Best Credit Cards 2024 | Category-wise Credit Card Recommendation By TechnoFino

Hello TFCians,
Firstly, a very Happy New Year 2024! I extend my heartfelt wishes for success and happiness to you and your family throughout the year.

***[Updated Thread Link: https://www.technofino.in/community...edit-card-recommendation-by-technofino.34042/]

As is our tradition, we are here to recommend credit cards categorized to meet your various needs. From the best credit card for online shopping, rent payment, insurance premium payment, and utility bill payment to the ideal cards for wallet loading, government payment/tax payment, international transactions, fuel expenses, offline transactions, and airport & railway lounge access – we have curated a comprehensive list for you.

In each category, I will be suggesting a range of credit cards, spanning from lifetime free options to luxurious ones, covering cashback, air miles, and reward points. Please peruse the complete list below and select the credit card that best suits your preferences.

[A humble request: If you wish to apply for any credit card from the list, kindly use the link provided at the bottom of this post, as it will contribute to supporting our community.]

[Best Credit Cards 2024 Category-wise (YouTube Video): Watch The Video On YouTube]

Best Credit Cards For Online Shopping:

Card Type	Card Name	Card's Reward Type	Reward	Capping
Lifetime Free	Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card	Cashback	5% Cashback on Amazon For Prime Members, 3% For Non Prime Members, 1% on other website	No capping
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	SBI Cashback Credit Card	Cashback	5% Cashback	Maximum cashback: Rs. 5000 per statement.
	HDFC Millennia Credit Card	Cashback	5% Cashback on Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra	Maximum cashback: Rs. 1000 per statement.
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	Axis Atlas Credit Card	Airmiles	4% Airmiles	No capping
	Yes Marquee Credit Card	Reward Points	4.50% Reward Points	No capping
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	HDFC Infinia Metal Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	Upto 16.66% via smartbuy, 3.33% directly	Maximum 15000 reward points can be earned via smarbuy portal & Maximum 200000 reward points can be earned directly per statement.
	HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	Upto 16.66% via smartbuy, 3.33% directly	Maximum 10000 reward points can be earned via smarbuy portal & Maximum 75000 reward points can be earned directly per statement.
	ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card	Reward Points	3% Reward Points	No capping
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	N/A

Best Credit Cards For Utility Bill Payments:

Card Type	Card Name	Card's Reward Type	Reward	Capping
Lifetime Free	Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card	Cashback	2% Cashback via Amazon Pay, 1% Cashback directly	No capping
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	Axis ACE Credit Card	Cashback	5% Cashback via Google Pay	Maximum cashback: Rs. 500 per statement.
	Axis Airtel Credit Card	Cashback	10% Cashback via Airtel Thanks app	Maximum cashback: Rs. 250 per statement.
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	HDFC Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card	Cashback	5% Cashback as Neu Coin Via Tata Neu App	No capping
	SBI Vistara Prime Credit Card	Airmiles	2% CV Points	No capping
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	HDFC Infinia Metal Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	3.33% Reward Points	Maximum 200000 reward points can be earned per statement.
	HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	3.33% Reward Points	Maximum 75000 reward points can be earned per statement.
	HDFC Biz Black Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	Upto 16.67% Reward Points	Minimum spends required Rs. 50,000 to earn 5X; Maximum 7500 5X Reward Points Per Month.
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	N/A

Best Credit Cards For UPI Payments (RuPay UPI System):

Card Type	Card Name	Card's Reward Type	Reward	Minimum Transaction Value Required For Earning Rewards	Capping
Lifetime Free	Yes Bank RuPay UPI Credit Card (Virtual)	Reward Point	1%	Rs. 2001 per transaction	Maximum 5000 Reward Points per statement.
	Kiwi Axis Bank RuPay UPI Credit Card	Cashback	1%	No Capping	No Capping
	IndusInd Rupay Platinum Credit Card	Reward Points	0.7% (Cashback)/ 2% (Vistara CV Points)	Rs 100 per transaction	No Capping
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	Kotak Myntra RuPay Credit Card	Cashback	1.25%	Rs. 2001 per transaction	No Capping
	HDFC Tata Neu Plus Credit Card	Cashback	1% Neu Coin	No Capping	Maximum 500 Neu Coins per statement.
	BOB Snapdeal Credit Card	Reward Point	1%	No Capping	Maximum 500 Reward Points per statement.
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	HDFC Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card	Cashback	1.50% Neu Coin	No Capping	Maximum 500 Neu Coins per statement.
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	N/A
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	N/A

Best Credit Cards For Insurance Premium Payments:

