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• Top 10 Lifetime Free Credit Cards in India [Updated 2022]

Using a credit card is convenient, it saves you from carrying bundles of cash in your pocket. However, the credit card fee is an issue, particularly for first-time users.

The perfect solution is to look for a credit card with no annual fee. All leading banks provide credit card options for consumers with different usage patterns. We have compiled a list of the 10 best lifetime free credit cards in India. 

All credit cards on our list are free. but the rewards and benefits vary. Choose the best life time free credit card as per your lifestyle and spending pattern.

Also read: Top credit cards in India for every type of user.

10 Best Lifetime Free Credit Cards in India 2022

S.No	Credit Card
1	ICICI Instant Platinum Credit Card
2	HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card
3	Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite Credit Card
4	Citibank Rewards Domestic Credit Card
5	HDFC Bharat Cashback card
6	HDFC Freedom Credit Card
7	ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card
8	SBI Card Unnati
9	Yes Bank Prosperity Reward Plus
10	Axis Bank Insta Easy Credit Card

1. ICICI Instant Platinum Credit Card

The first credit card is our list is from ICICI Bank. The joining and annual fee of ICICI Bank instant Platinum credit card is zero. Earn Payback points for your transactions. For every Rs. 100 send, you get 2 PAYBACK points. Your PAYBACK points can be redeemed for movies and travel vouchers, lifestyle products, and more.

The credit card is offered quickly with minimum documentation. You need a fixed deposit to get the credit cast instantly with zero processing time. The supplementary card is also free.

How to apply for ICICI Instant Platinum Credit Card

You just need a fixed deposit in ICICI bank to get this credit card. If you already have a fixed deposit walk-in to an ICICI Bank branch and walk out with your life-time free credit card.

 You need a minimum fixed deposit of Rs. 20,000 for a minimum of 180 days. 

2. HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card

The credit card is free and you also get introductory benefits worth up to Rs. 4,250. The lifetime free credit card comes with Air Miles Conversion. 

The introductory offers include Cleartrip vouchers worth Rs. 2,00. Rs. 250 Swiggy voucher on the first transaction and up to Rs. 2,000 cashback on 9 transactions in the first 90 days totaling Rs. 10,000 or more. 

Features

• Get 2 Reward points on spend of Rs. 150.

• BookMyShow Vouchers worth Rs. 500 on a monthly spend of Rs. 50,000

How to Apply for HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card

The minimum annual income for eligibility is Rs. 4,00,000 for salaried individuals. The documents required include the latest salary slip, 3-month bank statement, Proof of residence, Proof of identity, and PAN Card/Form 60. 

3. Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite Credit Card

This lifetime free credit card is for Priority Banking customers of Standard Chartered Bank. Also, get 12,000 Bonus points for spend over Rs. 10,000 for the first three months. 

Features

• Get Airport Lounge Access with Visa infinite Lounge program.

• 5 reward points for every Rs.100 spent at Retail Fashion, Supermarkets & Overseas

• 2 reward points for every Rs.100 spent on all other categories

How to Apply for Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite Credit Card

The credit card is exclusively for Priority Banking customers of Standard Chartered Bank. Existing Priority Banking customers of SCB can apply.

4. Citibank Rewards Domestic Credit Card

Although, the credit card is not free but, the annual fee of Rs. 1,000 is waived off on yearly spend of Rs. 30,000 and more. The rewards points program is also attractive. Earn 10 Reward points for every Rs. 125 spent at apparel & department stores.

 Earn 1 reward point for other spending. Also, get Rs. 1,000 bonus points for the first transaction of Rs. 1,000 within the first 60 days. The earned points can be redeemed at 700+ outlets. 

How to apply for Citibank Rewards Domestic Credit Card

• Visit the credit card application page from here

• Enter the required details

• Submit the credit card application form 

• You will receive a response shortly

5. HDFC Bharat Cashback card

The annual fee for HDFC Bharat cashback credit card is Rs. 500. However, the annual fee is waived on annual spends of Rs. 20,000.

The gross monthly income for salaried individuals is only Rs. 12,000. While for self-employed individuals annual income of 2 lakhs is minimum. 

Features

• Earn 5% cashback on IRCTC, Fuel spends, Grocery spends, and bill payments. 

• Get annual membership fee waiver on spends of Rs. 20,000 in a year.

How to apply for HDFC Bharat Cashback Card?

• You can apply for the credit card online or by visiting the nearest branch. 

• Visit the online application page from here

• Fill the required details

6. HDFC Freedom Credit Card

The credit card is similar to the Bharat cashback card. However, in this case, the annual fee of Rs. 500 is waived off on annual spends of Rs. 60,000. The credit card offers better rewards with 25X reward points on Birthday spends. 

Features

• Get 5X reward points on Movies, Dining, groceries, and taxi spend.

• For other categories, earn 1 reward point for every 150 spend. 

How to apply for HDFC Freedom Credit Card?

• Apply for the Freedom credit card online or by visiting the nearest branch. 

