Are you looking for the best credit cards which suit your spending pattern and in turn reward you with cashback, lounge access, free luxury hotel stays and business class travel? Here I am presenting an exhaustive list of my favourite cards for 2022 which covers almost every kind of spender.
Watch Full Video on Best Credit Cards for 2022
I have compiled a list of 25+ credit cards and I am currently holding 20+ credit cards in my wallet and I am an active user of most of the cards for whom I am eligible, as these are my favourite cards too. I have segregated the list into the following categories,
- Entry Level Credit Cards
- Mid Range Credit Cards
- Premium Credit Cards
- Travel Credit Cards in
- Luxury Credit Cards
So let’s enter into the mad-mad world of credit cards without further delay.
Contents
Entry Level Credit Cards
Entry-level credit cards are best suited for youngsters who have recently started earning or for beginners who are taking the plunge for the first time into the credit card world. I have selected a few credit cards with good reward rates at an unbelievably low fee range.
The ideal range for such cards is
- Income Range: 4 Lakhs+
- Spends Range: 1 Lakhs+
| Credit Card | Joining Fee | Annual Fee | Reward Rate | Reward Type |
| ICICI Amazon Pay | None | LTF | 1% – 5% | Amazon Credits |
| SBI Simply Click | ₹499+GST | ₹499+GST | 0.25% – 2.5% | Reward Points |
| Axis Ace | ₹499+GST | ₹499+GST | 2% – 5% | Cashback |
| Axis Flipkart | ₹499+GST (Free, as of now) | ₹499+GST (LTF, as of now) | 1.5% – 5% | Cashback |
| Axis Freecharge Plus | ₹350+GST | ₹350+GST | 1% – 5% | Cashback |
| IDFC First Classic/Millennia | None | LTF | 0.75% – 2.5% | Cashback |
| RBL Zomato Classic | ₹500+GST | ₹500+GST (LTF, as of now) | 1% – 10% | Zomato Credits |
ICICI Amazon Pay
- Ideal Usage: Amazon Shopping and paying bills via Amazon Pay.
- Reward Rate: 2% – 5%
- Full Review: ICICI Amazon Pay
If most of your spending is at Amazon then this LTF card with Amazon Prime Membership is a no-brainer for every beginner.
SBI Simply Click
- Ideal Usage: 10x partners like Amazon/Cleartrip and more.
- Reward Rate: 0.25% – 2.5%
The cherry on top is the ₹2000 Cleartrip voucher it offers as a milestone benefit for every 1 lac of spends limited to the first two lacs every year.
SBI is running an exciting welcome offer for credit card applications via referral. You will get an e-voucher worth ₹500 on spending min ₹500 within 30 days of card issuance. APPLY NOW!
Axis Ace
- Ideal Usage: All regular spends and bill payments via Google Pay.
- Reward Rate: 2% – 5%
It continues to be a flagship killer since its launch in 2020 and it beats many premium cards and comes in such a low fee range. The thing I love about this card is the transparency with which transaction-wise cashback is shown.
Axis Flipkart
- Ideal Usage: All regular spends and Flipkart shopping.
- Reward Rate: 1.5% – 5%
If most of your spending is at Flipkart then this card is currently being offered as an LTF card and with this offer, this is again a no-brainer for every beginner.
Axis Freecharge Plus
- Ideal Usage: Unlimited cashback on bill payment/recharge via Freecharge app.
- Reward Rate: 1% – 5%
A cheaper fee alternative for bill payment compared to Axis Ace and becomes free at just ₹50K spends per year.
IDFC First Classic/Millennia
- Ideal Usage: All spends including wallet loads.
- Reward Rate: 0.75% – 2.5%
- Full Review : IDFC First Credit Cards
IDFC is offering all the cards currently at LTF pricing and reward rates are the same for all the cards. If you are an LTF cards collector then simply go for it as the IDFC Bank is currently in an evolving state so I am expecting loads of offers this year. But remember you will be able to exceed the 2% reward rate of Axis Ace only if you cross spends of ₹40K.
