Co-Branded Credit Cards

08 July 2026

From Petrol Pumps to Shopping Carts: How Do Co-Branded Credit Cards Work?

A co-branded credit card is created through a partnership between a bank and a specific brand (like a shopping app, airline, or fuel station). The main benefit of a co-branded credit card is that you get extra high rewards, discounts, or cashback when you spend money at that specific brand.

Co-branded credit cards are still standard credit cards. You can use them anywhere credit cards are accepted. They are best suited for individuals who spend a large portion of their monthly budget with one specific merchant or brand like Shoppers Stop or Flipkart.

What is a Co-Branded Credit Card?

A co-branded credit card is a credit card created through a partnership between a financial institution (the bank that issues the card and manages the credit) and a commercial brand (the company where you shop).

Through this partnership, both companies come together to offer you exclusive deals. The bank takes care of your credit limit, bill generation, and payments, while the partner brand provides special perks, heavy discounts, or accelerated rewards whenever you use that specific card at their stores or on their apps.

For example, if a popular e-commerce platform partners with a major Indian bank to launch a card, that card is a co-branded credit card. It is designed to reward you heavily for being a loyal customer of that shopping platform.

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How Does a Co-Brand Credit Card Work?

Co-branded card functions exactly like any traditional credit card with a few added bonus layers.

When you use a co-branded credit card to buy products or services directly from the partner brand, you receive maximum benefits. This could be in the form of 3% to 5% direct cashback credited to your bill, or 5x reward points.

You are not restricted to using the card only at the partner brand. You can use it to pay for local grocery shopping, medical bills, or electricity payments anywhere else. However, when you spend outside the partner ecosystem, you will earn rewards at a much lower standard rate.

At the end of the monthly billing cycle, the bank generates your single credit card statement. You pay the bill directly to the bank. Any cashback or rewards you earned are either deducted from your total bill balance or credited to your wallet with the partner brand.

What Types of Co-Branded Credit Cards are There in India?

Depending on where you spend the largest portion of your hard-earned money each month, you can choose a card category that matches your lifestyle:

E-commerce & Shopping Cards

Designed for frequent online shoppers. These give huge cashback percentages or instant discount points on specific online shopping applications.

Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹299

Annual Fee: ₹299

Features:

Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹0

Annual Fee: ₹499

Features:

Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹0

Annual Fee: ₹500

Features:

Lifestyle Home Centre SBI Card SELECT

Joining Fee: ₹1,499

Annual Fee: ₹1,499

Features:

Reliance SBI Card PRIME

Joining Fee: ₹2,999

Annual Fee: ₹2,999

Features:

Moneyview Says

A co-branded card loses its value if you only visit the partner brand occasionally. Only choose a card for a brand you purchase from at least two to three times every month.

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Travel Cards

Partnered with airlines, railways, or travel booking portals. They offer free flight tickets, complimentary airport lounge access, and accelerated air miles.

Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹350

Annual Fee: ₹350

Features:

MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹0 (Limited time offer)

Annual Fee: ₹999

Features:

IRCTC SBI Card Premier

Joining Fee: ₹1,499

Annual Fee: ₹1,499

Features:

Airline Cards

These credit cards are made specially for frequent fliers. Airline cards offer benefits such as complimentary lounge access, discounts while booking tickets, and reward points for each time you fly.

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹1,000 + GST

Annual Fee: ₹1,000 + GST

Features:

Etihad Guest SBI Card

Joining Fee: ₹1,499 + taxes

Annual Fee: ₹1,499 + taxes

Features:

6E Rewards XL Indigo HDFC Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹1, 500 + taxes

Annual Fee: ₹1, 500 + taxes

Features:

Kotak IndiGo 6E Rewards XL Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹3,000

Annual Fee: ₹3,000

Features:

KrisFlyer SBI Card Apex

Joining Fee: ₹9,999

Annual Fee: ₹9,999

Features:

Fuel Cards

Partnered with major petroleum and oil companies. They eliminate the fuel surcharge and give you reward points that can be redeemed for free fuel at the pump

IndianOil RBL Bank XTRA Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹1,500

Annual Fee: ₹1,500

Features:

BPCL SBI Card Octane

Joining Fee: ₹1,499

Annual Fee: ₹1,499

Features:

HPCL IDFC FIRST Power+ Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹499

Annual Fee: ₹499

Features:

ICICI HPCL Super Saver Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹500

Annual Fee: ₹500

Features:

IndusInd Bank Jio-bp Mobility+ Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹499

Annual Fee: ₹499

Features:

Telecom and Utility Cards

Created in partnership with mobile network providers. They offer massive discounts on your monthly mobile recharges, broadband bills, and streaming subscriptions.

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹499

Annual Fee: ₹499

Features:

Swiggy HDFC Bank Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹500

Annual Fee: ₹500

Features:

Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹750

Annual Fee: ₹750

Features:

Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹1,499

Annual Fee: ₹1,499

Features:

HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹2,500

Annual Fee: ₹2,500

Features:

Food & Grocery Cards

Partnered with food delivery apps or mega-supermarkets to help you save on your weekly kitchen expenses.

HSBC Live+ Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹999

Annual Fee: ₹999

Features:

Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹3,000

Annual Fee: ₹3,000

Features:

Equitas Selfe Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹1,000

Annual Fee: ₹1,000

Features:

Conclusion

The rewards given by these cards look highly attractive, but it is important to check a few details to make sure you do not lose money. Make sure that you evaluate your loyalty. If you open a fuel co-branded card but only visit that specific brand's petrol pump once every three months, the card loses its value. Choose a card only for a brand you use at least two to three times every single month.

It is also important to watch out for annual fees. Some co-branded cards charge a renewal fee. Make sure the total amount of cashback you expect to earn in a year is significantly higher than the card's annual fee.

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About Author Bio:
Medha Goswami is a content writer with 5 years of experience. Since 2022, she is working at Moneyview as a financial writer, and turning complex money matters into clear, practical insights.

 Co-Branded Credit Cards- Related FAQs

A co-branded credit card is a payment card developed through a partnership between a banking institution and a specific retail, e-commerce, or service brand. The bank manages the backend operations, and the partner brand provides specific rewards, deep discounts, or direct cashback whenever you use the card at their stores or apps.

For most salaried individuals managing a routine household budget, holding two to three credit cards is the ideal strategy. This allows you to optimize your finances without overcomplicating your monthly bill tracking.

Airline credit cards in the Indian market generally fall into two categories based on how they reward your spending: Direct Co-Branded Airline Cards (IndiGo Partner Cards, Air India Partner Cards, International Carrier Cards) and Multi-Partner Travel Cards (Axis Bank Atlas / Horizon Cards, HDFC Bank Premium Cards - Infinia / Regalia Gold).

Yes. The Tata Neu HDFC Bank Credit Card (available in two variants: Plus and Infinity) is one of the most prominent co-branded credit cards in India. It is a product of collaboration between HDFC Bank and Tata Neu.

The starting interest rate depends on factors such as credit history, financial obligations, specific lender's criteria and Terms and conditions. Moneyview is a digital lending platform; all loans are evaluated and disbursed by our lending partners, who are registered as Non-Banking Financial Companies or Banks with the Reserve Bank of India.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always consult with your financial advisor for specific guidance.

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