ONE OF INDIA'S BEST SUPER PREMIUM CREDIT CARDS, IDEAL FOR FREQUENT TRAVELLERS

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.25
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
33.3% reward on hotels, select partners
✔︎
16.6% reward on flights, holiday packages, select partners
✔︎
10% reward on gift vouchers, train tickets, select partners
✔︎
3.3% on other card spends
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Complimentary golf rounds worldwide - 24 per year
Annual Fee

₹10000

Minimum Income

Salaried: ₹2.50 lakhs per month | Self-employed: ₹30 lakhs per year

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome Offer: Annual memberships of Club Marriott, Amazon Prime and Swiggy One (on spending ₹1.50 lakhs within 90 days)
  • Renewal Offer: Annual fee waived on ₹8 lakhs annual spend

BEST IN CLASS REWARDS STRUCTURE (UP TO 33%) AND LIFESTYLE BENEFITS

HDFC Bank INFINIA Metal Credit Card

HDFC Bank INFINIA Metal Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.50
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
33.3% reward on hotels and select partners
✔︎
16.6% reward on flights, gift vouchers, holiday packages, and more
✔︎
10% reward on IRCTC train tickets
✔︎
3.3% reward on other card spends
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Unlimited golf rounds in India and abroad
Annual Fee

₹12500

Minimum Income

By Invite

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome Offer: ₹12500 + 1 year Marriott membership
  • Renewal Offer: Renewal fee waived at ₹10 lakh annual spend, else 12500 reward points worth ₹12500 on payment of renewal fee

SUPER-PREMIUM CARD FOR BURGUNDY CUSTOMERS | HIGH REWARDS

Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy Credit Card

Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.25
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
24% reward (in airline/hotel partner points), on monthly travel spends up to ₹2 lakhs
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Airport Meet & Greet Services, 4 times per year
Annual Fee

₹30000

Minimum Income

Maintenance of high-value 'Axis Burgundy Account Status'

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offer: Vouchers worth ₹5000
  • Renewal offer: Annual fee waived on ₹30 lakhs annual card spend

EXCELLENT CHOICE IN MID-PREMIUM CATEGORY - FOR THOSE WHO CAN MAXIMIZE AIRMILES/HOTEL POINTS

Axis Bank ATLAS Credit Card

Axis Bank ATLAS Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.25
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
10% reward (in airline/hotel partner points), on monthly travel spends up to ₹2 lakhs
✔︎
4% reward (in airline/hotel partner points), on other card spends
✔︎
Domestic & international airport lounge access, frequency depends on annual card spending
Annual Fee

₹5000

Minimum Income

Salaried: ₹12 lakhs per year || Self-employed: ₹15 lakhs per year

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offer: 2500 EDGE Miles (worth ₹2500 OR 5000 travel partner points)
  • Renewal offer: 2500 EDGE Miles at ₹3 lakh annual card spend

YES BANK PREMIUM CARD - ATTRACTIVE REWARDS ON ONLINE SPENDING || RANGE OF LIFESTYLE BENEFITS

Yes Bank Marquee Credit Card

Yes Bank Marquee Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.0
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
4.50% reward on online shopping
✔︎
2.25% reward on offline shopping
✔︎
Unlimited international airport lounge access
✔︎
Domestic airport lounge access – 6 times per quarter
✔︎
4 free golf rounds per year, 1 free golf lesson per month
✔︎
Bookmyshow movie tickets: 3 tickets per month (up to ₹800 each)
✔︎
Low forex fee of 1% on international transactions
Annual Fee

₹4999

Minimum Income

₹3 lakh per month (salaried) || ₹36 lakhs per year (self-employed)

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offer : 40,000 reward points worth ₹10000
  • Renewal offer : Annual fee waiver at ₹10 lakh annual card spend

BEST IN CLASS REWARDS STRUCTURE (UP TO 36%) AND LIFESTYLE BENEFITS

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.50
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
36% reward on hotel bookings
✔︎
18% reward on flight bookings & gift vouchers
✔︎
3% reward on other card spends
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Unlimited golf rounds both in India and abroad
✔︎
2 free BookMyShow movie tickets (up to ₹750 each), per month
✔︎
Complimentary EazyDiner Prime membership
Annual Fee

₹12499

Minimum Income

Invite Only

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome Offer: 12,500 reward points worth ₹12,500, Taj Epicure Membership with free one-night stay
  • Renewal Offer: Annual fee waiver at ₹10 lakh annual spend, else 12500 reward points worth ₹12,500 on payment of annual fee

