So, you are a salaried person and you’re looking for a credit card. You have plenty of options from the banks, but choosing the right one may be confusing. There’s so many options to choose from and without knowing the details of each card, making mistakes are very likely. This article will tell you which are the best credit cards for salaried people in India, today.
Banks look into multiple factors when it comes to giving credit cards. They want to make sure they give credit to only the worthy ones. Every bank has its own unique policy of issuing credit cards. Some may ask for a fixed deposit or even in enter you into an add on scheme. But mostly it tis the income of the person that is important. And of course, your credit score and things like that.
Also read: Best Credit Cards for Shopping in India
So higher your income the higher will be your payment capacity and your ability to meet your monthly dues. So, a person earning Rs 80,000 per month has a better chance of getting a credit card than a person with a salary of Rs 15,000 per month. Anyways, let’s look at some of the best credit cards for salaried people, available in India today.
In this article…
1. SBI Simply Save Card
SBI has numerous credit cards for its customers but each have their own unique features as well as benefits. The SBI Simply Save Card is perfect for salaried individuals with its numerous lifestyle, shopping, travel benefits and low annual charges. It is accepted globally and also allows you to pay your utility bills without extra charge.
Eligibility
- You should be between the ages of 21-60 years.
- Must furnish ID proof, income proof and address proof.
Benefits
- As a welcome gift you will get 2000 points for Rs 2000 spent within two months of receiving the card.
- 10x reward points for every RS 100 spent on dining, grocery, movies.
- 1 reward point for every Rs 100 spent using this card.
- 2.5% fuel surcharge waiver for each transaction between Rs.500 & Rs.3000
- You can withdraw Rs 100 from the ATM on using the card within 30 days of receiving the card.
Rewards
- 2000 points for Rs 2000 spent within two months
Bonus offers
- 10x reward points for every Rs 100
APR
- 40.2% per annum
Joining Fee
- Rs. 499
Cash withdrawal fees
- 3% of cash withdrawal amount subject to a minimum of Rs 300.
Interest free credit period
- 20-50 days.
Drawback
- The APR of 40.2% is pretty high as compared to Axis Insta Credit Card offering 34.49 % per annum.
Summary
SBI Simply Save is a simple card which has good benefits for all. The annual charges are reasonable and can be afforded by all. You can avail benefits on fuel, dining, grocery and many more on using this card. They don’t come with any lifestyle privileges or shopping vouchers which are seen in some cards. It is a very reasonable card with not very exclusive benefits but it will cater to your every needs.
Also read: Best Credit Cards for Bill Payments
2. HSBC Premier Master Card
This is exclusively for premier customers of HSBC and come with numerous privileges. This card gives you some of best benefits in dining, shopping and travel. If you are a premier customer of the bank then you should have this one as it is one of the best cards you can hold.
Eligibility
- All applicants must be above 21 years.
- He must be earning Rs 5 lakhs annually.
- This card is offered on the basis of Total Relation Balance Maintained. It has a criteria for a balance of 5 lakhs be maintained in a quarter.
Benefits
- Make 2 points for every Rs 100 spend
- Avail a cashback of 1.5%on international spends.
- Get up to 5%cashback at bigbasket.com
- Complimentary Priority Pass membership
- 50% cashback at PVR cinemas.
- Free access to premier airport lounges 2 times a year
- On spending Rs 75000 in a month you can avail 1000 voucher from Bookmyshow.com
Rewards
- Avail cash back of 1.5%on international spends
Bonus offers
- Get up to 5% cash back at bigbasket.com
APR
- 29.88%
Joining Fee
- Nil
Cash withdrawal fees
- 5% of the transaction amount or a minimum of Rs 300.
Interest free credit period
- Up to 52 days.
Drawback
- The card is only available to applicants earning 5 lakhs and above.
- A minimum of 5 lakhs has to be maintained in a quarter.
Summary
HSBC has introduced this card exclusively for people earning very high salary. It is not possible for everyone to afford this but the benefits that accompany it is very good. The APR is very low at 29.88% which is the lowest rate you can get. There are no joining fee and annual membership fee for this card. You can earn points as you spend and even get cash back on international purchases.
Also read: Best Credit Cards in India for Bill Payments
3. HDFC Teachers Credit Card
HDFC has introduced an exclusive card for teachers. It is one of best profession and yet they are still not paid up to the mark. So to combat this problem they have been provided with number of perks and benefits which will help them meet their daily purchases. They have a very attractive reward system which can be collected and exchanged for gifts.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be between 21-60 years of age.
- Furnish income, address and identity proof.
Benefits
- You get 2 reward points for every Rs 150 spent using this card
- You will get 6 points for every Rs 150 spent on weekends.
- Avail 500 reward points on teacher’s day.