IDFC First is currently running an exciting welcome offer for credit card applications via referral. You will get 2000 Reward points worth ₹500 on spending min ₹ 500 within 30 days of card issuance. So what is stopping you from applying for an LTF credit card with so many benefits? APPLY NOW!
RBL Zomato Classic
- Ideal Usage: Zomato Delivery/Offline Dining
- Reward Rate: Upto 10% as Zomato Credits
- Full Review: Zomato Edition Classic
Zomato Edition Black
How about getting loads of free food from Zomato? Then simply go for this card and enjoy its lucrative 10% rewards on birthday spending. Currently, the card is being rolled out for selected Zomato users that too on a totally unknown algorithm. Expecting it to be available to all soon.
Mid-Range Credit Cards
Mid-Range credit cards are best suited for spenders who are willing to divide their spends into multiple cards to accelerate their overall reward rates. I have selected a few cards in this category which justify the fee paid for having them.
The ideal range for such cards is
- Income Range: 7.5 Lakhs+
- Spends Range: 2.5 Lakhs+
| Credit Card | Joining Fee | Annual Fee | Reward Rate | Reward Type |
| HDFC Millennia | ₹1000+GST | ₹1000+GST | 1% to 5% | Cashback |
| Amex MRCC | ₹1500+GST | ₹4500+GST | 0.8% – 1.2% | Reward Points |
| SBI BPCL Octane | ₹1499+GST | ₹1499+GST | 2.5%-6.25% | Reward Points |
| IDFC First Select | None | LTF | 0.75% – 2.5% | Cashback |
HDFC Millennia
- Ideal Usage: Online Spends on Amazon/Flipkart/Myntra/Swiggy/Uber/Zomato and Wallet Loads.
- Reward Rate: 1% to 5%
- Full Review: HDFC Millennia
One of the hottest cards from the HDFC stable currently for all the millennials and it justifies that name correctly. It covers almost all of your spends area with a very good reward rate. Grab it if you are eligible for it without a second thought.
Amex MRCC
- Full Review
- Ideal Usage: Spend anywhere consisting of 4 transactions of ₹1500 each.
- Reward Rate: 0.8% – 8.1%
I would suggest this basic card to everyone who wants an AMEX in their wallet for occasional merchant and AMEX offers.
SBI BPCL Octane
- Full Review: HDFC Millennia
- Ideal Usage: Fuel spends and Dining/Grocery
- Reward Rate: 2.5%-6.25%
SBI Octane is ideal for users having fuel spends in the range of ₹8K- ₹10K per month and gives an unbelievable 6.25% reward rate on fuel. It can also be swiped for dining and grocery spends for a decent 2.5% reward rate.
SBI is running an exciting welcome offer for credit card applications via referral. You will get an e-voucher worth ₹500 on spending min ₹500 within 30 days of card issuance. APPLY NOW!
IDFC First Select
- Ideal Usage: All spends including wallet loads.
- Reward Rate: 0.75% – 2.5%
- Full Review: IDFC Select
Another LTF card from IDFC with added benefits of domestic airport lounge access, and railway lounge access. Makes sense only for spends above ₹40K per month as then only you will be able to exceed the 2% reward rate of the likes of Axis Ace/Indusind Cards.
IDFC First is currently running an exciting welcome offer for credit card applications via referral. You will get 2000 Reward points worth ₹500 on spending min ₹ 500 within 30 days of card issuance. So what is stopping you from applying for an LTF credit card with so many benefits? APPLY NOW!
Premium Credit Cards
Premium credit cards are best suited for spenders who want a good reward rate with an iota of luxury into their lives. Such cards often give you travel benefits, golf sessions, or shared complimentary access to International lounges. I have selected a few cards in this category also for decent spenders.
