Best Credit Cards in India for Big Purchases: Unlock Massive Bonuses and Rewards in 2025

As the holidays approach, you may be considering a lot of new purchases – whether that’s the latest smartphone or new appliances for your home. Or maybe you’re even planning for your wedding. While there are many things to look forward to with these purchases, you’re probably also concerned about the total expenditures involved in making these purchases. How about if you got something in return for your purchase, like cash back, rewards, or free travel? This is where a credit card designed for large purchases can help. They offer huge bonuses, reward schemes and other perks for using credit cards to make large purchases.

How Credit Cards Help You Spend Smarter in India

Digital payments are taking off in India, and credit cards are super popular now, thanks to UPI and the RBI wanting everyone to get involved with finance. These cards aren’t just bits of plastic; they can really help you spend smarter. If you’re a worker in Mumbai saving up for a laptop, a small shop owner in Delhi getting more stuff to sell, or a family in Bengaluru planning a big holiday, the right card can cut costs and give you lots of extras. But with loads of choices from banks like HDFC, SBI, Axis, ICICI, and even new ones like Amazon Pay and Flipkart, how do you find the best one?

This guide is set up as a step-by-step process and contains no complicated terms, whereas it provides you with straightforward advice. The guide shows the benefits of large spending credit cards, what types of large spending credit cards India offers, tips on how to select the right large spending credit card for your needs, and expert tips to maximise rewards. After reading this guide, you will have the knowledge to spend less and save more when using large spending credit cards. Let us get started!

Why Big-Purchase Credit Cards Are a Must-Have in India Today

The first aspect to look at is what makes these credit cards “big purchase” friendly. These cards are not for everyday grocery swiping, but rather they are designed for larger purchases (usually over ₹20,000–₹1L or more) and typically have accelerated points on certain categories (i.e. electronics, appliances, travel, etc.) and thus are ideal for Diwali Festival and Wedding Seasons.

The real magic? Bonus rewards. Spend ₹1 lakh in the first 90 days? Boom—10,000 bonus points worth ₹10,000 in vouchers. Hit quarterly milestones? Get vouchers or airmiles. In a country where inflation bites and EMIs tempt, these cards offset costs beautifully. For instance, during Amazon Great Indian Festival or Flipkart Big Billion Days, cards like the HDFC Infinia or Axis Magnus offer 5-10% effective returns via bonuses, turning a ₹50,000 TV buy into ₹5,000 back in your pocket.

Why Big-Purchase Credit Cards Go Beyond Cashback

But it’s not just about cashback. These cards come loaded with protections, too. RBI mandates zero liability on fraud (if reported promptly), and premium cards add purchase protection—up to ₹50,000 insurance on gadgets if they break within 90 days. Plus, lounge access, fuel waivers, and milestone waivers on annual fees make them lifestyle upgrades.

Priya, an IT worker at the age of 32, working in Hyderabad and who uses her SBI Card Elite, has purchased an AC worth ₹75,000. With this purchase, she received 15,000 bonus points (which can be used for flights) and also got 5% cash back.

“It felt like the bank rewarded me for essential shopping!” she shares. Stories like hers are common because India’s credit card market grew 20% YoY in 2024, per RBI data, with big-spend cards leading the charge.

Basically, these things flip the script from Ouch, that was pricey to Sweet, I got it for free! To get in on this rewards thing, you’ll need to pick the card that works for you. I’ll walk you through the different types out there.

Types of Credit Cards Tailored for Big Purchases in India

Not all cards are created equal. Big-purchase cards fall into a few key buckets, each shining in specific scenarios. Here’s the lay of the land, with popular Indian examples.

Milestone Reward Cards: Hit Targets, Win Big

These are the stars for planned big buys. They dangle escalating bonuses based on spend slabs—think ₹50,000 for entry-level perks, ₹5 lakh quarterly for elite rewards.

