Types of credit cards in India
Indian banks issue over 200 distinct credit-card variants. Almost every card belongs to one of six broad categories. Pick the category first, then pick the specific card that matches your spending pattern.
Last updated: 15 June 2025
Cashback cards
Return a fixed percentage (typically 1-5%) of your spend as statement credit. Simple, transparent, and best for people who dislike tracking reward-point redemption. Examples: HDFC Millennia, Axis ACE, SBI Cashback.
Rewards cards
Give you points per rupee spent, which you redeem against a catalogue of vouchers, air miles, or statement credits. Better for high-spenders willing to optimise. Examples: HDFC Regalia, Axis Magnus, ICICI Amazon Pay.
Travel and airline cards
Turbo-charged points for flights and hotels, complimentary lounge access, and free flight vouchers on spend milestones. Best if you travel more than 4 times a year. Examples: HDFC Infinia, Axis Vistara, SBI Etihad.
Fuel cards
Cashback and surcharge waiver at fuel stations. Modest overall benefit unless you drive heavily. Examples: HDFC IndianOil, SBI BPCL, ICICI HPCL.
Business / corporate cards
For companies to expense-manage employee spend, with GST invoicing and controlled limits. Rarely available to individuals.
Super-premium cards
Very high annual fee (₹10,000 to ₹1 lakh) with unlimited lounge access, concierge, personal butler, and reward-earn rates of 4-8%. Usually invitation-only.