Best Lifetime Free Credit Card With No Annual Fee In India (2024)

When choosing a credit card, one of the most significant considerations is the annual or joining cost. Many people prefer credit cards that provide excellent advantages with no yearly fees. While premium credit cards may appeal to some, others prefer lifetime-free (LTF) credit cards to eliminate recurring costs. These LTF cards are perfect for infrequent users or individuals who do not wish to pay annual charges. To accommodate varied tastes, most major financial institutions provide a variety of lifetime-free credit cards. 

What is a Lifetime Free (LTF) Credit Card?

As the name suggests, there is no annual charge for a lifetime free credit card. It implies that cardholders are exempt from paying a yearly fee to keep their card. For those who are just beginning their credit adventure, LTF cards are especially enticing because they offer an affordable means of establishing credit without the hassle of yearly fees. 

Top 10 Lifetime Free Credit Cards in India 2024

Check our thoroughly prepared list of the top credit cards that are free for life in India as of 2024. These cards are a great choice because they don’t have annual fees, and they have great features and advantages. 

1. AU Bank LIT Credit Card

The AU Bank LIT Credit Card stands out for its adjustable features, which let you adjust the card’s perks to your preferences. There are other categories to choose from, including milestone cashback, OTT memberships, and travel incentives. Receive extra perks like 10X or 5X rapid reward points, 5% cashback, and quarterly lounge access with reward points for every Rs. 100 spent.

2. Axis Bank Neo Credit Card

The Axis Bank Neo Credit Card is great for young people who shop and eat out because it gives you cash back on Blinkit and Myntra purchases. Furthermore, within 30 days of obtaining the card, new cardholders earn 100% cashback (up to Rs. 300) on their first utility bill payment.

3. Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card

Through its partnership with Amazon, this Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card offers fantastic cashback possibilities. Amazon Prime members receive up to 5% cashback, while non-prime members only receive up to 3%. In addition, the card provides welcome rewards up to Rs. 2,000.

4. IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card

New cardholders might benefit greatly from the IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card. On purchases of Rs. 20,000 or more, it offers reward points worth up to 10 times. The reward points are transferable and have no expiration date. Bonus advantages include free access to railway lounges. 

5. ixigo AU Credit Card

This travel credit card, introduced in collaboration with ixigo, is ideal for regular travellers. In addition to access to both local and international airport lounges, it provides expedited reward points for rail tickets made through Ixigo. This card offers many advantages to improve travel comfort.

6. IndusInd Legend Credit Card

The IndusInd Legend Credit Card is a high-end choice for individuals with greater salaries. On weekdays, it offers one reward point for every rupee spent, and on weekends, it offers two bonus points for every rupee spent. Benefit from extra benefits including movie bargains and access to domestic lounges. 

7. IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card

This credit card has a substantial reward points program, a welcome gift certificate, and a 5% return on the first EMI transaction. In addition, members receive a range of leisure advantages and free access to training lounges. 

8. Bank of Baroda Easy Credit Card

Intended for frequent use, the Bank of Baroda Easy Credit Card awards five reward points for every rupee 100 spent on retail, entertainment, and groceries. It also offers a 0.5% return on bill payments, but if the card is lost, there is no liability protection.  

9. SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card

Since the SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card delivers quicker reward points for transactions made through connected online stores, it is ideal for online shopping. If you spend one lakh rupees a year, the annual fee is waived.

10. HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card

Targeting millennials, the HDFC Millennia Credit Card offers quicker rewards while making online purchases. Get 1,000 CashPoints as a welcome incentive and avoid paying the annual fee by spending Rs. 1 lakh in a single year. 

11. American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card

Every Rs. 50 spent using this American Express card, one Membership Reward Point is earned. The annual renewal charge is waived in whole for purchases of Rs. 1.5 lakhs and in half for purchases between Rs. 90,000 and Rs. 1.49 lakhs.  

Benefits of Lifetime Free Credit Cards

The main benefits of choosing a lifetime free credit card are listed below.

