Leaderboards / Category Rankings

Best Welcome & Milestone Benefits

Highest signup and spending milestone rewards with fee recovery analysis.

275 cards ranked | Updated February 2026

Key Ranking Factors

35% Bonus Value

Total welcome value

25% Efficiency

Value per spend required

25% Ease

Achievable thresholds

15% Timeline

Time to achieve

🥇

HDFC World MasterCard

HDFC Bank
Lounge Access Rewards ₹500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 10353425

Top 1%
🥈
HDFC Teachers Platinum

HDFC Teachers Platinum

HDFC Bank
Entry Level Professional ₹500/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 9955333

Top 1%
🥉
HSBC Taj

HSBC Taj

Co-Branded Dining ₹1,10,000/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Score

Score: 248937

Top 2%
#4
Flipkart Axis Bank

Flipkart Axis Bank

Axis Bank
Co-Branded Shopping ₹500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Axis Bank's website

Score

Score: 74821

Top 2%
#5

HSBC Premier

Lounge Access Premium ₹20,000/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Score

Score: 58759

Top 2%
#6
Standard Chartered Beyond

Standard Chartered Beyond

Dining Lifestyle ₹25,000/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Score

Score: 33632

Top 3%
#7
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal

ICICI Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹12,499/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Score

Score: 30408

Top 3%
#8

Air India SBI Signature Card

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹4,999/yr
3.3 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 27881

Top 3%
#9
HDFC Infinia Metal Edition

HDFC Infinia Metal Edition

HDFC Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹12,500/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 26888

Top 4%
#10
SBI Card Pulse

SBI Card Pulse

SBI Cards
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹1,499/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 25402

Top 4%
#11
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank
Cashback Co-Branded ₹0/yr
4.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Score

Score: 24638

Top 4%
#12
Standard Chartered Ultimate

Standard Chartered Ultimate

Lounge Access Premium ₹5,000/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Score

Score: 20031

Top 5%
#13
Shoppers Stop Black HDFC Bank

Shoppers Stop Black HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹4,500/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 19831

Top 5%
#14
SBI Card Elite

SBI Card Elite

SBI Cards
Dining Lifestyle ₹4,999/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 19070

Top 6%
#15
HDFC InterMiles Diners Club

HDFC InterMiles Diners Club

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹5,000/yr
4.0 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 12689

Top 6%
#16

SBI Card Elite Advantage

SBI Cards
Dining Lifestyle ₹4,999/yr
2.9 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 12602

Top 6%
#17
MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank

MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹999/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Score

Score: 12079

Top 7%
#18
Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank

Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lifestyle ₹3,000/yr
3.3 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 11997

Top 7%
#19
IDFC FIRST Power

IDFC FIRST Power

IDFC First Bank
Co-Branded Entry Level ₹199/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IDFC First Bank's website

Score

Score: 11873

Top 7%
#20
HDFC Titanium Edge

HDFC Titanium Edge

HDFC Bank
Dining Entry Level ₹500/yr
3.0 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 9072

Top 8%
#21
HDFC Biz Grow

HDFC Biz Grow

HDFC Bank
Business Entry Level ₹500/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 8699

Top 8%
#22

HDFC Giga Business

HDFC Bank
Business Entry Level ₹500/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 8418

Top 8%
#23
HDFC Regalia Gold

HDFC Regalia Gold

HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr
3.5 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 8151

Top 9%
#24
HDFC Biz Power

HDFC Biz Power

HDFC Bank
Business Fuel ₹2,500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 8139

Top 9%
#25
InterMiles Platinum HDFC Bank

InterMiles Platinum HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Rewards ₹1,000/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 7680

Top 10%
#26

SBI Card Prime Advantage

SBI Cards
Lounge Access Premium ₹2,999/yr
3.3 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 7607

Top 10%
#27
SBI Card Prime

SBI Card Prime

SBI Cards
Dining Lounge Access ₹2,999/yr
3.3 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 7606

Top 10%
#28
Standard Chartered Rewards

Standard Chartered Rewards

Entry Level Lounge Access ₹1,000/yr
2.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Score

Score: 7190

Top 11%
#29
IndianOil HDFC Bank

IndianOil HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Entry Level ₹500/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 6299

Top 11%
#30
Swiggy HDFC Bank

Swiggy HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Cashback Co-Branded ₹500/yr
3.9 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 6257

