Best premium credit cards we compare
Premium cards charge ₹2,500 or more a year. They're worth it only if the value back on your everyday spends, plus the lounge visits you'll actually use, beats the fee. Some are by invitation only.
18 cards · last verified 20 Oct 2026 · how we rank
Compare premium cards
- 1HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit Card
3.33% base · ₹10,000 joining, ₹10,000 a year · Lounge: Unlimited domestic + unlimited international
View on HDFC Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. - 2HDFC Bank INFINIA Credit Card Metal Edition
3.33% base · ₹12,500 joining, ₹12,500 a year · Lounge: Unlimited domestic + unlimited international
View on HDFC Bank siteBy invitation only: the bank invites customers. Issuer's site. We don't earn from this card. - 3ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
3% base · ₹12,499 joining, ₹12,499 a year · Lounge: Unlimited domestic + unlimited international
View on ICICI Bank siteBy invitation only: the bank invites customers. Issuer's site. We don't earn from this card. - 4HSBC Premier Credit Card
3% base · ₹12,000 joining, ₹20,000 a year · Lounge: Unlimited domestic + unlimited international
View on HSBC siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. - 5Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card
2% base · ₹3,000 joining, ₹3,000 a year · Lounge: 24 domestic + 8 international a year
View on Axis Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. - 6Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card
2% base · ₹20,000 joining, ₹20,000 a year · Lounge: Unlimited domestic + unlimited international
View on ICICI Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. - 7IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card
1.67% base · ₹5,999 joining, ₹5,999 a year · Lounge: 16 domestic + 16 international a year
Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission. - 8HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card
1.25% base · ₹2,500 joining, ₹2,500 a year · Lounge: 12 domestic + 6 international a year
View on HDFC Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. - 9Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
1.2% base · ₹12,500 joining, ₹12,500 a year · Lounge: Unlimited domestic + unlimited international
Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission. - 10Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card
1.2% base · ₹30,000 joining, ₹30,000 a year · Lounge: Unlimited domestic + unlimited international
View on Axis Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. - 11Axis Bank Select Credit Card
1% base · ₹3,000 joining, ₹3,000 a year · Lounge: 8 domestic + 6 international a year
View on Axis Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. - 12SBI Card PRIME
0.5% base · ₹2,999 joining, ₹2,999 a year · Lounge: 8 domestic + 4 international a year
Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission. - 13SBI Card ELITE
0.5% base · ₹4,999 joining, ₹4,999 a year · Lounge: 8 domestic + 6 international a year
Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission. - 14SBI Card MILES ELITE
0.5% base · ₹4,999 joining, ₹4,999 a year · UPI · Lounge: 8 domestic + 6 international a year
Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission. - 15Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card
– base · ₹3,000 joining, ₹3,000 a year · Lounge: 12 domestic + 12 international a year
Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission. - 16ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
– base · ₹6,500 joining, ₹3,500 a year · UPI · Lounge: 16 domestic + 2 international a year
View on ICICI Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. - 17HSBC TravelOne Credit Card
– base · ₹4,999 joining, ₹4,999 a year · Lounge: 6 domestic + 4 international a year
View on HSBC siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. - 18ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
– base · ₹12,000 joining, ₹12,000 a year · Lounge: Unlimited domestic + unlimited international
View on ICICI Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
| # | Card | Base rate | Fees | Airport lounge | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit CardHDFC Bank | 3.33% | ₹10,000 joining, ₹10,000 a year | Unlimited domestic + unlimited international | View on HDFC Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. |
| 2 | HDFC Bank INFINIA Credit Card Metal EditionHDFC Bank | 3.33% | ₹12,500 joining, ₹12,500 a year | Unlimited domestic + unlimited international | View on HDFC Bank siteBy invitation only: the bank invites customers. Issuer's site. We don't earn from this card. |
| 3 | ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit CardICICI Bank | 3% | ₹12,499 joining, ₹12,499 a year | Unlimited domestic + unlimited international | View on ICICI Bank siteBy invitation only: the bank invites customers. Issuer's site. We don't earn from this card. |
