Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fees
We have prepared a list of the Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fees. This list will give you a high-level peek into the features of the cards across the banks.
We have tried to bring out the positives and negatives of each card so that it helps you in choosing a credit card as per your requirement. So, let’s jump into the discussion:
ICICI Platinum Chip Card
ICICI Platinum Chip Card has existed for a very long time and is considered one of the best credit cards with no annual fees in India. This card offers culinary treats and fuel surcharge waivers, and the opportunity to earn reward points redeemed through the PAYBACK portal.
This card has two variants – “Visa” & “Mastercard.”
| Description | Fees/Charges |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | NIL |
| Annual Fee( from Second year onwards ) | NIL |
| Supplementary Card Fee | NIL |
| Overdue interest on extended credit and cash advances | 3.40% per month (40.80% annualized) |
Pros
- Earn 2 PAYBACK Points on every ₹ 100 spent for all retail purchases except fuel. Your points are easily redeemable for attractive products through PAYBACK.
- Get 1 PAYBACK Point on every ₹ 100 spent on utilities and insurance categories.
- Card comes with an embedded microchip which provides additional security against counterfeiting and duplication of cards.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver can be availed on fuel transactions of a maximum ₹ 4,000 at HPCL pumps when the Card is swiped on ICICI Merchant Services swipe machines.
- Save a minimum of 15% on your dining bill at over 2,500 participating restaurants spread across 12 major cities with the ICICI Bank Culinary Treats programme.
Cons
- You will get “Payback” points instead of Reward points on the card.
- No travel benefits on this card.
If you are interested in this card and want to know more about it –
| Product | Do you find it interesting? | |
|---|---|---|
| ICICI Platinum Chip Card One of the best entry-level card
| Click here !! |
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card is one of the best offerings for Amazon customers in India. It has only one variant – “Visa.” No joining fee and No annual fee are the card’s highlighting features.
It is especially beneficial if you are an Amazon Prime customer.
| Description | Fees/Charges |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | NIL |
| Annual Fee( from Second year onwards ) | NIL |
Pros
- 5% cashback for Amazon Prime customers on shopping from Amazon
- 3% cashback for non-prime customers on shopping from Amazon
- 2% cashback on shopping at Amazon Pay partner merchants
- 1% cash back on other payments
- 15% discount on dining at select partner restaurants in India
- 1% Fuel surcharge waiver at all the fuel stations across India.
Cons
- No rewards, air miles or lounge access benefits
- Not suited for international usage as foreign currency mark-up fee is high (3.5%)
- Zero benefits on travel, entertainment or any other category apart from shopping
- Non-Amazon users can get better benefits on other cashback credit cards
If you are interested in this card and want to know more about it –
| Product | Do you find it interesting? | |
|---|---|---|
 | Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card Best card for Amazon Shopping
| Click here !! |
HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card
HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card is another well-known and feature-packed credit card in India. This card does not have any Joining fees or Annual Fees. You will get unsurpassed offers and rewards with instant recognition and exclusive privileges. It has only one variant – “Visa.”
| Description | Fees/Charges |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | NIL |
| Annual Fee | NIL |
| Credit card replacement fee (within India/outside India) | NIL |
| Currency conversion charge for foreign currency transactions | 3.5% |
Introductory Offers
New credit card customers can receive the following welcome privileges on a single transaction of a minimum of Rs 1,000 within 30 days of card issuance:
3 complimentary airport lounge access at domestic & international lounges or 3 meal vouchers*
* For use at airport restaurants in India
Google Pay
50% discount (up to Rs 100) on the first transaction on Google Pay
10% cashback
Up to Rs 2,000
Amazon Voucher
(Worth Rs 500)
Introductory offers are valid on Visa Platinum Credit Cards from 1 August 2021 to 31 December 2021.
1 Cardholders have to make at least 5 eligible transactions with total spending of a minimum of Rs 10,000 within the first 60 days from the date of card issuance.
Pros
- Air miles conversion on InterMiles, British Airways and Singapore Airlines
- 5-times (5X) rewards on subsequent purchases made after crossing the spend amount of Rs 400,000 with a max 15,000 accelerated reward points in an anniversary year
- Up to Rs 3,000 annual savings on fuel surcharge
- Get cashback worth Rs 250 on spending over Rs 50,000 in a calendar month (effective 01 October 2021 onwards)
Cons
- Concierge services withdrawn
- Compulsory spending requirements to qualify for rewards
If you are interested in this card and want to know more about it –
| Product | Do you find it interesting? | |
|---|---|---|
| HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card One of the best entry-level card
| Click here !! |
811 #DreamDifferent Credit Card
811 #DreamDifferent Credit Card is a better offering from Kotak Mahindra Bank. This card does not have any Joining Fee and Annual Fee – it’s a Lifetime Free Credit card.
You will also get Interested in free cash withdrawal of up to 90% of your total credit limit.
| Description | Fees/Charges |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | NIL |
| Annual Fee | NIL |
| Add-on card Fees | NIL |
| Interest Charges on outstanding Balances* | 3.50% (Annualized 42%) |
| Foreign Currency Mark Up | 3.5% |
| Railway Booking Surcharge (1.8%/2.5% on transaction amount)* | Waived |
| Fuel Surcharge (1% on transaction)** | Waived |
| Reissue/ Replacement Card (per issuance) | INR 100 |
*Maximum Railway surcharge waiver of Rs. 500 in a calendar year
** Fuel surcharge to be waived only for transactions between values of Rs. 500 – Rs. 3000. Maximum Fuel surcharge waiver of Rs. 3500 in a calendar year
Important Note:
Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Aqua Gold Credit Card has been rebranded to 811 #DreamDifferent Credit Card effective 15th July 2020.
Pros
- Earn 2 reward points against every Rs. 100/- of online spending. Earn 1 reward point against every Rs. 100/- of other* spends
- Reward points on a monthly spend of Rs 50,000 – 7500 RP
- Reward points on a spend of Rs. 5000/- in the first 45 days of card setup – 500 RP
- Milestone Offer on spends on Rs 75,000 annually – Rs 750 Cashback
Cons
- Cross Currency Markup charges are higher in comparison to the competition
- Meagre Rs 750 cashback on spending Rs 75,000
If you are interested in this card and want to know more about it –
| Product | Do you find it interesting? | |
|---|---|---|
| 811 #DreamDifferent Credit CardOne of the best entry level card
| Click here !! |
Conclusion
This is the list of Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fees that we have come up with. We are sure that it will give you a better idea and guidance if you look for a new card.
This list may seem very short to you. But, let me assure you that we could find only these credit cards whose Joining Fee/Annual Fee are NIL in the true sense(No conditions apply). We will keep looking for any new card which we can add to this list.
Please provide your feedback on this article. Also, if you come across any credit card with no “Joining Fee/Annual Fee “criteria, we will update our list.
Please read these posts too:
FAQ’s
What is the Joining Fee & Annual Fee of ICICI Platinum Chip Card?
Both the Joining Fee & Annual Fee – NIL
What is the best feature of Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card?
5% cashback for Amazon Prime customers on shopping from Amazon
What is the Joining Fee & Annual Fee of the HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card?
Both the Joining Fee & Annual Fee – NIL
What is the highlight feature of the 811 #DreamDifferent Credit Card?
It is Lifetime free credit card from Kotak Mahindra Bank.
