Top 15 cards for 2026

[drsel]

Top 15 cards for 2026
HSBC Premier for 18/36% Accor points (5x--max 120k/mth, 11x--max 54.6k/mth
HSBC Travel One for 16/24% Accor points.
ICICI Emerald Private for 18/36% on iShop (5x--max 120k/mth, 11x--max 54.6k/mth)
HDFC Infinia for 16.65/33.30% on Smartbuy (4x-- max 112.5k/mth / 9x--max 49.95k/mth)
Axis Magnus Burgundy for 24% Accor points on Traveledge, upto 14% Accor points over 1.5 lacs/mth
Axis Airtel for 25% on Airtel, 10% on utilities, Jio, Idea, Swiggy, Zomato
HDFC Biz Black for 16.5% on taxes (50k--56.25k pm), Smartbuy 3x, 5x, 10x (over 50k)
Axis Atlas for 10+1.33% Accor points for online/offline direct hotels & direct flights; 4+1.33% Accor points for other online/offline.
HSBC Live+ for 10% on dining, groceries, food delivery (max.1000 on 10k/mth)
AU Lit with activation for 8.97% on groceries or 9.36% on apparel, on 10k spend per month
Axis Olympus for 8% Accor points on foreign spends (less 2.124% forex markup)
SBI cashback for 5% on online (max. 5k on 1 lac)
Jupiter Edge Plus for 10% cashback on Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra (max.500 on 5k x 3 apps, max. 1500 on 15k/mth)
Yes Kiwi for 5% (1.5 L pa), 4% (1 L pa), 3% (50k pa), 2% (<50k pa) on UPI scan QR code
Amex Platinum travel 6% on 4 lacs for MCC exclusions (categories excluded by the above cards)

Note-- I have not put any specific price/value for Accor points, it is up to you to decide the value

 

[Odyssey]

Great for bank's too💀

 

[sunit123]

FORGET about the 2025 list or 2026 list.

FOCUS on only those cards which meet your spend-requirements.

REMEMBER even the so-called BEST cards are useless cards in the hands of mis-fit users.

ALSO remember that some paid cards give more benefits/rewards than free cards.

AND, holding on to unwanted, less-use or rarely used cards would affect your credit scores. So, have only a handful of cards to COVER all your needs - not more or not status-symbol cards.

Sir, if you don't mind sharing your cards list...It will be helpful

 

[abyclassic]

FORGET about the 2025 list or 2026 list.

FOCUS on only those cards which meet your spend-requirements.

REMEMBER even the so-called BEST cards are useless cards in the hands of mis-fit users.

ALSO remember that some paid cards give more benefits/rewards than free cards.

AND, holding on to unwanted, less-use or rarely used cards would affect your credit scores. So, have only a handful of cards to COVER all your needs - not more or not status-symbol cards.

I doubt if the no.of cards affect our credit score negatively. Ideally, credit score depends on the credit utilization, not on the no.of credit cards. Having more credit limit with more cards should help to get better credit score in long run. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[NikTravelEnthusiast]

My Assuptions for 2026.

Predicting good year for HSBC cards.
Axis will continue its unpredictable behaviour.
HDFC might inforce stricter regulations. Infinia-mild to moderate devaluations.(hoping there should not be any).
ICICI might try to jump up its game in transfer partners.

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

Any suggestion on best LTF cards

Not really. I think the ones that are offered currently LTF are Eterna, Yes Ace kreditpe, and Axis neo/myzone/ace kind of basic cards.