best super premium credit card in india

Editorial Team: One Touch Finance

Why you should care about premium credit cards

Look, I get it. You’re probably wondering if those fancy credit cards with huge fees are actually worth it. Let me tell you something – if you’re earning well and spending a lot anyway, these cards can actually save you money while giving you some pretty amazing perks.

Think about it. Private airport lounges where you can relax before flights. Free hotel stays—golf games. Even getting money back on stuff you buy every day. These aren’t just credit cards – they’re like having a VIP pass to a bunch of cool experiences.

Now, I won’t lie to you. These cards aren’t easy to get. Banks want to see that you’re making at least Rs. 20-50 lakhs a year. You’ll need a great credit score (above 750), and sometimes they may only invite certain individuals to apply. The fees? They can be anywhere from Rs. 10,000 to over Rs. 1 lakh per year. But here’s the thing – if you use these cards smartly, you can get back way more value than what you pay in fees.

Quick comparison: Top 9 luxury credit cards

Let me break down each card for you

1. Axis Bank Vistara Infinite credit card

You’ll love this if: You fly a lot for work or business
What you’ll pay upfront: Rs. 15,000 + GST
What you’ll pay every year: Rs. 15,000 (but they’ll waive it if you spend Rs. 8 lakh)

What makes this card special:

• Welcome bonus: 15,000 Club Vistara points (worth 2 domestic round-trip tickets)
• Accelerated earnings: 8 CV points per Rs. 200 on Vistara bookings
• Standard earnings: 4 CV points per Rs. 200 on other purchases
• Complimentary Vistara Club membership with Silver tier benefits
• Priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, and preferred seating
• Global lounge access through Priority Pass (unlimited international)
• Domestic lounge access across 75+ airports
• Foreign transaction fee: 1.99% + GST
• Milestone rewards: 5,000 bonus CV points every Rs. 2 lakh spent

Why I think you should get this card:
If you’re someone who flies a lot, you’ll love how easy it is to turn your spending into flight tickets. No confusing point systems – you just get air miles directly. The Vistara partnership is great if you’re flying within India for work. Plus, getting that membership tier upgrade makes flying so much better. I’d say this card is perfect if you’re a consultant, salesperson, or business owner who’s always traveling.

2. SBI Elite credit card

You’ll love this if: You want good benefits without paying too much.
What you’ll pay upfront: Rs. 4,999 + GST
What you’ll pay every year: Rs. 4,999 (waived if you spend Rs. 4 lakh)

What makes this card special:

• Welcome vouchers worth Rs. 5,000 from leading brands
• Reward multiplier: 5 points per Rs. 100 on dining, department stores, and grocery stores
• Base rate: 2 points per Rs. 100 on all other spends
• Complimentary Railway Maharaja lounge access
• International lounge access via Priority Pass (4 complimentary visits)
• Domestic lounge access (unlimited)
• Annual fee reversal is achievable with moderate spending
• Insurance coverage up to Rs. 50 lakhs on air accidents
• Golf privileges at 900+ courses globally (4 games quarterly)
• Fuel surcharge waiver of 1% across all stations

Why I think you should get this card:
This is honestly a great deal if you’re just starting to explore premium cards. The fee isn’t crazy high, and most people can easily spend Rs. 4 lakh in a year to get it waived. You earn good points on groceries and dining – stuff you’re buying anyway. And since SBI has branches everywhere, you get extra perks if you’re already their customer.

3. IndusInd Bank Legend credit card

You’ll love this if: You want great rewards and travel internationally.
What you’ll pay upfront: Rs. 10,000 + GST
What you’ll pay every year: Rs. 10,000 (free for some wealth customers)

What makes this card special:

• Reward Points: 3 points per Rs. 100 spent universally
• Bonus multiplier: 2x points on weekends across all categories
• Annual voucher bundle worth Rs. 12,000 (Amazon, Flipkart, BookMyShow)
• Movie benefits: Buy 1 Get 1 offer (up to 8 tickets monthly)
• Zero forex markup on international transactions
• Unlimited Priority Pass lounge access worldwide
• Complimentary add-on cards with the same benefits
• Comprehensive insurance: Lost card liability, purchase protection
• Exclusive dining program with 20-30% savings at partner restaurants
• Personal concierge service available 24/7

Why I think you should get this card:
Here’s what I love about this card – you get double points on weekends, which is when most of us do our shopping anyway. Plus, zero forex markup means you’re not losing money when you buy stuff from international websites or travel abroad. If you love movies, the free tickets alone can pay for a big chunk of the annual fee.