Card Type	Card Name	Card's Reward Type	Reward	Capping
Lifetime Free	Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card	Cashback	2% Cashback via Amazon Pay, 1% if paid directly	No capping
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	SC Smart Credit Card	Cashback	2% Cashback	Maximum cashback: Rs. 1000 per statement.
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	SC Ultimate Credit Card	Reward Points	2% Reward Points	No capping
	SBI Vistara Prime Credit Card	Airmiles	2% CV Points	No capping
	HDFC Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card	Cashback	5% Neu Coin Via Tata Neu App	Maximum 2000 neu coin per day.
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	HDFC Infinia Metal Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	3.33% Reward Points	Maximum 5000 reward points can be earned per day & maximum 2,00,000 reward points can be earned per statement.
	HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	3.33% Reward Points	Maximum 5000 reward points can be earned per day & maximum 75,000 reward points can be earned per statement.
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	N/A

Best Credit Cards For Rent Payments:

Card Type	Card Name	Card's Reward Type	Reward	Fees	Effective Reward	Capping
Lifetime Free	N/A
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	SC Smart Credit Card	Cashback	2%	1% + 18% GST	0.82%	Maximum cashback: Rs. 1000 per statement.
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	SC Ultimate Credit Card	Reward Points	2%	1% + 18% GST	0.82%	No capping
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	Yes Private Credit Card	Reward Points	2.50%	1% + 18% GST	1.32%	No capping
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	N/A

Best Credit Cards For Wallet Loading:

Card Type	Card Name	Card's Reward Type	Reward	Capping
Lifetime Free	Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card	Cashback	1% Cashback	No capping
	IDFC First Wealth Credit Card	Reward Points	1.5% to 2.5%	No capping
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	SC Smart Credit Card	Cashback	2% Cashback	Maximum Cashback: Rs. 1000 per statement.
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	SC Ultimate Credit Card	Reward Points	3.33%	No capping
	Amex MRCC	Reward Points/Airmiles	Upto 10% milestone bonus just by spending Rs. 1500 per transaction, 4 times a month.	No capping
	Amex Gold Charge	Reward Points/Airmiles	Upto 10% milestone bonus just by spending Rs. 1000 per transaction, 6 times a month.	No capping
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	N/A
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	N/A

Best Credit Cards For Offline Transactions:

Card Type	Card Name	Card's Reward Type	Reward	Capping
Lifetime Free	Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card	Cashback	1%	No capping
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	Axis ACE Credit Card	Cashback	2%	No capping
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	Axis Atlas Credit Card	Airmiles	4% Airmiles	No capping
	SC Ultimate Credit Card	Reward Points	3.33%	No capping
	Yes Marquee Credit Card	Reward Points	2.25%	No capping
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	HDFC Infinia Metal Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	3.33%	Maximum 2,00,000 reward points can be earned per statement.
	HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	3.33%	Maximum 75,000 reward points can be earned per statement.
	ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card	Reward Points	3%	No capping
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	Axis Reserve Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	3% Airmiles	No capping

Best Credit Cards For Government Payments/Tax Payments:

Card Type	Card Name	Card's Reward Type	Reward	Capping
Lifetime Free	ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card	Cashback	1%	No capping
	IDFC First Wealth Credit Card	Reward Points	0.5%	No capping
	IDFC First Select Credit Card	Reward Points	0.5%	No capping
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	SC Smart Credit Card	Cashback	2%	Maximum Cashback: Rs. 1000 per statement.
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	SC Ultimate Credit Card	Reward Points	2%	No capping
	YES Marquee Credit Card	Reward Points	1.25%	No capping
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	Yes Private Credit Card	Reward Points	2.5%	No capping
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	N/A

Best Credit Cards For Other Online Payments:

Card Type	Card Name	Card's Reward Type	Reward	Capping
Lifetime Free	Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card	Cashback	1%	No capping
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	SC Smart Credit Card	Cashback	2%	Maximum Cashback: Rs. 1000 per statement.
	SBI Cashback Credit Card	Cashback	5%	Maximum Cashback: Rs. 5000 per statement.
	Axis ACE Credit Card	Cashback	2%	No capping
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	Axis Atlas Credit Card	Airmiles	4% Airmiles	No capping
	SC Ultimate Credit Card	Reward Points	3.33%	No capping
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	HDFC Infinia Metal Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	3.33%	Maximum 2,00,000 reward points can be earned per statement.
	HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	3.33%	Maximum 75,000 reward points can be earned per statement.
	HDFC Biz Black Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	3.33%	No Capping
	ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card	Reward Points	3%	No capping
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	N/A

Best Credit Cards For Fuel Purchases:

