In a world where digital payments rule daily life, credit cards have become more than simple payment tools — they are now indispensable financial friends. From your regular grocery shopping, utility bill payments, and endless online purchases, a good credit card can save you thousands annually with cashback, discounts, and rewards. With dozens of credit cards available, however, which ones actually perform well for daily expenses? This article analyzes the best 5 credit cards in India (as of mid-2025) that provide good value for daily categories such as groceries, online shopping, food ordering, fuel, and bill payments.
1. SBI Cashback Credit Card – Best for Online Shoppers
- Why it’s great: Straightforward cashback policy, no merchant limitations.
- 5% cashback on all online spends (except certain exclusions such as utilities, fuel, and wallets).
- 1% cashback on offline spends.
- Annual fee: ₹999 (waived on ₹2 lakh annual spend).
- Monthly cashback cap: ₹5,000.
- Ideal for: People who shop online frequently across platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Nykaa, etc.
- Pros:
- No merchant/category restrictions for online cashback.
- Automatic cashback credit every month.
- High monthly cashback cap.
- Cons:
- No rewards on rent, fuel, wallet reloads, utilities, or insurance.
- Not ideal if most of your spending is offline.
- Verdict: For straight-up online cashback, this is as good as it gets—clean, rewarding, and very usable.
2. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card – Daily Utility & Bill Payments Pro
- Why it’s great: Great cashback on essential spends.
- 5% cashback on utility bills, electricity, water, gas, recharges on mobile/DTH through Google Pay.
- 4% cashback on food ordering (Swiggy, Zomato) and transportation (Ola).
- 2% cashback on all other transactions.
- Annual fee: ₹499 (waived on ₹2 lakh spend).
- Monthly cashback limit: ₹500.
- Best for: Anyone who makes regular bill payments, recharges, and orders food online.
- Benefits:
- High cashback on daily spends.
- Partnered with Google Pay for hassle-free bill payments.
- Low yearly fee.
- Drawbacks:
- Cashback is only applicable for utility payments through Google Pay, not apps like Paytm or PhonePe.
- Monthly cashback limit is low if your spends are high.
- Verdict: If your existence is a bill payment, food ordering, and ride affair, the ACE card rewards you like a pro.
3. HSBC Cashback Credit Card – For Grocery + Online Enthusiasts
- Why it’s good: Well-balanced cashback on groceries and online spends.
- 1.5% cashback on online spends (Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, etc.).
- 1% cashback on all other offline spends.
- Annual fee: ₹999 (first year waived).
- No minimum spend or limits on cashback.
- Best for: People with mixed expenditure—both offline and online.
- Features:
- Basic cashback without monthly limits.
- Perfect for groceries and necessities.
- Widely accepted with HSBC’s international merchant network.
- Drawbacks:
- No significant bonus points or additional benefits.
- Lower cashback than some other cards on this list.
- Verdict: A straightforward, no-frills cashback card that does the job for everyday necessities, especially if you divide your shopping between offline and online.
4. Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card – Ideal for Prime Members
- Why it’s good: Cashback monarch for Amazon and utility bills.
- 5% cashback for Amazon Prime members (3% for others).
- 2% cashback on partner merchants such as Swiggy, BookMyShow, etc.
- 1% cashback on all other spends.
- Annual fee: ₹0 forever.
- Best suited for: Heavy Amazon users and those who adore no-fee cards.
- Advantages:
- Lifetime free card.
- Cashback gets credited as Amazon Pay balance—can be redeemed for recharges, bills, shopping.
- 1% fuel surcharge exemption.
- Disadvantages:
- Cashback limited to Amazon universe.
- Not as useful for offline grocery or big bill payments except through Amazon.
- Verdict: If you’re an Amazon universe resident, this card is a no-brainer. Bonus: it’s free.
5. Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card – For Digital-First Families
- Why it’s great: Relevant rewards on Airtel, utility bills, and OTT streaming.
- 25% cashback on Airtel mobile, DTH, broadband bills through Airtel Thanks app.
- 10% cashback on utility bill payments, grocery shopping, and Swiggy/Zomato.
- 10% cashback on OTT services such as Netflix, Prime Video.
- Annual charge: ₹500 (reversed on ₹1 lakh spend).
- Ideal for: Airtel subscribers and OTT binge viewers.
- Pros:
- High cashback on daily categories.
- Extremely useful for users of Airtel ecosystem.
- Among the best cashback rates on OTT.
- Cons:
- Cashback can be availed only through the Airtel Thanks app.
- Not ideal for anyone outside the Airtel/OTT ecosystem.
- Verdict: A workhorse for families dependent on Airtel and watching a lot of content.
How to Select the Best Credit Card for Everyday Use
1. Spending Habits: Do you spend online, or offline from kirana shops? Do you pay bills through apps or websites? Your card must reward your real habits—and not theoretical ones.
2. Cashback or Reward Points: For everyday usage, cashback cards give immediate, hassle-free value. If you would rather enjoy travel benefits or vouchers, then rewards cards would be preferable.
3. Annual Fees: Fees are commonly waived on good cards if you reach ₹1–2 lakh in annual expenditure. Don’t worry about fee values—think net gain after rewards.
4. Limit on Benefits: Be cautious of cashback ceilings on a monthly basis. That slick 5% might be insignificant if the monthly ceiling is ₹500 and you spend significantly more.
Spending daily might sound mundane, but the proper credit card can turn that mundane into actual savings. Whether it’s your electricity bill, filling up groceries, or buying dinner over the internet, these five cards return value in 2025 year round. Ultimately, the best card is one that suits your lifestyle. So swipe smart, save better, and let your credit card do the heavy lifting on your everyday expenses.
Written by Pydimarri Hema Harshini
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