ONE OF INDIA'S BEST CARDS IN MID-PREMIUM CATEGORY

HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card

HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.0
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
17.3% reward on hotels and select partners
✔︎
8.6% reward at select partners - Marks & Spencer, Myntra, Nykaa, Reliance Digital
✔︎
8.6% reward on flights, gift vouchers, holiday packages and select partners
✔︎
5.2% reward on train tickets
✔︎
1.7% reward on other spends
✔︎
Up to 2.1% additional reward based on quarterly/ annual card spending requirements
✔︎
Domestic airport lounge access (12 times per year), and international access (6 times per year)
Annual Fee

₹2500

Minimum Income

Salaried: ₹1.5 lakh/month | Self-employed: ₹18 lakh/year | Government: ₹1 lakh/month

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offers : ₹2,500 voucher + Swiggy One + MMT Black Gold membership (spend ₹1 lakh in 90 days)
  • Renewal offer : Annual fee waived on ₹4 lakhs annual spend

Premium Travel Credit Card

HSBC TravelOne Credit Card

HSBC TravelOne Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.0
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
Up to 24% rewards (in airline/hotel points) on travel spending
✔︎
International airport lounge access - 4 times per year
✔︎
Domestic airport lounge access - 6 times per year
✔︎
4 free golf rounds per year, 1 free golf lesson per month
✔︎
2 free movie tickets (up to ₹200 each) each month, through Zomato
✔︎
10% dining discount (up to ₹1000 per month), on Zomato
Annual Fee

₹4999

Minimum Income

₹6 lakhs per year

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offers: ₹1,000 cashback + ₹3,000 PostCard voucher + 3-month EazyDiner Prime (spend ₹10,000 in 30 days + download HSBC app)
  • Renewal offer: Annual fee waived off at ₹8 lakhs annual spend

SUPER PREMIUM CARD, WITH DIVERSE LIFESTYLE BENEFITS

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 3.75
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Free golf rounds - 50 per year
✔︎
Free movie tickets - 5 per month (up to ₹500 each)
✔︎
Free memberships - EazyDiner Prime, Club ITC Culinaire, Accor Plus, Club Marriott
✔︎
15% hotel discounts - Oberoi, Trident, Postcard
Annual Fee

₹50000

Minimum Income

Not specified

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offer: 15000 reward points worth ₹3000
  • Renewal offer: Annual fee waived at ₹35 lakh annual card spend | Renewal of complimentary memberships

Super-Premium Credit Card from IDFC First Bank

IDFC First Private Credit Card

IDFC First Private Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.25
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
40% reward on hotels, 20% on flights
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Unlimited free golf rounds and lessons in India
✔︎
Zero forex fee on international transactions
✔︎
Unlimited domestic railway lounge access
✔︎
100% discount (up to ₹750) on movie tickets - 2 times per month
✔︎
Club ITC Culinaire Select membership
Annual Fee

₹50000

Minimum Income

Invite Only

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offers: Club ITC Culinaire Select membership. 50,000 reward points worth ₹50,000
  • Renewal offers: Renewal of Club ITC Culinaire Select membership at ₹40 lakh annual card spend. 25,000 reward points worth ₹25,000

Super-Premium Credit Card from Yes Bank

Yes Private Prime Credit Card

Yes Private Prime Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 3.50
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
5% reward on international spends
✔︎
Low forex fee of 0.50% on international transactions
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Free movie tickets - 4 per month (up to ₹250 each)
✔︎
Free golf rounds - 12 per year
Annual Fee

₹10000

Minimum Income

Not specified

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offer: 10,000 reward points worth ₹2500 (offer applicable only on paid credit cards) || Oberoi E-Gift Vouchers worth ₹9,000
  • Renewal offer: Oberoi E-Gift Vouchers worth ₹9,000 || Annual fee waiver from 2nd year onwards at ₹20 lakh annual card spend

SIMPLE REWARDS STRUCTURE, PREMIUM BENEFITS

HSBC Premier Credit Card

HSBC Premier Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.25
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
Rewards on travel spending - 36% on hotels, 18% on flights (in airline/ hotel partner points)
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Free golf rounds - 24 per year, free golf lessons - 12 per year
✔︎
Low fee of 0.99% on foreign transactions
✔︎
₹20,000 annual fee waived if you meet HSBC Premier banking criteria
Annual Fee

₹20000

Minimum Income

HSBC Premier relationship required to get card || No annual fee for HSBC Premier customers

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offer : Earn 20,000 reward points when you start using your HSBC Premier Credit Card
  • Renewal offer : No annual fee for HSBC Premier customers