4. Kotak Royale Signature credit card

You’ll love this if: You’re new to premium cards.
What you’ll pay upfront: Rs. 2,999 + GST
What you’ll pay every year: Rs. 2,999 (waived if you spend Rs. 3 lakh)

What makes this card special:

• Welcome benefits worth Rs. 3,000, including dining vouchers
• Dining rewards: 4% value back at partner restaurants
• General spending: 2% rewards across categories
• International lounge access (6 visits annually)
• Domestic lounge access (unlimited)
• Complimentary Zomato Pro membership for 3 months
• Milestone benefit: Rs. 2,500 voucher on Rs. 5 lakh annual spend
• Fuel surcharge waiver up to Rs. 500 monthly
• Lost baggage coverage and purchase protection

Why I think you should get this card:
If you’re young or just starting to earn well, this is a perfect first premium card. The fee is low, and the benefits are easy to understand. You get 4% back when you eat out, which is great. And honestly, most people spend Rs. 3 lakh a year on their cards anyway, so you’ll probably never actually pay the fee.

5. Standard Chartered Ultimate credit card

You’ll love this if: You want cash back, not points.
What you’ll pay upfront: Rs. 4,999 + GST
What you’ll pay every year: Rs. 4,999 (waived if you spend Rs. 3 lakh)

What makes this card special:

• Cashback structure: Up to 15% at partner merchants
• Grocery/utility cashback: 5% with no upper limit
• Dining cashback: 5% at enrolled restaurants
• General spending: 1.5% cashback on everything else
• No reward point calculations—direct cashback to the statement
• Priority Pass membership included
• Unlimited domestic lounge access
• Foreign currency markup: 2.5% + GST
• BookMyShow: 2 complimentary tickets monthly
• Wellness benefits, including health checkup discounts

Why I think you should get this card:
I love this one because it’s so simple. You spend money, you get cash back. No confusing point systems or redemption headaches. Just straight money back in your account. The 5% on groceries and utilities is amazing because you’re buying these things anyway. If you hate dealing with reward points, this is your card.

6. RBL Bank World Safari credit card

You’ll love this if: You travel but don’t want to spend too much on fees.
What you’ll pay upfront: Rs. 3,000 + GST
What you’ll pay every year: Rs. 3,000 (waived if you spend Rs. 3 lakh)

What makes this card special:

• Welcome air miles: 5,000 InterMiles
• Earning rate: 4 InterMiles per Rs. 100 on travel bookings
• Regular spends: 2 InterMiles per Rs. 100
• International lounge access: 8 visits annually
• Domestic lounge access: Unlimited
• Foreign markup: 1.75% + GST
• Milestone bonus: 3,000 InterMiles on Rs. 3 lakh spend
• Travel insurance up to Rs. 30 lakhs
• Discount partnerships with MakeMyTrip, Goibibo

Why I think you should get this card:
This card makes travel rewards affordable. You get air miles without the crazy high fees that other cards charge. The InterMiles program is flexible – you can use it with different airlines and hotels. If your family takes a few vacations each year, but you don’t want to pay Rs. 50,000 in card fees, this is perfect for you.

7. American Express Platinum card

You’ll love this if: Money isn’t an issue and you want the absolute best.
What you’ll pay upfront: Rs. 60,000 + GST
What you’ll pay every year: Rs. 60,000 + GST

What makes this card special:

• Taj Hotels: Two complimentary weekend nights annually
•   Enjoy special privileges at 1,400+ hotels and resorts globally
• Global Lounge Collection: Access to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, and Plaza Premium
• Membership Rewards: 1,000 points per Rs. 50 spent at travel partners
• Welcome bonus: 50,000 Membership Rewards points
• Complimentary Platinum Concierge service
• Dining program: Priority reservations at exclusive restaurants
• Comprehensive travel insurance and purchase protection
• Complimentary international airline fee statement credits
• Entertainment access: Pre-sale tickets to premium events

Why I think you should get this card:
Let me be real with you – this card is expensive. Like, really expensive. But if you travel a lot and make serious money, it’s worth every rupee. The Centurion Lounges are like five-star hotels at airports. You get spa services, amazing food, and private spaces. The hotel upgrades and perks make you feel like royalty. It’s not a card. It’s how you live.

