Best Credit Cards 2025 and Worst Credit Cards of 2024 – Public Opinion

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Hello TechnoFino Community,
As we step into 2025, it’s time to reflect on the credit cards launched in 2024 and look ahead to the best options for 2025. Many credit cards were introduced in 2024—some stood out as excellent choices, while others fell short of expectations.

We want to hear from you:

• Which credit card do you think will be the best in 2025?
• Which credit card launched in 2024 deserves the title of the worst?

Your opinions matter, and we’re relying on your feedback to identify the top contenders for the "Best Credit Cards of 2025" thread we’re preparing. The most popular and insightful suggestions will be featured in our upcoming post.
Let’s make this a comprehensive guide for everyone in the community! Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Note: Please stick to the topic, no off topic discussion in this thread.

 

[Shubham330]

Best to have in 2025
1. Amex Plat Travel, MR , Gold/Plat Charge
2. Axis Atlas, M4B, Airtel
3. HDFC infinia, DCB, Swiggy
4. SBI Cashback, BPCL Octane

Worst launched in 2024
ICICI Times

Its my opinion

 

[battleground]

A really good card launched in 2024 that can yield stable returns in 2025 is "HSBC Live+". It helps that HSBC is selective in its customer profile and does not really offer this LTF unlike most of HDFC cards (Fingers crossed).

A really disappointing launch this year was the ICICI Times "super premium" card.

 

[cardio_guy]

Best:
HDFC Swiggy (after revaluation of cashback as statement credit instead of Swiggy money)

Worst:
ICICI Times Black
HSBC Taj

 

[mj01]

Worst of 2024:

1. IDFC Ashva/ Mayura - Garbage cards for the joining and annual fees, with the only USP being metal. (Edit - Would have also added other IDFC cards like Classic, Select, Wealth post the devaluation, but since they are LTF, one can continue to hold them)
2. Several ICICI CCs with their mediocre point values and devaluations.
3. HSBC Taj - very lame benefits for the fees (1.3L) they expect.

 

[mj01]

Current best cards for 2025:

1. HDFC Infinia/ DCB Metal
2. Amex Platinum Travel/ Gold/ MRCC
3. Axis M4B/ Atlas
4. HSBC Live+/ HDFC Swiggy/ HDFC MB

I would have added Yes Marquee to the list, but very apprehensive about this card's future given the recent devaluation for lounge access.

 

[doctoramar]

Infinia
biz black
atlas
Perfect trio.

 

[anujdit]

Best realistic card: Infinia (overall), M4B (For high spenders) and SBI cashback for selected MCC
Utility: Axis Airtel, Tata Infinity, Infinia via Amazon GV
Marquee: For Special categories (insurance, govt taxes and education)

Amex plat travel is good, if you want to book for hotel nights. If i don't want to restrict redemption to hotel then no one close to Infinia

 

[Shobhit Srivastava]

If its about 2024 launches then HDFC BizBlack, Swiggy Revaluation, Yes Bank Kiwi, Indusind Tiger, RBL Indian Oil Xtra are some to be considered rest all launches are on other side by a fair margin

 

[unwind]

Best overall Card for me in 2024 is Axis M4B. If one gets AEPs in 2/3 months in a year nothing beats it still. 4.8% on regular spends Vs 3.33% on Infinia. And Axis ERs have more value for me than HDFC as it has more transfer partners and better transfer ratio than HDFC's

Close 2nd : Infinia. It's a time tested great overall card. I use it extensively but only till the accelerated rewards limit. Transfer ratios have become less competitive but most of my points go to SQ so it's fine. After devaluation of Vistara points (post merger with AI) I have started using points to pay upto 70% on smartbuy site too.

For excluded categories: IDFC Vistara and Amex Travel Platinum. With AI points devaluation and increase in ticket prices, Vistara/AI vouchers have become more valuable. Plus helps me hit 4 Lakhs on Amex Travel Platinum. Amex Travel Platinum I would still rate the best card for upto 4 lakhs spend. Assuming all those spends are not in one month. In that case M4B

Then there is Atlas. For direct hotel/flight spends. Most of my flight/hotel bookings are through HDFC Smartbuy or Axis Travel edge. Even if they are slightly more expensive. However I still do direct bookings at times for various reasons. Then Atlas comes into play. But won't renew if I can't maintain atleast Gold status

One card I don't have but would assume if I had it, it would have been close to the top is HDFC Biz Black. May be the best launch of 2024

Worst has to be ICICI Times Black

 

[amitagl27]

Best overall in 2024 for me was HDFC Diners Black.
I used it extensively on Smart Buy (Pharm Easy 10X one of the most used). I earned around 1.15 Lakh Points until now by spending close to 15 Lakhs. Used those points against flight/hotels and quite satisfied with the redemption process and ease of use.

