Updated May 2026

Top 3 Free Credit Cards
in India 2026

Zero joining fee. Zero annual fee. Real rewards. We picked the three best lifetime free credit cards in India right now — so you earn every time you spend without paying a rupee to keep the card.

🛍️
01
ICICI Bank
Amazon Pay ICICI
5% on Amazon
🎁
02
IDFC FIRST Bank
FIRST Classic
10X Rewards
🛡️
03
Axis Bank
LIC Axis Platinum
2X on LIC Premiums
₹0
Annual Fee
5%
Max Rewards
3
Cards Listed
ICICI Bank

Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card

If you have Amazon Prime and shop on Amazon regularly, this card pays you back on every purchase. Prime members get 5% cashback, non-Prime members get 3%, and everyone gets 1% on all other purchases. Rewards go straight to your Amazon Pay balance — nothing to redeem manually.

Lifetime Free 5% on Amazon Never-Expiring Rewards 1.99% Forex
Rewards

Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card Rewards on Amazon Purchases

Non-Expiring, Unlimited Rewards
Points have no expiry date and no earning cap. They build up until you spend them.
Lower Forex Mark-up at 1.99%
Most free cards charge 3–3.5% on international purchases. This one charges 1.99%.
1% Unlimited Rewards on Spends Outside Amazon
Every purchase outside Amazon earns 1% back. No blocked categories, no spending limit.
Seamless Rewards, Easy Redemption
Cashback lands directly in your Amazon Pay balance. No separate redemption step.
Benefits

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card Benefits

Lower Forex Mark-up at 1.99% on International Spends
Save on every international transaction compared to the 3–3.5% most cards charge.
Unlimited Reward Points up to 5% on Amazon Purchases
Prime members get 5%, non-Prime get 3%. No cap on how much you can earn.
Unlimited Reward Points of 1% on All Other Spends
You earn on grocery stores, fuel, online shopping — not just Amazon.
1% Surcharge Waiver for All Fuel Purchases
The standard fuel surcharge is waived at all petrol pumps across India.
Fees

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card Fees & Charges

Fee TypeAmount
Joining FeeNIL
Annual FeeNIL
ATM Withdrawal3.75% interest per month on withdrawn amount
If Only Minimum Due is Paid3.75% interest per month on outstanding balance
Late Bill Payment Fee₹100 – ₹1,300 depending on outstanding amount
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card Eligibility
  • Indian citizen, minimum age 21 years
  • Salaried: monthly income of at least ₹20,000
  • Self-employed: monthly income of at least ₹30,000
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card Documents
  • Proof of identity – Aadhaar, Passport, or Voter ID
  • Proof of address – utility bill or Aadhaar
  • Income proof – salary slips, ITR, or bank statements
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card free for life?
Yes. No joining fee and no annual fee. There is no minimum spend condition to keep it free either.
Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to apply?
No. You can apply without Prime. But non-Prime members earn 3% on Amazon instead of 5%. If you shop on Amazon often, adding Prime makes the card significantly more rewarding.
Do reward points expire on this card?
No. There is no expiry date and no earning cap. Points accumulate in your Amazon Pay balance and you use them whenever you want.
Can I use this card for international purchases?
Yes. The 1.99% forex mark-up is one of the lowest on any free card in India. It works for international online shopping and travel purchases.
RupayCreditCards Review

The 5% cashback for Prime members is hard to beat on a zero-fee card. What makes it practical is the automatic credit — rewards land in your Amazon Pay balance without any redemption steps. The 1.99% forex rate is a genuine bonus if you shop internationally. Outside Amazon, the 1% earn rate is average but consistent. If you have Prime and use Amazon regularly, this card earns from day one.

IDFC FIRST Bank

IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card

Zero joining fee, zero annual fee, and reward points that never expire. The standout feature is 45-day interest-free ATM cash withdrawal — something most credit cards, even paid ones, do not offer. You also get over 300 merchant deals across shopping, dining, and travel.

Lifetime Free 10X Rewards Interest-Free Cash Withdrawal Movie & Dining Offers
Benefits

IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card Benefits

₹500 Gift Voucher from Your Favourite Brand
Get a ₹500 voucher from a partner brand on your first card transaction.
Up to ₹1,000 Cashback on Your First EMI
Earn up to ₹1,000 cashback when you convert your first purchase to EMI.
25% Off on Movie Tickets
Save 25% every time you book movie tickets through partner platforms.
1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver
Fuel surcharge waived at all petrol pumps across India.
Over 300+ Merchant Offers
Deals across dining, shopping, and travel at over 300 partner brands.
Complimentary Railway Lounge Visits
Free railway lounge access at select stations across India.
Accident and Lost Card Liability Cover
Complimentary insurance cover for accidents and lost card liability.
24/7 Roadside Assistance
Free breakdown assistance anywhere in India, any time.
UPI

IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card UPI

Activate UPI at just ₹199. Once active, your credit card works directly on UPI for all payments.

