Who doesn’t love receiving some cashback or reward points every time they make a transaction on their credit card? There are so many credit card rewards available in the financial market nowadays. But what are credit card rewards? What are the best reward credit cards in India?
How to Choose the Best Rewards Credit Card?
Choosing the best rewards credit card requires understanding your spending habits and comparing card benefits against your lifestyle. You’ll want to check what categories earn the most, whether there are annual fees, and if the card’s perks match how you actually spend.
- Compare cashback rates across flights, hotels, and dining to see which card rewards your spending pattern
- Check for hidden charges, annual fees, and joining fees that might eat into your rewards
- Look for bonus features like lounge access, travel insurance, or zero forex markup on international purchases
- Read the redemption rules carefully, rewards points often have expiry dates or minimum redemption amounts
What are Rewards in Credit Cards?
Credit card rewards are incentives credit card issuers offer to encourage card usage. These rewards typically come in the form of points, miles, or cashback, which accumulate as you make purchases with the card. The value of the rewards varies depending on the type of card and the specific rewards program. For instance, cashback cards return a percentage of your spending as cash, while travel cards offer miles that can be redeemed for flights or hotel stays. Some cards also provide bonuses for spending in certain categories like dining, groceries, or fuel.
Additionally, many rewards programs offer sign-up bonuses, where you can earn points or cashback after spending a certain amount within a specified time frame. These rewards can be redeemed in various ways, such as statement credits, travel bookings, gift cards, or even merchandise, making them a popular feature for consumers looking to maximise the value of their spending.
15 Best Rewards Credit Cards in India 2026
We have gathered a list of the credit cards with the best rewards in the form of points and cashback in India, along with their joining and annual fees:
| Best Credit Card for Rewards | Joining Fee | Annual Fee | Reward Type |
| Jupiter Edge RuPay Credit Card | NIL | NIL | Cashback |
| RBL Bank Savemax Credit Card | NIL | NIL | Reward Points |
| Axis Bank Neo Credit Card | NIL | NIL | Reward Points & Discounts |
| IDFC FIRST Bank Select | NIL | NIL | Reward Points |
| HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card | 2500 | 2500 | Reward Points |
| SBI Card PRIME | 2999 + Taxes | 2999 + Taxes | Reward Points |
| Indusind Platinum Aura Credit Card | 500 | NIL | Reward Points |
| Yes Bank Finbooster Credit Card | NIL | NIL | Reward Points |
| Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card | NIL | NIL | Cashback |
| American Express SmartEarn™ Credit Card | 495 | 495 | Reward Points |
| BOB Select Credit Card | NIL | NIL | Reward Points |
| HSBC Platinum Credit Card | NIL | NIL | Reward Points |
| Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank | 1499 | 1499 | Reward Points |
| HDFC MoneyBack+ Credit Card | 500 | 500 | Cashback |
| Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Card | NIL | 1000 + GST | Reward Points |
Below is a list of the Top features and benefits of the credit card with the best rewards:
1. Jupiter Edge RuPay Credit Card
Joining Fees
NIL
Annual Fee
NIL
Reward Type
Cashback
CashBack and Rewards
- Scan and pay any QR code to use UPI on your Edge CSB Bank RuPay Credit Card
- No joining or annual fees
- Get 2% cashback guaranteed on dining, shopping, or travel
- Get 0.4% cashback guaranteed on all other UPI and credit card spends
- Welcome rewards worth ₹250 on your UPI & card spend
2. RBL Bank Savemax Credit Card
Joining Fees
NIL
Annual Fee
NIL
Reward Type
Reward Points
CashBack and Rewards
- Earn 5X reward points on all grocery purchases
- Earn one reward point for every ₹100 you spend on the Savemax credit card
- Get 10% cashback on Zomato and BookMyShow when you spend ₹100 or more in a month
- A ₹99 plus GST reward redemption fee applies to RBL Savemax credit card rewards
3. Axis Bank Neo Credit Card
Joining Fees
NIL
Annual Fee
NIL
Reward Type
Reward Points & Discounts
CashBack and Rewards
