Forget online shopping sprees for a moment, let’s talk real-world offline shopping! Whether you’re loading up on groceries at your local kirana or buying a jewelry or furniture or treating yourself to a new outfit at your favourite store, credit cards can add some sweetness to your offline shopping experience with rewards and cashback.
But with a mountain of options available, choosing the right card can feel like finding that perfect pair of jeans – overwhelming!
Worry not, savvy shopper, this post is your guide to finding the best credit card for offline purchases.
For High Spenders
- AU LIT: Get 5% milestone benefits, 10x reward points on offline purchases, and an extra 5% for groceries or dining (up to 7-10% overall). Requires strategic activation for optimal gains.
- Axis Atlas Bank Credit Card: Enjoy 10% return on travel bookings and 4% on everything else. Beats Infinia for non-frequent air travelers.
- Magnus Burgundy: This card shines with 24% on travel and 4.8% on offline transactions.
Cashback Credit Cards
- Axis Ace: Flat 2% cashback on almost all offline purchases.
- HSBC Cashback Card: Get 10% cashback on grocery spends.
- Standard Chartered Ultimate: Flexible rewards with 2.85% cashback (after vouchers). Ideal for online and offline mixed expenses.
- IDFC Wealth Card: For high-rollers, this card offers a robust reward program with up to 5% cashback, making it suitable for significant offline transactions. Milestone benefits and bonus cashback for offline spending further sweeten the deal.
HSBC Cashback Card: Earn a flat 1% cashback on all offline purchases , no limits or cap, no categories, just pure rewards on every swipe. 10% cashback on dining. Unlimited 1.5% cashback on all others spends.
Travel Buffs
- HDFC Biz First Black Card: This card offers 3.33% return, but acceptance might be limited.
- SBI Vistara Prime: Earn 2% CV points + 5% via milestone on flight tickets. Perfect for frequent flyers.
Additional Cards to Consider
- RBL Platinum Mastercard: Offers 5% cashback on groceries and 2% on utilities, catering to everyday offline spends.
- IndusInd Neo Card: Entices with 5% cashback on movie tickets and dining alongside 1% cashback on all other spends, including offline purchases.
- SBI Simply Smart Credit Card: Provides 10x reward points on fuel and 2x reward points on movies and dining, rewarding specific offline categories.
Now, let’s dive into the full list:
| Card | Reward Rate | Category | Capped | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Ace | 2% cashback | All offline purchases | No | Free |
| HSBC Cashback Card | 10% cashback | Groceries, food, dining | Yes (₹1000/month) | Free |
| DCB | 3.3% reward points | All spends | No | Free |
| Axis Atlas | 4% air miles/hotel points | All spends | No | Free |
| American Express Gold | Bonus points | Tanishq purchases | No | Varies |
| Platinum Travel | Air miles/hotel points | High spends (₹4L+) | No | High |
| Axis/HDFC Fuel LTF Cards | Discounts/cashback | Fuel purchases | Varies | Low |
| Axis Reserve | 7.5% points (6% air miles/hotel points) | All spends, doubled abroad | No | High |
| Axis Magnus | 6% points (4.8% air miles/hotel points) | All spends | No | Moderate |
| HDFC Infinia/Diners Club Black | 3.3% reward rate | All spends | No | High |
| IndusInd EazyDiner | 2% | Dining | No | Low |
| Axis Flipkart | 1.5% cashback | Offline purchases | No | Free |
| Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium | 5% cashback | Fuel | No | Low |
| HSBC Cashback Card | 10% cashback | Groceries | Yes (₹1000/month) | Free |
RupeeTalks Recommendation: Go with Axis Ace card for unlimited 2% cashback on all offline spends.
Remember: This is just the tip of the iceberg. Double-check cashback rates, reward structures, and annual fees on official websites before applying. Consider your spending habits, preferred rewards program, and annual fees before choosing your perfect card. Happy swiping (and earning)!
Disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a financial advisor before making any credit card decisions.