| 4 | HSBC Premier Credit CardHSBC | 3% | ₹12,000 joining, ₹20,000 a year | Unlimited domestic + unlimited international | View on HSBC siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. |
| 5 | Axis Bank Horizon Credit CardAxis Bank | 2% | ₹3,000 joining, ₹3,000 a year | 24 domestic + 8 international a year | View on Axis Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. |
| 6 | Times Black ICICI Bank Credit CardICICI Bank | 2% | ₹20,000 joining, ₹20,000 a year | Unlimited domestic + unlimited international | View on ICICI Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. |
| 7 | IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit CardIDFC FIRST Bank | 1.67% | ₹5,999 joining, ₹5,999 a year | 16 domestic + 16 international a year | Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission. |
| 8 | HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit CardHDFC Bank | 1.25% | ₹2,500 joining, ₹2,500 a year | 12 domestic + 6 international a year | View on HDFC Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. |
| 9 | Axis Bank Magnus Credit CardAxis Bank | 1.2% | ₹12,500 joining, ₹12,500 a year | Unlimited domestic + unlimited international | Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission. |
| 10 | Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit CardAxis Bank | 1.2% | ₹30,000 joining, ₹30,000 a year | Unlimited domestic + unlimited international | View on Axis Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. |
| 11 | Axis Bank Select Credit CardAxis Bank | 1% | ₹3,000 joining, ₹3,000 a year | 8 domestic + 6 international a year | View on Axis Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. |
| 12 | SBI Card PRIMESBI Card | 0.5% | ₹2,999 joining, ₹2,999 a year | 8 domestic + 4 international a year | Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission. |
| 13 | SBI Card ELITESBI Card | 0.5% | ₹4,999 joining, ₹4,999 a year | 8 domestic + 6 international a year | Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission. |
| 14 | SBI Card MILES ELITESBI Card | 0.5% | ₹4,999 joining, ₹4,999 a year | 8 domestic + 6 international a year | Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission. |
| 15 | Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit CardHDFC Bank | – | ₹3,000 joining, ₹3,000 a year | 12 domestic + 12 international a year | Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission. |
| 16 | ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit CardICICI Bank | – | ₹6,500 joining, ₹3,500 a year | 16 domestic + 2 international a year | View on ICICI Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. |
| 17 | HSBC TravelOne Credit CardHSBC | – | ₹4,999 joining, ₹4,999 a year | 6 domestic + 4 international a year | View on HSBC siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. |
| 18 | ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit CardICICI Bank | – | ₹12,000 joining, ₹12,000 a year | Unlimited domestic + unlimited international | View on ICICI Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card. |
Value back is the % of spend you get at the bank's published redemption value. “–” means the bank doesn't publish it. Fees exclude GST.Ranking never depends on whether we earn from a card.
The cards in detail
- View on HDFC Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
1. HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit Card
5 reward points per ₹150: about 3.3% back if you use the points for flights and hotels on HDFC SmartBuy (₹1 a point), or up to 1% as statement credit (up to ₹0.30 a point). Double points at standalone restaurants on Saturdays and Sundays, 10,000 bonus points each calendar quarter you spend ₹4 lakh, and up to 10 times the points on travel and shopping through SmartBuy. Fuel, rent, wallet loads, EMI and government payments earn nothing.
₹10,000 joining, ₹10,000 a year
- View on HDFC Bank siteBy invitation only: the bank invites customers. Issuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
2. HDFC Bank INFINIA Credit Card Metal Edition
5 reward points per ₹150: about 3.3% back if you use the points for flights and hotels on HDFC SmartBuy (₹1 a point), or up to 1% as statement credit (up to ₹0.30 a point). Up to 10 times the points on travel and shopping through SmartBuy, within 15,000 bonus points a month. Fuel, rent, wallet loads and government payments earn nothing.
₹12,500 joining, ₹12,500 a year
- View on ICICI Bank siteBy invitation only: the bank invites customers. Issuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
3. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
6 reward points per ₹200 on most spends: about 3% back if you use the points for flight and hotel vouchers or select brand vouchers (₹1 a point), 1.8% on catalogue products (₹0.60 a point) or 1.2% as statement credit (₹0.40 a point). 12,500 bonus points each time the joining or annual fee is paid, EaseMyTrip flight vouchers worth ₹6,000 at ₹8 lakh of yearly spend, and buy-one-get-one BookMyShow tickets (up to ₹750 off, twice a month). Fuel, rent, government, tax and wallet payments earn nothing.
