Which Credit Card is Best for Online Shopping

A credit card is more than just a convenience in the modern digital age; it's essential for easily monitoring your accounts and making transactions. Whether you're going on a night out, making travel arrangements, or doing your online shopping, using a trustworthy credit card can make things easier. It's important to select the best credit card for your needs out of the many possibilities accessible.

You will find information on how to activate each credit card as well as assistance in navigating through the best options for online shopping in this guide. Find the top credit cards designed to improve your shopping experience and the effectiveness of your money management, from outstanding rewards points to enticing cashback offers.

10 Best Credit Cards for Shopping

1. SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card
2. HSBC Visa Platinum Card
3. HDFC Bank Moneyback Credit Card
4. Kotak Delight Platinum Credit Card
5. Kotak Essentia Platinum Credit Card
6. Axis Bank Buzz Credit Card
7. Axis Bank Neo Credit Card
8. Fbb SBI STYLEUP Credit Card
9. Cashback SBI Card
10. Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card

1. SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card

The SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card is a top choice for those who frequently shop and dine out. It offers 10x rewards on dining, movies, and grocery purchases, making it highly rewarding for everyday expenses. With a manageable annual fee, this card is accessible and beneficial for individuals who want to maximize their rewards on daily spending without breaking the bank. Enjoy a host of perks that cater to your regular shopping needs.

• Joining Fee: ?499
• Renewal Fee: ?499
• Best Suited For: Everyday purchases and grocery shopping
• Welcome Benefits: If you make your first ATM cash withdrawal within 30 days of getting your card, you will receive Rs. 100 in cash back.

2. HSBC Visa Platinum Card

The HSBC Visa Platinum Card provides excellent rewards with no annual fee, making it a valuable option for budget-conscious shoppers. It offers two reward points for every ?150 spent on online shopping and two points on all other transactions. Digital shoppers who wish to earn rewards without worrying about additional fees will find this card particularly appealing. Additionally, its paperless approval process ensures a smooth and quick application experience.

• Joining Fee: ?0
• Renewal Fee: ?0
• Best Suited For: Online shopping and general use
• Welcome Benefits: ?500 cashback on spending ?5,000

3. HDFC Bank Moneyback Credit Card

For those who purchase a lot online, the HDFC Bank Moneyback Credit Card offers two cashpoints for every ?150 spent. The card is an affordable choice because, under certain circumstances, the yearly charge is waived. This card is perfect for people who shop online often and want to maximize their rewards while controlling costs because of its simple rewards structure and possibility for fee exemptions.

• Joining Fee: ?500 (waived if conditions are met)
• Renewal Fee: ?500 (waived if conditions are met)
• Best Suited For: Online Shopping and HDFC Bank Customers
• Welcome Benefits: 500 Cashpoints

4. Kotak Delight Platinum Credit Card

Designed with entertainment enthusiasts in mind, the Kotak Delight Platinum Credit Card offers 10% cashback on dining and movie purchases. While the card has a higher annual fee, the substantial cashback can significantly offset the cost for frequent diners and moviegoers. This card is perfect for individuals who enjoy dining out and watching movies regularly, providing them with generous rewards and savings on their entertainment expenses.

• Joining Fee: ?1,999
• Annual Fee: ?299
• Best Suited For: Dining and Entertainment
• Welcome Benefits: None specified

5. Kotak Essentia Platinum Credit Card

The Kotak Essentia Platinum Credit Card rewards users generously for shopping at department stores and grocery shops. For every ?100 spent in these areas, you can get 10 points, which makes it a great option for frequent shoppers. With a focus on everyday essentials, this card is designed to maximize rewards on routine purchases, ensuring that users get the most value out of their spending on groceries and department store items.

• Joining Fee: ?1,499
• Renewal Fee: ?749
• Best Suited For: Grocery and department store shopping
• Welcome Benefits: None specified

6. Axis Bank Buzz Credit Card

For fans of Flipkart, the Axis Bank Buzz Credit Card is an excellent choice because it comes with a ?1,000 e-gift card as a welcome bonus. It is flexible for a range of shopping needs and offers reward points for general spending as well. Those who regularly shop on Flipkart will find this card especially helpful, as it offers substantial rewards and savings. For online buyers, the mix of joining benefits and continuous incentives makes it a compelling option.