• No yearly Payment: Take advantage of the fact that these cards are affordable because there is no annual fee to pay.
• Movie Savings: A few credit cards provide cash back or discounts on movie tickets, bringing down the cost of entertainment.
• Airport Lounge Access: Get access to airport lounges both domestically and internationally to improve your trip.
• Bonus Credits: As you make purchases, you can accrue bonus points that are exchangeable for cash back or other prizes. 
• Cashback Offers: Take advantage of cashback on particular spending categories, such as dining out, grocery, and internet shopping.
• Simple Application Procedure: There is usually little paperwork involved in the application procedure for these cards.
• No Hidden Fees: Take advantage of openness by avoiding additional or hidden costs beyond the agreed-upon terms.
• Flexibility: Many lifetime-free credit cards come with tools for managing finances and flexible spending possibilities. 
• Benefits from the Start: Make the most of the welcome incentives and special offers, including extra reward points or cashback on your first purchase.
• Minimal risk: This option is best for people who wish to handle their money simply and without paying yearly fees.

Lifetime Free Credit Cards: Reward Points and Lounge Access Comparison

When selecting a lifetime free credit card, it’s critical to take into account both the number of reward points offered and the availability of lounge access. To assist you in making an informed decision, a comparison of several cards is provided below, along with information on lounge access perks and reward redemption rates.

1. IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card: The value of each reward point on the IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card is Rs. 0.25. Cardholders can use four complimentary railway lounges per quarter, which makes it a worthwhile choice for frequent train users.

2. AU Bank LIT Credit Card: The AU Bank LIT Credit Card has a reward redeeming rate of Rs. 0.25 per point. This card gives four complimentary passes to domestic airport lounges per quarter, making it perfect for regular travellers seeking comfortable travel arrangements. 

3. Axis Bank Neo Credit Card: The Axis Bank Neo Credit Card is compatible with the reward redemption rate of Rs. 0.25 per point. However, it does not include lounge access. This card is best for people who value points and discounts on regular purchases over travel benefits.

4. IndusInd Legend Credit Card: Featuring a more generous reward redemption rate of Rs. 0.75 per point, the IndusInd Legend Credit Card offers greater value for every reward point earned. Besides that, cardholders get one free pass to a domestic airport lounge per quarter, which combines substantial incentives with certain travel perks.

5. IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card: Around Rs. 0.25 per point, the IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card offers the same reward redemption rate as the Classic variant. For people who ride trains regularly, it also offers four free passes to railway lounges per quarter. 

6. Bank of Baroda Easy Credit Card: Lounge access is unavailable with the Bank of Baroda Easy Credit Card, but rewards redemption is available at Rs. 0.25 per point. Customers who don’t require travel-related advantages and can focus on accumulating reward points from regular purchases might use it. 

7. ICICI Bank Credit Card: The ICICI Bank Credit Card with Amazon Pay provides straight cash back instead of reward points. Although it doesn’t grant lounge access, it appeals to people who would rather save money on their purchases.

8. SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card: The SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card does not provide lounge access and has a reward redemption rate of Rs. 0.25 per point. It offers expedited reward points on online purchases and is personalized for internet shoppers.

9. HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card: Using the HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card, the value of each CashPoint is equivalent to one rupee. This card combines a high reward value with some travel benefits by offering one complimentary pass each quarter to domestic airport lounges.

10. American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card: The American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card does not provide lounge access. It offers a reward redemption rate of Rs. 0.25 per point. It is best for consumers who want to earn reward points from their purchases without having to use travel perks. 

India’s Finest Lifetime Free Credit Cards: Essential Selection

Getting an excellent free credit card for life may lead to several benefits without worrying about yearly costs. A summary of some of the top LTF credit cards in India is provided below, along with a focus on their key benefits. 

1. IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card: Adaptable Benefits & Vacation Benefits

The IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card stands out because of its well-balanced rewards structure and double-point offer for online and offline transactions. Spending more than Rs. 20,000 results in a large multiplier for your reward points. In addition, members receive free entry to railway lounges and savings when purchasing movies through Paytm.

Why This Particular Card? 

If you’re searching for good rewards on your normal purchases along with a few travel benefits like access to train lounges, this card is a great option. The application process is simple with a Rs. 3 lakh minimum income criterion.

