Beginning your credit life may seem like entering the unknown, but having the best credit card as a beginner sets you up for financial success. Let’s look at some of the best beginner-friendly credit cards in India for 2025 that each provide distinctive benefits for new customers.
1. SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Cards
- Annual Fee: ₹499 + taxes
- Best For: Online shopping lovers
- Highlights:
- Earn 10X reward points every time you spend at your online spots—think BookMyShow, Dominos, Myntra, and other partner brands. Basically, your binge shopping just got extra rewarding.
- Earn 5X points on all your other online spends—no FOMO on the rest of the internet.
- Sweet Welcome Gift: Pay the joining fee and get a ₹500 Amazon gift card to kick things off right.
- Best suited for those who shop online regularly and seek to earn maximum rewards.
2. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card
- An annual fee of ₹499 is applicable, which is waived from the second year onwards based on usage.
- Best For: Cashback on daily expenses
- Highlights:
- Enjoy 5% cashback when you pay your utility bills using Google Pay.
- 4% cashback on Zomato, Swiggy, Ola.
- 1.5% cashback on all other spends.
- 4 free domestic lounge access per annum when spending ₹50,000 in last 3 months.
- Perfect for those seeking simple cashback on everyday spends.
3. Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card
- Annual Fee: None
- Best For: Amazon shoppers
- Highlights:
- 5% cashback for Amazon Prime members on transactions on Amazon.in.
- 3% cashback for non-Prime members on Amazon.in.
- 2% cashback on payments to Amazon Pay partner merchants.
- 1% cashback on all other spends.
- Perfect for frequent Amazon users seeking seamless cashback benefits.
Also read: ICICI Credit Cardholders Hit with New Lounge Rules – Is Free Access Really Gone?
4. FinBooster: YES Bank – BankBazaar Co-branded Credit Card
- Annual Fee: None
- Best For: Building credit health
- Highlights:
- Monthly credit fitness reports and real-time dashboard access to track and improve credit score.
- 10 reward points per ₹200 on online dining, 6 points on online grocery and apparel, and 2 on other retail spends.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on spends between ₹400 and ₹5,000.
- Accidental death insurance of ₹2.5 lakh for the main cardholder.
- Suited best for first-time credit users and those who wish to establish a good credit history.
5. HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card
- Annual Fee: None
- Best For: International usage and premium rewards
- Highlights:
- Welcome benefits of ₹2,250.
- Up to 5X reward on future spends.
- Dining privileges with up to 15% discount at partner restaurants.
- Fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel outlets.
- Ideal for those who want a premium card experience without paying any annual fees.
6. ICICI Platinum Chip Credit Card
- Annual Fee: None
- Best For: Simple usage and establishing credit history
- Highlights:
- Accumulate reward points on all spends except for fuel.
- Get discounts on dining, movies, and more.
- No joining and annual fees, making it perfect for newcomers.
- A simple card for first-timers and those who want to establish a credit history.
7. Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card
- Annual Fee: ₹500
- Best For: Flipkart and partner brand shoppers
- Highlights:
- 5% cashback on Flipkart and Myntra.
- 4% cashback on preferred partners such as Swiggy, Uber, and PVR.
- 1.5% cashback on all other spends.
- Welcome benefit valued at ₹600 in the form of coupons.
- Excellent for those who shop regularly on Flipkart and its partner brands.
8. HDFC MoneyBack+ Credit Card
- Annual Fee: ₹500
- Best For: Cashback on online and offline spends
- Highlights:
- 2 CashPoints for every ₹150 spent across all categories.
- Hit your spending goals and unlock gift vouchers worth up to ₹2,000 in a year. Keep spending, keep winning.
- Just for paying the joining fee, you get 500 CashPoints to start your journey with a little sparkle.
- Perfect for those who want steady cashback on multiple spending categories.
- Beginner’s Tips for Applying for Credit Cards:
- Check Your Spending Patterns: Select a card that suits your main expenses, whether it is shopping, eating out, or traveling.
- Check Eligibility Criteria: Verify that you satisfy the income and age criteria before applying.
- Understand Fees and Charges: Note annual fees, interest rates, as well as other charges that might be incurred.
- Build Credit Responsibly: Pay your bills on time and maintain low credit utilization to establish a healthy credit score.
Beginning your credit journey is an important milestone towards financial independence. By choosing a card that suits your lifestyle and making responsible use of it, you’re laying the groundwork for a strong financial future.
Written by Pydimarri Hema Harshini
