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Curated Picks|Updated March 2026

Best Credit Cards for First-Time Users (March 2026)

If this is your first credit card, focus on simplicity. Choose a card with no annual fee, straightforward rewards, and no complex redemption hoops.

How to Choose

  • Start with a lifetime free or FD-backed card
  • Choose simple cashback over complex point systems
  • Verify the card reports to CIBIL to build your credit score
  • Avoid cards with high annual fees that you cannot justify in year one

Top 15 Cards for Credit Cards for First-Time Users

#1

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card

ICICI · No annual fee · 100% rewards

#2

Fibe Axis Bank Credit Card

AXIS · No annual fee · 100% rewards

#3

Kotak Mahindra Bank Fortune Gold

KOTAK · No annual fee · 100% rewards

#4

Kotak Infinite Credit Card

8.5

KOTAK · No annual fee · 70% rewards

#5

Axis Bank LIC Platinum Credit Card

AXIS · No annual fee · 66% rewards

#6

ICICI Bank Parakram Select Credit Card

ICICI · No annual fee · 25% rewards

#7

ICICI Bank Parakram Credit Card

ICICI · No annual fee · 25% rewards

#8

ICICI Bank Instant Platinum Credit Card

ICICI · No annual fee · 25% rewards

#9

ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card

ICICI · No annual fee · 25% rewards

#10

Axis Bank Burgundy Private - The One Card

9.5

AXIS · No annual fee · 20% rewards

#11

Axis Bank Kwik Credit Card

AXIS · No annual fee · 20% rewards

#12

Axis Bank Infinite Credit Card

AXIS · No annual fee · 20% rewards

#13

Kotak Mahindra Bank 811 #DreamDifferent Credit Card

KOTAK · No annual fee · 20% rewards

#14

American Express Business Travel Account

AMEX · No annual fee

#15

HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card

HDFC · ₹99 annual fee · 25% rewards

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need for my first credit card?
Many first-time cards accept applicants with no credit history. FD-backed cards are available to anyone with a fixed deposit. A CIBIL score of 700+ helps for unsecured cards.
Should I get a secured or unsecured card first?
If you have no credit history, a secured (FD-backed) card is the easiest path. After 6-12 months of on-time payments, you can upgrade to an unsecured card.

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