Discover the best shopping credit cards in India for 2024. Featuring top options for cashback, rewards, and discounts across online and offline purchases. Choose the right card and enjoy significant savings on all your shopping!

Introduction

With the growth of online shopping in India, 2024 presents exciting opportunities to save on everyday and luxury purchases alike. Choosing the right credit card? You can maximize your savings, by offering cashback, discounts, and special rewards on both online and offline purchases. This guide will walk you through India’s best shopping credit cards for 2024. Breaking down their features, annual fees, and top perks so you can select the ideal card for your spending style.

Best Shopping Credit Cards in India for 2024

1. SBI Cashback Card

• Best For: Frequent online shopping
• Key Benefits: 5% cashback on online transactions, up to a ₹5,000 monthly cap, with 1% cashback on offline purchases. Categories such as fuel, utility payments, and educational expenses are excluded from the 5% cashback​
• Annual Fee: ₹999 (waived with annual spending of ₹2,00,000)
• Why It’s Great: For consistent online shoppers, the SBI Cashback Card provides substantial cashback across most digital purchases.
  

2. ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card

• Best For: Amazon Prime members
• Key Benefits: 5% cashback on Amazon purchases for Prime members (3% for non-Prime members) and 1% on other spends
• Annual Fee: None (lifetime free)
• Why It’s Great: This card is excellent for Amazon shoppers, providing high rewards without an annual fee, and making it highly cost-effective.

3. HDFC Millennia Credit Card

• Best For: Comprehensive online and offline shopping
• Key Benefits: Up to 5% cashback on Amazon, Flipkart, and other popular e-commerce platforms, along with 1% cashback on other purchases​
• Annual Fee: ₹1,000 (waived if annual spending reaches ₹1,00,000)
• Why It’s Great: With versatile cashback options, the HDFC Millennia is ideal for those shopping across various platforms.
  

4. Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card

• Best For: Flipkart and Myntra shoppers
• Key Benefits: 5% cashback on Flipkart and Myntra purchases, and 1.5% cashback on other spends​
• Annual Fee: ₹500
• Why It’s Great: Frequent Flipkart and Myntra customers benefit from a high cashback rate, making it a smart choice for loyal users of these platforms.
  

5. HSBC Cashback Credit Card

• Best For: International and online shopping
• Key Benefits: 1.5% cashback on online transactions, and 1% on offline purchases, with no foreign transaction fees​
• Annual Fee: ₹750 (waived for the first year)
• Why It’s Great: For international shoppers and digital purchases, the HSBC Cashback card offers straightforward rewards with no added fees on foreign transactions.
  

6. Standard Chartered DigiSmart Credit Card

• Best For: Frequent shoppers with specific brand preferences
• Key Benefits: Brand-specific discounts, including 20% off on Myntra, 10% on Grofers, and more. A monthly fee of ₹49 is charged, which is waived if monthly spends exceed ₹5,000​.
• Annual Fee: ₹49 per month (waived on ₹5,000 monthly spend)
• Why It’s Great: The card offers attractive discounts across popular platforms, making it a good choice for loyal users of these brands.

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Comparison Table of the Top Shopping Credit Cards for 2024

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Understanding Cashback: How It Works and Maximizes Savings

Cashback credit cards are a popular choice for shoppers who want to earn money back on their purchases. When you make eligible transactions with a cashback credit card a portion of your spending is returned to you in the form of cashback. Here’s a deeper look at how cashback works and how to maximize it.

How Cashback Works

Cashback rewards are a percentage of your spending credited back to your account. For example, if a credit card offers 5% cashback on online purchases. You would receive ₹50 back on a ₹1,000 transaction. Cashback typically applies to different spending categories—like online shopping, dining, groceries, and more—and each category may offer different cashback rates.

With most cashback cards, rewards accumulate and are credited either:

1. Monthly or Annually: Cashback can be applied to your account balance periodically, reducing your outstanding credit.
2. As Statement Credits or Cash Deposits: Some cards allow cashback as a direct statement credit, reducing your monthly dues. Others may offer bank transfers, vouchers, or additional spending credits on partner platforms.
3. Minimum Redemption Requirements: Some cards require you to accumulate a certain amount (e.g., ₹500) before redeeming your cashback. While others apply cashback instantly or without restrictions.

Types of Cashback Offers

1. Flat Rate Cashback: Some cards, like the HSBC Cashback Credit Card, offer a fixed percentage (e.g., 1.5%) on all eligible transactions. This is ideal for those who don’t want to track spending categories and prefer straightforward rewards.
2. Tiered or Category-Based Cashback: Cards like the SBI Cashback Card and Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card offer higher cashback on specific categories—like online shopping or purchases from Flipkart and Myntra. For example, the SBI Cashback Card offers 5% on online purchases but 1% on others, allowing you to earn more in targeted spending areas.
3. Limited-Time and Partnered Cashback: Some cards, like the Standard Chartered DigiSmart Card, provide ongoing discounts with specific brands, such as Myntra, Grofers, and Zomato. Partnered cashback rates can be particularly high but are usually limited to certain merchants.

How to Maximize Your Cashback Earnings

1. Choose Based on Spending Habits: Select a cashback card that aligns with where you spend the most. For instance, Amazon Prime members benefit greatly from the ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card. while Flipkart fans should consider the Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card.
2. Watch for Monthly or Annual Caps: Many cards impose a cashback limit. The SBI Cashback Card, for example, caps its 5% online cashback at ₹5,000 per month​. Knowing these limits can help you plan larger purchases accordingly.
3. Meet Spending Thresholds for Fee Waivers: Some cards, like the HDFC Millennia and SBI Cashback Card, waive their annual fees when a minimum annual spending limit is reached. (e.g., ₹1 lakh or ₹2 lakh). Reaching these thresholds allows you to enjoy the benefits without the added fee.
4. Avoid Excluded Categories: Cashback on certain cards excludes categories like fuel, utility bill payments, and insurance premiums. Reading your card’s terms can help you make the most of eligible purchases while avoiding ineligible transactions that may not earn cashback.
5. Track Partnered Promotions: Cards with brand-specific cashback, like the Standard Chartered DigiSmart Credit Card, often include discounts only with select merchants. Knowing your card’s partner offers can help you earn maximum savings at partnered brands like Myntra, Zomato, and Inox.

Important Considerations

While cashback credit cards provide savings, managing them responsibly is essential. Avoid interest charges by paying your balances in full each month, as carrying a balance may negate your cashback rewards. Stay aware of each card’s fees, minimum redemption limits, and any changes in cashback rates to ensure you’re consistently maximizing your card’s value.

Cashback on credit cards can be a powerful tool for reducing your expenses when used wisely. By choosing a card that fits your lifestyle and tracking your spending, you can enjoy substantial returns on everyday purchases throughout 2024.

Conclusion

With a range of cashback, discounts, and reward options, these shopping credit cards cater to a variety of spending habits. The SBI Cashback Card stands out for its high online cashback rate, while the ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card is perfect for Amazon Prime users. Meanwhile, the HSBC Cashback Credit Card offers flexibility for international shopping, and the Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card delivers value for Flipkart and Myntra regulars. Be sure to assess your spending habits and the benefits each card offers to make an informed choice and get the most from your shopping in 2024!