5 Best Lifetime Free Credit Cards in India!
Credit cards have revolutionized the way we manage our finances, but do you know what’s even better? Lifetime free credit cards. Imagine enjoying all the benefits of a credit card without ever paying a joining or annual fee. With hundreds of options available, how do you choose the best one? To save you time and effort, this post ranks the top 5 lifetime free credit cards in India. Each of these cards offers unique perks and rewards, ensuring you get the most value without any hidden costs. Don’t miss out on our Credit Cult conclusion section for final insights. Let’s dive in!
Disclaimer: This blog may include affiliate links. They help support our work but don’t affect product rankings/reviews. Our recommendations are based on unbiased evaluations & personal experience.
List of 5 Best Lifetime Free Credit Cards:
Key Features:
- 10% Valueback on Shopping (Neu App)
- 5% Valueback on Recharge and Bills
- 20% Valueback during PayDay Sale
- UPI spends + 1% Cashback (RuPay Variant)
- Complimentary Airport Lounge Access
- You may get LTF Credit Card (Fees: 1499)
- Welcome Benefits of 1,499 NeuCoins (If joining fees of Rs 1,499 is paid)
- Milestone Benefits are often offered by HDFC
- NeuPass Rewards Program (Often ran during TATA IPL)
- 1.5% Cashback on EMI spends at TATA Brands
- Joining Fees & Annual Fees: Rs 1499
- 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver
#If you don’t initially receive the HDFC Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card as a lifetime free option, consider contacting HDFC Bank to request a conversion. Banks often accommodate such requests based on your relationship and spending patterns. This way, you can enjoy all the benefits without worrying about annual fees.
Pros:
- You may get it as Lifetime Free Credit Card
- Best Valueback on TATA Brands (especially spends through TATA Neu App)
- Best Valueback on Utilities Payment
- Payments through UPI and Cashback on it
Cons:
- You may not get it as Lifetime Free Credit Card
- No offers on Non-TATA E-commerce brands (like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, and more)
Key Features:
- 5% Valueback on Amazon Shopping (3% Valueback, if not a prime member)
- 2% Valueback on Recharge and Bills
- Welcome Benefits: Amazon Prime, Other Complimentary Offers worth Rs 1,500/more
- No Airport Lounge Access
- 2% Valueback on spends on partner brands like Yatra, BookMyShow, Faasos, etc.
- 1% Valueback on other spends
- Occasionally, special rewards are offered by Amazon
- 3/6 months No-cost-EMI and Amazon Shopping
- 1% waiver on fuel surcharge
Pros:
- Great welcome benefits at Nil joining fee
- High cashback rate for Prime members
- Multiple associated partners, spends on these earn 2% cashback
- Lifetime free
- No cap on cashback earning
- Cashback is directly credited as Amazon Pay
- Includes everyday spends like wallet reloads, bill payments for cashback earning
Cons:
- Zero benefits on travel, entertainment or any other category apart from shopping
- Not suited for international usage as foreign currency mark-up fee is high (3.5%)
- Low cashback rate for non-prime holder
- Benefits of ICICI Bank Credit Card are not applicable on this card (So, no good offers on other E-commerce brands)
Key Features:
- Only Lifetime Free Credit Card offering Railway Lounge Access (4/Quarter)
- Welcome Benefit: 500 on spend of 15,000
- B1G1 movie ticket offer, twice every month
- 5% cashback on your first EMI transaction (within first 90 days)
- Airport Lounge Access (4/Quarter)
- 10X reward points on all transactions you make on your birthday
- 15% off at 3,000 plus health and wellness outlets
- Enjoy free Road Side Assistance (RSA) of up to Rs.1,399
Pros:
- Lifetime Free Card
- Only Lifetime Free Card offering Railway Lounge Access
- Welcome Benefit of Rs 500 on a spend of Rs 15,000
Cons:
- Does not offer good Valueback on online/offline shopping
- Does not offer valueback on Utility payments
Key Features:
- A Must have card for Instant Discount on E-commerce Sales (Amazon, Flipkart, Croma, and more)
- 15-20% off on spends at partner restaurants
- No Other Benefits like Lounge Access, Utilities Bill Payment Offers
- Fuel surcharge waiver of 1%
- No other benefits. Recommended just because I have noticed that recently ICICI is offering great discount on shopping from almost all E-commerce platforms using ICICI Bank Credit Cards (Except co-branded credit cards).