• Joining Fee: ?750
• Renewal Fee: ?750
• Best Suited For: Flipkart shoppers
• Welcome Benefits: ?1,000 worth Flipkart e-gift card

7. Axis Bank Neo Credit Card

The Axis Bank Neo Credit Card caters to those looking for deals on movie tickets, recharges, and fashion purchases. It offers various discounts and cashback opportunities, making it a great card for budget-conscious shoppers. With an affordable annual fee and a range of benefits tailored to entertainment and fashion, this card is perfect for individuals who want to save money on their everyday expenses and enjoy special offers.

• Joining Fee: ?250
• Renewal Fee: ?250
• Best Suited For: Movie Tickets, Recharges, and Fashion Shopping
• Welcome Benefits: 100% cashback on first utility bill payment (up to ?300)

8. Fbb SBI STYLEUP Credit Card

The Fbb SBI STYLEUP Credit Card is ideal for fashion lovers who frequently shop at Big Bazaar and Fbb stores. It provides 10x points on purchases at these outlets and additional points for dining, making it a rewarding option for fashion and grocery shopping. This card is designed to offer significant rewards on purchases at select stores, ensuring that users get the most out of their shopping experiences with enhanced benefits and point accumulation.

• Joining Fee: ?499 + GST
• Renewal Fee: ?499 + GST
• Best Suited For: Fashion and Grocery Shopping at Big Bazaar and Fbb Stores
• Welcome Benefits: fbb gift voucher worth ?500

9. Cashback SBI Card

The Cashback SBI Card is tailored for those who want cashback on all their purchases. It offers 5% cashback on online spends and 1% on offline transactions, providing a versatile cashback solution for all shopping needs. With a focus on maximizing savings through cashback, this card is an excellent choice for individuals who want to earn back a portion of their spending, making everyday purchases more rewarding and cost-effective.

• Joining Fee: ?999
• Renewal Fee: ?999
• Best Suited For: Online and offline shopping
• Welcome Benefits: None

10. Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card

With up to 5% cashback on Amazon purchases, the Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card is ideal for Amazon customers. With no annual fees, this card is an excellent choice for frequent Amazon users who want to maximize their savings on the platform. It provides a seamless shopping experience with significant cashback benefits, ensuring that users can enjoy their Amazon purchases with added value and no extra costs.

• Joining Fee: ?0
• Renewal Fee: ?0
• Best Suited For: Amazon purchases
• Welcome Benefits: None

A. Kotak Delight Platinum Credit Card

Many advantages are offered by the Kotak Delight Platinum Credit Card in a range of lifestyle areas, including dining, travel, and entertainment. This card offers cashback, discounts, fee waivers, and other advantages, making it a well-rounded option for diverse spending needs.

Features of Kotak Delight Platinum Credit Card

• Receive 10% cashback on dining and movie transactions. To avail this cashback, spend a minimum of ?10,000 on non-entertainment and dining categories in one billing cycle.
• Spend ?1,25,000 every six months and enjoy four complimentary PVR movie tickets.
• Enjoy a 1.8% railway surcharge waiver for bookings on irctc.com and 2.5% at Indian Railway booking counters.
• Get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions at fuel stations across India.

B. HDFC Bank MoneyBack Credit Card

The HDFC Bank MoneyBack Credit Card is ideal for those looking to earn cashback on their credit card transactions. With this card, users can accrue reward points that can be redeemed for cashback in lieu of gifts and incentives.

Features of HDFC Bank MoneyBack Card

• For every ?150 charged on the card, earn two cashpoints.
• For every online transaction done with the card, earn four reward points.
• Get ?20 in cashback for using each 100 reward points.
• Choice to exchange HDFC's rewards catalog points for presents and flying miles.
• On fuel transactions with a minimum value of ?400, take advantage of a 1% fuel surcharge waiver.

C. HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card

With no annual or joining fees, the HSBC Visa Platinum Credit Card comes with a long list of perks, including cinema ticket deals, cashback, dining and travel discounts, and accelerated reward points on category purchases.

