Top 5 Credit Cards in India 2018
Once considered a huge liability, credits cards have gained back their popularity among masses thanks to cashback offers, reward points and other benefits. Today, every bank and financial institute offers an array of credit cards based on the individual’s eligibility and usage.
In fact, the benefits offered by some credits cards are so numerous and varied that using a credit card for most of your expenses has become an important rule of personal finance.
Here are the top 3 reasons why you need to get a credit card now?
- Credit cards are extremely useful in emergencies or when you have zero/ low account balance. Every time you use a credit card to make a payment, you are actually borrowing money from that financial institute. You can pay the total borrowed amount at the end of the billing cycle, which is generally month long.
- You can use credit cards to make online payments as well.
- Using credit cards entitles you to various benefits like exclusive discounts, no cost EMI, cashback, reward points, memberships, lounge access and much more.
With so many credit cards offered by various banks and financial institutes, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the range of options available. Based on their features, benefits and eligibility; here are the top 5 credit cards in India you can buy currently:
Indian Oil Citi Platinum Credit Card:
What with fuel prices hitting an all time high in 4.5 years, the Indian Oil Citi Platinum Credit Card is a must-have for anyone who spends a lot on fuel on a daily basis. The major benefits of this credit card are:
- On spending Rs 30,000 per year, the annual fee of the card is waived off
- Earn 4 Turbo Points on spending Rs 150 on fuel at Indian Oil outlets and some of its select partner stores
- Earn 2 Turbo Points on spending Rs 150 at supermarkets and grocery stores
- Earn 1 Turbo Points on purchase of anything worth Rs 150
- Get fuel surcharge waiver at Indian Oil outlets
- 1 Turbo Point is equal to Rs 1. Redeem Turbo Points for free fuel at Indian Oil outlets. You can also redeem
- Turbo Points at select merchant outlets and online partners, or redeem them for gift vouchers at major brands
- Upto 15% savings at participating restaurants
- Easy EMI options for more than 2000 consumer electronics and mobile phone outlets and retail chains
- Exclusive personal concierge services and offers on shopping and travel
HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card
The HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card offers the best travel and lifestyle benefits which makes it s great fit for those who enjoy fine dining and travelling. Here are the major benefits of this credit card listed:
- Unlimited access to 700+ airport lounges across the world
- Earn 5 Reward Points for every Rs 150 spend using the card
- Reward points can be redeemed at 150+ domestic and international hotels and airlines
- Reward points can be redeemed for AirMiles across British Airways Executive Club (Avios), Jet Airways (JPMiles), Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer Miles), Trident Hotels or Club Vistara
- Reward Point can also be redeemed on exclusive reward redemption catalogue for HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Cards.
- Get 6 complimentary golf games every quarter at over 20 golf courses in India and 40 golf courses across the world
- Exclusive 24/7 concierge services
- It offers the best protection covers which include:
Rs 2 crore air accident cover
Rs 50 lakh emergency medical expenses
Rs 55 lakh travel insurance cover for baggage delay/ loss
Rs 9 lakh credit liability cover
Axis Bank Neo Credit Card
If you are a shopaholic and movie buff, then one of the top 5 credit cards in India for you is the Axis Bank Neo card. The features and benefits of this credit card are:
- No annual fee for the first year
- Get 2 eDGE Loyalty Reward Points on every Rs 200 spent using the card
- Minimum 15% off at partner restaurants affiliate to Axis Bank Dining Delights program
- Complimentary Jabong gift voucher worth Rs 500
- 10% off on spending Rs 500 and more at Myntra
- 10% off (maximum Rs 50 per month) on a movie ticket bought via BookMyShow
- 10% off (maximum Rs 100 per month) on bus tickets bought on redBus
- 10% cashback (maximum Rs 30 per month) on mobile recharge done through Freecharge mobile app
- Protection against any fraudulent use of your credit card from the moment it is lost
- Easily convert any big credit card purchase (above Rs 2,500) into EMI through mutliple options
Yatra SBI Credit Card
In partnership with Yatra, SBI bank offers the Yatra SBI credit card which is one of the top 5 credit cards in India and the best travel credit card in India. The numerous features of this credit card include:
- Complimentary Yatra.com vouchers worth Rs 8,250
- Rs 1000 off on domestic flight bookings worth minimum Rs 5000
- Rs 4000 off on international flight bookings worth minimum Rs 40,000
- 20% off (maximum Rs 2000 off) on domestic hotel bookings
- 6 Rewards points on spending Rs 100 at departmenal stores, restaurants, movies, grocery stores, entertainment and international spends
- 1 Reward points on spending Rs 100 anywhere
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver (maximum Rs 100 per month off) across all petrol pumps
- Free access to 2 domestic airport lounges per quarter
- Exclusive access to domestic MasterCard airport lounges
- Rs 50 lakhs air accident cover for primary card holder, when ticket is booked via Yatra
SimplyCLICK SBI Credit Card
This SBI credit card gives users a some unmatched rewards and benefits. The SimplyCLICK SBI credit card is equipped with Contactless Technology, which allows you to make payments by simply waving your card at a secure card reader. The benefits of this card are as listed below:
- Free Amazon gift card worth Rs 500
- 10X Reward points on online transactions at Amazon, BookMyShow, Cleartrip, Lenskart, FoodPanda, UrbanClap
- 5X Reward points on all other online shopping
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on buying fuel worth Rs 500 to Rs 3000
- E-voucher worth Rs 2000 on spending Rs 1 lakh in a year
- E-voucher worth Rs 2000 on spending Rs 2 lakh in a year
In order to make the most of all the benefits offered by a credit card, it is very important that you choose the one most suitable to your spending habits. Also refer this list of some fringe benefits that you must look for while getting your next credit card. Furthermore, if you still getting physical credit card bills, this complete guide to managing your credit card e-statements is for you.