Frequently Asked Questions

Start by identifying your primary spending categories (online shopping, dining, fuel, travel). Then look for cards that offer the highest rewards in those categories. Also consider annual fees — a free card with lower rewards might beat an expensive card if your spending is moderate. Use CardCheck to filter by reward type, fee range and special features.

The joining fee is a one-time charge when you first get the card. The annual fee is charged every year to keep the card active. Many cards charge the same amount for both, but some offer a lower joining fee with a higher annual fee (or vice versa). Some cards waive the annual fee if you spend above a certain threshold in a year.

Every time you make a purchase, you earn reward points based on the card's earn rate (e.g., 2 points per ₹100 spent). Points accumulate in your card account and can be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, flight bookings, statement credits, or transferred to airline miles programs. Each point has a value (typically ₹0.25 to ₹1) depending on how you redeem. Points may expire after 2–3 years if unused.

Most banks require a CIBIL score of 700 or above for standard credit cards. Premium cards may require 750+. Some entry-level and secured cards accept scores as low as 650. If you don't have a credit history, look for cards designed for first-time applicants — these may not require a CIBIL check at all.

Cards with lounge access give you complimentary visits to domestic and international airport lounges. Most domestic access is through the DreamFolks programme — simply present your card at participating lounges. International access is typically via Priority Pass. Each card specifies how many free visits you get per quarter or year. Additional visits are charged at the prevailing walk-in rate.

When you make a purchase in a foreign currency, the bank charges a forex markup (typically 1.5%–3.5%) on top of the exchange rate. This is essentially a fee for currency conversion. Travel-focused cards often have lower forex markups (as low as 0%–1.5%), making them better for international shopping and travel.

Many cards offer an annual fee waiver if you spend a certain amount in a year (e.g., spend ₹2 lakh in a year to get next year's fee waived). Some cards are lifetime free with no annual fee ever. You can also call your bank and request a waiver — banks often waive fees to retain customers, especially if you've been a good customer.

When you pay for fuel with a credit card, the fuel station charges a surcharge (typically 1%–2.5% of the transaction). A fuel surcharge waiver means the bank refunds this surcharge back to your card. Most waivers apply to transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000, with a monthly cap on the waiver amount.

The "best for" label indicates the primary use case the card excels at. For example, "best for online shopping" means the card offers the highest rewards on online purchases. This is determined by analyzing the card's reward structure, benefits and fee economics.

All card data on CardCheck is sourced from official bank websites and Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC) documents. We regularly update our database to reflect the latest fees, rewards and benefits. If you notice any outdated information, please let us know.