Features of HSBC Visa Platinum Card

• Two welcome bonuses are included: a ?2,000 Cleartrip coupon and a ?250 BookMyShow voucher.
• During the first 12 months, receive three times as many reward points for dining, lodging, and telecom purchases.
• For every ?150 charged on the card, earn two reward points.
• Get a ?500 gift voucher when you spend more than ?50,000 in a single calendar month.
• Take advantage of a ?250 monthly fuel surcharge waiver for petrol transactions between ?400 and ?4,000.
• 15% off dining expenditures in big cities.

How to Redeem Credit Card Points

1. Earning Reward Points

• Everyday Purchases: Earn points on all eligible transactions, including groceries and utilities.
• Online Shopping: Get bonus points on purchases from partner e-commerce sites.
• Dining Out: Accumulate points when dining at participating restaurants.
• Fuel Purchases: Collect points on fuel transactions at partnered petrol pumps.
• Special Promotions: Earn extra points during promotional campaigns and festive offers.

2. Benefits of Credit Card Reward Points

• Certain credit card companies let you exchange reward points for cash.
• Reward points may be used, subject to card type, to cover the yearly charge.
• You can reserve hotels or flights with reward points.
• Reward points are used by several credit cards to provide cashback.
• Certain things can be purchased with points from a catalog that credit card companies provide.
• To find out more about the rewards program on your credit card, get in touch with your supplier.

3. What Can You Redeem the Reward Points For?

• Gift Vouchers: Obtain extra perks by redeeming points for e-vouchers from merchants, brands, or restaurants.
• Travel Bookings: Use points for flight, hotel, and travel package bookings.
• Air Miles: Some cards offer air miles instead of reward points, redeemable for ticket purchases or discounts.
• Merchandise: Exchange points for a variety of products available in the Rewards catalog.
• Bill Payments: Apply points towards utility and credit card bill payments.
• Cashback: Convert reward points to cashback for credit card balance payments or shopping.
• Donations: Donate points to charity houses listed with banks.
• Transfer Points: Transfer points to family or friends holding credit cards from the same bank.

Documents Required to Apply for a Credit Card

To apply for shopping credit cards, various documents are required. Each bank may have its own specific requirements, so it's advisable to verify with the respective bank or its official website for detailed documentation needs.

• Proof of Identity: Acceptable documents typically include an Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, or any other government-issued ID that verifies your identity.
• Proof of Address: A copy of an address proof document is essential. This could be a voter ID, Aadhaar card, driving license, electricity bill, or passport that shows your current residential address. Ensure the document is valid and reflects your current address accurately.
• PAN Card: Your Permanent Account Number (PAN) card must be photocopied. For financial transactions and tax-related purposes, this document is essential.
• Documents: Provide two months' worth of pay stubs or your most recent income tax return as proof of income (ITR). This aids the bank in determining your ability to repay debts and maintain stability.
• Application Document: Completing and signing an application form is a must. Before submitting, make sure all the information is accurate, and double-check for mistakes.
• Photograph: You must provide one recent passport-sized photo. For identity purposes, this is typically connected to your application form.

The application procedure for a shopping credit card will go more smoothly and effectively if you make sure you have these documents ready. For any additional needs or differences in the paperwork process, always verify with the particular bank.

Online Shopping Credit Card Annual Fees and Charges

1. SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card

• Annual Fee: ?499
• Spends for Renewal Fee Waiver: Spend Rs. 1 lakh or more in a membership year.

