Our economy has become robust enough that the majority of Indians are confident to carry and use credit cards. However, what many of us lack is thorough information on which bank to opt for when it comes to getting a credit card. This is where Market Miinds comes into play, as we are aiming to share important knowledge about the best credit card benefits in Kolkata you can get. In particular, we will help you to know more about the card benefits that banks like Axis, HDFC, IndusInd, Yes Bank, HSBC, ICICI, IDFC, and SBI offer. Therefore, without wasting any further time, let us start looking into the perks you get with each of their credit cards.
| Category | Recommended Card | Why it wins in Kolkata |
| Dining (Park St/Malls) | IndusInd EazyDiner | 25-50% off at top spots like 6 Ballygunge Place. |
| Online Shopping | SBI Cashback / Axis Flipkart | Flat 5% cashback on Amazon/Flipkart deliveries. |
| Lounge (CCU Airport) | HDFC Infinia / Regalia Gold | Reliable access to Travel Club lounges (Dom & Intl). |
| Movies (INOX/PVR) | IDFC First Select / ICICI Sapphiro | Buy-1-Get-1 offers for weekend blockbusters. |
| Durga Puja Shopping | SBI Card (Any variant) | Most frequent festive partner for malls & Amazon. |
Credit Card Benefits in Kolkata for Dining Perks
If you are someone who cares a lot about dining in the most luxurious places Kolkata has to offer, then you have to go with IndusInd Bank, arguably the leader here. Their tie-up with EazyDiner, especially the EazyDiner Credit Card, is a real game-changer. It gives you guaranteed 25–50% discounts at top Kolkata spots like 6 Ballygunge Place, Riyasat, and Aminia. If you eat out even once a month, the card practically pays for itself.
HSBC is another bank that is making waves with its new Live+ Card, offering a flat 10% cashback on all dining and food delivery. Whether you’re waiting in line for chelo kebabs at Peter Cat or ordering biryani through Zomato on a rainy day, this card puts cashback straight into your account. Meanwhile, Axis Bank holds its ground with the “Dining Delights” program, giving up to 20% off at family favourites like Barbeque Nation and TGI Fridays.
Credit Card Benefits in Kolkata for Shoppers
People of Kolkata really do love shopping, especially around Bengali New Year or Noboborsho and Durga Puja. Thus, the banks mentioned next ensure to provide some of the best offers on their credit cards. Among them, SBI Card is the clear leader during the festive season. In the months before Puja, it takes centre stage with exclusive partnerships at local electronics stores like Great Eastern Retail and major malls such as Acropolis and Avani Riverside. Plus, the Cashback SBI Card offers an unbeatable 5% cashback on online purchases, making it ideal for the big Amazon and Flipkart sales in October.
However, missing out on Axis and ICICI Bank’s credit card perks is a big loss. For everyday online shoppers, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank are go-to choices today. The Amazon Pay-ICICI and Flipkart Axis cards have become household favourites, offering unlimited cashback on their respective platforms. They’re perfect for stocking up on daily essentials or picking out gifts for the family without stressing about reward point limits.
Credit Card Perks in Kolkata for Travelling Activities
Travelling can be expensive; therefore, getting special offers or discounts is more than welcome. Among these, lounge access is a major win for travellers. Here, HDFC Bank leads the premium travel space, with cards like Infinia and Regalia Gold offering unlimited or generous access to Travel Club Lounges at both international and domestic terminals in CCU. Their reward points pack great value for booking flights, making them a top choice for frequent-flying executives.
On the other hand, you can also look at Yes Bank and IDFC FIRST Bank, which are great options to consider. The Yes Marquee card is perfect for international travellers, while the IDFC First Wealth card offers lounge access along with the perk of being a lifetime free card.
Benefits of Credit Cards for Moviegoers and Commuters in Kolkata
If your perfect weekend means catching a movie at INOX or PVR, check out IDFC FIRST Bank and ICICI Bank. Their IDFC Select and ICICI Sapphiro cards offer Buy-1-Get-1 movie ticket deals, accepted at most multiplexes across Kolkata. For daily commuters, using a cashback card like the Axis Ace to recharge a Kolkata Metro smart card through apps like Google Pay or Amazon Pay is a clever hack to earn 2–5% back on monthly travel expenses.