- Get up to 15% discount with Dining Delight, capped at ₹500 per transaction
- Save ₹150 on Myntra purchases of ₹999 or more on selected styles
- Get 5% off when paying utility bills through Amazon Pay
- Get 100% cashback up to ₹300 on your first utility bill paid within 30 days of card issue
- Enjoy 10% discount, up to ₹100 per month, on BookMyShow movie bookings
4. IDFC FIRST Bank Select
Joining Fees
NIL
Annual Fee
NIL
Reward Type
Reward Points
CashBack and Rewards
- Earn 10X reward points on expenses exceeding ₹25,000
- Earn 10X reward points on purchases made on your birthday
- Accumulate 6X reward points on all online purchases
- Receive 3X reward points for every offline transaction
- 1X equals one reward point per ₹125 spent
- The reward rate ranges from 0.6% to 2%
5. HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card
Joining Fees
2500
Annual Fee
2500
Reward Type
Reward Points
CashBack and Rewards
- Get ₹1,500 in vouchers when you spend ₹1.5 lakh in a calendar quarter
- Get a ₹5,000 flight ticket upon spending ₹7.5 lakh
- Earn 4 reward points for every ₹150 spent, with 5X points on select categories
6. SBI Card PRIME
Joining Fees
2999 + Taxes
Annual Fee
2999 + Taxes
Reward Type
Reward Points
CashBack and Rewards
- Receive a ₹3,000 gift voucher for purchases at Bata, Hush Puppies, Pantaloons, Aditya Birla Fashion, Shoppers Stop, and Yatra.com
- Earn 10X reward points for every ₹100 spent on dining, groceries, department stores, and movies
- Get a ₹1,000 Pizza Hut e-voucher when you spend ₹50,000 in a calendar quarter
7. Indusind Platinum Aura Credit Card
Joining Fees
500
Annual Fee
NIL
Reward Type
Reward Points
CashBack and Rewards
- Enjoy the freedom to customise your own rewards program
- Earn up to 4 Saving Points for every ₹100 spent
- Redeem vouchers from Vero Moda, BATA, and EazyDiner
8. Yes Bank Finbooster Credit Card
Joining Fees
NIL
Annual Fee
NIL
Reward Type
Reward Points
CashBack and Rewards
- Provides ₹1.5 lakh accidental death insurance for the primary cardholder
- Get 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400–₹5,000 at fuel pumps across India
- Enjoy 15% discount at select restaurants when you use the Yes Bank Finbooster Credit Card
- Earn 5X reward points on every ₹200 spent on online dining
- Earn 3X reward points on every ₹200 spent on online groceries or apparel
- Get 2 reward points for every ₹200 spent on other retail purchases
- Also offers contactless payments and instant EMI conversion on purchases
9. Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card
Joining Fees
NIL
Annual Fee
NIL
Reward Type
Cashback
CashBack and Rewards
- No joining or annual fee
- No limit or expiry date on rewards earned with this card
- Redeem points on Amazon (over 10 crore products) and 100+ merchant partners
- Get 5% cashback on Amazon transactions if you’re an Amazon Prime member
- Non-Prime customers earn 3% cashback on Amazon purchases
- Earn 2% cashback at 100+ Amazon Pay partner merchants
- Receive 1% cashback on all other payments
10. American Express SmartEarn™ Credit Card
Joining Fees
495
Annual Fee
495
Reward Type
Reward Points
CashBack and Rewards
- Grab ₹500 welcome cashback if you spend ₹10,000 in your first 90 days
- Get 5X rewards on Swiggy, BookMyShow, Myntra, Paytm, and other partner merchants
- Earn 10X rewards on Uber, Amazon, Flipkart, and similar high-reward partners
- Unlock ₹500 vouchers when you hit ₹1.20L, ₹1.80L, and ₹2.40L in annual spending
- Annual fee waived if you spend ₹40,000+ within the calendar year
11. BOB Select Credit Card
Joining Fees
NIL
Annual Fee
NIL
Reward Type
Reward Points
CashBack and Rewards
- Earn 5X rewards for every ₹100 spent
- Benefit from a 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Available with up to 3 add-on cards
12. HSBC Platinum Credit Card
Joining Fees
NIL
Annual Fee
NIL
Reward Type
Reward Points
CashBack and Rewards
- Convert air miles with InterMiles, British Airways, or Singapore Airlines
- Save up to ₹3,000 annually on fuel surcharges
- Earn 5X reward points after spending ₹4 lakh
- Collect up to 15,000 bonus reward points in your anniversary year
- Get ₹500 welcome voucher for spending ₹5,000+ within 30 days of card activation
- Comes with emergency card replacement, zero liability on loss, insurance, and more
