1. HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 1.18% · You keep ₹2,841* a year
The HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card is a lifetime free card that earns 2 reward points per ₹150, worth about ₹0.89 each when moved to Accor hotel points, with up to 6X points on travel booked through HSBC.
- 1.18% on other spends
- AU Small Finance BankKiwi RuPay Credit Card on UPIRuPay
2. Kiwi RuPay Credit Card on UPI
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 1.5% · You keep ₹2,520* a year
The Kiwi credit card is a RuPay credit card you use on UPI through the Kiwi app. It is issued by partner banks, and it gives 1.5% cashback on UPI Scan and Pay and 0.5% on online payments.
- 0.5% on online shopping
- 1.5% on other spends
3. DCB novio Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 2% · You keep ₹2,400* a year
The DCB novio Credit Card is a RuPay credit card issued by DCB Bank against a fixed deposit (FD), sold through the novio app. It has no joining or annual fee, and the credit limit is 90% of the linked deposit.
- 2% on novio UPI
- 1% on other spends
4. Fibe Axis Bank Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 3% · You keep ₹2,400* a year
The Fibe Axis Bank Credit Card is a lifetime free RuPay card, made with the lending app Fibe for its existing customers, that pays 3% cashback on online food delivery, entertainment and local commute. Other eligible spends, including larger UPI payments, earn 1%, with all cashback capped at ₹1,500 a statement.
- 1% on other spends
5. slice UPI Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 1% · You keep ₹2,400* a year
The slice UPI Credit Card is a lifetime free RuPay card from slice small finance bank that gives 1% back on most spends, by card or UPI, with no forex markup. It suits people who want a simple free card for everyday UPI payments.
- 1% on other spends
6. LIC Axis Bank Signature Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 1.9% · You keep ₹2,280* a year
The LIC Axis Bank Signature Credit Card is lifetime free, earns 2 reward points per ₹100 on LIC premiums and foreign spends and 1 point elsewhere, and gives 8 domestic lounge visits a year.
- 1.9% on LIC premium
- 0.95% on other spends
7. Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 5% · You keep ₹2,160* a year
The Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card is lifetime free and gives 5% back on Amazon.in for Prime members (3% without Prime) and 1% on other spends, credited as Amazon Pay balance. It suits people who shop on Amazon often.
- 3% on Amazon
- 2% on Amazon
- 1% on other spends
8. IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 2.4% · You keep ₹1,424* a year
The IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card is lifetime free, with reward points that rise from 1 to 6 per ₹100 as your yearly spend grows, a 1.5% forex markup, and 8 domestic and 2 international lounge visits a year.
- 0.4% on other spends
- 0.8% on spends above ₹1,00,000 a year
- 1.6% on spends above ₹2,50,000 a year
- 2.4% on spends above ₹5,00,000 a year
9. IndusInd Bank Platinum Aura Edge Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 1.6% · You keep ₹1,406* a year
The IndusInd Bank Platinum Aura Edge Credit Card lets you pick a reward plan. On the Home Plan it earns 4 points per ₹100 on groceries, worth ₹0.40 each as cash credit (1.6% back), and IndusInd Bank lists no annual fee.
- 1.6% on groceries
- 0.56% on bills and utilities
- 0.2% on other spends
10. IDFC FIRST WOW! Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 0.5% · You keep ₹1,110* a year
The IDFC FIRST WOW! Credit Card is a lifetime free card issued against a fixed deposit of at least ₹20,000. It needs no income proof or credit history, and it charges no forex markup.
- 0.13% on bills and utilities
- 0.5% on other spends
11. IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 1.25% · You keep ₹1,050* a year
The IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card is a lifetime free card with 10X Reward Points on dining, travel, international spends and spends on your birthday. The bank describes it as an option for first-time card users.
- 1.25% on dining and food delivery
- 1.25% on travel
- 0.13% on bills and utilities
- 0.38% on other spends
12. IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 1.25% · You keep ₹1,050* a year
The IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card is a lifetime free card with 10X Reward Points on dining, travel, international spends and spends on your birthday. It charges no forex markup.
