This Article was fact checked and last updated for accuracy on June 22, 2025 by Mani Karthik

TLDR: Amazon Pay ICICI is still king. HDFC Neu Infinity if you shop at Tata brands. Everything else is filler.

I’ve tested 30+ lifetime free cards over 5 years. Most are garbage dressed up as value. Here’s what actually works.

Why LTF Cards Matter

Annual fees add up. ₹500 here, ₹1000 there. Before you know it, you’re paying ₹5000 yearly just to hold plastic.

LTF cards solve this. Zero fees. Forever. Perfect for beginners or anyone who doesn’t want fee anxiety.

The catch? Most LTF cards offer mediocre rewards. Banks aren’t charities.

The Champions

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card

Fee: ₹0 Forever
My Take: The undisputed king of LTF cards.

Why it dominates:

  • 5% back on Amazon (Prime members)
  • 3% back on Amazon (non-Prime)
  • 2% on Amazon Pay partner merchants
  • 1% on everything else

Real experience: I’ve earned ₹18,000 cashback in 2 years. Zero complaints.

Perfect for: Anyone who breathes Amazon.

HDFC Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card (LTF Offers)

Fee: ₹1,499 (but often LTF via app)
My Take: Best value if you get the LTF offer.

What works:

  • 5% on Tata Neu app purchases
  • Additional 5% on select Tata brands
  • Airport lounge access (domestic + international)
  • RuPay variant for UPI transactions

The reality: HDFC frequently provides targeted LTF offers on the Tata Neu app. Check your app regularly.

Perfect for: Tata ecosystem loyalists.

The Solid Choices

AU Bank Xcite Series

Fee: ₹0 Forever
My Take: Underrated cards with decent benefits.

The lineup:

  • Xcite: Basic variant for beginners
  • Xcite Ace: Middle tier with better rewards
  • Xcite Ultra: Premium tier with international benefits

How to get them: Card-to-card application process based on existing credit card limit.

Perfect for: Anyone with existing cards looking to expand.

IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

Fee: ₹0 Forever
My Take: Solid all-rounder with lounge access.

What you get:

  • 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter
  • 10X reward points on eligible spending
  • Decent welcome benefits

The downside: Reward redemption can be complex.

The Newcomers

Kiwi Credit Card

Fee: ₹0 Forever
My Take: Digital-first approach that actually works.

Why it’s interesting:

  • Virtual RuPay card via Yes Bank
  • Real cashback (not points)
  • 1% to 5% cashback rates
  • UPI integration

Reality check: Higher cashback of 2% to 5% available through Neon subscription if you meet spending targets.

Perfect for: Tech-savvy users who prefer apps over plastic.

Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card

Fee: ₹0 Forever
My Take: Decent for travel enthusiasts.

The standout feature: Unlimited domestic lounge access on spending Rs. 5,000 monthly.

Perfect for: Domestic frequent flyers on a budget.

The Disappointments

Axis Bank Neo Credit Card

Fee: ₹0 Forever
My Take: Overhyped, underdelivered.

The rewards are minimal. The benefits are basic. There are better options.

Most Bank-Specific LTF Cards

Cards like SBI SimplyCLICK, HDFC MoneyBack+ sound great on paper. Reality is different.

Hidden caps. Complex redemption. Better alternatives exist.

LTF Cards with Lounge Access

Truth bomb: Most LTF cards with lounge access have spending requirements.

The real options:

  • IDFC FIRST Select: 2 domestic visits per quarter
  • Federal Bank Scapia: Unlimited domestic (₹5k monthly spend)
  • HDFC Neu Infinity: 8 domestic + 4 international (if LTF)

My Honest Strategy

  1. Get Amazon Pay ICICI first – Universal winner
  2. Add Tata Neu Infinity if LTF – Ecosystem play
  3. Consider AU Xcite for specific needs – Good backup option
  4. Skip everything else – Seriously

The Fine Print Reality

“Lifetime Free” means:

  • No joining fee
  • No annual fee
  • Other charges still apply (late payment, cash advance, etc.)

Common tricks:

  • First year free ≠ Lifetime free
  • Fee waiver on spending ≠ Lifetime free
  • Read terms carefully

Why Most LTF Lists Are Wrong

Other blogs list 20+ cards. That’s noise, not signal.

Most LTF cards offer:

  • 0.5% to 1% rewards
  • Basic benefits
  • Complex redemption

Why settle for mediocre when Amazon Pay ICICI exists?

Application Strategy

Amazon Pay ICICI: Apply directly on Amazon Tata Neu Infinity: Check LTF offer on Tata Neu app AU Xcite: Use existing card for C2C application Others: Standard bank application

Red Flags to Avoid

  • Cards requiring FD deposits (that’s secured, not free)
  • “Special offer” LTF cards (usually temporary)
  • Cards with mandatory insurance add-ons
  • Regional bank cards with poor service

The Bottom Line

Don’t overthink LTF cards. Pick 2-3 good ones and ignore the rest.

Amazon Pay ICICI covers 80% of use cases. Everything else is optimization at the margins.

Focus on building credit history, not collecting plastic.

Pro tip: Use LTF cards to understand your spending patterns. Upgrade to premium cards later if it makes sense.

Last updated: June 2025. Credit card terms change faster than trending reels.

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