In 2025, using the right credit card goes far beyond just convenience — it’s about saving smartly, earning rewards, and getting valuable benefits on every transaction.
From daily groceries to fuel, dining, travel, OTT platforms, and online shopping — a good credit card can help you earn cashback or loyalty points that reduce your real monthly spending.
But with 50+ cards available in India, which ones actually give you value on the types of purchases you make?
This guide lists India’s best cashback and rewards credit cards for 2025, based on:
- Value per rupee spent
- Realistic rewards redemption experience
- Acceptance quality
- Annual fees compared to benefits
How to Choose the Right Cashback or Rewards Card?
Not every card is made for everyone. Smart selection matters more than hype.
Here’s what you should consider before picking a card in 2025:
- Your average monthly spending (₹15K vs ₹50K+ makes a difference)
- Preferred category (fuel, shopping, travel, groceries)
- Whether you prefer cashback or redeemable rewards
- How often you travel or shop online
- Ability to meet “min spend” to avoid annual fee
- Lifetime free vs paid cards — based on real value received
The best card for you = where your lifestyle earns the most back with the least effort.
Top 10 Credit Cards in India for Cashback & Rewards – 2025 Comparison
Card Name | Issuer | Best For | Annual Fee | Notable Benefits |
Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card | ICICI Bank | Online shopping | ₹0 (Lifetime Free) | Unlimited 5% back for Prime users, 1% others |
HDFC Millennia | HDFC Bank | Cashback (Flipkart, Amazon) | ₹1,000 | 5% cashback on online, 1% all spends, lounge access |
Axis Ace Credit Card | Axis Bank | Flat cashback | ₹499 (reversed on ₹10K spend) | 2% flat cashback, 5% on bill payments via GPay |
SBI Cashback Card | SBI Cards | Instant discounts | ₹999 | 5% on online spends; no max cap till ₹10K/month |
Flipkart Axis Bank Card | Axis Bank | E-commerce deals | ₹500 | 5% on Flipkart, 4% on partners, fuel surcharge off |
ICICI Coral Credit Card | ICICI Bank | Dining, movies | ₹500 | Payback rewards, lounge & BookMyShow offers |
Standard Chartered Smart Card | SC Bank | All-round cashback | ₹499 | 2% instant cashback; low redemption threshold |
HSBC Cashback Credit Card | HSBC | Cashback on essentials | ₹0 for 1 year | 10% initial reward offers; long cashback validity |
AU Small Finance LIT Card | AU Bank | Customizable rewards | ₹499 | User controls categories (fuel, dining, travel etc.) |
IndusInd Legend Credit Card | IndusInd Bank | Travel & lifestyle | ₹3,000 | Premium travel, concierge, unlimited reward points |
Tried-and-tested card data is sourced from 2025 versions as listed on official card portals
1. Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card – Best for Prime Users
This lifetime free credit card from ICICI and Amazon continues to be a favorite in 2025.
Key benefits:
- 5% cashback for Amazon Prime members
- 3% for non-Prime Amazon users
- 1% on all other online/offline spends
- Auto-credit to Amazon Pay balance
- No expiry of earned cashback
It’s instant approval-friendly, works on Visa network, and doesn’t require huge spending.
2. HDFC Millennia Credit Card – Best Overall Cashback Play
Perfect if you shop on Flipkart, Amazon, or use Swiggy, Zomato, Uber, etc.
What you get:
- 5% cashback on top e-com platforms
- 1% on ALL other spends
- Complimentary airport lounge access (domestic)
- Cashback as statement credit (within 90 days)
Annual fee ₹1,000 (waived on ₹1 lakh spend/year), making it worth it for shoppers spending ₹8,000–₹10,000/month.
3. Axis ACE Credit Card – Flat 2% Automatic Cashback
This GPay-focused card from Axis is excellent for urban digital users.
Benefits include:
- 5% cashback on bill payments via Google Pay
- 2% flat cashback elsewhere online
- Fuel surcharge waiver
- Annual fee ₹499 (reversed if ₹10,000+ monthly spend)
It’s perfect if you mostly pay your bills, EMIs, utilities and don’t want complicated redemption rules.
4. Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card – For E-commerce Fans
This co-branded Axis card stands out if you frequently shop on Flipkart or Myntra.
- 5% cashback on Flipkart
- 4% on selected brands (Cleartrip, Uber, PVR)
- Fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹500/month
- ₹500 joining fee, with ₹500 Flipkart welcome voucher
Best for heavy Flipkart shoppers (>₹5K/month).
5. SBI Cashback Card – Easy Cashback, All Online Purchases
New but impactful: the SBI Cashback card gives a flat 5% on most online spends.
Quick details:
- 5% unlimited cashback on online shopping
- No need to track store-specific partners
- ₹999 fee
- Works best for digital-first users spending ~₹15K–₹25K/month online
Perfect for salaried people and digital freelancers.
What About Lifetime Free Credit Cards?
If you’re just starting out or prefer zero annual fees, your best options are:
- Amazon Pay ICICI Card
- HSBC Cashback (1st year free)
- Axis MyZone (if offered free by invite)
- Kotak 811 Credit Card (entry-level card for savings users)
But remember: No annual fee ≠ best card. Evaluate based on:
- Cashback rate
- Reward conversion value
- Fee vs benefits
Selecting the Right Card for Your Lifestyle
Your Monthly Spend Habit | Card Type to Choose |
Heavy online shopping | SBI Cashback / HDFC Millennia |
Grocery + bills + UPI | Axis ACE Credit Card |
Small but regular spends | Amazon Pay ICICI / SC Smart Card |
Dining, movies | ICICI Coral |
Frequent travel + lounges | IndusInd Legend / HDFC Regalia |
Budget-conscious | Free cards like Amazon ICICI |
Documents Needed to Apply
Almost all banks now offer app-based onboarding with digital KYC. You generally need:
- PAN card
- Aadhaar (or Passport/Voter ID)
- Salary slip (last 1 month)
- Bank statement (3–6 months)
- Passport-size photo (mostly digital now)
Digital applications are processed in 5–30 minutes for salaried individuals if your CIBIL is good.
Final Thoughts – Which Cashback / Rewards Credit Card Should You Choose?
The best credit card isn’t the one with the most ads — it’s the one that matches your spend pattern.
Here’s a simplified pick:
- Go for Amazon Pay ICICI → for zero-fee + simple cashback
- Go for HDFC Millennia → high spenders who shop wide
- Go for Axis ACE → UPI, bills, minimal tracking
- Go for IndusInd Legend → if you want luxury + long-term points
Stay away from cards that have confusing point systems, unreliable reward portals, or extremely high joining fees (without matching value).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which is the best zero-fee cashback card in India?
Amazon Pay ICICI and IDFC FIRST WOW are top picks.
Q2: Can I use a credit card with UPI?
Yes, as per RBI’s 2022 announcement, select credit cards now work via UPI with NPCI-approved apps.
Q3: What documents are required to apply?
PAN, Aadhaar, Income proof, and a good credit score.
Conclusion
Choosing the right cashback or rewards credit cards isn’t just about flashy offers – it’s about value for your lifestyle. In 2025 and beyond, banks are getting smarter… and so should card, users. whether it’s shopping, paying bills, or travelling, the right card can give you amazing returns on your everyday spends.