Which credit card should I get as a first-time user?

The customer care experience matters more than people think. I've had two cards with similar rewards, and the one from the bank with better support saved me ₹18,000 when there was a merchant dispute. Don't underestimate this.

Two things nobody tells you: (1) GST is charged on the annual fee, so a ₹1,000 fee becomes ₹1,180. (2) Reward points usually have an expiry of 2-3 years. Set a calendar reminder to redeem before they lapse.

Credit score impact: each hard inquiry (which happens on card application) drops your score by 5-15 points temporarily. Applying for 3 cards in 2 months is fine IF you get all 3 approved. If 2 get rejected, you've taken a hit with nothing to show for it. Apply smart, not fast.