Kotak Cashback+, SBI Cashback, HDFC Swiggy Ornge & BLCK compared honestly.
Honest comparison, updated 2026
If you're spending money online anyway — food delivery, groceries, shopping — a cashback credit card just means you get some of it back automatically. No points to redeem, no complicated math. Here's an honest look at four solid options, so you can pick the one that matches how you actually spend, not just the one with the flashiest ad.
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| Card | Annual Fee | Best For | Top Cashback Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Cashback Credit Card | ₹999 + GST (waived on ₹2L/yr spend) | Simple, all-round online shopping | 5% on all online spends |
| Kotak Cashback+ Credit Card | ₹750 + GST (waived on ₹2L/yr spend) | Food, grocery, entertainment, fuel | 5% (food/grocery/entertainment), 3% fuel |
| HDFC Swiggy Ornge | ₹500 + GST (waived on ₹1.5L/yr spend) | Regular Swiggy users, light online shoppers | 5% on Swiggy + online brands |
| HDFC Swiggy BLCK | ₹1,000 + GST (waived on ₹2L/yr spend) | Heavy Swiggy users, premium spenders | 10% on Swiggy, 5% on other online |
No categories to remember, no fine print to decode. You get a flat 5% cashback on every online purchase, on any website or app, with no merchant restrictions. Offline spends earn 1%.
Apply for SBI Cashback Credit Card →
This one rewards a specific lifestyle: frequent food delivery, online groceries, OTT subscriptions, and fuel. You get 5% cashback on food delivery, groceries, and entertainment (including OTT and movies), plus 3% on fuel — a rare perk, since most cashback cards skip fuel entirely. Everything else earns 0.5%.
Apply for Kotak Cashback+ Credit Card →
The lighter of HDFC's two Swiggy co-branded cards. You get 5% cashback on Swiggy (food, Instamart, Dineout) and the same 5% across a long list of online brands — Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Nykaa, BookMyShow, Uber, Ola, and more. A free 12-month Swiggy One membership on activation effectively offsets the joining fee in year one.
The upgraded version, built for people who genuinely spend a lot on Swiggy. You get 10% cashback on Swiggy (food, Instamart, Dineout) — double the Ornge rate — plus 5% on the same list of online brands. It also throws in premium extras like complimentary golf lessons and a 3-month Swiggy BLCK membership.
You don't have to pick just one — many people carry an SBI Cashback or Kotak Cashback+ alongside a Swiggy card, using each for what it's best at.
Do these cards charge cashback as points or direct credit? SBI and Swiggy cards (Ornge/BLCK) credit cashback directly to your statement. Kotak credits it as reward points (1 point = ₹1), redeemable through a one-click process on the Kotak Rewards platform. Note: Kotak reward points expire 1 year from the date they're accrued, so redeem periodically rather than letting them pile up.
Is there a minimum transaction to earn cashback? Yes, most of these cards require a minimum spend per transaction (commonly ₹100–₹249) to qualify for the accelerated cashback rate. Check the card's terms for the exact figure before assuming every purchase counts.
Are annual fees really waivable? Yes — all four cards waive the annual fee if you cross a minimum annual spend threshold (₹1.5–2 lakh depending on the card). If you're a moderate spender, factor the fee into your decision; if you're a heavy spender, it's usually a non-issue.
Can I get cashback on fuel, rent, or EMI conversions? Generally no. All four cards exclude fuel (except Kotak, which specifically includes it), rent, wallet top-ups, EMI conversions, and government payments from cashback eligibility.
Rates, fees, and terms are set by the respective banks and can change — always check the bank's current terms before applying. This guide reflects publicly available information as of 2026 and is not financial advice.
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