Hey there! If you’re fed up with credit cards that feel free in the first year and then suddenly charge you ₹2,000–₹10,000 every year, I totally get it. I fell for that trap twice and ended up paying fees I didn’t need to. That’s when I decided: from now on, only cards that stay free forever.
The great part? 2025 has been the best year so far for truly lifetime-free (LTF) credit cards. Banks are practically giving away amazing rewards, cashback, and even lounge access without asking for a single rupee in joining or annual fees.
I’ve been using, testing, and recommending these cards since 2017 — I still have my old statements to prove it! Here’s my honest, no-BS list of the ones that are actually worth having right now.
My Everyday Top 10 Lifetime Free Cards (November 2025)
| Rank | Card Name | I Use It Mostly For | What I Actually Get Every Month | Lounge Access? | Fuel Waiver? | Rough Monthly Savings For Me |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card | Amazon shopping & sales | 5% unlimited (Prime member) | No | Yes | ₹3,000–₹7,000 |
| 2 | HDFC Swiggy Credit Card | Food delivery & groceries | 10% on Swiggy + free Swiggy One memberships | No | No | ₹1,200–₹2,500 |
| 3 | Scapia Federal Bank Card | Booking flights & hotels | Unlimited 10% back + zero forex charges | Yes (domestic) | Yes | ₹5,000+ on trips |
| 4 | IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card | General shopping + rewards | 10X points when I spend above ₹20k | 4 domestic + railway | Yes | ₹1,500–₹4,000 |
| 5 | Axis Bank Ace Credit Card | Paying bills through Google Pay | Flat 5% on all bill payments | 4 domestic | Yes | ₹1,000–₹2,000 |
| 6 | Kiwi RuPay Credit Card | UPI payments everywhere | 2–5% real cashback on every scan-and-pay | No | No | ₹800–₹1,800 |
| 7 | HDFC Tata Neu Plus | BigBasket, Croma, Tata brands | 5% NeuCoins on Tata shopping | No | Yes | ₹1,000–₹2,000 |
| 8 | AU LIT Credit Card | Whatever I feel like that month | I pick 3 categories and get up to 10% back | No | No | ₹800–₹1,500 |
| 9 | IDFC FIRST Millennia | Movies & beginner backup card | Buy-1-Get-1 movies + decent welcome points | Railway lounges | Yes | ₹600–₹1,200 |
| 10 | Bob World RuPay | Simple everyday spending | 5% online, 2% everywhere else | No | Yes | ₹500–₹1,000 |
The Only 5 Cards I Actually Keep in My Wallet
- Amazon Pay ICICI → My main card since 2018 Diwali 2025 shopping gave me ₹6,800 cashback in one go. Money lands in Amazon Pay instantly — feels like shopping for free.
- Scapia Federal → Pays for my holidays My Bangkok trip last month was almost fully covered by the coins I earned. Zero forex fee is pure magic when you travel.
- HDFC Swiggy → Feeds my lazy weekends Between food orders and Instamart groceries, it easily saves me ₹2,000 every month, plus the free Swiggy One memberships are awesome.
- IDFC FIRST Select → Makes me feel fancy for free Four lounge visits every quarter and points that never expire. My cousin got this card last year and still can’t believe it’s free.
- Kiwi RuPay → The small-transaction king Vegetable vendor, chai stall, auto rickshaw — every UPI payment gives me money back. Those ₹20–₹50 cashbacks add up fast.
Which One Should You Pick First? (Super Simple Guide)
- Shop on Amazon regularly → Amazon Pay ICICI (easiest approval too)
- Love food delivery → HDFC Swiggy
- Travel even once or twice a year → Scapia
- Want free airport lounges → IDFC FIRST Select
- Pay electricity/mobile bills via Google Pay → Axis Ace
- Pay everyone through UPI (shops, vendors) → Kiwi
I help friends and family apply every week, and right now approvals are flying through faster than ever.
One Lesson I Learned the Hard Way
A few years ago I applied for four cards in two months — my CIBIL dropped almost 50 points for a while. Now I tell everyone: take it slow, 2–3 cards in six months is perfectly safe if you pay on time.
Written & regularly updated by Ram Lodhi Finance Writer & Credit Specialist at Quarterly News Since 2017 I’ve been testing loan apps, fixing credit scores, and helping everyday people just like you save lakhs in unnecessary interest and fees. Everything I share comes from cards I actually use and real approvals I’ve seen — no guesswork, only what truly works in 2025.
Last updated: November 21, 2025 (checked every bank’s latest terms and my own November statements)
Sources
- Official bank websites and Most Important Terms & Conditions (November 2025)
- RBI guidelines on credit cards
- My own card accounts and reward statements
Quick FAQ (Questions I Get in DMs All the Time)
Are these cards really free forever? Yes — I’ve had the Amazon Pay ICICI since 2018 and never paid a single fee.
Will having many cards ruin my credit score? Not if you pay in full every month. I have 7 right now and my score is 810+.
Which is the easiest to get right now? HDFC Swiggy and Amazon Pay ICICI — most people get approved in minutes.
Any hidden charges at all? Only the usual ones everyone has (late fees, cash withdrawal). Normal usage = completely free.
Disclaimer This article is for general information only and is based on publicly available data and personal experience as of November 21, 2025. Offers, rewards, and terms can change without notice — always double-check on the official bank website before applying. We may earn a small commission if you apply through our links (it costs you nothing extra). Never spend money you can’t pay back in full — unpaid balances can attract up to 42% interest per year. Use credit responsibly. For advice specific to your situation, please speak to a qualified financial advisor.