Top 10 credit cards in India 2025

As we step into 2025, choosing the right credit card can significantly enhance your financial flexibility, rewards, and lifestyle benefits. Whether you are a frequent traveler, an avid shopper, or someone looking to maximize cashback and rewards, the Indian credit card market offers diverse options tailored to various needs. Here’s a detailed look at the top 10 best credit cards in India for 2025, highlighting their key features and benefits.

1. HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit Card

Best For: Premium travelers and high spenders
Joining/Annual Fee: ₹10,000
Key Benefits:
Unlimited airport lounge access for primary and add-on members
High base rewards rate of 3.33% with 5 reward points per ₹150 spent
Up to 10X reward points on SmartBuy and 2X on weekend dining
Complimentary memberships to Club Marriott, Amazon, and Swiggy One
Low forex markup fee of 2%
Golf privileges with 6 complimentary games per quarter

2. Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

Best For: Luxury lifestyle and frequent travelers
Joining/Annual Fee: ₹50,000
Key Benefits:
Unlimited domestic and international lounge visits via Priority Pass
Low forex markup fee of 1.5%
2X reward points on international spends
Exclusive offers including B1G1 on BookMyShow tickets
Complimentary memberships to ITC Culinaire, Accorplus, Club Marriott, and more
50 free golf rounds annually at select courses

3. Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card

Best For: Online shoppers and Amazon users
Joining/Annual Fee: Zero
Key Benefits:
5% cashback for Amazon Prime members on Amazon.in
3% cashback for non-Prime users
2% cashback on Amazon Pay partner transactions
1% cashback on all other purchases
1% fuel surcharge waiver at petrol stations across India
Dining discounts at partner restaurants

4. Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card

Best For: Travel enthusiasts
Joining/Annual Fee: Lifetime free
Key Benefits:
Earn 20% Scapia Coins on travel bookings via the Scapia app
10% Scapia Coins on other spends
Zero forex markup fee
Unlimited domestic airport lounge access with minimum monthly spend
Ideal for travelers seeking rewards and lounge access without foreign transaction fees

5. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

Best For: Premium users seeking luxury and travel perks
Joining/Annual Fee: Moderate (varies)
Key Benefits:
6 reward points per ₹100 spent internationally
3 reward points per ₹100 on domestic spends
Complimentary domestic and international lounge access
Golf privileges and dining discounts
Entertainment offers including movie ticket discounts

6. SBI Cashback Credit Card

Best For: Online shopping enthusiasts
Joining/Annual Fee: ₹999 + GST
Key Benefits:
5% cashback on online purchases across major platforms like Flipkart, Amazon, Myntra
1% cashback on other spends excluding certain categories
Ideal for regular online shoppers seeking straightforward cashback

7. HSBC Live+ Credit Card

Best For: Foodies and grocery shoppers
Joining/Annual Fee: ₹999 + GST
Key Benefits:
10% cashback on dining, food delivery, and grocery spends (up to ₹1,000/month)
1.5% cashback on all other spends
Four domestic lounge visits annually
Perfect for those who prioritize dining and grocery savings

8. OneCard

Best For: All-round spending with dynamic rewards
Joining/Annual Fee: Lifetime free
Key Benefits:
5X reward points on top two monthly spending categories
1 reward point per ₹50 spent on other categories
Low forex markup fee of 1%
Adaptive rewards system tailored to spending habits

9. IndusInd Legend Credit Card

Best For: Weekend spends and travel
Joining/Annual Fee: Lifetime free
Key Benefits:
Up to 2 reward points per ₹100 on weekend spends
Complimentary domestic lounge access quarterly
Forex markup fee of 1.8%
Suitable for users with higher weekend or travel expenditures

10. Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card

Best For: Dining and entertainment
Joining/Annual Fee: Lifetime free (limited-time offer)
Key Benefits:
Discounts on food delivery via Swiggy
‘Buy One Get One’ offers on select entertainment platforms
Great for regular takeout and entertainment subscription users

How to Choose the Right Credit Card in 2025

When selecting a credit card, consider your spending habits, lifestyle, and the rewards that matter most to you. For frequent travelers, cards offering lounge access and low forex fees are ideal. Online shoppers benefit from cashback cards tied to their favorite platforms. Dining enthusiasts should look for cards with high rewards on food and entertainment spends. Also, factor in joining and annual fees against the benefits offered to ensure maximum value.

Conclusion

The credit card landscape in India for 2025 is rich with options catering to diverse needs—from premium travel cards to zero-fee cashback cards for everyday use. Cards like the HDFC Diners Club Black Metal and Axis Bank Reserve offer luxury and exclusivity, while the Amazon Pay ICICI and SBI Cashback cards provide excellent cashback without hefty fees. Evaluate your priorities and pick a card that aligns with your financial goals and lifestyle for a rewarding year ahead.