Skip to content
Confused between cards? Talk to Vibhu directly. Book a 1:1 callThe Points Blueprint
Compare cards Book a Call
Updated for October 2026

Find the card thatpays you back.

Honest, up-to-date breakdowns of 46 Indian credit cards — fees, rewards, lounges and the fine print — plus tools that match a card to how you actually spend. Apply directly with the bank.

Browse all cards Compare cards
Apply directly with the issuer Facts checked October 2026 Free tools, no sign-up
46
Cards reviewed
15
Card issuers
7
Spend categories
₹0
Extra cost to apply
Vibhu Agrawal, founder of CreditCardTalks
Vibhu Agrawal · IIM graduate · Founder, CreditCardTalks

Get a card strategy built for you

Skip hours of research. Book a call and get straight answers on which cards fit your income, spending and travel plans — and how to get the most from them.

1:1 Video CallThe Points Blueprint
HSBCAxis BankSBI CardHDFC BankBOBCARDIndusInd BankIDFC FIRST BankFintech CardsOther BanksHSBCAxis BankSBI CardHDFC BankBOBCARDIndusInd BankIDFC FIRST BankFintech CardsOther Banks
Explore by category

Start with how you spend

Every card is tagged by what it’s genuinely good at — pick the category that eats most of your monthly budget.

Travel

Lounges, air miles, hotel nights and low forex.

9 cards→

Lifetime Free

Zero joining and zero annual fee — for life.

11 cards→

Fuel

Save at IndianOil, BPCL and HPCL pumps.

3 cards→

Food, Groceries & Dining

Swiggy, Zomato, Instamart, BigBasket and restaurants.

4 cards→

Utilities & Bills

Electricity, recharges, broadband and bill payments.

4 cards→

Cashback

Straightforward money back on every statement.

8 cards→

Premium & Invite-only

Top-tier cards offered through your bank relationship manager.

4 cards→
Top picks · October 2026

Shortlists that save you hours

Three strong options for each goal, based on current fees, reward rates and caps.

SBI Card Cashback
SBI Card

SBI Card Cashback

5% cashback on online spends — no merchant restrictions

Annual fee₹999 + GST
Forex3.5%
LoungeNone
Details Apply
Uni GoldX Credit Card Lifetime free0% forexUPI
Fintech Cards · BOBCARD / YES Bank

Uni GoldX Credit Card

1% back as 24K digital gold, including UPI

Annual feeLifetime free
Forex0%
LoungeNone
Details Apply
See all 8 cashback cards
Free tools

Narrow it down fast

Filter the full list, then put your shortlist side by side.

Card Explorer

Search and filter every card by category, bank and annual fee — then apply directly with the issuer.

Explore cards →

Compare Cards

Put up to three cards side by side: fees, waivers, rewards, lounges, forex and more.

Compare →
How it works

From confused to approved

1

Shortlist

Use the category pages, card explorer or compare tool to find 2–3 cards that fit your spending.

2

Check the fine print

Each card page lists fees, waivers, caps, exclusions and recent changes in plain English.

3

Apply direct

Apply on the issuer’s own page — or book a call if you want a second opinion first.

Apply direct

Browse by bank

Already bank with someone? Start with the issuer you know.

HSBC logo
HSBC
4 cards
→Axis Bank logo
Axis Bank
6 cards
→SBI Card logo
SBI Card
3 cards
→HDFC Bank logo
HDFC Bank
7 cards
→BOBCARD logo
BOBCARD
2 cards
→IndusInd Bank logo
IndusInd Bank
4 cards
→IDFC FIRST Bank logo
IDFC FIRST Bank
4 cards
→Fintech Cards logo
Fintech Cards
8 cards
→Other Banks logo
Other Banks
5 cards
→
Change tracker

What changed in 2026

Banks quietly revise cards all the time. Here are the changes that matter most this year.

26 Oct 2026
IDFC FIRST

International spends stop earning reward points on most IDFC FIRST cards (Ashva, Mayura and a few others keep earning).

9 Sep 2026
IDFC FIRST

Forex markup cut to 0% on every IDFC FIRST credit card.

3 Sep 2026
Scapia

Axis Bank joins Federal Bank and BOBCARD as a Scapia card issuer.

28 Aug 2026
Axis Bank

Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) markup raised to 3.5% + GST.

26 Jul 2026
HSBC Live+

10% cashback cap raised to ₹1,200/month and utility bills added to the 10% list.

15 Jul 2026
BOBCARD Eterna

Domestic lounge access now needs ₹75,000 spend in the previous quarter.

1 Jul 2026
HDFC Regalia Gold

Domestic lounges need ₹60,000 spend in the previous quarter; new Boarding Edge perks added.

1 Jul 2026
PhonePe SBI Select Black

5% online shopping cap halved to 1,000 points a month.

15 May 2026
HDFC Bank

Regalia Gold earn changes to 5 points per ₹200; 1.75% DCC markup introduced across HDFC cards.

1 Apr 2026
SBI Cashback

Monthly cashback cap cut from ₹5,000 to ₹4,000 (₹2,000 online + ₹2,000 offline).

27 Feb 2026
Scapia

Lounge spend requirement doubled to ₹20,000 per cycle; insurance and utilities stop earning coins.

FAQ

Common questions

Does applying through CreditCardTalks cost anything extra?
No. Every Apply button takes you to the bank’s or card partner’s own application page. You pay exactly the same fees as applying directly — some links are affiliate links, which is how this site stays free.
How often is the card information updated?
Every card page shows when it was last checked — the current data was reviewed in October 2026. Banks revise rewards frequently, so the issuer’s page always has the final word. Major changes are listed in the 2026 change tracker.
Which credit card is best for me?
It depends on where your money goes each month. Start with the category that matches your biggest spend, then compare cards side by side — or book a 1:1 call for a personal recommendation.
Will applying for a credit card affect my CIBIL score?
Each application usually creates a hard enquiry, which can dip your score slightly for a short time. Avoid applying for many cards at once. Paying every bill in full and on time is what builds your score.
Can I get a credit card without income proof?
Some fintech cards (such as Scapia via its app) need little or no income documentation, and most banks offer FD-backed secured cards. Approval always rests with the issuer.
What is a lifetime free credit card?
A card with no joining fee and no annual fee, with no spend conditions. See all lifetime free cards.
0 selectedCompare
Book a call