• Visit the online application page from here

• Fill in the required details

 

7. ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card

The co-branded credit card of ICICI Bank is a special pick for Amazon Customers. It is lifetime free. And helps you earn up to 5% cashback on all purchases. The credit card was initially launched for select Amazon users. But it is now available for all users and you can easily apply online for Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card. 

Features

• 1% cashback on all other payments

• 2% cashback on 100+ Amazon Pay partner merchants

• 3% cashback on Amazon for non-prime customers

• 5% cashback on Amazon for Amazon Prime customers

• The Cashback will be credited as Amazon Pay Balance

How to Apply for ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card?

• You can apply for a credit card from the Amazon website or app. 

• Visit the application page from here 

• Fill in the required details

8. SBI Card Unnati

The credit card was recently launched with zero annual fees for the first four years. However, a renewal fee of Rs. 499 is applicable from the fifth year. The credit card is issued for all customers with a fixed deposit of Rs. 25,000 or with the State Bank of India. 

The add-on card fee is also zero. 

Features

1 Reward Point for every Rs. 100 spent

Get Rs. 500 cashback on spends of Rs. 50,000 in a year. 

1% fuel surcharge waiver for a transaction between Rs 500 & Rs 3000 

How to Apply for SBI card Unnati

• Open a fixed deposit of Rs. 25,000 or more.

• Visit the credit card application page from here

• Enter the details and select "SBI Card Unnati"

• Click Submit to get a call from SBI Card representative in 1-2 days

9. Yes Bank Prosperity Reward Plus 

Yes Bank Prosperity Reward Plus offers discounts on dining, movies, and retail spends. Also, enjoy bonus reward points on birthdays and international spends. The best part about the card is that it has no joining or annual fee. 

The annual fee is waived on spends of Rs. 7,500 with 90 days. And the annual membership fee is waived on spends of Rs. 25,000 within 12 months. 

Features

• Earn 12,000 Bonus Reward Points on spends of Rs. 3.6 Lakhs or above in each anniversary year

• 3 Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spend on Grocery Stores & Supermarkets

• 2 Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spend on other categories

How to Apply for Yes Bank Prosperity Reward Plus

Minimum salary of Rs. 25,000 per month or income Tax Return of Rs. 5 lakh is minimum eligibility. 

The credit card is also available against Fixed deposit. To apply for  YES Prosperity Rewards Plus Credit Card visit your nearest Yes Bank branch.  

10. Axis Bank Insta Easy Credit Card

To avail this lifetime free credit card of Axis Bank you need to have a fixed deposit of Rs. 20,000. However, the card cannot be issued against tax saved FDs, Flexi-deposits, or Fixed deposits in the name of trust, society, or company. 

Features

• 6 Reward points for Rs. 200 spend domestically. 

• 12 Reward Points for every Rs. 200 spent internationally. 

How to Apply for Axis Insta Easy Credit card

Open a fixed deposit of a minimum Rs. 20,000. The approval is instant no need for income proof.

Visit your nearest Axis Bank Branch to apply for Insta Easy Credit Card. 

 

In most cases, to get a credit card with no annual fee you need to have a fixed deposit with the bank. So lifetime free credit cards are a good option to start with. 

If you are not ready for a fixed deposit. Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card is one of the top picks for lifetime free credit cards provided you meet the eligibility criteria. Also, check out how to redeem cred coins by clicking here. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Which bank is best for credit cards?

HDFC, ICICI, and SBI all are popular banks with a variety of credit card options. You can also add HSBC, Axis, and Kotak to this list. 

2. What are the best credit cards with no annual fee?

ICICI Bank Instant Platinum credit card is one of the best choices available with no documentation. 

In addition to that, you may consider HDFC freedom Credit card, ICICI Amazon Pay Credit card or Axis Bank Insta Easy Credit Card. There are choices available with every bank.

3. Is HDFC Freedom credit card free? 

The annual fee of HDFC Freedom Credit Card is waived off on annual spends of Rs. 60,000. So the credit card is free is your annual spend is Rs. 60,000 or more. 

4. What credit card has no annual fee?

Mostly, the credit cards issued against a fixed deposit have no annual fee. The documentation process is also simple for lifetime free credit cards. However, the limit of such credit cards is low.

5. Is it worth it to get a credit card with an annual fee?

The benefits offered by credit cards cover the annual fee. If the credit card offers benefits worth the annual fee it is completely worth it. You can get benefits across movies, dining, online shopping, travel, etc.

6. What is the easiest credit card to get approved for?

Getting credit card approval is very easy these days. If you have a savings account with the bank the approval is even easier. Instant credit cards are also available against fixed deposits. 

7. What does lifetime free credit card mean?

There are no additional charges for using the card. The joining and renewal fee is Rs. 0. 

8. How can I avoid paying my credit card annual fee?

Apply for lifetime free credit cards in India. All leading banks have select credit cards with no annual fee. You can also look for credit cards with an annual fee waiver. 

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