The ones we'd pick
- Amazon Pay ICICI: no joining or annual fee, and 5% on Amazon.in for Prime members with no cap.
- IndusInd EazyDiner Platinum: no fees, and an extra 20% off up to ₹500 three times a month on restaurant bills paid through EazyDiner.
- Axis Neo: lifetime free only through certain channels Axis doesn't name. Otherwise ₹250 a year from year two.
Lifetime free vs fee waived
A lifetime-free card has no joining or annual fee at all. A fee-waiver card charges a fee unless you spend a set amount. Some of the best cards are in the second group, and the waiver is easy to reach if the card is your main one:
| Card | Annual fee | Waived if you spend |
|---|---|---|
| IRCTC HDFC | ₹500 | ₹1.5 lakh a year |
| HDFC Millennia | ₹1,000 | ₹1 lakh a year |
| SBI Cashback | ₹999 | ₹2 lakh a year |
What a free card still charges
- Interest if you don't pay the full statement balance by the due date.
- Late payment fees and cash withdrawal charges.
- Forex markup on foreign-currency spends, usually 3.5% plus GST (1.99% on Amazon Pay ICICI).
- Newer fees many banks added in 2025 and 2026 on rent, large wallet loads, gaming and big utility bills. Check the card's MITC.
Get "lifetime free" in writing
Agents and limited-time offers sometimes promise a free card that later shows an annual fee. Before you activate, check the Key Fact Statement or welcome letter. If it lists a fee, raise it with the bank before the first statement. Under RBI's rules, any charge not disclosed to you upfront can't be levied.
Questions people ask
Which credit cards are lifetime free in India?
Among the cards we review, the Amazon Pay ICICI card and the IndusInd EazyDiner Platinum card have no joining or annual fee. Axis Neo is lifetime free only through some channels.
Is a lifetime-free card really free?
There's no joining or annual fee, but interest, late fees, cash withdrawal charges, forex markup and some transaction fees still apply.