2nd is Kiwi (Axis) for all UPI spends. I was able to maximize coins during the offer periods. Feels good to get straight no-nonsense cashback in the account on UPI spends.

Best launch was Yes Marquee (Launch only 🙂 ), Used all the joining benefits and able to max out on rewards by redeeming Zomato/Swiggy vouchers. However, this card was shelved after devaluations, and I no longer use it.

IDFC First Mayura will be the worst card launch which I got due to Metal and joining benefits but never used it until now except those first 4 transactions.

 

[Fini7777]

IMO
Best CCs for 2025 :
1. AMEX plat travel, MRCC
2. SBI CSB - moderate to high online spenders
3. Axis Airtel, Horizon/Atlas
4. HSBC live+
5. HDFC BizBlack, TNI - best for business spending, UPI
Worst CCs of 2024:
1. Entire ICICI card portfolio except Apay cc
2. IDFC Ashwa , Mayura cc

 

[CardTox]

For me best in my collection is SBI CB, ICICI apay, HDFC millennia. Worst is Yes Reserv.

 

[cardio_guy]

My planned card portfolio for 2025 based on eligibility and spend patterns.
This can be a card portfolio for mid-level (not the super-premium/luxury) segment.

Cashback (Grocery, Utilities etc):

• HDFC Swiggy
• ICICI Amazon Pay
• HSBC Live+

Lifestyle benefits (lounge, movie offers etc):

• HDFC Tata Neu Infinity
• ICICI Sapphiro
• Indusind Tiger
• Federal Celesta

Rupay for UPI:

• HDFC Tata Neu Infinity

Reward Points:

• HDFC Regalia Gold

 

[bug_88]

I don't think amex can be considered for next year in best card due to processing fees of 0.75% - gst for Amazon voucher post Feb 2025

 

[theXfactor]

Hello TechnoFino Community,
As we step into 2025, it’s time to reflect on the credit cards launched in 2024 and look ahead to the best options for 2025. Many credit cards were introduced in 2024—some stood out as excellent choices, while others fell short of expectations.

We want to hear from you:

• Which credit card do you think will be the best in 2025?
• Which credit card launched in 2024 deserves the title of the worst?

Your opinions matter, and we’re relying on your feedback to identify the top contenders for the "Best Credit Cards of 2025" thread we’re preparing. The most popular and insightful suggestions will be featured in our upcoming post.
Let’s make this a comprehensive guide for everyone in the community! Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Note: Please stick to the topic, no off topic discussion in this thread.

Best Overall Prem/Super Prem. (regardless of specific spend categories)

Infinia - Best overall. A card that gives you decent regular and accelerated rewards (3.33-33.3%), unlimited lounges, Forex with GVP (better then 0 forex markup, +1.97% value back up to 1L foreign spends, +1.47% at 2L and so on), 15% off on Swiggy Dineout (better than Indus EasyDiner), 500 Rs off on BMS under Visa Infinite offer and so on. Even the fee is compensated with points which makes it even better. A card that offers value across the spectrum.

BizBlack - One of its kind for business & tax payments. It is a sort of DCB with all its features + value on business/taxes which makes it even better than DCB in a way.

Worst Overall:

There a many from all the banks. Except for their top cards, others are not worth holding.
Under Premium/Super Premium category, 2 come to my mind.

1. ICICI Times Black - Useless rewards & joining perks, gimmicks, high fee, no accelerated points. No practical benefits.
2. Axis Magnus - I believe, it's a card which got devalued the most resulted into most cancellations

 

[srinadhjyothi]

My opinion on best credit to have in 2025 are below:

1. HDFC DCB, TataNeu Infinity
2. Amex MRCC
2. Axis Airtel and BOB Eterna (online payments)
3. SC Ultimate for all payments excluded by aforesaid credit cards

Worst launched in 2024:
HSBC Taj and ICICI Times

 

[palen]

I hope none of the cards get devalued in 2025.