aggressive offers in 2025:

Bank Name	Active Cards (approx.)
HDFC Bank	2.42 crore
SBI Card	2.11 crore
ICICI Bank	1.82 crore
Axis Bank	1.5 crore
Others (combined)	3+ crore

Sources: RBI Bulletin,

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3. How to Choose the Right Credit Card in 2025

Before you apply, ask:

• Do I spend more online or offline?
• Do I travel frequently (domestic/international)?
• Do I order food often via Zomato/Swiggy?
• Is lounge access important to me?
• Do I want lifetime free or premium perks?

Once you know your style, match it to the card that fits.

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4. Top 20 Credit Cards in India [2025] – Ranked

Rank	Credit Card	Joining Fee	Best For	Key Benefit
1	Swiggy HDFC Credit Card	₹500	Food Delivery	10% off on Swiggy, Instamart, Dineout
2	SBI Cashback Credit Card	₹999	Online Shopping	5% cashback on online spends
3	HDFC Millennia Credit Card	₹1,000	Online & Fuel	5% on Amazon, Flipkart, 1% on fuel
4	Axis Ace Credit Card	₹499	Bill Payments	5% via Google Pay
5	Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card	Lifetime Free	Amazon Shoppers	5% cashback (Prime), 3% (non-Prime)
6	Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card	₹500	Flipkart Users	5% cashback on Flipkart
7	Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card	₹500	Airtel Bill Users	25% Airtel Thanks, 10% on utility payments
8	ICICI Coral Credit Card	₹500	Budget Travel	1 free lounge access/quarter
9	HDFC Tata Neu Infinity	₹1,499	NeuCoins lovers	5% on Tata brands, 2% others
10	HDFC Regalia Credit Card	₹2,500	Premium Travel	Intl & Domestic Lounge, Concierge
11	ICICI Sapphiro Card	₹3,500	Premium Lifestyle	Free BookMyShow tickets, Travel Lounge
12	HDFC MoneyBack+	₹500	EMI & Amazon Flipkart	10X points on Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket
13	AU Bank LIT Credit Card	₹0–₹499	Customisation	Self-select benefits like OTT, Cashback
14	YES Bank Cashback Plus	₹999	Movies & Fuel	10% on groceries, fuel, movie tickets
15	BOB Eterna Credit Card	₹2,499	Rewards & Travel	15X reward points, lounge access
16	HSBC Visa Platinum Card	₹0 (Limited)	Beginners	₹500 cashback, 10% on dining
17	ICICI MakeMyTrip Signature Card	₹2,500	Travel Bookings	MMT vouchers, airport lounge access
18	Axis MyZone Credit Card	₹500	Youth/OTT Lovers	BOGO on BMS, 40% off on Swiggy
19	AU Altura Credit Card	₹199	Cashback Entry Level	2% on groceries, fuel; 1% others
20	IndusInd Legend Credit Card	₹5,000	Luxury Travel	Concierge, lounge, golf, reward boost

👉 Apply Now – Compare these cards and check your eligibility

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5. Best Cashback Credit Cards [2025]

• SBI Cashback Card – 5% flat on online spends
• Amazon Pay ICICI – 5% for Prime users
• Axis Ace – 5% on bill payments via GPay
• AU Altura – 2% on daily spends, just ₹199 fee
• YES Cashback Plus – fuel, movies, groceries

🎯 Looking for cashback? These are your top bets. Compare cashback cards

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6. Best Credit Cards for Travel

• HDFC Regalia – Domestic + International lounges
• ICICI Sapphiro – Free airport lounge + Dreamfolks
• BOB Eterna – International access, bonus rewards
• ICICI MakeMyTrip Signature – MMT flight & hotel deals
• IndusInd Legend – VIP travel, concierge, golf

✈️ If you’re a frequent flyer, read our Lounge Access Card Guide

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7. Best Cards for Food & Dining

• Swiggy HDFC Card – 10% on Swiggy + Dineout
• Axis MyZone – 40% Swiggy discount, BOGO BMS
• HSBC Visa Platinum – 10% cashback on dining
• YES Cashback Plus – 10% on groceries & movies

🍽️ Explore top food delivery cards

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8. Best Lifetime Free Credit Cards

Credit Card	Key Benefits
Amazon Pay ICICI	5% cashback on Amazon (Prime)
HSBC Visa Platinum (Limited Offer)	₹500 welcome bonus
AU Altura	1–2% cashback, ₹0 joining offer
ICICI Amazon Pay or Coral	Lifetime free with spending

💡 Want a card with no annual fee ever? Compare free credit cards

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9. Conclusion – How to Pick Your Best Credit Card in 2025

Don’t choose a card just because it ranks #1 — pick what suits your lifestyle:

• 💳 Swiggy orders every week? Get the HDFC Swiggy Card.
• 🛒 Online shopping? SBI Cashback or Amazon Pay ICICI.
• ✈️ Travelling often? HDFC Regalia or ICICI Sapphiro.
• 💼 Beginner? Try HSBC Visa Platinum (free + cashback).
• 🎥 Entertainment focused? Axis MyZone is fun + value.

Ready to upgrade your wallet?

👉 Apply Now at CardMela.com – Compare rewards, fees, and eligibility in 1 click.

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10. FAQs – Top Credit Cards India 2025

Q1. Which is the best overall credit card in India in 2025?
Ans: For overall value – SBI Cashback Card or Swiggy HDFC. Choose based on your lifestyle.

Q2. What are the best cards for cashback in India?
Ans: SBI Cashback, Amazon Pay ICICI, Axis Ace, and AU Altura.

Q3. Are there any good lifetime free credit cards in 2025?
Ans: Yes. Amazon Pay ICICI, AU Altura, and HSBC Visa Platinum (limited time).

Q4. Which card is best for lounge access?
Ans: HDFC Regalia, ICICI Sapphiro, or BOB Eterna.

Q5. Where can I compare and apply for these cards?
Ans: You can use CardMela.com to compare all top cards and check eligibility.

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🧠 Author Bio:

Pearl is a Senior Editor and Credit Card Researcher at CardMela.com, helping 10,000+ users make smarter financial choices. With deep insights into India’s card ecosystem, she writes detailed guides backed by real data and user behaviour trends.