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Credit Card Basic - Type of Cards

  • JMaurya
  • Mar 17, 2023
  • 4 min read

Updated: May 18, 2023


Currently, in market every bank has multiple credit cards to meet the requirements of each category of user. But still, users get consumed when they are applying for new credit cards for their needs. This means if somebody is only looking for online instant discounts during online sales then their requirement can be fulfilled by basic cards which are Lifetime free instead of going for mid-range or premium cards which attract an annual fee. To understand this part in an easy way, I will sort these cards into 4 categories.


Basic Card/Entry level Card: Life Time free cards (LTF) / Card with fees of 499 Rs per yr

This category of cards is mainly targeted for new credit card users or users who just wanted to have one credit card for emergency purposes. Also lot of co-branded cards will come in this category as mass user in India prefers LTF cards and also these cards will get some good offers in online sales very easily.

Mostly these cards don't offer many benefits but due to competition in the banking market and this category has maximum users nowadays we are seeing some best credit cards getting added by banks in this category.

If fees are levied on these cards then they can be easily waived off by reaching achievable milestones.

In simple words, this category has a simple and easy-to-understand card for users.


Best Cards in this category: Axis bank Ace, ICICI Amazon , Axis bank Flipkart and ICICI platinum card.


Mid -Range card: Will have Fee of Rs 999-2999 per yr

This category of cards are mainly given by bank as an upgrade if you already hold basic card of that bank or user can apply directly if they are intersected in there benefits . These cards will have some decent benefits like 25% to 50% off on movie tickets, Dining experiences. 10% -15% off on online groceries or online apparel shopping.

So mainly most of these cards in this category will able to justify their fee and also most of the cards will not have fee waiver option but on paying renewal fee you may get some loyalty program membership or reward points.

Depending on individual user and their requirement they can explore this category in detail and then apply as fees need to pay every year.


Best Card in this category: SBI Cashback, HDFC Millennia, and SBI Club Vistara PRIME


Premium Card - Will have a fee of Rs 5k -10k per yr

These cards are mainly focused on premium account holders of that bank or people who like to travel through airway and do fine dining or stay in hotels . These cards will have similar or better benefits than those you have in mid-range cards plus some mid-tier membership of the airway and hotel loyalty program. Also these card will have tie up with some travel partners to offer some good deals on traveling or hotel bookings.

The best part which I like about these cards is they have good reward points transfer partners for traveling , hotel staying and luxury shopping.

Most of these cards will have joining & renewal benefits when you pay the fees and only money which will go out of your pocket will be GST fee per year.


As part of my future blogs you will see more of these cards and how to utilize them in maximum way to meet your travel goal .


Best Card in this category: HDFC Infinia , HDFC Diners Black , Axis Magnus , Amex Travel & Axis Atlas.


Super Premium Card - Will have fee of Rs 50k + per yr.

These cards are status symbols for ultra-rich people and are only offered to people who earn more then 40Lacs per yr . This card will give you elite status in 5-star hotel loyalty and airline loyalty programs without spending any money with these airlines and hotels. Also this membership will continue till the time you hold this card.

Best part of these cards is you will pay minimum forex change if you are shopping or traveling abroad and also earn rewards for these spends . So end of the day if you remove forex charge you will be earning some percentage of rewards for these spends . Premium card also has this feature but still super premium has this feature in a best way .

Bank of these super-premium cards will always run some milestone offer or some shopping offer like 30% to 50% off to justify the fee on these cards , so if you are shopaholic then these cards will save some money for you.

Same as premium cards these cards will have joining & renewal benefits when you pay the fees and also good reward points transfer partners.


Best Card in this category: Axis Reserve & Amex platinum charge card .


Conclusion : If you are interested in traveling and luxury stays then Premium & super premium cards will really help you to reach your goal. I will be explaining more about these cards and how to maximize for benefit in future blogs.


Thank you for reading this blog. If you are interested in any of the below activities then you can use my referral links. This way you can support this blogging site and encourage me to add more blogs like this.


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