- 1.25% on dining and food delivery
- 1.25% on travel
- 0.13% on bills and utilities
- 0.38% on other spends
13. IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 1.25% · You keep ₹1,050* a year
The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is a lifetime free card with 10X Reward Points on dining, travel, international spends and spends on your birthday. It also gives domestic airport and railway lounge visits, based on spends, and zero forex markup.
- 1.25% on dining and food delivery
- 1.25% on travel
- 0.13% on bills and utilities
- 0.38% on other spends
14. IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 1.25% · You keep ₹1,050* a year
The IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card is a lifetime free premium card. It gives 10 reward points per ₹200 on dining, travel and international spends, 3 on other spends, and lounge visits each quarter.
- 1.25% on dining and food delivery
- 1.25% on travel
- 0.13% on bills and utilities
- 0.38% on other spends
15. EazyDiner IndusInd Platinum Credit Card
Annual fee Free · Rewards up to 0.4% · You keep ₹898* a year
The EazyDiner IndusInd Platinum Credit Card has no joining or annual fee. It gives 2 reward points per ₹100 on most spends and extra discounts when you pay through the EazyDiner app.
- 0.14% on bills and utilities
- 0.4% on other spends
Compare these cards
| Card | Joining fee | Annual fee | Rewards up to | You keep a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card | Free | Free | 1.18% | ₹2,841* |
| Kiwi RuPay Credit Card on UPI | Free | Free | 1.5% | ₹2,520* |
| DCB novio Credit Card | Free | Free | 2% | ₹2,400* |
| Fibe Axis Bank Credit Card | Free | Free | 3% | ₹2,400* |
| slice UPI Credit Card | Free | Free | 1% | ₹2,400* |
| LIC Axis Bank Signature Credit Card | Free | Free | 1.9% | ₹2,280* |
| Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card | Free | Free | 5% | ₹2,160* |
| IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card | Free | Free | 2.4% | ₹1,424* |
| IndusInd Bank Platinum Aura Edge Credit Card | Free | Free | 1.6% | ₹1,406* |
| IDFC FIRST WOW! Credit Card | Free | Free | 0.5% | ₹1,110* |
| IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card | Free | Free | 1.25% | ₹1,050* |
| IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card | Free | Free | 1.25% | ₹1,050* |
| IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card | Free | Free | 1.25% | ₹1,050* |
| IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card | Free | Free | 1.25% | ₹1,050* |
| EazyDiner IndusInd Platinum Credit Card | Free | Free | 0.4% | ₹898* |
How to choose a lifetime free credit card
- That the card is free by its standard terms, not only under a limited offer.
- Reward rates, since a free card can pay less than a paid one.
- Other charges, such as the foreign currency markup.
- Any deposit or partner app the card needs.
How we ranked these cards
We work out what each card pays on ₹20,000 a month of everyday spending, then take off the renewal fee with GST. We count rewards only up to each limit. Rates paid only at named brands are not counted, so a brand card can earn more if you shop there. Welcome gifts and lounge visits are left out. What a bank pays us plays no part. Your own result will differ, so try the credit card finder with your spending.
The bank alone decides approval and your credit limit.
Frequently asked questions
What is a free credit card?
Usually a lifetime free card: one with no joining or annual fee under its standard terms. Some cards are free only in the first year or above a yearly spend, so check the fee terms on the card page.
Is a lifetime free card really free?
There is no joining or annual fee under its terms. Late payment charges, interest and other fees still apply.
Can a bank start charging a fee later?
Banks can change card terms, so check the bank's latest terms and any notice it sends you.
Is a free card better than a paid card?
Not always. A paid card can earn more if your spending covers the fee or gets it waived.
*Estimate only, not a promise. We work it out from the bank's published terms and the spending you enter. What you actually get depends on the bank, your transactions and any change in its terms. Fees are before GST.
Some Apply buttons are partner links. What a bank pays us never changes the order or any figure. How we make money