Credit cards come with various perks like rewards, cashback, and exclusive discounts. The ones with better benefits often have a high joining fee and are given to those with a good credit score. Yet, there are also cards for beginners in the credit world.
If you want a Credit card that gives you good perks without a high fee, you can go for a beginner-level card. These cards are great for people who are just starting their careers, helping them build a good credit score and enjoy some benefits. Usually, you need a monthly income of 25,000 to 35,000 to qualify for these cards. Check out our list of the best beginner credit cards in India for different benefits.
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Card Category | Best Benefits on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Ace Credit Card | Rs. 499 | Cashback | Google Pay, Swiggy, Zomato, Grofers (now Blinkit), BigBasket and Ola |
| SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card | Rs. 499 | Shopping | Amazon, BookMyShow, Cleartrip, Lenskartand Netmeds |
| Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card | Rs. 500 | Cashback | Flipkart, Myntra, MMT, Goibobo, Uber and PVR |
| HSBC Cashback Credit Card | Rs. 750 | Cashback | Amazon, BookMyShow, Tata Cliq |
| Cashback SBI Card | Rs. 999 | Cashback | Not specific |
| Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card | Nil | Cashback | Amazon and its partner merchants |
| HDFC MoneyBack Credit Card | Rs. 500 | Reward Points | Not specific |
| YES Prosperity Rewards Plus | Rs. 499 | Reward Points | Not specific |
| Standard Chartered Platinum Rewards Credit Card | Rs. 250 | Cashback | Amazon |
| RBL Monthly Treats Credit Card | Rs. 600 | Cashback | BookmyShow, Swiggy |
*GST Extra.
The Axis Ace Credit Card stands out as one of the best starter credit cards. It gives you a high cashback rate of 2% on all transactions, and there's a generous 5% cashback on utility bill payments through Google Pay. For example, if you pay a Rs. 5,000 electricity bill, you'll get Rs. 250 cashback. This is a great deal since many of us have substantial utility bills. The card's simplicity and high cashback rate make it our top choice, especially when compared to other cashback cards like HDFC Millennia and HSBC Cashback, where the earnings are not as lucrative.
*Fuel transactions, e-wallet loading, EMI transactions and cash advances are not eligible for the cashback benefit.
|
Should you get this Card?
If you want a credit card that gives you good cashback on everything you buy, not just in specific
categories like travel or shopping, Axis Ace is a great choice. It keeps things simple – you get cashback
automatically on your card every month, without needing to worry about complicated reward programs. This
straightforward benefit is something a lot of people prefer, making Axis Ace Card even more appealing.
|
SBI SimplyCLICK is all about rewarding you for online shopping, especially with their exclusive partner brands. While the basic reward rate is 1%, the real perk is the 5% rewards you get on all online shopping. It easily earns its spot as one of the best credit cards for shopping in India. Plus, if you shop with their exclusive partners like Amazon, BookMyShow, Cleartrip, Lenskart, or Netmeds, you'll enjoy a whopping 10% in rewards.
|
Should you get this Card?
If you're new to credit cards and love shopping online, SBI SimplyCLICK is a top choice. It's one of the
best for beginners, offering a generous 5% reward on all online spending, a feature not common with many credit
cards. While the annual fee is Rs. 499, keep in mind the waiver condition at Rs. 1 Lakh per year, which might
be high for this fee range. If your spending focus is more on offline expenses, you might want to consider SBI
SimplySAVE Credit Card as an alternative.
|
The Axis Bank credit card from Flipkart is a standout choice because it gives you a cashback rate of 1.5%, which is the second-highest in the market. This means that even if you spend Rs. 3,000 offline, you'll get Rs. 45 as cashback.
What's great is that the card rewards you significantly for your shopping and travel. You get 5% cashback on Flipkart and 4% cashback on preferred merchants like Cure.fit, Swiggy, PVR, and Uber. While it's limited to specific platforms, this is a substantial cashback rate for a beginner-level card, which isn't common in this fee range. Also, because Flipkart doesn't have a wallet system like Amazon, the cashback is directly added to your card account, making the whole cashback process simpler.
|
Should you get this Card?
If you're someone who loves shopping on Flipkart and other partner merchants, the Flipkart Axis Bank Card
is an excellent choice. It not only gives you great benefits for your shopping but also covers your travel needs.
The 1.5% cashback on all other expenses is a fantastic deal if you can make the most of the card's benefits.
However, if you're unsure about using the benefits on platforms like Flipkart, Swiggy, Myntra, etc., the Axis
Ace card might be a better fit for you, especially with its higher default cashback rate.
|
The HSBC Cashback Credit Card is a top choice for beginners, providing good cashback on all your transactions. With the added convenience of contactless payments and no joining fee, it's a hassle-free option. Beyond the standard benefits, the extra offers on popular brands like Amazon, Myntra, BookMyShow, and others make this card an excellent choice for both shopping and saving.
|
Should you get this Card?