Credit Card That Helps You Cover Insurance & Protection
Now, let us discuss the important credit card benefits in Kolkata that most users are unaware of. Especially, their card often acts as a free insurance policy. For example, Premium cards, such as HDFC Infinia, Axis Magnus, and SBI Elite, often include complimentary air accident insurance ranging from ₹1 crore to ₹3 crores. But remember, it is only available when you book your flight ticket using that specific card.
Furthermore, if your flight out of CCU (Kolkata) is delayed by more than 6-12 hours, or your baggage is lost/delayed, your card may reimburse you for meals, essential clothing, and toiletries. However, make sure to check, as ICICI Sapphiro and HDFC Regalia Gold typically offer cover up to $500 for delayed baggage.
On the other hand, if you buy a new smartphone or laptop and it’s stolen or damaged by fire or burglary within 90 to 180 days of purchase, certain cards (like Amex Platinum or some Visa Infinite options) will refund the cost. Furthermore, if the primary cardholder passes away or becomes permanently disabled, Credit Shield insurance cancels the outstanding bill amount (up to a certain limit), making sure the debt doesn’t get passed on to the family.
Use Credit Card Benefits for Better Financial Management
If you make a big purchase, like gold from Senco or PC Chandra, the day after your bill is generated, you can get nearly 50 days to pay it off. Courtesy of Interest-Free Cash, also known as the float, gives you a 45 to 50-day period without paying any interest. This way, your money stays in your savings account, earning interest for about an extra month.
No-Cost EMI is a setup where banks team up with merchants like Amazon, Flipkart, and Reliance Digital to offer easy monthly payments without extra charges. Basically, the bank gives you a discount equal to the interest, so a ₹50,000 TV can be paid off over 6 months for exactly ₹50,000. It’s a smart way to handle expenses during Durga Puja shopping without paying any additional interest.
On the other hand, if you’re carrying high debt on one card (say, with 42% interest), some banks let you move that balance to another card with a much lower rate—around 12-15%—for a set time, usually 3 to 6 months. You should also look into the Fuel Surcharge Waiver, which is a benefit that comes into play when you buy petrol; you are usually charged a 1% surcharge. Most credit cards waive this fee.
Conclusion
There is no single “perfect” credit card for everyone in Kolkata; the best choice depends entirely on your lifestyle. If you are a socialite who lives for the weekend buffet, the IndusInd EazyDiner or HSBC Live+ should be in your wallet. If you are the designated shopper for your family during Puja, an SBI Card is non-negotiable. And for the frequent flyer tired of waiting at the boarding gates of CCU, HDFC remains the gold standard. As we have seen in this post, there are many more benefits that can help you in the most unexpected places.
Therefore, by aligning your card selection with your specific spending habits, you ensure that to capitalise on the benefits of each of the credit cards from each bank. However, if you need more information than this, well, the best way to obtain that is by contacting us at Market Miinds by scheduling a face-to-face meeting and getting a full financial health check-up as well!
FAQs
- Which credit card is best for airport lounge access in Kolkata?
- For reliable access, HDFC Bank’s Regalia Gold or Infinia cards are the top picks, as they’re widely accepted at the “Travel Club” lounges in both the Domestic and International terminals at CCU. For a lifetime free option for domestic lounge access, the IDFC First Wealth card is an excellent choice.
- Which bank offers the best discounts during Durga Puja shopping?
- SBI Card has a history of being one of the most aggressive players during the festive season, often teaming up with major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, as well as popular malls and retailers in Kolkata, to offer instant 10% discount deals in September and October.
- Are there any cards that give discounts on Kolkata dining specifically?
- The IndusInd EazyDiner Credit Card is a fantastic pick for dining, giving up to 50% off at partner restaurants like Mainland China, Sigree, and 6 Ballygunge Place. The HSBC Live+ is another great option, offering a flat 10% cashback on dining wherever you go.