Activation Fee
₹199 + GST (one-time)
Welcome Cashback
₹50 each on first 4 UPI transactions (₹200 total)
UPI Rewards
Up to 3X reward points on UPI spends
Reward Points

IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card Reward Points

10X Reward Points

  • Earned on eligible partner merchant spends — milestone-based
  • 10 points per ₹200 spent
  • These transactions do not count towards the 10X milestone: Rental & Property Management, Government Services, Education, Wallet Load, Utility, Insurance, FASTag, Railway Spends

3X Reward Points

  • Applies on: Rental & Property Management, Government Services, Education, and Wallet Load transactions
  • 3 points per ₹200 spent
  • These transactions do not count towards the 10X spend milestone

1X Reward Points

  • Applies on: Utility, Insurance, FASTag Recharges, and Railway Spends
  • 1 point per ₹200 spent
  • These transactions do not count towards the 10X spend milestone
1 Reward Point = ₹0.25  |  Redemption fee: ₹99 + GST per redemption  |  No points earned on Fuel, EMI transactions, or Cash Withdrawals
Fees

IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card Fees and Charges

Fee TypeAmount
Joining and Annual FeesNIL
Interest Rate / Annual Percentage Rate (APR)8.5% – 46.2% per annum, based on credit profile
Cash Withdrawals — Domestic & International ATMs0% interest for up to 45 days | ₹199 + GST per transaction
IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card Eligibility
  • Annual income of ₹3 lakhs or more
Key Highlights
  • Reward points never expire
  • Interest-free cash withdrawal for up to 45 days
  • Convert any transaction of ₹2,500 or more into EMI
  • Zero annual fee for life
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IDFC FIRST Classic card truly free for life?
Yes. No joining fee, no annual fee, and no minimum spend required to keep it free.
How does the 45-day interest-free ATM cash withdrawal work?
You pay a flat fee of ₹199 + GST per withdrawal, but no interest for up to 45 days. If you repay within 45 days, the total cost is just the flat fee — no interest added.
When do the 10X reward points apply?
The 10X rate is milestone-based — you earn it after crossing a monthly spend threshold on eligible partner merchants. Regular everyday spends earn at 3X or 1X depending on the category. Check the current reward schedule before planning around 10X.
Can I link this card to UPI?
Yes. Pay a one-time ₹199 + GST activation fee. After that, you earn up to 3X points on UPI spends, and the first 4 UPI transactions each get ₹50 cashback.
RupayCreditCards Review

The 45-day interest-free ATM cash withdrawal is a feature most paid cards do not offer. It is genuinely useful if you ever need ATM cash and want time to repay without being charged interest immediately. Reward points never expire, which removes the stress of using them before a deadline. The 10X rewards need a milestone to unlock — they are real but not automatic. For a zero-fee card, the overall benefit package here is better than most. A good choice if you want one card for daily life.

Axis Bank

LIC Axis Bank Platinum Credit Card

Designed for LIC policyholders. You earn 2X reward points on LIC premium payments and international transactions. It also comes with a fuel surcharge waiver and complimentary insurance cover. If you already pay LIC premiums, this card rewards a spend most cards ignore.

Lifetime Free 2X on LIC Premiums Insurance Cover Fuel Waiver
Benefits

LIC Axis Bank Platinum Credit Card Features & Benefits

Earn Reward Points on Every Transaction

  • 2 reward points for every ₹100 spent on LIC premium payments and international transactions
  • 1 reward point for every ₹100 spent on all other purchases — except fuel, wallet load, and EMI conversions
  • Redeem against e-vouchers, gift cards, and other products by calling customer care: 1800 419 0064

Comprehensive Insurance Cover

Complimentary lost card liability insurance cover up to your credit limit. If your card is lost or stolen, fraudulent transactions are covered — report the loss to Axis Bank promptly to activate this cover.

Fuel Surcharge Waiver

  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations across India
  • Valid on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000
  • Maximum monthly benefit: ₹400
  • GST on fuel surcharge is non-refundable. No reward points on fuel purchases.