• HDFC Diners Club Black: Spend ₹8 lakh annually? Waive the ₹10,000 fee and snag vouchers worth ₹10,000+. Ideal for electronics or travel; 5 reward points per ₹150 on big spends.
• Axis Magnus: Quarterly ₹2.5 lakh spend unlocks 25,000 EDGE points (1 EDGE = ₹1 cashback). Users love it for Amazon hauls—perfect for that ₹1 lakh furniture set.
• ICICI Emerald: For ultra-high spenders, milestone vouchers up to ₹20,000 on ₹15 lakh annual spends.

These shine if your big purchase aligns with quarterly cycles. Pro: Predictable bonuses. Con: Miss a slab? Rewards dip.

Bonus Point Boosters: Get More Rewards on Stuff You Really Want

Instead of just basic points, these give you a bigger points boost on things like phones, appliances, or jewellery.

• Amazon Pay ICICI Card: 5% cashback on Amazon (up to ₹1,250/month), scaling for Prime Day splurges. A ₹40,000 laptop? Straight ₹2,000 back.
• SBI Cashback Card: 5% on online spends (capped at ₹5,000/month), but pair with milestones for department store hauls.
• Flipkart Axis Bank Card: 5% on Flipkart/partner sites, 4% on preferred merchants—gold for Big Billion Days appliance buys.

Great for e-commerce warriors. In India, where 60% of big purchases happen online (NPCI stats), these cards deliver 5-15% returns.

Luxury Travel and Lifestyle Cards: Get Rewarded for Big Spending

These cards give you sweet bonuses like air miles, hotel stays, and lounge access when you spend on trips, shopping abroad, or going to events.

• HDFC Infinia gets you 5 points for every ₹150 you spend, and you can trade them 1-to-1 for flights or hotels. If you spend ₹5 lakh, you get 25,000 extra points – enough for a business class ticket from Delhi to Mumbai.
• American Express Platinum Travel: 1,000 bonus MR points on ₹1.5 lakh quarterly spend. Lounge access + Taj stays for wedding shoppers.
• Axis Atlas: 5 EDGE miles/₹100 on travel, bonuses on ₹10 lakh annual. Perfect for international gadget imports.

With India’s outbound tourism rebounding post-COVID, these cards make big trips affordable.

Secured and Entry-Level Big-Spend Boosters

New to credit? Don’t worry—fixed deposit-backed cards now offer big perks.

• SBI SimplyCLICK: 10X points on partner sites for ₹20,000+ spends.
• IDFC FIRST EA₹N: Up to 10% cashback on high spends, low fees.

These build credit while rewarding that first big appliance buy.

Each type fits a lifestyle. Frequent online shoppers? Go to the accelerator. Annual vacation planner? Travel card. The key? Match your spending pattern.

How to Choose the Right Big-Purchase Credit Card for You

Picking a card feels overwhelming, but here’s a simple framework: Assess your spend profile, lifestyle, credit health, and fees. Let’s walk through it.

Step 1: Map Your Big Spends

Track 3-6 months of expenses. What’s your annual big-ticket total? Under ₹5 lakh? Entry/mid-tier like SBI Air India Signature (10% back on flights). ₹10 lakh+? Premium like Infinia.

Category matters too:

• Electronics/Appliances: Amazon Pay or Flipkart cards.
• Travel: Atlas or Infinia.
• Jewellery/Gold: Cards with 2-3% on offline luxury (HDFC Regalia Gold).
• Weddings/Events: Milestone cards for caterers/hotels.

RBI’s SMS alerts make tracking easy—use them!

Step 2: Check Eligibility and Credit Score

Most require a 750+ CIBIL score (free check via apps like Paytm or bank portals). Salaried? ₹50,000+ income. Self-employed? ITR proof.

Premium cards demand 800+, but welcome offers sweeten entry—e.g., Axis Magnus gives 25,000 points on first ₹15,000 spend.

