Which credit card should I get as a first-time user?
Kannagi Chauhan
Asked 20 Feb 2026
I have never owned a credit card before. Salary is ₹40,000/month. Which is the safest entry-level credit card to start building my CIBIL score?
4 Answers
I've been using this card for over a year now. In my experience, the rewards are decent but the real value is in the lounge access and the milestone benefits. Make sure to read the fine print on the welcome benefit — most banks only credit it after the first transaction, not on approval.
Tip from someone who made this mistake: never max out the credit limit in the first 6 months. Banks track utilisation, and high utilisation right after approval often triggers a credit limit decrease or even an account review.
The 'minimum due' trap is real. Banks love it because they charge ~36-42% interest on the carried-forward amount. If you can't pay the full bill this month, pay at least 50% — anything below that and the interest eats the rewards of the next 6 months.
On the add-on card: yes, the primary cardholder is fully liable for all spends on the add-on. There is no separate credit limit or statement. So only issue it to someone you trust absolutely — spouse, parents. Not friends, not siblings you have money disputes with.
Your Answer
Sign in to post your answer and help the community.
Sign in to postWhy sign in? We moderate Q&A to keep it spam-free.