Top Cashback-Focused Cards for Online Shopping:
- Cashback SBI Card:
- 5% cashback on all online spends without any merchant restrictions.
- 1% cashback on offline spends.
- Maximum cashback: ₹5,000 per month.
- Annual Fee: ₹999 + GST (waived on annual spending of ₹2 lakh).
- YES Bank Paisabazaar PaisaSave Credit Card:
- 3% cashback on all online spends.
- 1.5% unlimited cashback on offline spends.
- 5% cashback on UPI transactions via the RuPay variant.
- Annual Fee: ₹499 + GST (waived on annual spending of ₹1.2 lakh).
- HDFC Millennia Credit Card:
- 5% cashback on spends with select online merchants: Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Tata CLiQ, Swiggy, Zomato, Uber, BookMyShow, Cult.fit, and Sony LIV (as CashPoints).
- 1% cashback on other spends (excluding certain categories).
- Annual Fee: ₹1,000 + GST (waived on annual spending of ₹1 lakh).
- Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card:
- 5% cashback on Amazon purchases for Prime members.
- 3% cashback on Amazon purchases for non-Prime members.
- 2% cashback on1 purchases from Amazon Pay partner merchants.
- 1% cashback on all other payments.
- Annual Fee: Nil.
Co-branded Cards with Exclusive Discounts:
- Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card:
- 5% cashback on Flipkart and Myntra.
- 4% cashback on preferred partners like Swiggy, PVR, and Uber.
- Regular discounts and offers on Flipkart.
- Annual Fee: ₹500.
- MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card:
- Earn MyCash on MakeMyTrip bookings.
- MakeMyTrip holiday vouchers as welcome benefits.
- Exclusive MMT Black membership on the Signature variant.
- Annual Fee: Varies depending on the variant (some have nil annual fee).
Other Cards with Good Online Shopping Benefits:
- Cashback SBI Card: As mentioned above, it’s excellent for unrestricted online cashback.
- HSBC Live+ Credit Card: Offers accelerated cashback on dining, food delivery, and groceries, which are often online transactions.
- Axis Bank ACE Credit Card: Provides 4% cashback on Swiggy and Zomato, along with 5% on bill payments via Google Pay.
- Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card: Offers 2% cashback on all online spends.
Tips for Choosing the Right Card:
- Analyze Your Spending: Identify where you spend the most online. Choose a card that offers the highest rewards or discounts on those platforms or categories.
- Check Cashback Caps and Exclusions: Be aware of any monthly or annual limits on cashback and any categories that are excluded from earning rewards.
- Consider Fees: Factor in the joining and annual fees. Sometimes, a card with a lower reward rate but no fee might be more economical. Look for fee waiver conditions.
- Look for Exclusive Offers: Many banks partner with e-commerce sites to offer exclusive discounts to their credit cardholders during sales events or specific periods. Keep an eye out for these.
- Read the Fine Print: Always go through the terms and conditions to understand the complete details of the rewards program and any associated charges.
How to Find Exclusive Discounts:
- Bank and Card Issuer Websites: Regularly check the “Offers” or “Deals” section on your bank’s credit card website.
- E-commerce Platform Promotions: During online sales (like Flipkart’s Big Billion Days or Amazon’s Great Indian Festival), banks often have specific card-based discounts.
- Email and SMS Updates: Ensure your contact information is updated with the bank to receive notifications about exclusive offers.
- Third-Party Deal Aggregators: Websites and apps that aggregate deals and discounts might also list credit card-specific offers.
By carefully evaluating your online shopping habits and comparing the benefits of these credit cards, you can choose a card that maximizes your savings and provides exclusive discounts. Remember to always use your credit card responsibly and pay your bills on time to avoid interest charges.