8. Citi Prestige credit card

You’ll love this if: You love staying in luxury hotels.
What you’ll pay upfront: Rs. 20,000 + GST
What you’ll pay every year: Rs. 20,000 + GST

What makes this card special:

• Fourth Night Free: Book 4 nights at premium hotels, pay for 3
• Citibank Prestige Concierge: 24/7 lifestyle management
• Earning rate: 5 reward points per Rs. 100 on dining and travel
• Regular spends: 1 point per Rs. 100
• Priority Pass Select: Unlimited lounge access with guest privileges
• Annual travel credit: Rs. 25,000 towards flight bookings
• Complimentary golf rounds at exclusive courses worldwide
• Citibank Global Wallet for multi-currency management
• Foreign transaction markup: 2.75% + GST
• Premium insurance coverage, including trip delays

Why I think you should get this card:
The fourth night free is genius. Book a hotel for 4 nights, pay for only 3. If you take long vacations, you’re saving thousands. Plus, they give you Rs. 25,000 towards flights every year. That basically means you’re paying Rs. -5,000 for this card (yes, negative!). If you and your partner love taking week-long trips and eating at fancy restaurants, get this card now.

9. Bank of Baroda Premier credit card

You’ll love this if: You live outside big cities and play golf
What you’ll pay upfront: Rs. 5,000 + GST
What you’ll pay every year: Rs. 5,000 (waived if you spend Rs. 5 lakh)

What makes this card special:

• Welcome benefits: 5,000 bonus points
• Reward rate: 2.5 points per Rs. 100 across categories
• Golf benefits: 12 complimentary rounds annually at select courses
• Dining discounts: 15-20% at partnered restaurants
• Regional lounge access across tier-2 cities
• International lounge access: 4 visits via Priority Pass
• Insurance coverage for accidents and purchases
• Fuel surcharge waiver on transactions above Rs. 400
• Annual milestone vouchers worth Rs. 4,000

Why I think you should get this card:
Most premium cards focus on Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. But what if you live in Jaipur, Lucknow, or Coimbatore? This card gets you. You get lounge access at smaller airports, golf benefits at local courses, and dining discounts where you actually eat. If you’re a successful business owner or professional in a smaller city, this card gives you premium benefits without the big-city attitude.

How to pick the right card for you

Step 1: Look at where you spend your money

Take three months and track everything. Where does most of your money go? Travel? Eating out? Groceries? Online shopping? Once you know where 60-70% of your money goes, you’ll know which card works best.

Step 2: Match the card to your life

• You fly a lot: Get aviation cards (like Vistara Infinite)
• You love hotels: Get hotel partnership cards (Citi Prestige, AmEx Platinum)
• You eat out often: Get cashback on restaurants (Kotak Royale, SC Ultimate)
• You shop internationally: Get zero/low forex cards (IndusInd Legend)
• You want max rewards: Get high-earning cards (HDFC, Axis cards)

Step 3: Do the math

Take the annual fee and divide it by the reward rate. That tells you how much you need to spend to break even. If you spend way more than that, the card is worth it for you.

Step 4: Think about having multiple cards

A lot of wealthy people have 2-3 cards. One for travel, one for dining, one for cashback. That way, they get the best benefits for each type of spending.

Smart tricks to get more value

Strategy 1: Time your big purchases right

If you need to spend Rs. 5 lakh to get bonus points, plan it out. Pay your insurance, school fees, and book vacations around the same time. Hit that target and get those bonuses.

Strategy 2: Use those lounges

Unlimited lounge access saves you Rs. 2,000-4,000 every time you use it. If you fly for work every week, you’re saving Rs. 1-2 lakhs per year just on airport food and comfort.

Strategy 3: Actually use the memberships

Your card comes with hotel and restaurant memberships worth Rs. 10,000-30,000. Don’t let them sit there. Use them. You’ll get 20-30% off, and those savings add up fast.

Strategy 4: Save on international spending

Cards with zero or low forex markup save you 2-3% on international purchases. If you spend Rs. 10 lakhs abroad each year, you’re saving Rs. 20,000-30,000 compared to regular cards.

