GUIDESCREDIT CARDS
GUIDES
The best lifetime free credit cards do more than just waive fees, they help you earn rewards year after year without paying a rupee in joining or annual charges. That makes them a smart choice for first-time cardholders and anyone looking for the best free credit card in India to build credit and save on everyday spending.
But here’s the catch: not every “lifetime free” card offers the same value. Some give only basic rewards, while others are designed to shine in specific categories like online shopping, travel, dining, movies, or fuel.
That’s why choosing among the best free credit cards isn’t about fees alone, it’s about finding the card that fits your lifestyle and answers questions like which bank credit card is best for your needs.
India’s credit card market is not just growing in terms of products but also usage and spends. In September 2025, credit card spending and new card issuances in India reached record highs, with total monthly spends exceeding ₹2.16 lakh crore, a 22 % year-on-year jump, driven by festive season demand, GST rate cuts, and strong e-commerce activity.
Fresh credit card additions neared 1.1 million, taking the total number of cards in circulation past 113 million. This reflects widening consumer adoption of credit cards for both online and offline purchases.
A lifetime free (LTF) credit card is a card with ₹0 joining fee and ₹0 annual fee, so you can keep it active year after year without paying maintenance charges. It’s a smart choice for young professionals and first-time card users who want to build credit, earn rewards/cashback, and avoid the pressure of meeting spend targets just to waive annual fees.
Unlike paid cards, lifetime free credit cards offer long-term value without worrying about renewals, high interest rates, or hidden charges.
These lifetime free credit cards offer flexibility to earn rewards, pay bills, shop online, and build a healthy credit score without the pressure of fees. Many are issued by top banks like ICICI, Axis, IDFC FIRST, AU Bank, and even RBL Bank, depending on partnerships and offers.
For example, a paid credit card with a ₹1,000 annual fee may waive the charge only if you spend ₹1–2 lakh every year. In contrast, a lifetime free credit card stays active even if you barely use it, making it ideal for beginners, students, or users who want to keep a card purely to build credit history.
Here’s a snapshot to help with comparing credit cards based on real-world usage:
Credit Card | Best used for | Key Benefits |
| Amazon Pay ICICI Card | Amazon shopping + bills | High cashback on Amazon + partner merchants |
| MagniFi Co-branded Credit Card | Weekend spends | 5% back on weekend spends + 20% off on top brands [Amazon, BookMyShow, Zepto, and Zomato] |
| IDFC FIRST Millennia | Daily spends | Rewards rate boosts after monthly spend threshold |
| IndusInd Bank Platinum Credit Card | Dining | Dining tie-ups + memberships/offers |
| Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card | Travel + forex | Low/zero forex + lounge access (spend-based) |
| AU LIT Credit Card | Custom benefits | Choose “packs” (cashback/travel/dining etc.) |
| HSBC Visa Platinum credit card | First-time users | Basic rewards + offers |
| IndusInd Legend Credit Card | Lifestyle + travel | Lounge/concierge-style benefits (varies) |
| IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card | Higher spends | Better rewards + lifestyle perks than entry cards |
| BOB Premier RuPay Credit card | UPI + broad acceptance | RuPay UPI payments + rewards/offers |
When comparing lifetime free credit cards, the key isn’t how many benefits a card lists, but how often you’ll actually use them. A travel-focused card may look attractive on paper, but if you travel only once a year, a weekend or shopping-focused card may deliver more real value.
This is one of the most popular shopping credit cards in India, especially for frequent Amazon users. It’s a true lifetime free credit card with no annual or joining charges.
If you shop a lot on Amazon, this lifetime free card is a no-brainer. Cashback is simple and gets credited to your Amazon Pay balance.
If you’re wondering which credit card is best for online shopping, especially on Amazon, this card consistently ranks among the top choices in India.
Online Shopping (especially on Amazon)
MagniFi co-branded credit card is designed around how people actually spend on weekends, from food and beverages to entertainment and shopping.
If you’re searching for a card that truly offers rewards on lifestyle categories, this is one of the most well-rounded lifetime free credit cards available today.