Top 11%
#31

HDFC Doctors Regalia

HDFC Bank
Healthcare Lifestyle ₹2,500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 5524

Top 12%
#32
HDFC Regalia

HDFC Regalia

HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 5500

Top 12%
#33
HDFC Diners Club Premium

HDFC Diners Club Premium

HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 5444

Top 12%
#34
HDFC Bharat

HDFC Bharat

HDFC Bank
Cashback Entry Level ₹500/yr
3.5 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 5236

Top 13%
#35
IRCTC SBI Card Premier

IRCTC SBI Card Premier

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Fuel ₹1,499/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 4944

Top 13%
#36
Best Price Save Max HDFC Bank

Best Price Save Max HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹1,000/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 4940

Top 14%
#37
Doctor's SBI Card

Doctor's SBI Card

SBI Cards
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹1,499/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 4910

Top 14%
#37
Doctor's SBI Card (IMA)

Doctor's SBI Card (IMA)

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹1,499/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 4910

Top 14%
#39
Tata Neu Infinity SBI Card

Tata Neu Infinity SBI Card

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹1,499/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 4849

Top 15%
#40
HDFC Biz First

HDFC Biz First

HDFC Bank
Business Cashback ₹500/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 4836

Top 15%
#41
Paytm HDFC Bank SELECT Business

Paytm HDFC Bank SELECT Business

HDFC Bank
Business Cashback ₹500/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 4536

Top 15%
#42
Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank

Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Entry Level ₹299/yr
3.0 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 4451

Top 16%
#43
Flipkart SBI Card

Flipkart SBI Card

SBI Cards
Cashback Co-Branded ₹500/yr
3.9 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 4425

Top 16%
#44
HDFC Millennia

HDFC Millennia

HDFC Bank
Cashback Entry Level ₹1,000/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 4257

Top 16%
#45

PhonePe HDFC Bank Ultimo

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Entry Level ₹999/yr
3.5 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 4251

Top 17%
#46
BPCL SBI Card OCTANE

BPCL SBI Card OCTANE

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Fuel ₹1,499/yr
2.9 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 4143

Top 17%
#47
Axis Bank Atlas

Axis Bank Atlas

Axis Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹5,000/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Axis Bank's website

Score

Score: 3924

Top 18%
#48
Standard Chartered Smart

Standard Chartered Smart

Cashback Entry Level ₹499/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Score

Score: 3515

Top 18%
#49
HSBC Visa Platinum

HSBC Visa Platinum

Entry Level Fuel ₹0/yr
4.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Score

Score: 3361

Top 18%
#50

IRCTC HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹500/yr
3.5 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 3201

Top 19%

About Milestone Rankings

Welcome bonuses and milestone rewards can add significant first-year value. Some cards offer ₹5,000-10,000+ in welcome benefits alone, often exceeding their annual fees.

How We Rank Milestones

  • Benefit value: Total value of welcome and milestone rewards
  • Efficiency: Value relative to spending required
  • Type multiplier: Welcome (no spend) valued highest at 3x
  • Timeline: More relaxed deadlines score better
  • Fee recovery: Benefits that exceed annual fee get bonus

Welcome Value

Higher is better

Requirements

Easier is better

What Makes Great Milestones

  • Welcome bonus: Value without spending requirement
  • Achievable thresholds: Can you actually meet spending requirements?
  • Reasonable timeline: 90+ days is comfortable; 30 days is rushed
  • Fee recovery: Do benefits exceed the annual fee?

Who Should Chase Milestones

  • New cardholders wanting first-year value
  • Those with upcoming large purchases
  • Strategic card churners (responsibly)
  • Anyone looking to maximize sign-up value

Maximizing Milestones

  • Time large purchases: Apply before big spending to hit thresholds naturally
  • Don't overspend: Never spend more than you would just to hit bonuses
  • Track deadlines: Missing bonus deadlines wastes the opportunity
  • Consider long-term: A card that's best year-one might not be best ongoing

Milestone FAQ

Should I choose a card based on welcome bonus?

Welcome bonus is valuable but shouldn't be the only factor. A card with a smaller bonus but better ongoing rewards often delivers more total value over time.

Bottom Line

Welcome bonuses add significant first-year value but consider ongoing rewards too. The best strategy is finding cards with good bonuses AND strong long-term value.

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