The ideal range for such cards is
- Income Range: 12 Lakhs+
- Spends Range: 5 Lakhs+
| Credit Card | Joining Fee | Annual Fee | Reward Rate | Reward Type |
| BOB Eterna | ₹2499+GST | ₹2499+GST | 0.75% – 3.75% | Cashback |
| HDFC Regalia | ₹2500+GST | ₹2500+GST | 1.3% | Reward Points |
| Indusind Legend | ₹10,000+GST | LTF | 1% – 2% | Cashback |
| HDFC Diners Privilege | ₹2500+GST | ₹2500+GST | 1.3% | Reward Points |
| IDFC Wealth | None | LTF | 0.75% – 2.5% | Cashback |
| Indusind Pinnacle | ₹15,000+GST | LTF | 0.7% – 2.5% | Cashback |
| Indusind Iconia Amex | ₹5,000+GST | LTF | 1.5% – 2% | Cashback |
| Standard Chartered Ultimate | ₹5,000+GST | ₹5,000+GST | 3.3% | Reward Points |
BOB Eterna
- Ideal Usage: Online spends upto ₹40K.
- Reward Rate: 0.75% – 3.75%
A wonderful offering from BOB for all those who spends online in that range. Its reward rate is one of the highest ever. The only drawback is the so-called premium but poor customer support that comes with it.
HDFC Regalia
- Ideal Usage: HDFC Smartbuy & Priority Pass for the family.
- Base Reward Rate: 1.3%
- Full Review: HDFC Regalia
For HDFC Regalia keep your spends via HDFC Smartbuy for maximum benefits. The uniqueness of this card lies in the shared complimentary domestic as well as international lounge access across its add-on members via credit card and Priority Pass respectively.
Indusind Legend
- Ideal Usage: All general spends.
- Reward Rate: 1% – 2%
A great card from Indusind which offers a standard reward rate of 2% on all spends on weekends and is LTF after paying the joining fee.
HDFC Diners Club Privilege
- Ideal Usage: HDFC Smartbuy & shared lounge access for the family.
- Base Reward Rate: 1.3%
You can reap maximum benefits from Diners Privilege if you route your spends via HDFC Smartbuy. The uniqueness of this card lies in the shared complimentary domestic as well as international lounge access across its add-on members via credit card itself.
IDFC Wealth
- Ideal Usage: All spends including wallet loads.
- Reward Rate: 0.75% – 2.5%
- Full Review: IDFC First Credit Cards
Another LTF card from IDFC with added benefits of international and domestic airport lounge access, railway lounge access, and complimentary spa. Makes sense only for spends above ₹40K per month as then only you will be able to exceed the 2% reward rate of the likes of Axis Ace/Indusind Cards.
IDFC First is currently running an exciting welcome offer for credit card applications via referral. You will get 2000 Reward points worth ₹500 on spending min ₹ 500 within 30 days of card issuance. So what is stopping you from applying for an LTF credit card with so many benefits? APPLY NOW!
Indusind Pinnacle
- Ideal Usage: Online shopping.
- Reward Rate: 0.7%-2.5%
Another great card from Indusind and offers a standard reward rate of 2.5% on online shopping and is LTF after paying the joining fee.
Indusind Iconia Amex
- Ideal Usage: All general spends and wallet loads.
- Reward Rate: 1.5%-2%
Another wonderful card from Indusind and offers a decent reward rate on weekends and even on wallet loads. It is also an LTF with a one-time joining fee payment.
Standard Chartered Ultimate
- Ideal Usage: All spends
- Reward Rate: 3.3%
- Full Review: Standard Chartered Ultimate
A no non-sense credit card from Standard Chartered which offers a flat 3.3% reward rate on all spending and can be converted into shopping vouchers.