Step 3: Decode Fees and Waivers

Joining fee: ₹500–₹12,500. Annual: Often waived on ₹3-10 lakh spend. Forex markup? Under 2% for international buys (Infinia at 2%).

Calculate effective cost: A ₹10,000 fee waived + ₹15,000 rewards = net gain.

Step 4: Scrutinise Rewards Redemption

Points devalue over time—check ratios. HDFC: 1 RP = ₹0.50-1. Amex: Better for travel. Avoid vouchers if you prefer cashback.

Use tools like MoneyBuddha for comparisons (always verify on bank sites).

Step 5: Read the Fine Print

RBI caps rewards at 20% of spending sometimes. Exclusions? Rent often doesn’t count. Fuel surcharges? Waived up to ₹500/month on many.

Real talk: Avoid if you carry balances—interest (36-45% APR) eats rewards. Pay full via auto-debit.

Example: Raj from Narnaund, Haryana, chose Axis Magnus over Infinia because his quarterly ₹3 lakh electronics spends hit milestones perfectly, netting ₹30,000 annual value.

Follow these steps, and you’ll land a card that pays you to shop.

Top Tips to Maximise Rewards on Big-Purchase Cards

Got the card? Now, milk it. These battle-tested strategies, straight from Indian fintech pros, can boost returns 2-3X.

Tip 1: Time Your Purchases for Welcome Bonuses

Most cards offer 10,000-50,000 points on the first 30-90 days’ spend. Plan ahead—buy that fridge during onboarding. HDFC Regalia: ₹1.5 lakh spent = 12,000 points (₹6,000 value).

Festive timing: Diwali/Black Friday aligns with caps reset.

Tip 2: Stack Categories and Portals

Accelerate via bank portals. HDFC SmartBuy for 10X on Myntra/Amazon. Axis EDGE Rewards for 5%+ on travel.

UPI linkage? Load via Google Pay for 1-2% extra.

Tip 3: Leverage Milestone Ladders

Don’t stop at base—aim high. Axis Magnus: ₹1 lakh quarterly = 12,500 points; ₹2.5 lakh = 25,000. Track via apps.

Family strategy: Pool spends (with permission) across cards.

Tip 4: Redeem Smartly for Max Value

Flights/hotels > vouchers. Infinia: 1:1 airmiles. Amex: Transfer to Marriott (0.6 paise/point).

Cashback? Direct to statement. Avoid expiry—redeem quarterly.

Tip 5: Minimise Costs with Waivers and Protections

Fuel surcharge waivers save ₹2,000/year. Lounge 8-16 visits free. Insurance? Claim for lost baggage.

Utility hack: Route big bills (insurance premiums) through the card.

Tip 6: Avoid Common Traps

• Don’t chase fees—net value first.
• Split bills? Some cards have a bonus only for full amounts.
• Forex? Use a card over cash for 1-3% rewards.

Advanced play: Upgrade paths—start with SimplyCLICK, upgrade to Elite after 6 months for better rates.

Users like Priya doubled rewards by stacking Amazon sales with portal multipliers. You can too.

Wrapping Up: Swipe into Savings with Big-Purchase Power

Big-purchase credit cards aren’t luxuries—they’re essential tools in India’s fast-paced financial world. From milestone monsters like Axis Magnus to e-commerce accelerators like Amazon Pay ICICI, the options empower you to turn everyday big spends into extraordinary gains. We’ve covered the benefits (bonuses galore!), types (pick your poison), choice framework (spend-smart selection), and max-tips (stack and redeem like a pro).

Remember, the best card aligns with your life—no one-size-fits-all. Check your CIBIL, apply via bank apps for instant approval, and start small to build habits. In 2025, with RBI eyeing reward regulations and fintechs innovating, these cards will only get better.

Ready to upgrade your wallet? Which big purchase are you tackling next—a gadget glow-up or dream vacay? Share in the comments, and happy swiping!