- Get up to Rs 250 fuel surcharge waiver on your fuel expenses per billing cycle.
- Take the benefit of availing complimentary cards for your spouse, siblings and children.
- By registering with Smart pay you can be sure of making your bill payments on time.
Rewards
- 2 Rewards points for every Rs 150
Bonus offers
- 500 reward points on teacher’s day.
APR
- 41.88 % per annum
Joining Fee
- Rs. 500
Annual Fee
- Rs. 500
Cash withdrawal fees
- 2.5 percent of the amount withdrawn (Minimum Rs 250)
Interest free credit period
- 20-50 days.
Drawback
- The APR at 41.88% is very high when compared to Axis Insta Card offering at 34.49 % per annum.
Summary
This is a card intended to benefit the teachers with problem of the rising cost of living. You earn points as you meet expenses using this card. If the card is used during the weekends you get 3 times the reward points which is an added benefit. Bonus points on teacher’s day, fuel rebates are the other benefits that come along with this card.
Also read: Best HDFC Credit Cards in India
4. Axis Bank Insta Credit Card
Now here is a card that you can apply even if your credit history is poor. For an Axis Bank Insta Credit Card you need is a fixed deposit with this bank and your application will be accepted. Axis Bank has always been focusing on catering to all the different customers across India. And this particular card definitely helps out a greater section of people who find it difficult to get a credit card sanctioned. Check out other cards from Axis bank.
Eligibility
- The applicant cannot be a minor
- They must have a fixed deposit with Axis Bank
- The fixed deposit should be a minimum of Rs 20000 and a maximum of 25 lakhs.
- The applicant cannot be applying for any of the following FD. (Tax Saver FDs, Flexi-Deposits (Auto-sweep Fixed Deposits), Fixed Deposits in the name of HUF/society/trust/companies.
Benefits
- Make 6 points for every Rs 200 spend within India.
- You can make up to 12 reward points on every international spend.
- Earn 100 reward points for every transaction you make online.
- Get a fuel surcharge waiver of 2.5% for all your fuel transactions in the range of Rs 400 – Rs 4,000.
- Make 2X reward points for all the transactions completed with your card in your birthday month
- Once you have accumulated the points you can redeem them for gifts mentioned in the catalogue.
- The joining fee of s 500 will be waived off if Rs 5000 is spend within 45 days of receipt of the card.
Rewards
- 6 points for every Rs 200 spend within India
Bonus offers
- 100 reward points for online spends.
APR
- 34.49 % per annum.
Joining Fee
- Rs. 500
Annual Fee
- Nil
Cash withdrawal fees
- 2.5 percent of the amount withdrawn (Minimum Rs 250)
Interest free credit period
- Up to 50 days.
Drawback
- You need a fixed deposit to avail this card.
Summary
Axis Bank Insta credit card allows anyone to avail a card no matter what their credit history be. You can earn points of about 6 for every Rs 200 spent which is good when compared to ICICI HPCL Coral that gives only 2 points for every Rs 100 spent. The APR is also low at 34.49% when compared to SBI Simply Save at 40.2%.
5. ICICI HPCL Coral Credit Card
This card comes with numerous privileges and is intended to help customers beat rising cost of fuel expenses. You have a chance of earning points as you shop with this card. These points can later be collected and be redeemed for exciting gifts or vouchers.
Also read: Best Credit Cards in India for Online Shopping
Eligibility
- You should be earning a minimum of Rs 45000 per month.
- For self-employed they should have had an income of at least 5.4 lakhs.
- Age limit is 23-60 years
Benefits
- Earn 2 reward points for every Rs 100 spend using this card
- Enjoy 2.5% cashback (maximum Rs 100) when you use your card to purchase fuel at any of the HPCL petrol pumps
- Annual fee will be waived off on spending 50000 or more in a year
- Redeem 2000 PAYBACK Points for fuel worth ₹ 500.
- 15% when you dine at over 800 restaurants that are part of the Culinary Treats program of ICICI.
- 2 complimentary access to airport lounges every quarter.
Rewards
- 2 Reward points for every Rs 100 spend.
Bonus offers
- Redeem 2000 PAYBACK Points for fuel worth ₹ 500.
APR
- 40.8% per annum.
Joining Fee
- Rs. 199
Annual Fee
- Nil
Cash withdrawal fees
- Rs 100.
Interest free credit period
- Up to 48 days.
Drawbacks
- To be eligible for this card you need to earn a minimum of 45000 per month which makes it difficult for most of people to apply for this card.
- The APR is 40.8% which is high when compared to card like Standard Chartered Manhattan Card offering at 37.20%
Summary
ICICI HPCL Coral is a card perfect for employees who need to travel a lot and have an extensive use of fuel expenses. The card allows you to earn points as you spend and later redeem them for fuel charges at HPCL. You are also eligible for 2.5% rebate on your petrol charges form this respective station. Apart from this you also have access to dining and travel benefits too. The annual charge is also reasonable and makes it a good card to own.