- Earn 15% discount on TataCLiQ for Lifestyle, Electronics, and Luxury categories
- Enjoy up to ₹250 off BookMyShow movie tickets on Saturdays (buy-one-get-one offer)
13. Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank
Joining Fees
1499
Annual Fee
1499
Reward Type
Reward Points
CashBack and Rewards
- Earn 2% back as NeuCoins on Tata Neu and affiliated brand purchases
- Get 1% NeuCoins on non-Tata purchases and Merchant EMI transactions
- Unlock extra 5% NeuCoins when you download Tata Neu App, register for TataNeuPass, and shop in eligible categories
14. HDFC MoneyBack+ Credit Card
Joining Fees
500
Annual Fee
500
Reward Type
Cashback
CashBack and Rewards
- Earn 500 CashPoints upon payment of the joining fee
- Receive 500 CashPoints upon payment of the renewal fee
- Get a ₹500 gift voucher if you spend ₹50,000 or more in a quarter
- Enjoy 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400–₹5,000, capped at ₹250 per statement cycle
- Get up to 20% off at partner restaurants through Swiggy Dineout
- Zero liability on lost or fraudulent cards—report to HDFC Bank’s 24/7 customer care immediately
- Convert big purchases into EMIs with the EMI Conversion option
- Make contactless payments up to ₹5,000 without entering your PIN
15. Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Card
Joining Fees
NIL
Annual Fee
1000 + GST
Reward Type
Reward Points
CashBack and Rewards
- No joining fee is required
- Earn 4X reward points on retail purchases (₹150 = 1 point)
- Earn an extra 4X reward points if you spend ₹20,000+ on retail in a month
- Earn 1 reward point per ₹150 on insurance and government payments
- Enjoy complimentary lounge access
- Membership fee waived if annual spending exceeds ₹3 lakh
Want a credit card with multiple benefits packed into one?
Get Edge CSB Bank RuPay Credit Card on Jupiter
Types of Reward Credit Cards
Cashback Cards
These cards provide cash rewards for every purchase, usually giving back 1-2% of the total spent. Certain cards may boost these rewards for specific categories, like fuel, groceries, or dining out, offering even more cashback for those types of expenses.
Points Cards
These cards earn you points for every purchase, which can be exchanged for a range of rewards like travel, merchandise, or gift cards. Some cards also provide extra points for spending in particular categories or at selected retailers.
Miles Cards
Miles cards provide rewards such as miles or travel points, which you can use for flights, hotel accommodations, and other travel expenses. Additionally, some cards grant extra miles for purchases in specific categories, like airfare or hotel bookings.
Co-Branded Cards
These cards are designed through collaborations with particular retailers, airlines, or hotel chains, providing perks and rewards tailored to that brand. Holders of co-branded cards can enjoy benefits like complimentary hotel accommodations, airline miles, or special discounts on purchases with the associated brand.
Flexible Reward Cards
These cards provide the highest level of flexibility for rewards, enabling cardholders to use their points or miles for a wide range of options, including travel, merchandise, or statement credits.
It’s important to consider your spending habits when getting a credit card for rewards and cashback. Further, it’s also essential to check whether the credit card has any joining or annual fees so you can manage your financial plan accordingly.
If you want to stay clear from joining and annual fees on credit cards, consider switching to Jupiter’s Edge CSB Bank RuPay Credit Card. This 3-in-1 credit card is perfect for collecting reward points for dining, shopping, and travelling.
Benefits of Rewards Credit Cards
Rewards on credit cards vary, giving you different benefits. Below are some common benefits of rewards credit cards:
- Earn on everyday spending: Every transaction earns you cashback or points — whether on groceries, dining, fuel, or online shopping. Over time, regular spending adds up to meaningful rewards.
- Welcome bonuses: Many cards offer sign-up bonuses worth ₹250–₹1,500 in cashback or points when you spend a specified amount within the first 30–90 days of card issuance.
- Fuel surcharge waivers: Several rewards cards waive the standard 1% fuel surcharge at petrol pumps, saving money on regular fuel expenses across the year.
