India has a lot of credit cards to choose from. It’s not as easy as it sounds to find the right one for you, so we’ve put together this guide to help you make an informed decision.

First off, let’s talk about the basics and understand credit cards.

They’re basically plastic cards that allow you to borrow money from your bank and pay it back over time. Some people use them for convenience—they can use them like cash at any time, and they don’t have to worry about paying interest on their purchases. Others prefer them because they offer more flexibility in terms of spending limits and fees than debit cards do.

Which are the best credit cards to keep in India? Many people, especially the salaried ones ask this question. The truth is, there is no single credit card that is best suited to everybody. Every credit card is different and offers different kinds of benefits.

Standard Chartered Super value titanium credit card(Opens in a new browser tab)

Factors To Consider Before Opting For A Credit Card

When you’re ready to apply for the best credit card in India, there are a few factors that you’ll want to take into consideration:

• Credit Score

First, the credit score requirements will vary depending on the type of card you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a card specifically for travel and shopping, the higher, the better—but if you don’t have much of a history of using credit cards, it might be wise to start with the one that’s easier to qualify for.

• Fees

Second, fees can quickly add up—especially if you tend to carry a balance from month to month (which is common with cards like this). A high-interest rate can also make it more difficult to pay off your balance each month, so be sure to shop around when comparing rates. Be sure to check the fees associated with your chosen card.

Some cards offer cash-back rewards or other perks that come with annual fees or interest rates. Others charge an annual fee even if there are no other fees or interest rates attached to the account itself. You’ll need to figure out what works best for you before signing up!

• Interest Rates

Third, interest rates are typically higher, so make sure that’s an important factor when choosing your card. The interest rate you’ll pay on your new credit card will depend on how long you’ve been using it and where you live.

Most cards offer an introductory period where there are no fees or interest charges for your first few months of use, but then this changes into a regular APR (annual percentage rate). These rates vary from 0% up to 27% depending on how long you’ve had the account and where you live.

Features To Watch Out Before Applying For The Best Credit Card in India

When applying for a credit card in India, it’s a good idea to do some research on the offers and features offered by your potential credit card provider as per your use. These can be very useful in helping you to manage your finances.

1) How You Plan to Use the Card

Before applying for a credit card in India, you should first consider how you plan to use it. A credit card is a great way to build your credit history and establish yourself as an income earner. You can use a credit card for any purpose, but you should be aware of its limits before applying.

2) Annual Percentage Rates (APRs)

Another important factor is annual percentage rates (APRs). These are the interest rates charged by banks and other financial institutions on loans or credit cards.

The rate will vary depending on many factors, including how much money you want to borrow, how long it will take for you to repay this amount, and how reliable your income is at any given time (for example, if there are other expenses such as rent or student loans that need paying every month).

3) Credit Limit

If you don’t plan on using the money on the card regularly, then there’s no need to worry about having a high credit limit.

But if you do plan on making regular purchases with it, then your credit limit must be large enough to accommodate these purchases without jeopardizing your ability to pay off the balance in full each month.

4) Rewards

When considering rewards programs, make sure they’re worth the cost. Some cards offer cash back or other perks, but those can be difficult to redeem and may not be worth the trouble if you’re just looking for extra cash back on your purchases.

5) Penalties

You should look into the penalties for missing a payment. While some credit cards have a grace period before paying a charge, others have a higher fee for any late payment. Before applying for a credit card, it’s important to know what your card will charge you in case of missed payments.

10 Best Credit Cards in India 2024:

Below are some of the top credit cards to keep in India. We have categorized the content under different heads that may help you figure out which credit card is best in India.

Credit Cards for Salaried Individuals

Here are some good options for salaried individuals-

1. AU Bank Credit Card

2. Indusind Credit Card

3. Bajaj Finserve Credit Card

4. Axis Credit Card

5. HSBC Credit Card

Cards for Shopping and Online Purchases

Some popular credit cards for Shopping and Online Purchases-

1. ICICI Bank Credit Card

2. SBI Simply Click Credit Card

3. Standard Chartered Super value titanium credit card

Risks of Opting For A Credit Card in India

The risks of opting for a credit card in India are many. The biggest risk is credit card fraud, which is quite common in India. Your card could be compromised by hackers who use it to make fraudulent purchases or transfer money to other accounts. This can happen when you’re using your card at a store that doesn’t accept cards or online purchases, or if you use it without securing it with two-factor authentication.

Another risk is high-interest rates. If you don’t pay off your balance on time each month, the interest rate will add up quickly and may turn into a fee if you don’t pay it off within a year.

There are also some cards that offer benefits like travel insurance or roadside assistance, but those are often not worth the cost of using them.

Conclusion

So, these were the top 10 credit cards in India. The main reason to have a credit card and, most importantly, compare credit cards India these days is that you can build a good credit history. You can also get loans at a favourable time if your credit history is good.

As a new cardholder, you must ensure that the credit card has a good or excellent credit score requirement. Credit scores are indicative of the likelihood of somebody being able to repay their debts. A card with an excellent credit score requirement can be used by consumers with very high scores who do not require any additional safeguards. 

As you have read above in the blog about credit card comparison India, you can also get a discount on your purchases by using a credit card. Some credit cards can also help you protect those purchases against any damage or theft.