Axis Bank Dining Delights

Dining discounts and offers at partner restaurants across India through the Axis Bank Dining Delights program.

Convert Purchases to EMI

Any transaction of ₹1,500 or more can be converted to monthly installments. Contact Axis Bank customer care to initiate the conversion.

Fees

LIC Axis Bank Platinum Credit Card Fees & Charges

Fee TypeAmount
Joining FeeNIL
Annual FeeNIL
Add-on Card Joining FeeNIL
Add-on Card Annual FeeNIL
Card Replacement FeeNIL
Cash Payment Fee₹175
Duplicate Statement FeeWaived
Charge Slip Retrieval FeeWaived
Outstation Cheque FeeWaived
Mobile Alerts for TransactionsFree
Hotlisting ChargesNIL
Balance Enquiry ChargesWaived
Finance Charges (Retail & Cash)3.75% per month (55.55% per annum)
Cash Withdrawal Fee2.5% of amount, minimum ₹500
Late Payment FeeNIL if due < ₹500 | ₹500 if ₹501–₹5,000 | ₹750 if ₹5,001–₹10,000 | ₹1,200 if > ₹10,000. Additional ₹100 if Minimum Amount Due is missed for two consecutive cycles.
Over Limit Penalty2.5% of over-limit amount, minimum ₹500
Cheque Return / Auto-debit Reversal2% of payment amount, minimum ₹500
Railway Ticket SurchargeAs prescribed by IRCTC / Indian Railways
Foreign Currency Transaction Fee3.5% of transaction value
Reward Redemption Fee₹30 per redemption
Rent Transaction Fee1% per transaction on rental payments
Dynamic Currency Conversion Markup1.5% on international transactions made in Indian currency
Education Transaction Fee1% per transaction on education payments via third-party apps
Utility Transaction Fee1% on cumulative utility spends of ₹25,000 or more per statement cycle
Wallet Load Transaction Fee1% on cumulative wallet loads of ₹10,000 or more per statement cycle
Fuel Transaction Fee1% on cumulative fuel spends of ₹50,000 or more per statement cycle
LIC Axis Bank Platinum Credit Card Eligibility
  • Primary cardholder between the age of 18 and 70 years
  • Must be a resident of India
LIC Axis Bank Platinum Credit Card Documents
  • PAN card photocopy or Form 60
  • Colour photograph
  • Latest payslip, Form 16, or IT return as income proof
  • Passport, Ration Card, Electricity bill, or Landline telephone bill as address proof
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an LIC policyholder to apply for this card?
No. Any resident Indian between 18 and 70 years can apply. But the 2X reward rate only applies to LIC premium payments and international spends. If you do not pay LIC premiums, you earn just 1 point per ₹100 on everything else.
What does the insurance cover include?
You get a complimentary lost card liability cover equal to your credit limit. Fraudulent transactions after card loss are covered — provided you report the loss to Axis Bank promptly.
Are reward points earned on LIC premium payments?
Yes. LIC premium payments and international transactions earn 2 points per ₹100. All other eligible spends earn 1 point per ₹100. No points on fuel, wallet loads, or EMI conversions.
Is this a good card for international travel?
No. The 3.5% foreign currency transaction fee is high. For international travel or shopping, the Amazon Pay ICICI card at 1.99% from this same list is a much better option.
RupayCreditCards Review

This card makes sense for one specific type of person — someone who pays LIC premiums every year. You are already paying that bill; earning 2X on it is a free upside. Outside of LIC and international spends, the rewards drop to a basic 1 point per ₹100. The 3.5% forex fee rules it out for travel. Do not pick this as your only card. Use it for LIC premium payments and keep a better all-rounder for everything else.

Quick Comparison

Top 3 Free Credit Cards at a Glance

Use this table to pick the right free card based on your spending habits.

Card Best For Top Reward Rate Annual Fee Key Perk Min. Income
Amazon Pay ICICI Amazon & online shopping 5% on Amazon ₹0 1.99% forex mark-up ₹20,000/month (salaried)
IDFC FIRST Classic Everyday spends & lifestyle 10X milestone rewards ₹0 45-day interest-free cash withdrawal ₹3 lakhs annual income
LIC Axis Bank Platinum LIC policyholders 2X on LIC premiums & forex ₹0 Complimentary insurance cover Age 18–70, resident Indian

Find Your Perfect Free Credit Card

Zero annual fee means zero risk. Pick the one that matches how you spend and start earning from day one.