Top 5 credit cards in 2025: A credit card is key to accessing easy credit, bolstering credit history, and saving big with rewards and bonuses. Mindful use of credit cards can also help in getting travel perks and even access to insurance.

Most of the credit cards come with hidden costs like annual fees and joining charges and may also act as a deterrent for people looking to apply for a credit card for the first time. Several banks and other financial institutions are providing credit cards with low maintenance costs and even zero joining fees. Here are top 5 credit cards for first-timers to start their personal finance journey:

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit card is a perfect choice for shopping enthusiasts. Payment using this credit card offers cashback on every purchase. This cashback can be redeemed on Amazon and with more than 100 partner merchants. Credit card owners are not required to pay any joining fee or annual fee. Users can also get a waiver of 1% on fuel surcharge payments each time they refuel. However, users may be required to pay fees on late payments, exceeding usage over permissible limits, and other expenses. Amazon Prime members can earn additional cashback or rewards on payments with this card. Whereas using the card on Amazon Pay also provides additional cashback rewards every time.

Fibe Axis Credit Card

People can use this credit card on UPI transactions by linking their Fibe Axis Bank Credit Card with UPI to enjoy quick and seamless UPI payment experience. This card doesn’t charge any joining fee or annual fee from its users. People can also get the benefit of four complimentary domestic lounge visits at selected airports per calendar year. Using this credit card for fuel expenses can help users earn a 1% fuel surcharge waiver. But the spending should fall between Rs. 400 & Rs. 5000. Max waiver up to Rs. 400 per month. The fuel surcharge is not levied by the card issuing bank; on certain fuel transactions, the fuel surcharge may be levied as INR 10 + GST instead of 1% + GST.

IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card

IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card offers exciting benefits on online shopping, airport lounge access, and other facilities to its users without charging any joining fee or annual subscription cost. The card doesn’t have any joining fee, but it makes sure that users get multiple joining benefits like gift voucher of up to Rs 500, up to Rs 1000 cashback on first EMI transactions, and other benefits.
Additionally, users can also get access to selected airport lounges, low forex markup, free air trip cancellation and other benefits.

HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card

This card doesn’t charge any annual fee or joining fee to its customers. At the same time, it doesn’t fail in offering ample rewards, offers, and privileges on shopping with partnered lifestyle brands. Users can also get reward benefits and earnings and even collect air miles from leading airlines. Users can also get reward points for every Rs 150 transaction with an HSBS Platinum Credit Card.

SBI SimplyCLICK credit card

Owners of this credit card will not be required to pay any annual fee if they spend Rs 1 lakh in a year. Additionally, they can earn extra reward points whenever they spend Rs 100 across categories. There are additional benefits like an Amazon India gift card worth Rs 500 with joining and Cleartrip/Yatra e-vouchers on spending Rs 1 lakh. Credit card holders will also get 1% fuel surcharge on every transaction between Rs 500 to Rs 3,000. Shopping and transactions on top online brands like BookMyShow, Swiggy, Myntra, etc can provide up to 10X reward points, whereas the credit card usage on online transactions may lead to 5X reward points.