- Airport lounge access: Premium rewards cards include complimentary domestic or international lounge access, making travel more comfortable at no additional cost.
- Zero forex markup: Some rewards cards offer zero forex markup on international purchases, making them ideal for overseas travel or foreign currency transactions.
- Fraud protection: Rewards credit cards come with zero-liability protection — if your card is lost or stolen and used fraudulently, your reported losses are covered by the issuer.
What is the Eligibility Criteria for Rewards Credit Cards?
The criteria for qualifying for a rewards credit card can differ but typically include requirements such as being at least 18 or 21 years old, having a stable income, maintaining a good credit score, and demonstrating responsible credit behaviour. Additionally, some cards might have specific job-related requirements, so it’s wise to review these details before submitting your application.
How Do Rewards Credit Cards Work?
Rewards credit cards provide benefits like points or cash back for every purchase you make. These rewards can be redeemed for various perks, including travel, products, or statement credits. However, be mindful that these cards can have associated fees and restrictions. Using them responsibly is essential to avoid accruing interest charges.
How to Apply for a Rewards Credit Card?
Once you’ve weighed all your options and picked the ideal rewards credit card, applying for it is straightforward and swift, thanks to modern online conveniences.
Here’s a simple guide to applying for a rewards credit card online:
-
Review Card Options
Thoroughly examine the details of each card you’re considering, including any additional features and associated fees.
-
Compare Offers
Gather a few promising options and compare them carefully. Assess the rewards, fees, and benefits of each before finalising your choice.
-
Complete the Application Form
Accurately fill out the form with your personal, professional, and financial details.
-
Prepare Your Documents
Have your identification and proof of income ready. These documents are essential for the issuer to evaluate your application and creditworthiness.
-
Wait for Video KYC
Many issuers now use video Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures to verify your identity and eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best rewards credit card in India?
The best rewards credit card depends on your spending habits. Jupiter’s Edge RuPay Credit Card offers 2% cashback on dining, shopping, and travel with no joining or annual fees. For everyday Amazon shoppers, the Amazon Pay ICICI card offers up to 5% cashback. Travel spenders may prefer cards offering airport lounge access or airline miles.
How much cashback can I earn with a rewards credit card?
Cashback varies by card and category. Most cards offer 1-2% on general purchases; select categories like dining and groceries can earn 5-10% or more. Jupiter’s Edge RuPay guarantees 2% cashback on dining, shopping, and travel, plus 0.4% on all other spends.
Are rewards credit cards worth the annual fee?
If you spend regularly and redeem rewards before expiry, paid cards can be worthwhile. Cards with ₹1,000+ annual fees typically offer lounge access, travel insurance, or higher cashback caps. However, lifetime-free cards like Jupiter’s Edge deliver strong value without fees.
Can I transfer rewards points between credit cards?
Generally, rewards points are card-specific and cannot be transferred between issuers. Most providers let you redeem points against partner merchants, convert to travel miles, or claim statement credits within their own ecosystem.
How to maximize credit card rewards?
Spend on categories that give you the highest rewards rate, like dining or travel. Pay your full balance monthly to avoid interest charges that wipe out gains. Stack rewards with cashback apps and milestone bonuses to boost your earnings faster.
How do cashback and reward cards differ?
Cashback cards give you money back as a percentage of what you spend, while reward cards earn points you redeem for gifts or travel. Cashback is instant and simple—you get rupees directly. Rewards need more steps to convert into value, but often offer bigger perks if you’re willing to work for them.
How do reward points differ from cashback?
Reward points are earned on every purchase and you redeem them later for gifts, travel, or discounts—they’re flexible but require action. Cashback hits your account instantly as money back, no redemption needed. Points often give better value if you use them wisely, but cashback is simpler and immediate.
Will I get insurance cover if I apply for a reward credit card?
Most reward credit cards include basic insurance coverage like purchase protection and travel insurance. The exact coverage depends on your card’s terms—some offer accident protection or emergency medical coverage. Check your card’s benefits guide to see what’s included with your specific card.
How can I pay my reward credit card billing amount?
You can pay your Jupiter credit card bill through multiple channels: online via the Jupiter app or website, auto-pay setup for automatic deductions, bank transfers, or UPI payments. Choose whichever method works best for you, and ensure you pay before the due date to avoid interest charges.
