Credit cards for everyday spending: Cashback, rewards and annual fees compared

From cashback on online shopping to rewards on everyday expenses, here is a comparison of credit cards, their benefits, annual fees and spending conditions.

India's online festive sales rose 17% year-on-year to ₹1.41 lakh crore in 2026, according to a report by Datum Intelligence. Online card transactions also increased 7% during the first 32 days of the festive sale period compared with the corresponding period last year.

The growth in online shopping and digital payments has brought credit card benefits into focus, with issuers offering different cashback and reward structures across spending categories. However, the benefits, fees and eligibility conditions vary across cards.

For consumers evaluating a credit card, the choice depends on where they spend most, how frequently they use the card and whether they prefer direct cashback or reward points.

Here is a look at the features, charges and benefits of credit cards across different spending categories.

Cashback SBI Card: For online and offline purchases

The Cashback SBI Card offers 5% cashback on eligible online spends and 1% on eligible offline purchases. The cashback structure may appeal to consumers looking for returns across multiple spending categories without having to track individual shopping partners.

The card has a joining fee of ₹999 plus applicable taxes. The annual renewal fee is also ₹999 from the second year, which is waived if annual spends exceed ₹2 lakh.

HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card: For shopping across select online platforms

The HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card offers 5% cashback on purchases from select platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Swiggy, Zomato, Uber and BookMyShow. Other eligible purchases earn 1% cashback.

The joining and annual fees are ₹1,000 plus applicable taxes. The annual fee is waived on spends of ₹1 lakh or more.

Cardholders can also choose between a ₹1,000 gift voucher and one domestic airport lounge access every quarter, subject to eligible spending of ₹1 lakh or more during the calendar quarter.

Flipkart SBI Card: For Flipkart and partner-platform purchases

The Flipkart SBI Card offers cashback on purchases across Flipkart, Myntra and select partner platforms. The cashback structure includes 5% on Flipkart purchases, 7.5% on Myntra and 4% on eligible transactions with partners such as Zomato, Uber, Netmeds and PVR.

The card also offers a 12% discount on Cleartrip, subject to applicable conditions. Cashback is credited automatically to the cardholder's SBI Card account every month.

The joining fee is ₹500, with welcome benefits worth ₹1,500. A 1% fuel surcharge waiver is available on transactions between ₹500 and ₹4,000, subject to a maximum waiver of ₹400 per statement cycle.

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card: For Amazon shoppers

The Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card offers different cashback rates depending on the cardholder's Amazon Prime membership.

Prime members earn 5% cashback on eligible Amazon.in purchases, while non-Prime members earn 3%. Eligible transactions with Amazon Pay partner merchants earn 2% cashback, while other eligible purchases earn 1%.

The cashback is credited to the cardholder's Amazon Pay balance. The card does not have a joining or annual fee and carries a foreign currency markup of 1.99% on international transactions.

Google Pay Flex SBI Card: For digital payments and UPI transactions

The Google Pay Flex SBI Card combines credit card rewards with payments through Google Pay. Cardholders earn two Stars for every cumulative ₹500 spent on eligible transactions, subject to a minimum eligible spend of ₹100 in the previous statement cycle.

The card offers the opportunity to earn up to 18,000 Stars annually on everyday spending. These Stars can be redeemed for instant cashback while making UPI payments through the card on Google Pay.

The joining fee is ₹499 plus applicable taxes. The card also offers a welcome gift worth ₹500 on the Google Pay app. The annual renewal fee from the second year is ₹499 plus applicable taxes, which can be reversed if annual spends reach ₹1 lakh or more in the preceding year.

What should consumers check before choosing a credit card?

Credit card benefits should be evaluated against actual spending habits rather than headline cashback rates alone. Consumers should consider:

* Spending categories: Check whether the card offers benefits on the platforms and categories where most purchases are made.

* Annual fees: Compare joining and renewal charges with the benefits likely to be earned during the year.

* Spending thresholds: Some benefits, including fee waivers and lounge access, are linked to minimum spending requirements.

* Cashback conditions: Check eligible and excluded transactions, cashback caps and crediting timelines.

* Redemption options: Reward points and cashback may have different redemption conditions and restrictions.

* Interest and other charges: Review finance charges, late payment fees, foreign currency markups and other applicable charges.

There is no single credit card that suits every spending pattern. A card offering higher cashback on a particular shopping platform may not necessarily provide the same value to someone whose expenses are concentrated on groceries, utilities or offline purchases.

Consumers should compare the applicable fees, exclusions, reward conditions and annual spending requirements before applying. The value of a credit card ultimately depends on whether its benefits outweigh its costs and whether the outstanding balance can be repaid in full by the due date.