Best Lifetime Free Credit Cards in India

Credit cards with no annual fees in India make for great first cards or for enthusiastic spenders, especially because the cards offer premium benefits without having to worry about joining or renewal fees. Spending with the no annual fee cards will help improve credit scores, in addition to earning cash back or points. Find out which no-annual-fee credit cards are our top picks among the best credit cards in India.

Advantages of Using a Lifetime Free Credit Card

Unlike regular credit cards, which have an annual fee of anywhere from ₹500 to ₹10,000, lifetime free credit cards have no annual fees and no maintenance fees, which is why lifetime free credit cards are becoming popular in India. You qualify for no annual fee credit cards if you make a salary of at least ₹25,000 per month. They are also ideal for students, freelancers, and beginners looking to establish a CIBIL score without incurring a financial burden.

Users enjoy earning cash back, relaxing in lounges, and receiving other rewards, so they can save hundreds of pounds while spending ₹20,000 a month and earning 5-10% cash back on select categories such as travel and groceries. Because of their lifetime free credit cards, IDFC FIRST Bank and AU Bank are aggressively competing, which gives the best lifetime free credit cards a competitive edge in India.

 

 

Best Lifetime Free Credit Card

We compiled a list of the best lifetime free credit cards, which includes no annual fee credit cards and cards with outstanding annual fees. Each of these cards is an industry leader, and together they represent the best rewards for credit cards in India for 2026.

Card Name	Key Rewards	Best For	Lounge Access
IDFC FIRST Millennia	10X points on ₹20K+ spends, never expire	Everyday shopping	Railway lounges
Ixigo AU	10% travel discount, 10 points/₹200	Travel bookings	Limited
BoB Eterna	15 points/₹100 on travel/dining	Premium travel	Unlimited domestic
IndusInd Tiger	4% on travel, 2 intl lounges/year	International trips	Intl lounges
Amazon Pay ICICI	5% on Amazon (Prime)	Online shopping	None

This table presents the range of great lifetime complimentary credit cards in India, highlighting their various focuses - shopping, travel, etc.

IDFC FIRST Millennia: All-Rounder Pick

IDFC FIRST Millennia is the winner of the IDFC FIRST Millennia, as it gives 10x reward points on birthday spends and 10x points post spending ₹20,000 in the month. These points can easily be converted to cash or vouchers. Most cards have points that have expired.

Cardholders of the IDFC Millennia have additional benefits like roadside assistance, an additional 3X roadside spend, and access to the railway lounges. This is an ideal credit card for professionals who work salaried jobs in urban metropolises like big cities of India (e.g., Lucknow) who are spending money on food delivery applications and e-commerce platforms like Big Basket. 

To be eligible for this credit card, you must have a minimum score of 750 on the CIBIL score and you will receive instant approval. Milestone offers, such as discounts from the cinema, offer additional reasons to choose this as your first credit card in India.

AU Ixigo Credit Card

For travellers, the AU Ixigo credit card stands out among the list of lifetime free credit cards with a credit card that offers 10% discounts on bookings made through Ixigo, as well as the ability to earn 10 points for every 200 Indian Rupees (Rs. 2.40) spent. The absence foreign exchange markup fee increases the card’s international usability.

BoB Eterna Credit Card

For unlimited access to domestic lounges and 15 points per transaction on dining and travel, pair it with BoB Eterna. 

IndusInd Tiger Credit Card

IndusInd Tiger provides a unique offer of international access, which is ideal for domestic residents who travel abroad by airplane. These credit cards with no annual fees provide an effective return of 5%-10%.

Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card

For e-commerce enthusiasts, the Amazon Pay ICICI no annual fee credit card is the best option as it provides 5% cashback on Amazon for Prime members and 2% on partner sites such as Swiggy. The lifetime free status of the card means that you can benefit from the offering for an unlimited time.

The 5% back on spending during weekends through Fi Money is attractive for young workers, while the AU LIT allows for reward pack alternatives for groceries or fuel. These cards rank at the top of the list for lifetime free credit cards in India for customers who spend a lot of time on the internet.

Tips for Applications and Eligibility

To qualify for the best credit cards in India, applicants need to provide proof of a monthly income equal to or greater than 25,000 Indian Rupees, a score of 750 or greater on the CIBIL, and an age that falls between 21 and 60. Full-time employees from Lucknow can apply through the bank’s mobile applications by uploading a copy of their PAN card, Aadhaar card, and salary slips.

Use the bank’s websites or Paisabazaar to compare credit cards. Pre-approved offers are only available to customers with a complete document set.

 

 

Refrain from Applying Multiple Times

Climbing the ladder for lifetime free credit cards will get you premium cards after reaching certain spend thresholds.

How to Earn the Most Points

Track your spending on the IDFC cards, and redeem your points quarterly. Use the Amazon ICICI card for all your online purchases, and use Ixigo for your flights. Millennia for daily use, and Tiger for travel, are a great combination.

Stay within the confirmed benefits to avoid devaluations. Save on cashbacks, and your annual savings will be over ₹5,000.

Problems to Look Out For

Not every “free” card will be free forever; look out for spending waivers. The revolvers will catch you with a high APR (36-48%), and you will need to pay in full every month. If there are Forex fees (1-3%), they apply unless the card is a zero-markup.

Develop the habits to set up autopay, and use under 30% of your limit. The best lifetime free credit cards in India require a certain amount of self-control. 

Lifetime free credit cards in India provide free credit that is costless, and you are able to choose from the lifetime free credit card list that will provide you with the most value for a no-annual-fee credit card and best credit cards in India.

 

 

Conclusion

In India, lifetime free credit cards are the best option to take advantage of rewards, cashback, and lounge access without having to pay yearly fees. No-annual-fee credit cards enable you to save more money while raising your CIBIL score, regardless of your preferences for daily spending, vacation, or shopping. Start earning benefits with each swipe by selecting the finest lifetime free credit card that fits your lifestyle.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is NOT any buy or sell recommendation. No investment or trading advice is given. The content is purely for educational and information purposes only. Always consult your eligible financial advisor for investment-related decisions.