6 January 2026
Unlike other credit cards, a lifetime free credit card does not charge any joining or annual fee. However, other charges are still applicable, such as late payment fees, cash withdrawal fees, foreign currency markup, and over-limit charges.
Here is a list of some of the most popular lifetime-free credit cards available in India for you to choose from.
A no-annual-fee credit card is a good option if you want a credit card with basic but comprehensive benefits. If you are a responsible spender, it will reduce your annual card maintenance fees and provide you with credit card benefits that will bring your cost of living down.
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Credit Card |
Annual Fee |
Advantages |
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NIL |
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NIL |
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NIL |
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NIL |
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NIL |
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NIL (For 1st four years) |
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NIL |
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NIL |
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NIL |
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NIL |
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NIL |
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Now let’s take a detailed look at each of these free credit cards.
The FinBooster: YES Bank - BankBazaar Co-branded Credit Card assists you in establishing a high credit score and good credit behavior. You receive regular credit fitness reports, which provide you with information about your financial health.
Suitable for: Those who want to improve their credit score and gain access to the Credit Fitness Tracker.
| Joining Fee | Nil |
| Annual Fee | Nil |
| Other Benefits & Features |
|
The RBL Bank BankBazaar SaveMax Credit Card is a free credit card for life that offers a variety of appealing rewards and cashback. The card also includes a free monthly credit advisory on BankBazaar, which will assist you in tracking your spending and monitoring your credit score. The credit card also allows balance transfers, EMI conversion, and pre-approval loans.
Suitable for: New credit card users who want help in tracking and monitoring their spending.
| Joining Fee | Nil |
| Annual Fee | Nil |
| Other Benefits & Features |
|
The HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card provides benefits in a variety of lifestyle categories such as dining, shopping, and so on.
Suitable for: People who use their credit cards regularly for dining, shopping, and other day-to-day expenses.
| Joining Fee | Nil |
| Annual Fee | Nil |
| Other Benefits & Features |
|
IndusInd Bank Platinum Card provides benefits across various categories, including travel, lifestyle, entertainment, etc. Pay the joining fee and enjoy the benefits offered by the card for life for free.
Suitable for: People who enjoy traveling a lot.
| Joining Fee | NIL, when you apply through BankBazaar.com. For others, it is Rs.3,000. |
| Annual Fee | Nil |
| Other Benefits & Features |
|
The SBI Card Unnati, which is issued against a minimum fixed deposit of Rs.25,000, is ideal for people with no credit history.
Suitable for: First-time credit card applicants with no credit history.
| Joining Fee | Nil |
| Annual Fee | NIL, for the first four years |
| Other Benefits & Features |
|
Elevate Your Spending with Premium Credit Cards
The Kotak Fortune Gold Credit Card, which is only available to businessmen, provides basic credit card benefits such as fuel discounts and ticket booking.
Suitable for: People looking for a basic credit card.
| Joining Fee | Nil |
| Annual Fee | Nil |
| Other Benefits & Features |
|
This Bank of Baroda Prime Credit Card is ideal for those looking for cashback on everyday purchases.
Suitable for: People looking for cashback returns.
| Joining Fee | Nil |
| Annual Fee | Nil |
| Other Benefits & Features |
|
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card gives the best discounts to Amazon Prime users. With Amazon being the biggest online marketplace, users can find a wide range of products at a discount of up to 5%.
Cardholders can also avail of discounts and offers from partner restaurants across India.
Suitable for: Frequent shoppers.
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Joining Fee |
Nil |
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Annual Fee |
Nil |
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Other Benefits & Features |
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OneCard gives you offers and discounts on several categories ranging from shopping, dining, and groceries to electronics, pharmacy, and even travel. On your top two categories of expenditure, you get 5X reward points.
Suitable for: All-round spending.
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Joining Fee |
Nil |
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Annual Fee |
Nil |
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Other Benefits & Features |
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Most credit card issuers require proof of income, identity, and address. Proof of income gives the lender evidence of your repayment ability. Here are the documents that are necessary for a lifetime free credit card:
Proof of Identity - Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter’s ID Card, Driving License, Ration Card, etc.
Proof of Address - Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter’s ID Card, Driving License, Ration Card, Lease/Rent Agreement, Property Documents.
Proof of Income - Salary slip of the last 3 months, Bank Statement of the last 6 months, Form-16, ITR, etc.
Choosing a lifetime credit card can seem difficult when many of them offer similar benefits. With some time to spend thinking and the checklist given below, you can make a decision in no time. Here are the things to ponder on:
This is where you spend the most. It could be groceries, fuel, online shopping, travel, or movie tickets. A credit card that gives you discounts where you spend the most would be more beneficial for you.
Check which credit card gives you the most cashback, reward points, discounts, or perks on the spending categories most relevant to you.
Also, check for extra benefits. Some cards offer welcome bonuses, partner discounts, and fuel surcharge waivers. A fuel surcharge waiver will give you a refund for or waive the extra fee added to fuel transactions, usually 1% to 3% of the bill.
Even lifetime-free credit cards can have minimum requirements. Make sure your income, age, credit score, and employment status meet the eligibility criteria for the credit card.
Think about the credit limit, too. A card with a credit limit too low may not be useful, and too high may tempt you to overspend.
Here is the checklist:
Is the issuer/bank trustworthy?
A lifetime free credit card, as the name implies, has no annual fee, i.e., there are no annual charges on these cards. Many people begin their credit journey with a free credit card because it appears to be the most affordable and risk-free option to them.
Furthermore, a no-annual-fee credit card can help you save money and get more out of your credit card. In terms of the value you derive from welcome bonuses, additional benefits, and special privileges, having zero annual fee credit cards could be a great prospect.
Thus, these cards not only help you save money by avoiding the annual fee, but they also help you save a lot on your spending because almost every credit card comes with some sort of rewards/cashback program that allows you to save every time you make a transaction.
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Disclaimer
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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