Travel Credit Cards
I am separating these exclusive travel credit cards as they offer their unique benefits and are recommended for you only if you travel a lot.
| Credit Card | Joining Fee | Annual Fee | Reward Rate | Reward Type |
| SBI IRCTC Premier | ₹1500+GST | ₹1500+GST | 0.8%-10% | Reward Points |
| Axis Vistara Infinite | ₹10,000+GST | ₹10,000+GST | ~10% | Vistara CV Points |
| Kotak Indigo 6E Rewards XL | ₹1500+GST | ₹1500+GST | 2% – 6% | 6E Rewards |
| SBI Vistara Prime | ₹2999+GST | ₹2999+GST | 1.1% | Vistara CV Points |
| Amex Platinum Travel | ₹3,500+GST | ₹5,000+GST | ~7% | Reward Points |
| SBI Air India Signature | ₹10,000+GST | ₹10,000+GST | ~5% | Air India FR Points |
SBI IRCTC Premier
- Ideal Usage: Booking flight and train tickets via IRCTC and railway lounge access.
- Reward Rate: Upto 10%
It is one of the best cards for people who frequently travel by Indian Railways and it offers a pretty good reward rate for booking train tickets via IRCTC plus added benefits of railway lounge. Consider this card if you do a roundtrip more than twice a month at least.
SBI is running an exciting welcome offer for credit card applications via referral. You will get an e-voucher worth ₹500 on spending min ₹500 within 30 days of card issuance. APPLY NOW!
Axis Vistara Infinite
- Full Review: Axis Vistara Infinite
- Ideal Usage: Flying Vistara J class.
- Reward Rate: Approx 10% value back.
Axis Vistara Infinite is only for people who travel business class and are living in a city with the Vistara network. It gives exceptional value when redeemed for flight tickets but if you are an economy person then the whole perspective changes for you and I would suggest you to look for SBI Vistara Prime then.
Currently, there is an amazing offer running on this card in which you get fee reversal for doing spends. Kindly ignore the date in the offer link as the data on the website is outdated and the same offer has been extended till the 15th of January,2022.
Kotak Indigo 6E Rewards XL
- Ideal Usage: Flying Indigo 6E.
- Reward Rate: 2% – 6%
A new offering from Kotak with a very poor reward rate. Only good at its current introductory price with the welcome voucher of double the joining fee so it makes no sense for next year’s renewal until they provide any good milestone benefits like Vistara.
SBI Vistara Prime
- Full Review: SBI Vistara Prime
- Ideal Usage: Flying Vistara Premium Economy
- Base Reward Rate: 1.1%
SBI Vistara Prime is a very good credit card for Vistara flyers which offers premium economy ticket vouchers and CV points for the spends done. Currently, this card comes only on the MasterCard platform and hence onboarding is closed. I am also eyeing this card once the ban lifts up.
SBI is running an exciting welcome offer for credit card applications via referral. You will get an e-voucher worth ₹500 on spending min ₹500 within 30 days of card issuance. APPLY NOW!
Amex Platinum Travel
- Ideal Usage: Accumulating travel vouchers.
- Reward Rate: ~7%
One of the best travel credit cards in India which gives you complimentary Taj Vouchers every year as you hit the milestone so that you can holiday in style once every year on this card.
SBI Air India Signature
- Ideal Usage: Flying Air India Domestic/International.
- Reward Rate: ~5%
This is a unique offering from SBI and the only one of the two cards available for Air India and offers a good value if the sector you fly offers Air India flights. After the takeover by TATA, I am expecting better redemption options and some good additions to this card to make it more lucrative to hold.
SBI is running an exciting welcome offer for credit card applications via referral. You will get an e-voucher worth ₹500 on spending min ₹500 within 30 days of card issuance. APPLY NOW!
Luxury Credit Cards
Luxury credit cards help you supplement your luxury lifestyle by giving you unlimited lounge access, partner memberships, unlimited golf sessions and a higher reward rate which when converted into travel benefits gives you exceptional value. Such cards only make sense for you if you value business class travel, and other hotel loyalty benefits and believe in the power of paid credit cards.
