Dreaming of free lounge access or 5% cashback on Amazon swipes from your Jamshedpur home? Credit cards in India pack rewards like 1-6% returns, milestone vouchers, and zero forex fees—but picking the right one amid 200+ options saves thousands yearly.
This article breaks down top cards for 2026, live offers, category-wise picks, application tips, and eligibility hacks. From LTF cashback to luxury airmiles, find deals via Paisabazaar/BankBazaar portals as of January 4, 2026.
Table of Contents
Overview
Best offers target shopping (Amazon Pay ICICI 1% unlimited), travel (Axis Atlas 4% miles), and groceries (HSBC Cashback 5%). Fees range LTF to ₹50K; rewards cap at ₹1K-5K/month. Apply online at bank sites/Paisabazaar for instant pre-approvals—no branch visits.
Latest Updates
TechnoFino’s 2026 guide (Dec 29) ranks Amazon Pay ICICI top LTF for uncapped 1%—apply via ICICI site. HSBC Premier launches 3% RP up to ₹1L/month spends; Axis Primus at 5% airmiles uncapped.
Paisabazaar lists 25 best as of Dec 30; Groww video (Nov 2025) highlights UPI cards like SBI PhonePe for 1% rent hacks. No devals reported Jan 2026; Amex bonuses live till Feb. Check eligibility pre-apps.
Cashback Cards
SBI Cashback ICICI leads entry-level at 5% online (Amazon/Swiggy), 1% offline—₹5K/month cap. HSBC Live+ offers 5% on Blinkit/BigBasket, 10% utilities—waive ₹999 fee on ₹2L spend.
- Amazon Pay ICICI: LTF, 5% Amazon Prime—perfect Jamshedpur shoppers.
- Axis ACE: 5% Swiggy (₹500 cap), 1.5% others.
- PhonePe HDFC: UPI rent/utilities 1% uncapped.
Ideal for beginners; redeem as statement credit.
Travel and Miles Cards
Axis Atlas shines offline at 4% EDGE miles (1:1 flights/hotels), 5% travel portals. Scapia Federal LTF: 10% travel, 2% all—apply via app.
- Amex Platinum Travel: 12% MR on ₹4L annual, ₹10K Taj voucher.
- Axis Reserve: 3% miles + Priority Pass.
- HDFC Diners Black: 3.33% + 12 lounges/year.
Transfer to 15 airlines; value 1-2₹/point. Ever redeemed for business class?
Premium and Super Cards
HDFC Infinia Metal (₹12.5K fee) gives 3.33% unlimited RP (5:4:1 Taj/Vistara), 2 domestic lounges/month. Axis Magnus Burgundy (invite): 4.8% miles uncapped.
- HSBC Premier: 3% up ₹1L, global lounges.
- ICICI Emeralde: 3% RP no cap, golf rounds.
- IDFC First Private: 6.67% RP uncapped.
Waivers on ₹8-15L spend; lounge perks for frequent flyers.
Application Tips
CIBIL 750+, ₹25K+ income salaried—use Paisabazaar for 10-sec checks. FD-backed for low scores (IDFC/SBI). Online: PAN/Aadhaar upload, video KYC—disbursal 2-7 days.
- Pre-approvals: BankBazaar/Select.finology.
- Welcome bonuses: ₹5-10K vouchers on first spend.
- Avoid: Multiple apps (hurts score).
- UPI cards: Rent hacks via PhonePe/Axio.
Jamshedpur? Axis/HDFC branches aid.
Conclusion
Snag LTF like Amazon Pay ICICI or premium HDFC Infinia for max value—5-18% returns beat savings rates. Takeaways: Match spends to category, track devals, redeem smartly. 2026 trends: UPI rewards, AI spend trackers—apply today for New Year perks.
FAQs
Best LTF card?
Amazon Pay ICICI (1% uncapped) or Scapia (travel).
How to apply online?
Paisabazaar/Bank sites—PAN, income proof.
Eligibility for freshers?
FD-backed IDFC/SBI, 750+ CIBIL.
Top cashback?
SBI 5% online, HSBC 10% utilities.