It’s also a strong option for users searching which credit card is best for movie tickets, thanks to BookMyShow and weekend entertainment offers. This is also one of the few options considered suitable for users looking for a lifetime free credit card without income proof, depending on eligibility and banking history.
Weekend spends (food, movies, shopping)
💡 100 Fi-Points = ₹25 in value. You earn while you spend.
Great for people who regularly cross monthly spend thresholds and want higher earn rates without paying annual fees.
Accelerated rewards after monthly spend milestone
The IndusInd Bank Platinum Credit Card is a great pick if you enjoy dining out, movies, entertainment, and lifestyle perks. This card often comes with unique restaurant and lifestyle offers, making everyday experiences more rewarding, especially if you spend on eating out and entertainment.
Dining & lifestyle rewards
A travel-focused card where you earn Scapia Coins on bookings and spends, plus you get zero forex markup, useful for international travel/spends.
Frequent travellers + zero forex usage
This is AU’s “build-your-own-card” concept. Pick features/packs based on your lifestyle, while the base card is positioned as lifetime free.
Customizable benefits (choose what you actually use)
A popular entry-level card with rewards, fuel surcharge waiver, and frequent offer-based benefits (movies/dining offers vary).
Many users consider this when asking which is the best credit card for beginners due to its simple rewards and zero annual fee.
Beginners who want a simple, lifetime-free rewards card
Legend is positioned as a lifestyle card with weekend-accelerated rewards and periodic promotions; fee waivers/LTF can depend on offer.
Lifestyle + weekend rewards (movies/travel-style perks)
A lifetime-free card positioned for users who want rewards + travel comforts like lounge access and low forex markup.
Lounge access + strong all-round benefits (without annual fee)
This is a strong pick if you specifically want a RuPay credit card for UPI and also want travel benefits like lounge access (often spend-linked).
Travel + RuPay UPI usage
The table below lists additional LTF credit cards without an annual fee in addition to the one mentioned above.
Credit Card | Best Suited For | Key Benefits |
| IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card | High spenders who want accelerated rewards + premium perks | Accelerated reward points on higher monthly spends |
| ICICI Platinum Chip Credit Card | Basic rewards on everyday retail spends | 2 reward points per ₹100 on eligible retail spends. Simple, no-fuss rewards structure |
| Kotak 811 Credit Card | Beginners / first-time users (especially if eligibility is flexible) | 1% cashback on online spends. Good starter card for building credit history |
Not all lifetime free credit cards deliver the same value. While many simply remove the annual fee, only a few truly earn their place among the best lifetime free credit cards by rewarding how you actually spend.
If your biggest expenses revolve around weekends, dining, food and beverages, entertainment, and online shopping across multiple commerce platforms, the MagniFi co-branded credit card stands out as one of the best options in India.
With zero joining and annual fees and benefits focused on when you spend the most, MagniFi isn’t just another free credit card, it’s a smarter way to make your weekends more rewarding. Explore MagniFi to see how much more value your weekend spends can unlock.
There’s no single answer to what is the best credit card in India, as it depends on how you spend. For online shopping, Amazon Pay ICICI is popular. For weekends and entertainment, MagniFi co-branded credit card stands out. Beginners may prefer HSBC Visa Platinum or Kotak 811.
If you’re new to credit cards, you might wonder which is the best credit card for beginners. Lifetime free cards like MagniFi, HSBC Visa Platinum, Kotak 811, and Amazon Pay ICICI are good starting points because they’re easy to manage, don’t charge annual fees, and help build a strong credit score.
For users asking which credit card is best for online shopping, the Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card and MagniFi co-branded credit card are often considered one of the best free credit cards due to their high cashback on Amazon and partner merchants.
If entertainment is a priority and you’re wondering which credit card is best for movie tickets, cards like MagniFi co-branded credit card and Axis Neo offer strong discounts on platforms like BookMyShow and Zomato.
When people ask which bank credit card is best, the answer depends on usage, MagniFi, ICICI and Axis are great for shopping and offers, IDFC FIRST is strong for rewards.
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