Which is the best credit card in India in 2026?

There is no single best card — it depends on where your money goes. A heavy online shopper, a frequent flyer and someone who mostly pays bills should each hold a different card. Run your spending through the card value calculator to see which one pays you the most.

What is the minimum salary for a credit card in India?

Entry-level cards start at about Rs. 12,500 to Rs. 15,000 a month. Premium cards ask for Rs. 50,000 or more. Cards issued against a fixed deposit have no income requirement at all.

How many credit cards should I have?

Two or three, covering different spending: one for online shopping, one for travel or fuel, and a no-fee card kept for its credit history. Five or more open cards can slow down a new approval.

Are there lifetime free credit cards in India?

Yes. Seven of the cards tracked here carry no joining or annual fee, including Scapia Federal, SBM Novio and RoarBank RuPay. See the lifetime free list for the full set.

Does applying for a credit card lower my credit score?

Each application makes a hard enquiry, which lowers your score slightly, and several applications in a short time look worse. Check eligibility first and apply only to the card most likely to approve you.

Credit Cards in India 2026 — Compare and Apply

Quick picks

Showing 1–4 of 4 cards

4.2CredSpy Score

Super premium · Luxury Cards

RBL Bank

RBL Bank NOVA Credit Card

24 lounge visits a year, a Rs. 12,500 gift card every year, and a 2% foreign transaction fee

Best forFlight bookings and hotel stays
Complimentarylounge access
2%forex markup

Annual fee

₹12,500

Fee waivable on spend

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 12 reward points per ₹200
Forex markup: 2%
Lounge access: 12/yr domestic · 12/yr intl
Interest: 47.88% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: The Rs. 12,500 plus GST fee is waived only at Rs. 10,00,000 of spending in a card anniversary year, about Rs. 83,000 a month.

3.3CredSpy Score

Premium · Premium Cards

RBL Bank

RBL Bank Icon Credit Card

20 Reward Points per Rs. 100 on international spends and weekend dining, with 20,000 points on joining

Best forInternational purchases and weekend dining
Complimentarylounge access
Fuel surchargewaiver

Annual fee

₹5,000

Fee waivable on spend

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 20 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: 8/yr domestic
Interest: 47.88% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: Rs. 5,000 plus GST is Rs. 5,900 a year, and RBL publishes no spend level at which it is waived or reversed.

3.6CredSpy Score

Entry level · Travel

RBL Bank

IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card

Points that pay for train tickets, plus railway lounge access, on a Rs. 500 card.

Best forRewards on FASTag Recharge Too
Complimentarylounge access
Fuel surchargewaiver

Annual fee

₹500 + GST

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹500 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: 5X points per ₹200
Forex markup: Not published
Lounge access: 1/qtr domestic
Interest: Not published
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Reward Points redeem only against train ticket fare on IRCTC. They cannot be taken as cashback or statement credit.

3.8CredSpy Score

Premium · Travel

RBL Bank

RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card

Zero forex markup on a travel card, with domestic and Priority Pass lounge access.

Best for0% Foreign Currency Markup
Complimentarylounge access
₹3,000welcome voucher

Annual fee

₹3,000 + GST

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹3,000 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 1.25% rewards
Forex markup: Zero
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic · 8/qtr intl
Interest: Not published
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: The Rs. 3,000 annual fee is waived only on annual spends of Rs. 3,00,000 or more.

Quick picks

Showing 1–4 of 4 cards

4.2CredSpy Score

Super premium · Luxury Cards

RBL Bank

RBL Bank NOVA Credit Card

24 lounge visits a year, a Rs. 12,500 gift card every year, and a 2% foreign transaction fee

Best forFlight bookings and hotel stays
Complimentarylounge access
2%forex markup

Annual fee

₹12,500

Fee waivable on spend

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 12 reward points per ₹200
Forex markup: 2%
Lounge access: 12/yr domestic · 12/yr intl
Interest: 47.88% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: The Rs. 12,500 plus GST fee is waived only at Rs. 10,00,000 of spending in a card anniversary year, about Rs. 83,000 a month.

3.3CredSpy Score

Premium · Premium Cards

RBL Bank

RBL Bank Icon Credit Card

20 Reward Points per Rs. 100 on international spends and weekend dining, with 20,000 points on joining

Best forInternational purchases and weekend dining
Complimentarylounge access
Fuel surchargewaiver

Annual fee

₹5,000

Fee waivable on spend

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 20 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: 8/yr domestic
Interest: 47.88% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: Rs. 5,000 plus GST is Rs. 5,900 a year, and RBL publishes no spend level at which it is waived or reversed.

3.6CredSpy Score

Entry level · Travel

RBL Bank

IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card

Points that pay for train tickets, plus railway lounge access, on a Rs. 500 card.

Best forRewards on FASTag Recharge Too
Complimentarylounge access
Fuel surchargewaiver

Annual fee

₹500 + GST

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹500 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: 5X points per ₹200
Forex markup: Not published
Lounge access: 1/qtr domestic
Interest: Not published
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Reward Points redeem only against train ticket fare on IRCTC. They cannot be taken as cashback or statement credit.

3.8CredSpy Score

Premium · Travel

RBL Bank

RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card

Zero forex markup on a travel card, with domestic and Priority Pass lounge access.

Best for0% Foreign Currency Markup
Complimentarylounge access
₹3,000welcome voucher

Annual fee

₹3,000 + GST

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹3,000 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 1.25% rewards
Forex markup: Zero
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic · 8/qtr intl
Interest: Not published
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: The Rs. 3,000 annual fee is waived only on annual spends of Rs. 3,00,000 or more.

Best Credit Cards in India 2026

RBL Bank NOVA Credit Card

RBL Bank Icon Credit Card

IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card

RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card

Tools that go with this list

Best Credit Cards in India 2026

RBL Bank NOVA Credit Card

RBL Bank Icon Credit Card

IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card

RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card

Tools that go with this list

Credit cards: guide and FAQs

1. What is in this credit card list

2. How to pick a credit card in India

3. Frequently Asked Questions