Leaderboards / Category Rankings

Best Welcome & Milestone Benefits

Highest signup and spending milestone rewards with fee recovery analysis.

280 cards ranked | Updated January 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

🥇

Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card

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

on Axis Bank's website

Score

Score: 74821

Top 1%
🥈
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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

on ICICI Bank's website

Score

Score: 51536

Top 1%
🥉
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 2%
#4

HDFC Regalia Gold

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

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 8170

Top 2%
#5

HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹10,000/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 288

Top 2%
#6

HSBC Premier Credit Card
Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card

 IDFC First Bank
Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IDFC First Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

Axis Bank Airtel Credit Card

 Axis Bank
Co-Branded ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Axis Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

IndusInd Legend Credit Card

 IndusInd Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IndusInd Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

IndianOil HDFC Bank Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Fuel ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

 ICICI Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

BOBCARD Eterna

 BOB Financial (BOBCARD)
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on BOB Financial (BOBCARD)'s website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

Air India SBI Signature Card

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Card
Rewards ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

IndusInd Pinnacle Credit Card

 IndusInd Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IndusInd Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Pixel Play

 HDFC Bank
Youth ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HSBC TravelOne Credit Card
Travel ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME

 SBI Cards
Co-Branded Travel ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

IndusInd Pioneer Heritage Credit Card

 IndusInd Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IndusInd Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

BOBCARD Premier

 BOB Financial (BOBCARD)
Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on BOB Financial (BOBCARD)'s website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Freedom

 HDFC Bank
Entry Level ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Bank UPI RuPay

 HDFC Bank
RuPay UPI ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Pixel Go

 HDFC Bank
Youth ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Shopping ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

Shoppers Stop Black HDFC Bank Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Shopping ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

InterMiles Platinum HDFC Bank Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Travel ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Bharat Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Entry Level ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Regalia Activ Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Diners Club Rewardz Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Rewards ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Diners Club Premium Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Platinum Edge Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Platinum Plus Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Titanium Edge Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Entry Level ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Solitaire Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Lifestyle ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Doctors Regalia Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Healthcare Lifestyle ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Doctors Superia Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Healthcare Professional ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Teachers Platinum Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Professional ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC InterMiles Diners Club Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Travel ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC InterMiles Signature Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Lounge Access Travel ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Superia Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC World MasterCard Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Visa Signature Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Lounge Access ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Biz Grow Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Business ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Biz First Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Business ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Biz Power Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Business Fuel ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Biz Black Metal Edition Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Business Premium ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC Giga Business Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Business ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

HDFC CSC Small Business MoneyBack Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Business Entry Level ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

Paytm HDFC Bank Business Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Business Co-Branded ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%
#6

Paytm HDFC Bank SELECT Business Credit Card

 HDFC Bank
Business Co-Branded ₹0/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

Score: 75

Top 3%

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.

Learn more about our methodology

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