Credit Cards for First-Time Users – Simple, Safe & Super Rewarding
Unlock the Power of India’s Most Beginner-Friendly Credit Cards
Applying for your first credit card? Whether you’re a student, young professional, or someone new to the world of credit — CardMela.com brings you a carefully curated list of First-Time Credit Cards that offer the right mix of approval ease, low fees, and practical benefits — without overwhelming terms or hidden charges.
These cards are chosen not just for simplicity — but for their ability to help you build credit, earn rewards, and manage spending with confidence.
Enjoy beginner-friendly features like zero joining fees, spend-based waivers, and UPI compatibility — all packed into cards that are perfect for your first step into the credit world.
Explore top picks like the SBI SimplyClick, ICICI Bank Coral, Axis Neo, and IDFC FIRST Classic — each tailored to meet the needs of first-time credit users.
These cards also come with added benefits like:
- Easy eligibility with basic income or student credentials
- Cashback or reward points on regular spends like food, fuel, and shopping
- Low or zero joining and annual fees
- Simple EMI options and app-based spend tracking
- UPI, tap-to-pay, and contactless payments on select variants
Ready to begin your credit journey? Use our comparison tool to explore beginner-friendly cards, understand the benefits, and apply for your first credit card with confidence — only on CardMela.com. our comparison tool to check features, annual fees, eligibility, and apply for your favourite card today — only on CardMela.com.
AU Bank Lit Credit Card
★★★★☆ (4/5)
*Best for users who want full control over their card benefits
Benefits:
Customize benefits as per your needs
Up to 5% Cashback on selected categories
Choose from Lounge Access, Fuel Waiver, OTT Subscriptions
Real-time benefit switching via AU 0101 App
₹49/month feature pack (only when used)
Eligibility:
₹20,000/month income, Credit Score 700+
Fees:
Zero Joining Fee, ₹49/month if feature pack activated, No hidden charges
AU Bank Altura Credit Card
★★★★☆ (4/5)
Best for cashback seekers and occasional travelers
Benefits:
5% Cashback on all spends (up to ₹3,000 per month)
₹1,000 Welcome Cashback on first transaction
Fuel Surcharge Waiver up to ₹500 per month
Complimentary Airport Lounge Access (2 visits per year)
Dining & Entertainment Discounts
No Joining Fee & No Annual Fee
Eligibility:
Minimum ₹20,000/month income
Recommended Credit Score 700+
Fees:
No Joining Fee, No Annual Fee
Late Payment Fee approx ₹500
SBI Simply Click Credit Card
★★★★☆ (4.3/5)
Best for online shoppers seeking accelerated rewards on digital spends
Benefits:
10X Reward Points on online spends at partner merchants (Amazon, BookMyShow, Cleartrip, Dominos, Myntra, Netmeds, Yatra, Apollo 24/7)
5X Reward Points on other online spends
1X Reward Point per ₹100 on offline spends
₹500 Amazon gift voucher on payment of joining fee
Cleartrip e-vouchers worth ₹2,000 on annual online spends of ₹1L and ₹2L
1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹500–₹3,000 (max ₹100/month)
Eligibility
Minimum ₹20,000/month income, Credit Score 700+
Fees
₹499 Joining & Annual Fee (waived on ₹1L spend/year), Late Fee ₹100–₹1,300
Axis Bank Airtel Credit Card
★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
Ideal for Airtel users and utility bill payers
Benefits:
25% cashback on Airtel mobile, broadband & DTH payments
10% cashback on utility bill payments via Airtel Thanks app
1% cashback on other spends
1% fuel surcharge waiver (₹400–₹4,000 transactions, max ₹500/month)
Eligibility:
Salaried individuals with ₹25,000/month income, Credit Score 750+
Fees:
₹500 Joining Fee, ₹500 Annual Fee (waived on ₹2L spend/year), Late Fee ₹100–₹1,300
Axis Bank Neo Credit Card
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5)
Ideal for beginners and online shoppers
Benefits:
10% off on Myntra, BookMyShow & Zomato
5% off on utility bill payments
1% fuel surcharge waiver (₹400–₹4,000 transactions)
Eligibility:
Salaried individuals with ₹25,000/month income, Credit Score 750+
Fees:
₹250 Joining Fee, ₹250 Annual Fee (waived on ₹1L spend/year), Late Fee ₹100–₹1,300
Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card
★★★★☆ (4.0/5)
Ideal for entertainment enthusiasts
Benefits:
Complimentary SonyLIV Premium subscription
Flat ₹120 off on Swiggy (twice a month)
Complimentary lounge access
1% fuel surcharge waiver (₹400–₹4,000 transactions)
Eligibility:
Salaried individuals with ₹25,000/month income, Credit Score 750+
Fees:
₹500 Joining Fee, ₹500 Annual Fee (waived on ₹2L spend/year), Late Fee ₹100–₹1,300
ICICI Coral Credit Card
★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
Best for movie lovers & frequent travelers
Benefits:
2 reward points per ₹100 spent
25% off on 2 movies/month via BookMyShow & INOX
1 free domestic lounge + 1 railway lounge access quarterly
1% fuel surcharge waiver at HPCL
Exclusive dining offers & chip-enabled security
Eligibility:
Age 21–58 years (salaried)
Minimum ₹15,000 monthly income
Fees:
Joining fee ₹500 + GST
Annual fee ₹500 + GST (waived on ₹1.5L annual spend)
IDFC First Bank Classic Credit Card
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Best for lifetime-free card with good rewards
Benefits:
₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days
5% cashback on first EMI (up to ₹1,000)
3X reward points on UPI spends
10X points on spends above ₹20,000/month & birthdays
1% fuel surcharge waiver
25% off on movie tickets (up to ₹100/month)
4 railway lounge visits per quarter
₹2L personal accident cover
Eligibility:
Annual income ₹3L+
₹5,000 spend within 30 days for welcome benefits
Fees:
Joining fee ₹0
Annual fee ₹0
Most Approachable. Most Beginner-Friendly. Most Easy to Use.
Applying for your first credit card? Start with the ones that are trusted by thousands of first-time users — simple to understand, easy to apply for, and packed with value from day one.
This page showcases the most popular credit cards among new users on CardMela — chosen for their smooth approval process, low entry barriers, and reliable, real-life benefits across essentials like food, shopping, travel, and more.
Why These Are Perfect for First-Time Users
No Credit History? No Problem
These cards are made for beginners — even if you’ve never had a credit product before.
Simple, Everyday Rewards
Earn cashback or points on your daily spends — groceries, fuel, online orders, and more.
Low Cost to Start
Enjoy zero or low joining/annual fees, often waived on basic usage.
Control & Confidence
Track spending, get real-time notifications, and set limits — all via easy-to-use apps.
Who Picks These Cards?
Fresh graduates and young professionals
Freelancers and first-job earners
Students building financial habits
Homemakers starting their credit journey
Anyone applying for their very first credit card
Smart Starts Begin Here
CardMela helps you compare the best credit cards for beginners, filter by what’s important (fees, rewards, usage), and apply confidently — with no hidden conditions.
Start smart. Spend wisely. Grow strong.
Your first credit card journey starts today.
Explore favorites. Choose confidently. Apply in minutes. Find it today.