Strategy 5: Grab those welcome bonuses

Many cards give you points or vouchers worth 50-100% of the fee when you first join. Use them right away. Don’t let them expire.

Mistakes you should avoid

1. Missing the fee waiver by a little bit: Don’t be that person who spends Rs. 4.8 lakh when you needed Rs. 5 lakh. Set a reminder on your phone for a couple of months before your card year ends.
2. Letting points expire: Your points usually expire in 2-3 years. Use them regularly. Don’t hoard them, thinking you’ll use them someday.
3. Ignoring family member cards: Give add-on cards to your spouse or kids. They can use lounges too, and you all earn points together.
4. Wasting points on merchandise: When you redeem points for products, you usually get only 0.25-0.50 rupees per point. Convert them to air miles or hotel points instead – you’ll get way more value.
5. Using the wrong card abroad: If you use a card with high forex charges when traveling, you’re throwing away thousands of rupees. Always use your low/zero markup card internationally.

What you need to qualify

How much you should be earning:

• Entry premium cards (Rs. 3,000-5,000 fee): You should make Rs. 10-15 lakhs per year
• Mid premium cards (Rs. 10,000-20,000 fee): You should make Rs. 20-30 lakhs per year
• Ultra premium cards (Rs. 50,000+ fee): You should make Rs. 50 lakhs+ or get invited

Your credit score: You need at least 750 to get approved. If you have 800+, you’ll get better terms and higher limits.

Your banking relationship: If you already have an account with a good balance at the bank, they’re more likely to approve you. You might even get the fee waived.

Documents you’ll need: Your latest ITR, salary slips from the last 3-6 months, bank statements, Form 16, and, if you own a business, proof of that too.

What’s coming next in premium cards (2026-2027)

1. Digital stuff: NFT memberships and rewards tracked on blockchain
2. Green features: Carbon-neutral transactions and eco-friendly reward options
3. Personal touches: AI that learns your spending and suggests the best benefits for you
4. Cryptocurrency rewards: Some cards are testing crypto cashback
5. Health perks: More gym memberships, wellness coaching, and doctor checkup benefits

My final thoughts

Look, premium credit cards can seem expensive at first. But when you use them right, they stop being expenses and start making you money. The secret is being honest with yourself about how much you spend, using the benefits smartly, and making sure you hit those fee waiver thresholds.

If you’re making good money and spending Rs. 10+ lakhs every year anyway, these cards can give you back 5-10% of your spending. That’s better than most savings accounts or even some investments.

Start with one card that fits your main spending habit. Use it for 6-12 months. Learn all its benefits. Then maybe add another card for a different spending category. Rich people don’t just own premium cards – they build a system where every rupee they spend gives them something back.

The choice is yours. Keep using a regular card and miss out on all these perks, or step up to a premium card and start living a little better.

Questions people ask me all the time

Q: Can I have multiple premium credit cards at the same time?
A: Yes, absolutely. A lot of smart spenders have 2-3 cards to get the best rewards for different types of spending. Just make sure you can handle all the annual fees.

Q: How do I get those invite-only cards?
A: Keep your credit score high, spend a lot on your current cards, and build a good relationship with your bank. They’ll notice and send you an invite.

Q: Are these cards worth it if I don’t spend that much?
A: Honestly? Probably not. If you’re spending less than Rs. 5-8 lakhs a year, you won’t get enough value to justify paying Rs. 10,000+ in fees.

Q: Can I transfer my points from one card program to another?
A: Usually, no, not between different banks. But many cards let you convert points to airline miles or hotel points, and then you can work with those programs.

Q: Will getting a premium card hurt my credit score?
A: When you first apply, your score might drop 5-10 points temporarily. But if you use the card responsibly and keep your balance low, your score will actually improve over time.

Q: What happens to lounge visits I don’t use?
A: They don’t roll over to next year. But if you have unlimited access, you don’t need to worry about this. For limited visits, they reset every year.

Q: Can I use my personal premium card for business expenses?
A: Yes, many business owners do this to rack up personal rewards. But business cards have their own benefits too, so it depends on what you need.

Q: How do I get them to waive my annual fee?
A: Show them you’re a loyal customer who spends a lot. Sometimes you can threaten to cancel the card (nicely). Or ask your relationship manager to review your account – they might waive it to keep you happy.