₹12,499 joining, ₹12,499 a year
- View on HSBC siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
4. HSBC Premier Credit Card
3 reward points per ₹100, and HSBC values a point at ₹1 when you redeem it for Apple products or for flights and hotels on its Travel with Points portal, so about 3% back. Points also move 1:1 to 11 airline programmes (including Air India, Singapore Airlines and British Airways) and 4 hotel programmes, and never expire; gift cards and merchandise are priced in HSBC's app. Bookings made through the portal earn more (up to 36 points per ₹100 on hotels). New cards issued by 31 Dec 2026 get 20,000 bonus points on the first purchase within 30 days. Fuel earns nothing, and utility bills, insurance, rent, wallet loads and similar payments earn only on the first ₹1 lakh a month combined.
₹12,000 joining, ₹20,000 a year
- View on Axis Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
5. Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card
Travel card: 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on flights booked directly with airlines or on Axis's Travel EDGE portal, and 2 per ₹100 on most other spends. Axis values a mile at ₹1, so that's about 5% and 2% back, with no published earning cap. Utility bills, fuel, rent, insurance, wallet loads and government or education payments earn nothing.
₹3,000 joining, ₹3,000 a year
- View on ICICI Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
6. Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card
2% back in reward points on spends in India and 2.5% abroad, if you use the points where ICICI values them at their best (up to ₹1 a point). Taken as statement credit a point is worth ₹0.40, so 0.8% in India and 1% abroad. Milestone rewards worth ₹10,000 each at ₹2 lakh, ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh of yearly spend (Klook, airport transfers or WeWork passes, Tata CLiQ Luxury) and a ₹20,000 luxury stay at ₹20 lakh. Fuel and rent earn nothing.
₹20,000 joining, ₹20,000 a year
- Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission.
7. IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card
Reward points on every ₹150, worth ₹0.50 each when you book flights and hotels in IDFC FIRST's app (₹0.25 on vouchers, products and other redemptions). At the travel value: 1.67% back on your first ₹20,000 of spends a month and on international spends, 3.33% on spends above ₹20,000 a month and on your birthday; rent, education, wallet loads and government payments 1%; insurance, utilities, railways and FASTag 0.33%. Halve these at ₹0.25 a point. Extra bonus points on hotels and flights booked in the app. No points on fuel, EMI or cash withdrawals. International spends keep earning points after IDFC FIRST's 26 October 2026 change.
₹5,999 joining, ₹5,999 a year
- View on HDFC Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
8. HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card
5 reward points per ₹200: about 1.25% back if you use the points for flights and hotels on HDFC SmartBuy (₹0.50 a point), or 0.375% as statement credit (₹0.15 a point). 5X points at Myntra, Nykaa, Reliance Digital and Marks & Spencer. Fuel, rent, wallet loads and government payments earn nothing.
₹2,500 joining, ₹2,500 a year
- Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission.
9. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
12 EDGE Reward points per ₹200 on the first ₹1.5 lakh of spend each calendar month and 35 per ₹200 above that (up to your credit limit plus ₹1.5 lakh), plus 60 per ₹200 on the first ₹2 lakh a month booked on Axis's Travel EDGE portal. Axis's published value is ₹0.20 a point on its rewards catalogue, so that's about 1.2%, 3.5% and 6% back. Points can also move to 20 airline and hotel partners at 5 points to 2 partner miles. Fuel, utility and telecom bills, insurance, gold and jewellery, government payments, wallet loads and tolls earn nothing.
₹12,500 joining, ₹12,500 a year
- View on Axis Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
10. Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card
Same earning as the regular Magnus: 12 EDGE Reward points per ₹200 on the first ₹1.5 lakh of spend each calendar month and 35 per ₹200 above that (up to your credit limit plus ₹1.5 lakh), plus 60 per ₹200 on the first ₹2 lakh a month booked on Axis's Travel EDGE portal. Axis's published value is ₹0.20 a point on its rewards catalogue, so that's about 1.2%, 3.5% and 6% back. The difference is miles: points move to 20 airline and hotel partners at 5 points to 4 partner miles (double the regular card's rate), up to 10 lakh points a year. Fuel, utility and telecom bills, insurance, gold and jewellery, government payments, wallet loads and tolls earn nothing.
