I spent months testing India’s most popular co-branded credit cards to see which ones actually deliver on their promises. After diving deep into the features, benefits, and real-world performance of 10 major cards, one comparison completely caught me off guard.
This detailed review is for online shoppers, frequent travelers, and anyone considering a co-branded credit card in India who wants to make an informed decision based on actual usage rather than marketing hype.
You’ll discover why the Amazon Pay ICICI credit card outperforms expectations in surprising ways, how it stacks up against the Flipkart Axis Bank card in a head-to-head comparison, and which card offers better value for different spending patterns. I’ll also walk you through the application process and eligibility requirements so you can choose the right card for your specific needs.
The results might change how you think about co-branded credit cards completely.
Understanding Co-Branded Credit Cards in India
What are co-branded credit cards and their partnership benefits
Co-branded credit cards India represent strategic partnerships between banks and major retailers, sharing logos with popular online platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. The Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card and Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card exemplify this collaboration, offering cardholders enhanced value through dual-brand recognition and specialized benefits tailored to specific merchant ecosystems.
How co-branded cards differ from regular credit cards
These specialized cards provide extra benefits beyond standard cashback incentives for online purchases, distinguishing them from traditional credit offerings. The partnership structure enables merchants to offer exclusive rewards and discounts, while banks leverage retailer customer bases to drive card adoption and usage frequency.
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card Features and Benefits
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card Features and Benefits
The Amazon Pay ICICI credit card stands out in India’s co-branded credit cards market with its zero joining and annual fees structure, making it accessible to a broader audience. Prime members enjoy exceptional 5% cashback on Amazon purchases, while non-Prime members receive 3% cashback, creating significant value for frequent Amazon shoppers.
Beyond Amazon shopping, the card offers 2% cashback on Amazon Pay transactions with affiliate merchants and 1% on all other expenses. Additional benefits include 15% dining discounts at over 2,500 partner restaurants, 1% fuel surcharge waiver, and flexible EMI options spanning three to six months for larger purchases.
Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card Features and Benefits
Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card Features and Benefits
The Flipkart Axis Bank credit card comes with a joining fee of Rs. 500 and an annual fee of Rs. 500, though the annual fee gets waived when you spend Rs. 2,00,000 or more during the card membership year. New cardholders receive Rs. 600 in joining and activation benefits, including a Rs. 500 Flipkart voucher and Rs. 100 off Swiggy orders.
This co-branded credit card offers impressive cashback rates with 5% cashback on Flipkart and Cleartrip, 4% off on partner merchants like Uber, Swiggy, PVR, Tata Play, and Cure.fit, plus 1.5% cashback on all other categories. Additional perks include 4 free airport lounge visits across India, 15% dining discounts at partner restaurants, fuel surcharge waiver, and EMI conversion options for purchases over Rs. 2,500.
Detailed Comparison Between Both Cards
Fee Structure and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
When analyzing the cost-effectiveness of these co-branded credit cards India options, the Amazon Pay ICICI credit card clearly takes the lead with zero joining and annual fees, making it accessible to all users. In contrast, the Flipkart Axis Bank credit card charges Rs. 500 for both joining and annual fees, though these can be waived with annual spending exceeding Rs. 2,00,000.
Cashback Earning Potential Across Different Spending Categories
| Card | Primary Platform | Partner Merchants | General Spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Pay ICICI | 5% (Prime), 3% (Non-Prime) | 2% Amazon Pay affiliates | 1% |
| Flipkart Axis Bank | 5% Flipkart & Cleartrip | 4% (Uber, Swiggy, PVR) | 1.5% |
Welcome Benefits and Signup Incentives Comparison
The Flipkart Axis Bank credit card benefits include Rs. 600 in joining rewards comprising a Rs. 500 Flipkart voucher and Rs. 100 Swiggy discount, while the Amazon Pay ICICI card offers no welcome benefits.
Additional Perks – Lounge Access, Dining, and Fuel Benefits
Both cards provide identical fuel surcharge waivers at 1% and dining discounts of 15% at partner restaurants. However, the Flipkart Axis card exclusively offers 4 complimentary airport lounge visits annually, while Amazon Pay ICICI provides no lounge access but compensates with free EMI options for 3-6 months.
Choosing the Right Card for Your Needs
Amazon Pay ICICI card suitability for Amazon ecosystem users
The Amazon Pay ICICI credit card proves ideal for frequent Amazon Pay users and those shopping at partner brands. This co-branded credit card India option attracts users seeking no yearly charges while maximizing rewards. Amazon Prime members particularly benefit from 5% cashback on Amazon purchases, making it perfect for the Amazon ecosystem.
Flipkart Axis card benefits for diverse online shoppers
The Flipkart Axis Bank credit card benefits extend beyond single-platform shopping, offering varied bonuses for travel, movies, and dining. Regular Myntra and Flipkart shoppers find this online shopping credit card especially valuable. Its cashback across multiple spending categories makes it a strong choice for diverse digital transactions.
Credit building opportunities for new cardholders
Both cards serve as excellent credit building tools for new cardholders aiming to establish or improve their credit scores in the Indian market.
Prime membership impact on reward maximization
Amazon Prime membership significantly enhances reward potential with the Amazon Pay ICICI Card, enabling members to earn maximum 5% cashback on Amazon purchases for optimal reward maximization.
Application Process and Eligibility
Application Process and Eligibility
Documentation requirements for both cards
The credit card application process India typically requires standard documentation including identity proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport), address proof (utility bills or rental agreement), and income verification documents such as salary slips or ITR forms. Both Amazon Pay ICICI credit card and Flipkart Axis Bank credit card follow similar documentation requirements for seamless processing.
Income and credit score criteria
Most co-branded credit cards India require a minimum monthly income ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹50,000, with credit scores above 750 preferred for approval. The eligibility criteria ensure responsible lending while making these premium online shopping credit cards accessible to qualified applicants seeking enhanced cashback benefits.
Application channels and approval timeline
Activation process and first-use guidelines
After testing India’s top co-branded credit cards, the Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card emerges as a clear standout for most consumers. Its zero annual fee structure, combined with 5% cashback for Prime members and 3% for non-Prime users on Amazon purchases, delivers exceptional value without the financial commitment required by competitors. The card’s additional benefits like 2% cashback on Amazon Pay transactions and fuel surcharge waivers make it particularly attractive for digital-first users.
While the Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card offers competitive rewards and airport lounge access, its Rs. 500 annual fee and more complex reward structure make it suitable primarily for heavy Flipkart shoppers. For the average Indian consumer who shops across multiple platforms, the Amazon Pay ICICI card’s simplicity, fee-free structure, and broad utility make it the smarter choice. Consider your shopping habits, preferred platforms, and fee tolerance when making your final decision – but for most users, the Amazon card’s combination of rewards and accessibility is hard to beat.
3 thoughts on “I Tested India’s Top 10 Co-Branded Credit Cards – Here’s What Shocked Me About Amazon-ICICI”