Credit Cards in India
A credit card is one of the most useful financial tools available if you use it disciplined. This hub covers the different card categories, how to pick the right one, and detailed pages on the biggest issuers in India.
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- DecisionBest cashback credit cardsRanked top-5 cashback cards for Indian spenders.
- DecisionBest travel credit cardsTop travel/lounge cards ranked by real value.
- RatesCredit card interest ratesFinance charges, cash advance, forex mark-up explained.
- BasicsWhat is a credit card?How the billing cycle and interest-free window work.
- BasicsTypes of credit cardsRewards, cashback, travel, fuel, and premium cards.
- EligibilityCredit card eligibilityIncome and score thresholds by segment.
- ApplyHow to apply for a credit cardDigital application journey step-by-step.
- BasicsHow to read your credit card statementEvery line explained, plus the min-due trap.
- BasicsHow finance charges are calculatedThe exact daily-interest math and grace period.
- CompareBNPL vs credit cardWhich is cheaper, safer, and better for your CIBIL.
Banks and their rates
Compare all ratesRun the numbers
How to choose a credit card
- Match reward category to your biggest spending category
- Compare annual fee against rewards you'll realistically earn
- Check joining bonus and first-year fee waiver conditions
- Look at the interest-free window (typically 45-50 days)
- Review foreign-currency mark-up if you travel abroad
HDFC Bank vs SBI Card
HDFC Bank and SBI Card are India's two largest credit-card issuers by cards in force. The right choice depends less on the issuer and more on which specific card matches your spending. This page compares them at both portfolio and product levels.
| Feature | HDFC Bank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Number of active cards (approx) | 2.1+ crore | 1.9+ crore |
| Best cashback card | Millennia (₹1,000 fee) | SBI Cashback (₹999 fee) |
| Best travel card | Diners Club Black (₹10,000) | SBI Elite (₹4,999) |
| Best super-premium | Infinia (₹12,500) invitation | Aurum (₹9,999) |
| Reward-earn ceiling | Higher on SmartBuy platform | Lower ceilings per month |
| Airport lounge access | Broad on premium tiers | Priority Pass on Elite / Aurum |
| Finance charges | 3.6% per month (43.2% p.a.) | 3.5% per month (42% p.a.) |
| Foreign currency mark-up | 3.5% (2% on Infinia) | 3.5% |
| Best for online spends | Millennia (5% on Amazon, Flipkart) | SBI Cashback (5% flat online) |
Number of active cards (approx)
- HDFC Bank
- 2.1+ crore
- SBI Card
- 1.9+ crore
Best cashback card
- HDFC Bank
- Millennia (₹1,000 fee)
- SBI Card
- SBI Cashback (₹999 fee)
Best travel card
- HDFC Bank
- Diners Club Black (₹10,000)
- SBI Card
- SBI Elite (₹4,999)
Best super-premium
- HDFC Bank
- Infinia (₹12,500) invitation
- SBI Card
- Aurum (₹9,999)
Reward-earn ceiling
- HDFC Bank
- Higher on SmartBuy platform
- SBI Card
- Lower ceilings per month
Airport lounge access
- HDFC Bank
- Broad on premium tiers
- SBI Card
- Priority Pass on Elite / Aurum
Finance charges
- HDFC Bank
- 3.6% per month (43.2% p.a.)
- SBI Card
- 3.5% per month (42% p.a.)
Foreign currency mark-up
- HDFC Bank
- 3.5% (2% on Infinia)
- SBI Card
- 3.5%
Best for online spends
- HDFC Bank
- Millennia (5% on Amazon, Flipkart)
- SBI Card
- SBI Cashback (5% flat online)
HDFC Bank vs SBI Card: our verdict
For online spenders, SBI Cashback's flat 5% on any online purchase is the strongest simple product in the market. For diversified spenders, HDFC Millennia + Regalia combination is hard to beat. If you want super-premium (Infinia / Aurum), HDFC generally has the richer reward-conversion ecosystem via SmartBuy.
How to actually choose
Skip the debate at the issuer level. Look at your actual spending pattern over the last 3 months - which categories dominate, how much you spend online vs offline, and how often you travel. Match that pattern to a specific card, from whichever issuer.