The HSBC Cashback Credit Card is a great choice for earning unlimited cashback on all transactions.
What's more, the annual fee of Rs. 750 (applicable from the second year onward) gets reversed if your total
annual spending exceeds Rs. 1,00,000. If you're a frequent shopper on Amazon, the exclusive offers on the
platform make this card a particularly attractive option for you.
|
The Cashback SBI Card is a smart choice if you want excellent cashback on your credit card transactions. You don't need a high income to qualify, and it offers attractive features like 5% cashback on online spending. Additionally, you can earn 1% cashback on other expenses, and the cashback is automatically credited to your SBI Card account.
|
Should you get this Card?
The Cashback SBI Card is a great choice if you don't have a high income but still want to save
money with a credit card. It's a perfect mix of cashback and online shopping benefits, and the best part
is there are no restrictions on where you can use it. This card offers the highest cashback rate
compared to other similar cards. If you're someone who often shops online and wants to save on those
transactions, this card can be a valuable addition to your wallet.
|
The Amazon Pay ICICI card was one of the first cards introduced with a big e-commerce brand. Even though the cashback rate for all purchases is relatively low at just 1%, it's a good deal for loyal Amazon customers, especially those with Prime memberships. The card offers a decent 2% cashback for over 100 listed merchants on Amazon Pay. However, it's essential to note that the cashback isn't added to your Amazon Pay Balance; instead, it's limited to use within the Amazon platform and cannot be used elsewhere.
|
Should you get this Card?
Getting The Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card is a smart move if you're a regular shopper on Amazon, whether it's
for big purchases or everyday essentials. It's particularly beneficial if you also have a PRIME membership,
as PRIME members receive an extra 2% cashback on Amazon purchases. Even if you haven't used Amazon Pay Balance
for bills before, it's a good idea to start using it with this card to maximize its features.
|
The HDFC MoneyBack Credit Card is a great choice if you're looking to save more through rewards. It offers a welcome benefit of 500 cash points and allows for easy and secure contactless payments at various outlets. Additionally, you earn extra reward points for your online purchases.
|
Should you get this Card?
>The HDFC MoneyBack Credit Card is an excellent choice for beginners, providing solid reward points,
especially for online transactions. With a low annual fee, it's accessible for those who have recently started
earning. This card allows you to save more without the burden of high joining and annual fees.
|
The YES Bank credit card is an excellent choice for individuals earning Rs. 25,000 or more per month, particularly for those who frequently spend on groceries and supermarkets. It provides additional rewards for these common expenses. In other categories, you earn 4 points for every Rs. 200 spent, which is quite generous given the card's fee range. However, it's worth noting that while the reward points can be converted into Air Miles, the conversion ratio is relatively low at 8:1.
|
Should you get this Card?
This card is perfect for those who want a low-fee card with great rewards. The base rate is better compared
to similar cards with a similar annual fee. If you want to save on essential expenses like groceries and
supermarket shopping, this card offers significant benefits. However, if you prefer getting direct cashback
instead of rewards, you might want to consider cashback credit cards like Axis Bank Ace or Amazon Pay ICICI Card.
|
The Standard Chartered Platinum Rewards Credit Card offers a favorable reward rate, especially on dining and fuel expenses. Upon joining, you receive a welcome benefit of a Rs. 500 Amazon Pay gift card. The card allows for secure and contactless payments with 3D secure OTP verification. Additionally, you can share the perks of this card with your family members by obtaining lifetime free supplementary credit cards.
|
Should you get this Card?
The Standard Chartered Platinum Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for earning rewards, especially
on dining and fuel. Unlike some other cards, there's no annual cap on the number of rewards you can
earn. While the reward rate is favorable for fuel and dining when compared to other rewards-specific
cards, it's important to note that the rate is relatively lower for other spending categories compared
to some leading credit cards.
|
The RBL Monthly Treats Credit Card is a great choice for earning rewards, cashback, and accessing special offers on groceries and bill payments. With various milestone benefits, the card provides monthly treats, enabling you to save more as your spending increases.
|
Should you get this Card?
The RBL Monthly Treats Credit Card is a solid choice for a cashback credit card, offering savings across
various categories. It's particularly suitable for beginners seeking a decent credit card experience with a
low annual fee. However, it's important to note that while the cashback is attractive, it requires a minimum
spend of Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 5,000. If your spending is on the lower side, you may not fully enjoy the
cashback benefits of this card.
|
Apart from the top 10 credit cards mentioned earlier, you may also want to check out the following cards that align with your income criteria.
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Minimum Monthly Income | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBL World Safari | Rs. 3,000 | Rs. 25,000 | International Travel |
| YES Prosperity Rewards Credit Card | Rs. 299 | Rs. 25,000 | Reward Points |
| Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium Credit Card | Rs. 750 | Rs. 55,000 | Fuel & Bill Payments |
.png)
Top Credit Cards in India