₹30,000 joining, ₹30,000 a year
- View on Axis Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
11. Axis Bank Select Credit Card
10 EDGE Reward points per ₹200 on most spends, and 20 per ₹200 at department stores, grocery stores and clothing stores on the first ₹20,000 of such spend a month. Axis values the welcome points at ₹0.20 each, so that's about 1% and 2% back. Spend ₹3 lakh in a card year for 5,000 bonus points (₹1,000). Fuel, utility and telecom bills, insurance, rent, wallet loads, education, government payments, gold and jewellery, gift cards and tolls earn nothing.
₹3,000 joining, ₹3,000 a year
- Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission.
12. SBI Card PRIME
Premium rewards card: 10 points per ₹100 on dining, movies, grocery and departmental stores (about 2.5% back), 2 points per ₹100 elsewhere, plus lounge visits and milestone vouchers.
₹2,999 joining, ₹2,999 a year
- Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission.
13. SBI Card ELITE
Premium lifestyle card: 10 points per ₹100 on dining, grocery and departmental stores (about 2.5% back), free movie tickets worth up to ₹6,000 a year, 1.99% forex markup and lounge access.
₹4,999 joining, ₹4,999 a year
- Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission.
14. SBI Card MILES ELITE
Premium travel card: 6 Travel Credits per ₹200 on travel and 2 per ₹200 elsewhere, 1.99% forex markup, domestic and Priority Pass lounge visits.
₹4,999 joining, ₹4,999 a year
- Apply nowVia our referral partner. We may earn a commission.
15. Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card
Earns Marriott Bonvoy points, not cash: 8 per ₹150 at Marriott hotels, 4 per ₹150 on travel, dining and entertainment, and 2 per ₹150 on most other spends. Points go to your Marriott Bonvoy account for hotel stays and other Marriott rewards and can't be turned into cash; HDFC Bank doesn't give them a rupee value. Up to 3 extra free nights a year when your spend in a card year reaches ₹6 lakh, ₹9 lakh and ₹15 lakh. Fuel, rent, wallet loads, vouchers, EMI and government payments earn nothing.
₹3,000 joining, ₹3,000 a year
- View on ICICI Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
16. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
2 reward points per ₹100 in India, 4 per ₹100 on international spends and 1 per ₹100 on utilities and insurance; ICICI doesn't publish what a point is worth. Welcome vouchers worth over ₹13,000, milestone bonus of up to 20,000 points a year, and buy-one-get-one BookMyShow tickets.
₹6,500 joining, ₹3,500 a year
- View on HSBC siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
17. HSBC TravelOne Credit Card
Travel card: 4 reward points per ₹100 on airlines, travel booking sites and foreign-currency spends, 2 per ₹100 on most other spends, and 10,000 bonus points once you spend ₹12 lakh in a card year. Points move 1:1 to 11 airline programmes (including Air India, Singapore Airlines and British Airways) and 4 hotel programmes (including Marriott and Accor); HSBC sets no fixed rupee value for them. Fuel, utility bills, rent and insurance earn nothing.
₹4,999 joining, ₹4,999 a year
- View on ICICI Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
18. ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
4 reward points per ₹100 on spends in India and abroad, and 1 per ₹100 on utilities and insurance; ICICI doesn't publish what a point is worth on this card. Buy-one-get-one BookMyShow tickets (up to ₹750 off the second, up to 4 times a month) after ₹25,000 of spend in the previous quarter, a ₹5,000 birthday voucher (Tata CLiQ on Amex, Postcard Hotels on Mastercard) and up to 4 golf rounds a month. Fuel, rent and wallet loads earn nothing.
₹12,000 joining, ₹12,000 a year
What you'd get back on everyday spends
- View on HDFC Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
1. HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit Card
₹3,996 a year at 3.33% · ₹10,000 annual fee
- View on HDFC Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
2. HDFC Bank INFINIA Credit Card Metal Edition
₹3,996 a year at 3.33% · ₹12,500 annual fee
- View on ICICI Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
3. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
₹3,600 a year at 3% · ₹12,499 annual fee
- View on HSBC siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
4. HSBC Premier Credit Card
₹3,600 a year at 3% · ₹20,000 annual fee
- View on Axis Bank siteIssuer's site. We don't earn from this card.
5. Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card
₹2,400 a year at 2% · ₹3,000 annual fee
Uses each bank's published rate and monthly cap for this spend. Some merchants and payment types are excluded; see each card's page. Annual fees exclude GST and are often waived above a yearly spend.
Related guides and comparisons
- How to Choose a Credit Card by Your SpendingPick a credit card by what you spend: what a reward point is worth, caps, lifetime free vs paid fee maths, UPI, lounges and eligibility, with ₹ examples.
- Axis Bank Horizon vs Axis Bank MagnusSide by side: fees, rewards and which one suits whom
- Axis Bank Horizon vs Axis Bank SelectSide by side: fees, rewards and which one suits whom
- Axis Bank Magnus vs Axis Bank Magnus for BurgundySide by side: fees, rewards and which one suits whom
- Axis Bank Magnus vs Axis Bank SelectSide by side: fees, rewards and which one suits whom
Questions people ask
Which premium card gives the most on everyday spends?
Among the cards we compare, the HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit Card from HDFC Bank is first, at 3.33% value back on everyday spends. Rates are capped on most cards, so check the monthly limit on its page.
Is there a lifetime free option?
No. Every premium card we compare charges a joining or annual fee, though most waive it if you spend enough in a year.
Which of these cards work on UPI?
SBI Card MILES ELITE, ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card. Only RuPay credit cards can be linked to UPI apps, and UPI rewards are often lower than card rewards.
How did you check these numbers?
Every fee, reward rate and eligibility rule comes from the issuing bank's official pages and terms, last verified 20 Oct 2026. Where a bank doesn't publish what a reward point is worth, we leave the rate blank instead of guessing.
Are premium credit cards worth it?
Only if what you get back beats the fee. Divide the fee by how much more the card returns than a lifetime free card on your spends: a ₹12,500 fee with 1.5% more back needs about ₹8.3 lakh of spend a year to pay off. Many premium cards also waive the renewal fee at a spend level, for example ₹4 lakh a year on HDFC Regalia Gold, ₹10 lakh on HDFC Infinia and ₹25 lakh on Axis Magnus, though Axis Horizon has no spend waiver. The rates in the table above assume you redeem points the bank's best way, usually flights and hotels; as statement credit, HDFC's top cards return at most 1% instead of about 3.3%.
What does 'by invitation only' mean, and how do I get invited?
It means the bank doesn't take applications for the card: it chooses which customers to offer it to. HDFC Bank says it assesses customers for Infinia and tells them personally if they qualify, and it publishes no income or age criteria. ICICI Bank asks you to contact your ICICI relationship manager for Emeralde Private Metal. Neither bank publishes how it chooses, so we can't say what earns an invitation. Some cards are limited rather than invite-only: Axis Magnus for Burgundy is for Axis Burgundy customers who meet its balance or salary rules, through a relationship manager or branch.
Which credit cards give unlimited airport lounge access?
Among the cards we compare, HDFC Infinia, HDFC Diners Club Black Metal and ICICI Emeralde Private Metal give unlimited visits in India and abroad to the primary and add-on cardholders, with no spend condition; guests pay extra. Axis Magnus and Magnus for Burgundy give unlimited Priority Pass visits abroad to the primary cardholder, plus 4 guest visits a card year, and unlimited visits to Axis's listed domestic lounges after ₹50,000 of spend in the previous 3 calendar months. Scapia Federal, which is lifetime free, gives unlimited domestic visits in any month after ₹20,000 of spend the month before, but no international ones.
Is there a lifetime free metal credit card?
Yes: OneCard charges no joining or annual fee and issues its metal card free, though a metal add-on card costs ₹3,000 and closing the card within 6 months of activating it costs ₹3,000. Premium metal editions such as HDFC Infinia, HDFC Diners Club Black Metal and ICICI Emeralde Private Metal cost ₹10,000 to ₹12,500 a year, and HDFC Bank charges ₹3,500 to replace a lost or damaged metal card. The metal itself adds nothing to what you get back, so compare rewards, lounges and fee waivers in the table above.
Last verified 20 Oct 2026 on each issuer's official page. Fees and rewards change; check the issuer's terms before you apply.