2. HSBC Visa Platinum Card

• Annual Fee: ?0
• Spends for Renewal Fee Waiver: spending Rs 2 lakh in a year

3. HDFC Bank Moneyback Credit Card

• Annual Fee: ?500 (waived if conditions are met)
• Spends for Renewal Fee Waiver: ?50,000 annually or having an HDFC savings/current account

4. Kotak Delight Platinum Credit Card

• Annual Fee: ?1,999
• Spends for Renewal Fee Waiver: Waived on spending INR 1 lakh in a year

5. Kotak Essentia Platinum Credit Card

• Annual Fee: ?1,499
• Spends for Renewal Fee Waiver: Waived on spending INR 1.5 lakh in a year

6. Axis Bank Buzz Credit Card

• Annual Fee: ?750
• Spends for Renewal Fee Waiver: No Waiver

7. Axis Bank Neo Credit Card

• Annual Fee: ?299
• Spends for Renewal Fee Waiver: No Waiver

8. Fbb SBI STYLEUP Credit Card

• Annual Fee: ?499
• Spends for Renewal Fee Waiver: No Waiver

9. Cashback SBI Card

• Annual Fee: ?999
• Spends for Renewal Fee Waiver: No Waiver

10. Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card

• Annual Fee: ?0
• Spends for Renewal Fee Waiver: There is no joining or renewal fee.

Other Fees and Charges for Shopping Credit Cards

When selecting a shopping credit card, it’s crucial to understand the various additional fees and charges that might apply beyond the annual fee. Here’s a breakdown of the typical costs associated with these cards:

Interest Charges:

• The annual percentage rate (APR) for outstanding balances ranges from 39.6% to 46.78%. This is the cost of carrying a balance from month to month.

Late Payment Penalty:

• If you miss a payment, the fee can start at ?100, depending on the balance overdue.

Cash Withdrawal Fee:

• For withdrawing cash, the fee is typically about 2.5% to 3% of the amount taken out, with a minimum charge of ?300.

Over-limit Fee:

• Spending beyond your credit limit incurs a fee, generally around 2.5% of the excess amount, or a minimum of ?500.

International Transaction Fee:

• When using your card abroad, expect a fee of approximately 3.5% of the transaction amount.

Replacement Card Fee:

• If you need a new card, the cost is usually between ?100 and ?200.

Points Redemption Fee:

• Redeeming reward points may involve a fee, typically between ?99 and ?150 per redemption.

Transaction Processing Fee:

• For certain transactions, like paying rent, a processing fee of around 1% plus applicable taxes might be charged.

Understanding these fees helps you select the right credit card based on your spending patterns and financial goals.

How to Activate a Credit Card

Activating a new credit card is essential to starting to use it for transactions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you activate your card, ensuring a smooth start to using your new credit card:

1. Online Activation via Internet Banking:

• Access your internet banking account.
• Locate the 'Credit Card Activation' option in the menu.
• Input your credit card details as requested.
• Enter the OTP (One-Time Password) sent to your registered mobile number.
• Your card will be activated immediately.

2. Using Your Bank’s Mobile App:

• Install your bank’s mobile app from the app store.
• Log in using your PIN or account credentials.
• Navigate to the 'Cards' section within the app.
• Select your new credit card and activate it by following the prompts.

3. Phone Activation:

• Call your bank’s customer service line.
• Provide your credit card number and any requested information.
• Follow the instructions given by the customer service representative to complete the activation process.

4. In-Person Activation:

• Visit a branch of your credit card-issuing bank.
• Show your new credit card and a valid form of ID to the bank staff.
• They will help you activate your card on-site.

Conclusion

The credit card you choose can have a big impact on how you manage your finances and how you make purchases. You may choose the best credit card for your needs by being aware of its features and advantages, including cashback, rewards, and annual fees. Credit card activation is an easy process that can be completed in person, over the phone, online, or through a mobile app. You will be ready to take advantage of the benefits and conveniences of contemporary financial instruments if you have the appropriate card and the activation process goes well. Examine your choices, get your card activated, and begin maximizing your purchases right now.

FAQS

Q1. What should I do if I forget my credit card PIN?

Ans: Contact your bank’s customer service to request a PIN reset or use the mobile app or online banking to set a new PIN.

Q2. Can I activate my credit card without an internet connection?

Ans: Yes, you can activate your card by calling customer service or visiting a bank branch in person.

Q3. How long does it take to activate a new credit card?

Ans: Activation is usually immediate, especially through online or mobile app methods. Phone or in-person activations may take a bit longer.

Q4. Is there a fee for activating a credit card?

Ans: Generally, there is no fee for activating a credit card. However, be aware of annual fees or other charges associated with the card.