Pros:
- Instant Discount and Cashback offers on almost all E-commerce brands
- Lifetime Free
Cons:
- No good Valueback on other spends
- No valueback on Utilities payments
- No Airport/Railway lounge benefits
Key Features:
- 10-30% Valueback on stores around you (Grocery, QSR, Pharmacy, Fuel and more)
- Around 1% Valueback on Online Spends
- No Lounge Access
- Discounts offered on Amazon-Croma Sales
- Valueback on Gift Card Purchase
- A #MetalCard
- Zero Forex Fee
- Exclusive Deals are offered
- Special Sale cashbacks under Ticking Deals Segment
- Travel Benefits Available
- OneCard’s SBM Card allows customers to get credit card against FD. Best to build a credit score.
Pros:
- Great Valueback offered under the Around You offer segment
- Lifetime free card
- Get it against FD if not credit history
- Occasional Exclusive Deals are offered
- Enhanced security through app based transaction approvals and card control
Cons:
- No Airport/Railway Lounge Access
- Bank Credit Card offers are not applicable
- No good valueback on Utility payments
Credit Cult Recommendation
All 5 of them are the Free Gems. I own 3 of them and soon will apply for the other 2 credit cards. But, if you want the best then go for HDFC’s Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card even if you don’t get it as a Lifetime Free Credit Card. As it has best benefits and to make it zero cost you just need to either do annual spends of Rs 3,00,000 or just make bill payments of more than Rs 30,000. That’s it, enjoy all the additional benefits. You’ll Love It.
Credit Cult Conclusion
Choosing one of these top 5 most rewarding zero fee credit cards allows you to enjoy significant rewards and benefits without worrying about additional costs. I own three cards and all 3 of them are LTF cards- Amazon Pay ICICI Card, Tata Neu Infinity Card and OneCard Credit Card. Among them, the HDFC Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card stands out. Although, primarily it is not lifetime free (as you may or may not get the card for lifetime free), it offers the best valueback (upto 10%) in the form of NeuCoins on various categories. Tata Neu frequently runs additional offers, providing up to 20% instant discounts on shopping from BigBasket, 1mg, TataCliq, Flight Bookings and more.
Remember to use the card responsibly and pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges. Happy spending!
Risks and Benefits of Credit Cards
Benefits
- Rewards and Cashback: Earn rewards on every spend.
- Interest-Free Period: Enjoy an interest-free period on purchases.
- Convenience: Easy and convenient payment method.
- Credit Score Improvement: Responsible usage can improve your credit score.
Risks
- High-Interest Rates: High-interest rates on unpaid balances.
- Debt Trap: Potential to accumulate debt if not managed properly.
- Fees and Charges: Hidden fees and charges if not aware.
FAQs: Lifetime Free Credit Cards
Q: What is a lifetime free credit card?
A: A lifetime free credit card has no joining or annual fees, making it a cost-effective option for users. (But these lifetime free credit cards do charge other type of fees, charges and penalties, if applicable.)
Q: Can I apply for these cards online?
A: Yes, most banks offer online applications for credit cards through their websites.
Q: How can I increase my credit limit on these cards?
A: Regularly using the card and paying off the balance on time can help increase your credit limit over time.
Q: Are there any hidden charges on these lifetime free credit cards?
A: Generally, there are no hidden charges. However, it’s essential to read the terms and conditions carefully to understand all fees and charges.
Hey Readers,
We hope you found Credit Cult’s recommendations helpful in selecting the best credit card for your needs. For additional insights, don’t miss our exclusive post where we reveal the best credit cards in India that offers railway lounge access. It’s a fantastic option if you’re looking for complimentary lounge benefits.
Happy reading, and enjoy your journey with the right credit card!
– Saurabh, Credit Cult
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