ICICI CARD WITH SUPER-PREMIUM BENEFITS

Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card

Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.0
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
24% reward on hotel bookings, 12% on flights
✔︎
Unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access
✔︎
Reduced forex fee of 1.49%, 2.5% rewards on international spending
Annual Fee

₹20000

Minimum Income

Salaried: ₹2 lakhs per month || Self-employed: ₹24 lakhs per year

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offers worth over ₹20,000
  • Renewal offer: Annual fee waived at ₹25 lakh annual spend

HIGH TRAVEL REWARDS || ZERO FOREX MARKUP CREDIT CARD

IDFC First Mayura Credit Card

IDFC First Mayura Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 3.75
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
20% reward on hotels, 13.3% on flights
✔︎
Domestic airport lounge access - 16 times per year
✔︎
International airport lounge access - 16 times per year
✔︎
Railway lounge access – 16 times per year
✔︎
Zero forex fee on international transactions
✔︎
Golf Offer 1: Complimentary golf rounds – up to 2 per month
✔︎
Golf Offer 2: 4 free golf rounds per year, and 1 free golf lesson per month
✔︎
Free movie tickets - 2 tickets per month (up to ₹500 each)
Annual Fee

₹5999

Minimum Income

Not specified

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offer: Up to 12000 reward points worth ₹6000
  • Renewal offer: 7500 reward points worth ₹3750, at ₹8 lakh annual card spend. OR 15000 reward points worth ₹7500, at ₹15 lakh annual card spend

Premium Credit Cards with No Annual Fee

Both IDFC First Wealth Credit Card and IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card are great choices if you are looking for lifetime free premium credit cards. IDFC First Wealth offers better benefits but has a higher minimum income requirement than IDFC First Select.

Card Name Annual Fee Benefits

IDFC First Wealth Credit Card

Minimum Income

₹36 lakhs per year

Annual Fee - ₹ 0
  • Welcome offer: ₹500 voucher on spending ₹5,000 within 30 days
Special Benefits
  • Lifetime free 
  • Domestic airport lounge access - 2 times per quarter
  • International airport lounge access - 2 times per quarter
  • Railway lounge access - 4 times per quarter
  • Golf in India - up to 2 free rounds or lessons per month
  • Free movie tickets through Zomato District - 2 tickets (up to ₹250 each), every month

IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

Minimum Income

₹12 lakhs per year

Annual Fee - ₹ 0
  • Welcome offer : Welcome voucher worth ₹500, on spending ₹5000 or more within 30 days of card generation.
Special Benefits
  • Lifetime free card
  • Domestic airport lounge access – 2 times per quarter
  • Free movie tickets – 2 per month (up to ₹125 each)
  • Railway lounge access, 4 times per quarter

Best premium credit card in India for travel miles

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card in the premium category, Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card in the super-premium category, and Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy in the ultra-premium category are three of the best premium credit cards in India for earning travel miles. 

You can convert your reward points to partner points of many airlines and hotels at a relatively high conversion rate. Axis Magnus Burgundy Credit Card is the best among these three, and amongst the best in India.

You can refer to the sections above for more details.

Premium Card Benefits Explained

Airport Lounge Access

Premium cards offer domestic and international airport lounge access, with top-tier cards providing unlimited access for primary and add-on cardholders, while mid-tier cards typically offer 4-12 visits annually.

Reward Programs

Premium cards offer rewards in two main formats:

  • Percentage-based returns: Convert points to statement credit or travel bookings, statement credit usually has a lower redemption value
  • Transfer programs: Convert points to airline miles and hotel points, best for those who know how to maximise these miles/ points

The best cards offer accelerated rewards in specific categories especially travel categories like hotels, with some providing up to 36% value on travel bookings.

Additional Lifestyle Benefits

Many premium cards come with additional benefits:

  • Golf Benefits: Complimentary golf rounds and lessons, with super-premium cards offering unlimited golf access worldwide, while premium cards typically provide 4-12 rounds annually.
  • Movie Benefits: These usually come in the form of free movie tickets, either as part of 'Buy 1 Get 1 Offer' or even as pure unconditional free tickets 
  • Dining benefits: These include complimentary dining memberships such as EazyDiner and Swiggy One, as well as healthy dining discounts on food delivery & restaurants

Annual Fee Waivers

Most premium cards waive the annual fee upon reaching certain spending thresholds:

  • Super-premium cards: ₹8-10 lakh annual spend
  • Premium cards: ₹3-5 lakh annual spend
  • Ultra-premium cards: ₹25-35 lakh annual spend, or linked to maintaining private banking relationships

Categories of Premium Credit Cards in India

Super-Premium Cards (Annual Fee ₹10,000-₹15,000)

The cards provide the highest reward rates for card spending along with unlimited lounge access and exclusive lifestyle benefits. These cards need either high monthly income exceeding ₹2.50 lakh or they are available through exclusive invitations from the bank

Premium Cards (Annual Fee ₹2,500-₹5,000)

These cards provide excellent rewards together with substantial benefits at a price point that strikes a balance between premium features and cost accessibility for consumers earning ₹1-1.50 lakh per month.