Card Type	Card Name	Card's Reward Type	Reward	Surcharge Waiver
Lifetime Free	N/A
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	IDFC First Bank HPCL Power+ Credit Card	Reward Points	Earn 5% Reward Point on expenses of up to ₹12,000 every month, plus earn 1.5% value back as HP Happy Coins if used via HP Pay app, upto Rs. 10000 per month.	Not Available
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	SBI BPCL OCTANE Credit Card	Reward Points	Earn 6.25% on expenses upto Rs. 10,000 per statement.	1% surcharges waiver on expenses of up to Rs 10,000 per statement.
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	N/A
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	N/A

Best Credit Cards For International Transactions:

Card Type	Card Name	Card's Reward Type	Reward	Markup Fees	Additional Benefits	Effective Reward Rate	Capping
Lifetime Free	IDFC First WOW Credit Card	Reward Points	0.67%	Nil	Nil	0.67%	No capping
	Scapia Credit Card	Reward Points	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Not Applicable
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	N/A
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	RBL World Safari Credit Card	Reward Points	Nil	Nil	Spend 7.5L in a year & get reward of worth Rs. 20,500	Directly: Nil Milestone: 2.73% (If you spend 7.5L in a year)	Not Applicable
	BOB Eterna Credit Card	Reward Points/Cashback	3.75% (Online)	2% + GST	Nil	1.39%	Maximum expenses upto Rs 33,350
	Yes Marquee Credit Card	Reward Points	4.5% (online) & 2.25% (offline)	1% + GST	Nil	3.32% (online) & 1.07% (offline)	No capping
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	Yes Private Credit Card	Reward Points	5%	0.50% + GST	Nil	4.41%	No capping
	HDFC Infinia Metal Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	3.33%	2% + GST	Global Value Back Program: Additional 1% cashback on expenses upto Rs. 1,00,000 per statement	1.97%	1.97% Reward Rate applicable on maximum expenses of Rs. 1L per statement.
	HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	3.33%	2% + GST	Global Value Back Program: Additional 1% cashback on expenses upto Rs. 1,00,000 per statement	1.97%	1.97% Reward Rate applicable on maximum expenses of Rs. 1L per statement.
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	Axis Reserve Credit Card	Reward Points/Airmiles	6% Airmiles	1.50% + GST	Nil	4.23% Airmiles*	No capping

Best Credit Cards For Domestic Airport Lounge Access:

Card Type	Card Name	Domestic Lounge Limit	Spend Requirements	Available For Add-on Card Holders (Y/N)	Guest Access
Lifetime Free	Scepia Credit Card	Unlimited	Rs. 5000 in a month	No	Not Available
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	N/A
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	BOB Eterna Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	Yes, Unlimited	Not Available
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	Yes Private Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	Yes, Unlimited	12 Free guest access
	HDFC Infinia Metal Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	Yes, Unlimited	Not Available
	HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	Yes, Unlimited	Not Available
	ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	Yes, Unlimited	Not Available
	Axis Magnus Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	Yes, Unlimited	Not Available
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	Axis Reserve Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	Yes, Unlimited	12 Free guest access

Best Credit Cards For International Airport Lounge Access:

Card Type	Card Name	Domestic Lounge Limit	Spend Requirements	Available For Add-on Card Holders (Y/N)	Guest Access
Lifetime Free	N/A
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	N/A
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	Yes Marquee Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	Yes, Unlimited	Not Available
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	Yes Private Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	Yes, Unlimited	12 Free guest access
	HDFC Infinia Metal Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	Yes, Unlimited	Not Available
	HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	Yes, Unlimited	Not Available
	ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	Yes, Unlimited	Not Available
	Axis Magnus Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	No	8 Free guest access
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	Axis Reserve Credit Card	Unlimited	Nil	Yes, Unlimited	12 Free guest access

Best Credit Cards For Railway Lounge Access:

Card Type	Card Name	Domestic Lounge Limit	Spend Requirements
Lifetime Free	IDFC First Millennia Credit Card	4 per quarter	Nil
	IDFC First Classic Credit Card	4 per quarter	Nil
	IDFC First Select Credit Card	4 per quarter	Nil
	IDFC First Wealth Credit Card	4 per quarter	Nil
	ICICI MMT Credit Card	1 per quarter	Nil
	ICICI MMT Black Credit Card	1 per quarter	Nil
Entry Level (Fees upto Rs. 1,000)	N/A
Mid Range (Fees: Rs. 1001 to Rs. 5000)	N/A
Super Premium (Fees: Rs. 5001 to 12500)	N/A
Luxury (Fees more than Rs. 12500)	N/A

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So, those are some of the best credit cards available in the Indian market right now. Select the best card for you and earn amazing rewards from your spending. And don't forget to apply for a credit card using our affiliate link, so that you contribute to running this community website.
Happy reward earning!
Cheers 🥂

 

[DaDarkkNight]

Hi,
I am looking for a card which can beat the 1.82% payment gateway charge for educational, transport and utility (society maintenance charges). Any advice, please!! Please note each of these merchants has disabled UPI Credit card transactions.