The ideal range for such cards is
- Income Range: 24 Lakhs+
- Spends Range: 10 Lakhs+
| Credit Card | Joining Fee | Annual Fee | Reward Rate | Reward Type |
| HDFC Infinia | ₹12,500+GST | ₹12,500+GST | 3.3% | Reward Points |
| HDFC Diners Black | ₹10,000+GST | ₹10,000+GST | 3.3% | Reward Points |
| AMEX Platinum Charge | ₹60,000+GST | ₹60,000+GST | 1.25%-2.5% | Reward Points |
HDFC Infinia Metal
- Ideal Usage: Online shopping via HDFC Smartbuy & Insta Vouchers.
- Base Reward Rate: 3.3%
- Full Review: HDFC Infinia
The dream credit card for every card enthusiast in India due to its lucrative 10X benefits. What to say about this card! This card has everything in it!
HDFC Diners Club Black
- Ideal Usage: Online shopping via HDFC Smartbuy & Insta Vouchers.
- Base Reward Rate: 3.3%
This twin brother of HDFC Infinia can be your best friend till the bank is not offering you Infinia. Some people find this card more rewarding for their spending with milestone vouchers and the Diners 10x program but be ready for lower acceptance than Visa/MasterCard.
Amex Platinum Charge
- Ideal Usage: Hotel Memberships, AMEX cashback, and targeted offers.
- Reward Rate: 1.25%-2.5%
This card is purely a lifestyle card backed with outstanding AMEX support. This card offers you hotel memberships, concierge services, and other luxury services. It has been a roller coaster year for all of those who are having this card due to mind-blowing AMEX cashback offers on this card as travel had come to a halt due to COVID.
Technofino Recommends
When it comes to credit cards there is a simple rule that what is the best card for me wouldn’t be the best card for you! So that’s why I have recommended some of the cards which I hold and I think could be of use to all of the readers here. You have to think about your spending patterns and for which redemption you will be able to get the maximum return from the same. Plus also keep in mind the welcome benefits, merchant offers, lounge access, and other linked benefits to your card to find your best match!
I also recommend you review your cards and update your portfolio after every 6 months after carefully comparing the new entrants in the market. For updates on new cards and offers subscribe to our mailing list to get timely updates.
What all cards are you holding or planning to get from the above? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Chief Editor, TechnoFino.
Personal finance nerd! Physics enthusiast and trainer. When not into Physics, he is minting points and hunting for the next best credit card for himself.
I have got 6 out of the list. Have applied for kaching. I think the best card for anyone is axis ace. It’s absolute no nonsense. My target for 2022 are MRCC, DCB.
Intelligent collection you have. I am targetting MRCC and Vistara Prime once ban is lifted off Amex and MC.
Nice article and card collection. Just one update, Diners Club Privilege doesn’t come with priority pass. Please edit if possible.
Thanks Sudhir. Thanks for pointing it out.
Thanks updated.
I am using one card lite from 2 months cibil generated 754 h and experian score 827 h kya me koi card apply ker sekta hu student
Wait for atleast 6 months to lessen the chances of application rejection.
I would recomend you to open an account with HDFC and wait for pre approved offer as without income documents of will be really hard to get a unsecured card.
I think you missed out an Axis Reserve under luxury cards. I believe Luxury airport transfer, meet and greet would be a real luxury when travel opens up .
We have intentionally left it till travel opens up.
IndusInd Iconia AMEX is discontinued.. can you please suggest any alternative that gives similar reward rate from IndusInd?
Iconia AMEX is not discontinued but under embargo due to RBI guidelines on AMEX. For similar reward rates, you can try Indusind Pinnacle or Legend.
Bob Eterna Annual Fee is 2499.But mentioned 1000.Please review and update if applicable
Thanks for pointing it out
Sir how many priority passes can i have for one regalia credit card? Do I need to apply for add on cards for that? And how to get kids priority pass as addon card is not available for less than 18? And which is best credit card which you can get LTF which has multiple family priority passes?
Thanks in advance
you can get PP for yourself & for your add on card holders.
PP not available for kids, but you can use guest access for them. guest access available on Axis Magnus.
how many add on cards can one apply with regalia, if i apply 3 add on cards for regalia will i receive 3 priority passes?
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