Credit cards have become a financial staple, offering convenience, rewards, and access to premium perks. For beginners and seasoned users alike, lifetime free (LTF) credit cards are an excellent way to maximize benefits without worrying about annual fees.
In this blog, we’ll cover the best LTF credit cards in India for 2024—focusing on their unique features and why your first card should ideally be lifetime free.
Why Your First Credit Card Should Be Lifetime Free
A lifetime free credit card has no joining or annual fees, making it an ideal choice for first-timers. Here’s why:
- Credit Vintage Matters: The age of your oldest credit card impacts your credit score. An LTF card lets you maintain this account indefinitely, enhancing your credit history.
- Cost-Free to Hold: With no fees, you can keep the card open even if you transition to premium cards later.
- Credit Building: Regular usage with responsible repayments builds a strong credit profile, opening doors to higher credit limits and premium cards.
Pro Tip: Choose an LTF card that aligns with your lifestyle needs, such as shopping discounts, travel perks, or dining rewards. Avoid hoarding multiple LTF cards just because they’re free—each should serve a purpose.
India’s best lifetime free credit cards 2024
CREST Top 5 Picks for You
01
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card
Best For: Online shoppers on Amazon India.Key Benefits:
- 5% cashback for Amazon Prime members.
- 3% cashback for non-Prime members on Amazon purchases.
- 1% cashback on all other spends.
Why It’s Great: Cashback is directly credited to your Amazon Pay wallet, making rewards easy to redeem without complicated processes.
02
IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card
Best For: First-time credit card applicants with good approval chances.Key Benefits:
- High approval rates, making it beginner-friendly.
- Up to 10x reward points on online spending.
- Complimentary railway lounge access.
- Low interest rates starting at 0.75% per month.
Why It’s Great: Perfect for credit newbies, this card offers valuable perks without any fees or hidden costs.
03
IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card
Best For: Premium lifestyle and travel benefits.Key Benefits:
- Travel Perks: 8 domestic lounge visits and 2 international visits (via Priority Pass) annually, with no minimum spend requirements.
- Entertainment Offer: 1 free BookMyShow ticket worth up to ₹500 every 6 months.
- Low Forex Markup: 1.5% on international transactions.
- Rewards Program:
- Slab-based rewards: Up to 6 points for every ₹100 spent for annual spends above ₹5 lakhs.
- Transfer points to InterMiles with a 1.2:1 conversion rate.
Why It’s Great: A fee-free card offering lounge access, travel perks, and flexible reward redemption for premium experiences.
04
Swiggy HDFC Bank Credit Card
Best For: Foodies and grocery shoppers.Key Benefits:
- 10% cashback on Swiggy orders.
- Cashback on groceries and dining at select outlets.
- Complimentary Swiggy One membership (conditions apply).
Why It’s Great: Designed for regular Swiggy users, this card ensures significant savings on food delivery and grocery purchases.
05
Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank Credit Card
Best For: Shoppers in the Tata ecosystem.Key Benefits:
- 5% NeuCoins on spending at Tata Neu, Croma, BigBasket, and other Tata brands.
- 1.5% NeuCoins on all other spending.
- NeuCoins are easy to redeem across Tata’s wide range of brands.
Why It’s Great: This card is a must-have for those frequently shopping within the Tata ecosystem, offering consistent savings and rewards.
Summary of top lifetime free credit cards 2024
| Credit Card | Best For | Key Benefits | Rewards | Additional Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Pay ICICI Bank | Online shopping | – 5% cashback for Amazon Prime members – 3% cashback for non-Prime members – 1% cashback on all other spends | Cashback credited directly to Amazon Pay wallet | No minimum spend required, seamless cashback rewards. |
| IDFC FIRST Millennia | Beginners & general rewards | – Up to 10x reward points on online spending – Complimentary railway lounge access – Low interest rates starting at 0.75% p.m. | Rewards redeemable for travel, shopping, and vouchers | High approval rates for beginners. |
| IndusInd Bank Tiger | Premium travel & lifestyle | – 8 domestic and 2 international lounge visits annually (Priority Pass) – 1 free BookMyShow ticket (₹500) every 6 months – Low forex markup of 1.5% | Up to 6 points per ₹100 (spends > ₹5 lakh), transferable to InterMiles at 1.2:1 rate | Slab-based rewards for higher spenders. |
| Swiggy HDFC Bank | Food delivery & dining | – 10% cashback on Swiggy orders – Cashback on groceries and dining at select outlets | Rewards tailored for foodies and grocery shoppers | Complimentary Swiggy One membership (terms apply). |
| Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank | Tata ecosystem shopping | – 5% NeuCoins on Tata brands like Croma, BigBasket, and others – 1.5% NeuCoins on all other spends | NeuCoins redeemable across the Tata Neu ecosystem | Perfect for frequent Tata brand shoppers. |
How to Choose the Best Lifetime Free Credit Card
Selecting the right LTF credit card boils down to identifying your primary needs. Here’s a checklist to guide you:
- Lifestyle Alignment: Do the benefits cater to your spending habits, like shopping, travel, or dining?
- Ease of Rewards Redemption: Opt for cards with simple reward structures, such as direct cashback or easily redeemable points.
- Additional Perks: Look for add-ons like lounge access, low forex markup, or dining discounts that enhance your experience.
Advantages of Lifetime Free Credit Cards
- Zero Cost: No joining or annual fees ensure that you’re not losing money while earning rewards.
- Credit History Boost: Keeping an LTF card long-term improves your credit score and financial credibility.
- Tailored Benefits: Many LTF cards target niche needs, like dining perks (Swiggy HDFC) or travel rewards (IndusInd Tiger).
- Premium Eligibility: A good history with LTF cards makes you eligible for high-end credit cards with superior benefits.
Conclusion
Lifetime free credit cards like the Amazon Pay ICICI, IDFC FIRST Millennia, and IndusInd Tiger offer a cost-effective way to enjoy rewards, build your credit score, and access premium perks. Whether you’re shopping online, dining out, or traveling, there’s an LTF card tailored to your needs.
Start your credit journey today by selecting a card that complements your lifestyle and helps you achieve your financial goals!
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