If you want more than a free card offers but not a premium fee, cards up to ₹5,000 a year are the sweet spot. We list 137 such cards; here are the 12 with the highest reward rate on everyday spends, as each bank states it, with what each is best at and the spend that waives the fee. Data as of October 2026.
Credit cards up to ₹5,000 a year, ranked
| # | Card | Annual fee | Base rate | Best rates | Fee waived if you spend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ₹5,900 a year | 4% | 4% on most spends; 10% only at partner merchants | No waiver stated | |
| 2 | ₹5,310 a year | 3% | 3% on most spends | No waiver stated | |
| 3 | ₹884 a year | 2% | 2% on most spends | ₹2,00,000 a year | |
| 4 | ₹3,540 a year | 2% | 2% on most spends; 5% only at partner merchants | No waiver stated | |
| 5 | ₹3,540 a year | 2% | 2% on most spends; 5% only at partner merchants | ₹4,00,000 a year | |
| 6 | ₹4,130 a year | 2% | 2% on most spends | No waiver stated | |
| 7 | ₹5,310 a year | 2% | 2% on most spends; 7% only at partner merchants | No waiver stated | |
| 8 | ₹5,899 a year | 2% | 2% base, up to 4% on foreign spends; 24% only at partner merchants | ₹8,00,000 a year | |
| 9 | ₹589 a year | 1.5% | 1.5% on most spends | ₹80,000 a year | |
| 10 | ₹589 a year | 1.5% | 1.5% on most spends; 5% only at partner merchants | ₹2,00,000 a year | |
| 11 | ₹1,179 a year | 1.5% | 1.5% base, up to 10% on dining | ₹2,00,000 a year | |
| 12 | ₹1,769 a year | 1.5% | 1.5% on most spends; 5% only at partner merchants | ₹3,00,000 a year |
How to read it: fees include 18% GST, so a ₹5,000 fee shows as up to ₹5,900. The base rate is what every eligible spend earns; “Best rates” names the higher rates and where they apply. What a bank pays SkyloFin is never part of the order.
How to choose at this price
- Get the fee back by spending, not by earning. 101 of these 137 cards waive the fee above a yearly spend. If your spend clears it, the card is effectively free.
- Match the best rate to your biggest spend. A card paying 5% on groceries is worth more to a family than a higher base rate on spends you rarely make.
- Read the caps. High rates usually stop at a monthly cap; the card’s page states it.
- Compare with free cards. If none of these beats a lifetime free card for your spends, take the free one: lifetime free credit cards.
Related
Annual fee waivers: how to never pay for your credit card · Is a card worth its fee? (calculator) · Find your best card
Questions people ask
Which is the best credit card under ₹5,000 a year?
On base reward rate, Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card (4% on every eligible spend, ₹5,900 a year). The best one for you depends on where you spend most; the table shows each card’s higher rates.
Is GST added to a ₹5,000 fee?
Yes, 18%, so you pay up to ₹5,900. The fees in the table already include it.
Can I get the annual fee waived?
101 of these cards waive it above a yearly spend, shown in the last column. Rent and wallet loads usually do not count toward it.
Updated 20 Oct 2026.