6. Citibank Corporate Card
Citibank Corporate Card is designed especially for the management executives who can use this card as part of their organizational need. The card gives some great deals of saving and earning reward points by spending using the card. You have an option to save 55% on the range of business products and services, which include shopping, hotels, car rentals, travel and more.
Also read: Best Citibank Credit Cards in India
Eligibility
This card is available if the organization chooses to provide it to its employees.
Benefits
- Avail 2 points for every Rs 125 spent using the card.
- Enjoy the benefit of the never expiring reward points.
- Exclusive discount of 55% on business related expenses like hotel stays, car rentals, travel, restaurants…
- Easy access to local currency when you are abroad.
- You can also enjoy some privileges that accompany this card like golf, spa, travel, shopping, entertainment, etc. in India and even across the globe.
- Also get 20% off on dining bills on restaurants across India.
- Redeem your points for air miles or booking tickets with yatra.com
Rewards
- 2 points for every Rs 125 spent in India.
Bonus offers
- 55% off on business related expenses.
APR
- 37.20% and 42.00% per annum depending on your credit limit.
Joining Fee
- Will be provided only when cards are sourced.
Annual Fee
- Will be provided only when cards are sourced.
Cash withdrawal fees
- Depending on the credit limit.
Interest free credit period
- 17 – 23 days.
Drawbacks
You cannot apply it on your own. It is to be availed by the corporate houses only.
Summary
Citibank has come out with a card exclusive for management executives of companies. The benefits associated with this card are exclusively intended to help them as they work. You have discounts on travel, hotel stays, car rentals, restaurants and many more. Exclusive privileges to golf, spa, travel, shopping, entertainment, etc. in India and abroad are some of the other benefits. It’s very rare to find many privileges in one card making it even more better to own.
7. Standard Chartered Manhattan Platinum Credit Card
Standard Chartered is well known bank and its financial products attend to numerous customers in India as well abroad. They have tie-ups with Big Bazaar, Reliance, Food Bazaar making it easy for using the card and earning points or cash back on it.
Also read: Best Standard Chartered Credit Cards in India
Eligibility
- Age criteria for applying is 25-65years
- Annual salary of 6 lakh and above
- Available in metropolitan cities.
Benefits
- Earn 5% cash back on your departmental shopping bills.
- 5 reward points for Rs 150 spent on all other purchases.
- On registering for online banking you get 500 additional points.
- 5% cash back on all your purchases.(minimum amount of 1000 per transaction)
- Get 20% cash back with a maximum cap of 600 per month on Uber ride facility.
- Welcome gift of e voucher of Rs 5000 from any popular brands like Yatra, Hush Puppies / Bata, Marks & Spencer, Westside, Shoppers Stop.
- Convenient options to make bill payments like ECS, BillDesk, NEFT, IBFT, VISA Money Transfer, Internet Banking.
- Redeem your points for exciting gifts.
- If you spend Rs 3,0000 in a year you get a rebate on the joining fee and if the spend is Rs 60,000 the fee is waived off.
Rewards
- 5% Cash back shopping bills.
Bonus offers
- Rs.500 as cash back every month and Rs.150 for each transaction.
APR
- 37.20%.
Joining Fee
- Rs 499.
Annual Fee
- Rs 999.
Cash withdrawal fees
- 3% of cash withdrawal amount subject to a minimum of Rs 300.
Interest free credit period
- 18-48 days.
Drawbacks
- The card can only be availed by people with an annual salary of 6 lakh as such making it not applicable for many people.
- This card is also only available in branches located metropolitan cities
- The joining fee is 499 but the annual fee is 999 which is a small hike but again this can waived off if your annual expenses on the card goes above 60000.
Summary
Standard Chartered Manhattan Credit Card has a joining fee of Rs 499 and an annual fee of 999 which is not high. But the annual charges would be waived off if the expenses made using card goes above 60000 in a year. The APR rate is only 37.2% per annum and is much lower than the ICICI HPCL Coral Credit Card at 40.8%.Even the reward points are good at 5 points for every Rs 150 spent and you can accumulate the points for gifts specified under the catalogue.
8. Axis Bank Platinum Credit Card
The Axis Bank Platinum Credit Card offers numerous privileges and benefits that can be availed by the cardholders. This is a very popular card and its fees makes it reasonable for everybody to afford. The bill payments can also be easily done via NEFT,ECS or mobile payments. Apart from this you can gain reward points on your spending and later redeem them for gifts.
Eligibility
- Indian resident between the ages of 18-70.
- Income proof, address proof and identity proof.