2. The Neo Credit Card from Axis Bank is Ideal for Daily Savings

Built with consumers in mind, the Axis Bank Neo Credit Card consistently offers discounts on well-known websites like Paytm, Myntra, and Zomato. Among those who enjoy entertainment, it delivers a 10% discount on movie tickets through BookMyShow. 

Why This Particular Card?

The main advantages are the discounts on regular purchases made through partner brands and the extra ease of using UPI apps to make payments with the card. To further enhance the value, there’s a utility bill discount.

3.Easy and Fruitful for Amazon Buyers: The ICICI Bank Credit Card with Amazon Pay

If you make purchases on Amazon frequently, the ICICI Bank Amazon Pay Credit Card is a convenient choice. Payback from purchases is promptly credited to your Amazon Pay balance. Prime members receive the highest payback.  

Why This Particular Card?

This card emphasises dependability and ease of use, particularly for Amazon customers. It’s a hassle-free card for frequent online purchases, with no additional costs and a simple online application.

The HDFC Bank Millennium Credit Card: Offers the Best Cashback on Well-Known Sites

Those who desire significant cashback from well-known online retailers like Amazon and Flipkart can apply for the HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card. In addition to cashback, the card offers a complimentary visit to an airport lounge once every quarter, which adds some travel value.

Why This Particular Card? 

This card aims at younger, tech-savvy customers who would rather receive cashback when they shop online. It’s a well-rounded alternative for various uses, with little benefits for travel and offline purchasing. 

The Advantages and Drawbacks of Lifetime Free Credit Cards

The ability to utilize the benefits of lifetime free credit cards (LTF) without worrying about annual fees is what makes them appealing. However, before applying, you must consider the benefits and drawbacks of each financial instrument.

Lifetime Free Credit Cards’ advantages:

• Reduced Prices and Incentives: LTF credit cards often include alluring offers, such as savings on bill payments, movie tickets, or restaurants. These offers let you enjoy a variety of daily activities while saving money.
• Economical: These cards offer an inexpensive way of handling your funds because there is no yearly fee. With a credit card, you may take advantage of its benefits without worrying about the ongoing charges associated with premium cards. 
• Fewer Eligibility norms: Generally speaking, lifetime free cards have less stringent qualification standards, which makes them available to an increased number of applicants—including those with a low income. Those who might not be eligible for premium cards now have more options with LTF cards.
• Easy Application: Applying for LTF cards is frequently straightforward and trouble-free. Approval times are generally faster than for higher-end cards, and you can generally apply online with less documentation. 

Lifetime Free Credit Card Drawbacks:

• Fewer Options: Finding an ideal credit card for you may be more difficult in India because there aren’t many lifetime-free credit cards.

• Paid Upgrades: Although certain lifelong free cards come with additional features many times you have to pay to get them. These improvements could come in more cashback, travel benefits, or better rewards. Certain cards, for instance, have fees associated with concierge or VIP lounge access. 

Who Should Consider Lifetime Free Credit Cards?

• First-Time Cardholders: If you’re new to credit cards and want to build your credit history, an LTF card can be a great starting point. You get the benefits of a credit card without the pressure of paying annual fees, which can be particularly appealing for beginners.
• Credit Builders: People looking to rebuild or improve their credit score can benefit from lifetime free cards. Those with little credit history can more easily be authorized due to the reduced entry standards, which will help them improve their credit standing over time.
• Infrequent Users: A lifetime free credit card is a wise decision if you don’t anticipate using your credit card frequently. Without worrying about annual fees depleting your money, you can keep the card in your wallet for unforeseen expenses or emergencies.
• Shoppers on a tight budget: LTF cards may be an excellent option to hunt for discounts and maximize value without incurring additional fees. There are no up-front or continuing expenses when you take advantage of the discounts and incentives offered. 

Last Words

Lifetime free credit cards are an excellent choice for people who wish to enjoy the perks and convenience of a credit card without having to pay an annual fee. For many users, these cards represent a sensible and affordable alternative to fee-based cards, even though they might not have all the benefits. These cards come with helpful perks that could significantly affect your spending, such as discounts on frequent purchases and cost savings on cinema tickets. 

Regardless of your experience level with credit cards or your preference for a free card with respectable benefits, an LTF card might be a wise decision for effectively managing your spending.

LTF Credit Card FAQ’s