For society maintenance charges , current I am using mygate app and it accepts amex cards as the payment gateway used is of Paytm now. Also, platinum travel card is best for rent, maintenance,prepaid electricity meter charges etc as it can easily cover the milestones of PT card. For more details and referral, please DM me

 

[qwert]

Very informative thread, waiting for update after recent devaluation

 

[Sudip]

HDFC swiggy is revalued.

Instead of getting cashback as swiggy money, cashback will be credited directly as statement credit. Wish they do statement credit in HDFC millennia too.

 

[DaDarkkNight]

HDFC swiggy is revalued.

Ofc this was supposed to happen, this was a hit and now a blockbuster

 

[kshitij_0]

HDFC swiggy is revalued.

Instead of getting cashback as swiggy money, cashback will be credited directly as statement credit. Wish they do statement credit in HDFC millennia too.

Ofc this was supposed to happen, this was a hit and now a blockbuster

Kitna percent hai return and limit?

 

[jetesh]

Any referral link for AMEX Corporate Card ?

 

[Ravana_88]

Basis this , best card for advance tax is SC Smart Credit Card which gives 2% ? Please confirm .

 

[sm9811911]

Basis this , best card for advance tax is SC Smart Credit Card which gives 2% ? Please confirm .

There are many others. Biz black gets you the most points directly. Sbi cb gets 5%.. If you have any cards with milestone bonus, that may also give you good returns.
All depends on which card you have.

 

[Krishna Kumar]

There are many others. Biz black gets you the most points directly. Sbi cb gets 5%.. If you have any cards with milestone bonus, that may also give you good returns.
All depends on which card you have.

sbi cb... are u sure?

 

[sm9811911]

sbi cb... are u sure?

I am. But you should still do a small trx first To ensure things haven't changed

 

[Ravana_88]

There are many others. Biz black gets you the most points directly. Sbi cb gets 5%.. If you have any cards with milestone bonus, that may also give you good returns.
All depends on which card you have.

I have Infinia , Magnus for Burgundy , ICICI Amazon Pay , Citi Rewards , IDFC First , Amex Travel Platinum , Tata Neu Infinity , Vistara Infinite & Airtel Axis Card . Please suggest which one should I use . open to take a new card also if it gives better returns on advance tax

 

[sm9811911]

I have Infinia , Magnus for Burgundy , ICICI Amazon Pay , Citi Rewards , IDFC First , Amex Travel Platinum , Tata Neu Infinity , Vistara Infinite & Airtel Axis Card . Please suggest which one should I use . open to take a new card also if it gives better returns on advance tax

Biz black as floater to infinia

 

[Ravana_88]

Biz black as floater to infinia

Seems counter-intuitive since I upgraded from LTF Diners to Infinia and I dont want to take another premium card with 10k fees . Would appreciate if you could suggest the next best alternative .

 

[Ravana_88]

Biz black as floater to infinia

oh wait . You wrote floater . Is floater free of charge ?

 

[sm9811911]

Seems counter-intuitive since I upgraded from LTF Diners to Infinia and I dont want to take another premium card with 10k fees . Would appreciate if you could suggest the next best alternative .

From your list, use icici Amazon for no stress 1% cb.
i would have said Amex but have heard some say they did not get rewards on tax. Research if you want.

 

[sm9811911]

oh wait . You wrote floater . Is floater free of charge ?

Nope. . .

 

[Ravana_88]

From your list, use icici Amazon for no stress 1% cb.
i would have said Amex but have heard some say they did not get rewards on tax. Research if you want.

Yeah . Thats the last resort . Will research Amex or else will take SC smart card . Thank you for the prompt responses brother

 

[Ravana_88]

From your list, use icici Amazon for no stress 1% cb.
i would have said Amex but have heard some say they did not get rewards on tax. Research if you want.

PG on income tax portal is not allowing Amex . Tried with PGs of 3 banks . for everyone's info

 

[iamdhamo]

Nice to see the thread has got updated after devaluations of certain cards

 

[harsha1]

AmazonPay Icici Credit card also not giving cashback on LIC INSURANCE PAYMENTS ?