Benefits
- Make 6 points on every 200 domestic spend and 12 points for Rs 200 spent on international purchases.
You can also gain 100 points on first online transaction and 2x points on your birthday months. - Avail 2.5% surcharge waiver on your fuel expenses with a maximum limit of Rs 400 per month.
- You can make foreign currency transactions with a conversion cost of 3.5%.
- The joining fee will be waived of if they spend Rs 5000 within 45 days of receipt of card and the annual fee will be waived of on annual spend of Rs 1 lakh in the previous year.
- Get 25% cash back on your box office movie ticket bookings.
- If your card is lost or stolen you can report it to the customer service and with the zero lost card liability you can be protected against the fraudulent use of card.
Rewards
- 6 points for every Rs 200 spend.
Bonus offers
- Get gain 100 points on first online transaction
APR
- 46.78 % p.a.
Joining Fee
- Rs 500.
Annual Fee
- Rs 200.
Cash withdrawal fees
- 2.5 % of the amount withdrawn (Minimum Rs 250)
Interest free credit period
- Up to 50 days.
Drawback
The APR is very high at 46.78%. Cards like Standard Chartered Manhattan Credit Card charges 37.20%per annum which is quite reasonable.
Summary
Axis is definitely a people’s bank and has designed its products suiting all categories of customers. The Platinum Credit Card is reasonable with a nominal joining and annual charges. As you spend using the card you gain points. For every Rs 200 spend you gain 6 points which is good when compared to ICICI HPCL Coral Credit Card that has 2 points for Rs 100 spend.
9. HDFC Doctors Superia Credit Card
HDFC has introduced this credit card for both salaried and self-practicing doctors. It comes with numerous privileges and has several travel benefits too. The card allows you earn points as you spend using this card. Once the points accumulate you can exchange it for gifts mentioned in the catalogue.
Also read: Best HDFC Credit Cards in India
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a salaried or self-practicing doctor.
- For a salaried doctor the age criteria is 21-60 years and for self-practicing the age is 21-65 years.
Benefits
- Avail 1000 reward points as a welcome gift.
- 3x reward points for every Rs 150 spent.
- Get 50% more reward points when you dine at selected restaurants.
- You have access to airport lounges across the globe.
- First year is waived if you spend Rs 15000 within 90 days of receipt of the card.
- Fuel surcharge is waived up to Rs 250 per billing cycle.
Rewards
- 1000 reward points as welcome gift.
Bonus offers
- 3x times reward points for every Rs 150 spent.
APR
- 46.78 % p.a.
Joining Fee
- Rs 1000.
Annual Fee
- Rs 1000.
Cash withdrawal fees
- 2.5 % of the amount withdrawn (Minimum Rs 250)
Interest free credit period
- Up to 50 days.
Drawback
- This is exclusively for doctors and so cannot be used by all.
- The APR is high at 46.78 % p.a.
Summary
Here is a card exclusively targeted for doctors and it comes with some good privileges too. The card has a welcome gift of 1000 points giving you a head start in your reward accumulation. Apart from that you can make 5x times reward for every Rs 150 spent. The joining and annual charges are a little high but on spending Rs15000 within 90 days of the receipt of the card the charge will be waived off.
10. Citi Bank Rewards Credit Card
With the Rewards Credit Card, Citibank is offering a card exclusive for cardholders and comes with numerous reward points. You can make points as you meet the expenses and later redeem them for travel benefits or gifts or vouchers offered. These points don’t expire so you have an added advantage of using them as you wish.
Eligibility
- You should be 18 years and above to be eligible for this card
- They should give income, address and identity proof for availing this card.
Benefits
- As a welcome gift you get 2500 points on activation of card.
- 10x Reward Points on spends at Apparel & Department Stores
- 1 reward point for every Rs 125 spent.
- On applying for add on card you get 500 bonus points.
- On renewal you get 1000 points.
- 20% off at over 1000 restaurants across India.
- 0.75% cashback on fuel purchases with your Citi credit card
- Redeem your collected points at aver 700 plus stores across India.
Rewards
- 2500 points on activation of card.
Bonus offers
- 10x Reward Points at apparel stores.
APR
- 39% per annum.
Joining Fee
- Rs 1000.
Annual Fee
- Rs 1000.
Cash withdrawal fees
- 2.5 % of the amount withdrawn (Minimum Rs 250)
Interest free credit period
- Up to 50 days.
Drawback
- APR is high at 39% per annum but Standard Chartered Manhattan Card charges only 37.20% per annum.
Summary
Citibank rewards Card is perfect for any person who wishes to earn points as they spend. The charges are a little high but you can make it up with the points that you accumulate as you spend. They have an interest free period of up to 50 days which pretty gracious and gives you opportunity to pay off as you get your salary.
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