Ultra-Premium Cards (Annual Fee ₹25,000+)

The invitation-based Ultra-Premium Cards provide exclusive benefits through their concierge services and unlimited premium features and status-oriented perks which include metal construction and private banking relationships.

How to Qualify for Premium Credit Cards

Income Requirements

  • Super-premium/ Ultra-premium cards: Approximately ₹25+ lakhs per month, often invitation-only or requiring private banking relationships
  • Premium cards: Approximately ₹1+ lakh per month

Credit Score Requirements

  • Most premium cards require a credit score of 750+ (CIBIL)

Relationship-Based Approvals

Many banks offer premium cards based on existing banking relationships, with factors like:

  • High-value savings/current accounts
  • Investment portfolios
  • Mortgage relationships
  • Private banking status

How to Apply for Premium Credit Cards

Online Application Process

  • After choosing a suitable card, apply conveniently by clicking on the 'Apply Now' button against each of the cards listed on this page
  • Alternatively, visit the official bank website, navigate to the credit cards section, and select your desired premium card
  • Complete the application form with personal and financial details
  • Submit required documentation (ID proof, address proof, income proof)
  • Complete digital KYC verification if available

Fast-Track Approval Methods

  • Apply through your bank's relationship manager
  • Respond to pre-approved offers in your online banking portal
  • Convert existing cards to premium variants based on spending history
  • Leverage corporate banking relationships for priority processing

How We Rate Premium Credit Cards

Our comprehensive rating system evaluates cards across four key dimensions:

  • Reward Value: The effective return rate on spending, including bonus categories and caps
  • Premium Benefits: Frequency of airport lounge access, golf privileges,  movie benefits, dining discounts, and other lifestyle benefits
  • Annual Fee Value: Fee relative to benefits and ease of fee waiver conditions
  • Travel Benefits: Foreign transaction fees (forex markup), insurance coverage, and international acceptance

How Our Money Guide Works

  • Wide Range of Credit Cards: Our Money Guide brings together a wide range of credit cards from the industry. This helps you choose from a wider bucket and make informed decisions.
  • Quick & Easy Comparison: Our Money Guide makes it easy to compare credit cards on the most important parameters like fees, benefits, eligibility, and annual fee-related offers.
  • Expert Insights: Our Money Guide's team has deep experience in consumer finance. This helps you get honest reviews and trusted information on the most important decision-making parameters, helping you choose better.
  • Simplified Application Process: Our Money Guide website pages contain Apply Now buttons at relevant spots, which help you apply easily from the comfort of your home or office.

Frequently Asked Questions

The HDFC Bank INFINIA Credit Card is widely considered the best premium card in India, offering up to 33.3% reward rates on travel bookings, unlimited airport lounge and golf access, and comprehensive insurance benefits. With the newly launched ICICI iSHOP, ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is a very close competitor, if not slightly ahead of HDFC Infinia, especially once the iSHOP platform matures. Emeralde Private Metal offers up to 36% reward on travel spends and all other world-class benefits. IDFC First Private Credit Card has recently launched accelerated travel rewards offering up to 40% reward on hotel & 20% on flight bookings.

Premium credit card annual fees are worth it if you utilize the key benefits extensively and meet spending thresholds for fee waivers. For example, using just the airport lounge access benefit 4-6 times annually can more than offset most annual fees especially if you are using international lounges.

To improve chances for invite-only cards: Maintain excellent credit history (750+ score), Establish a premium banking relationship, Demonstrate high spending on existing credit cards, Maintain substantial investments with the issuing bank, Approach relationship managers at private banking divisions.

Most premium credit cards require a minimum CIBIL score of 750, while super-premium and invite-only cards typically expect scores of 800+, along with clean repayment history and low credit utilisation.

Beyond annual fees, consider: Add-on card fees, Late payment charges, Foreign transaction fees (0-3.5%), Finance charges (2.5-3.75% monthly), GST on annual fees and other charges