
Best for aspirational travelers who want a free card that earns transferable airline miles to premium international carriers.
HSBC's lifetime-free rewards card offering 2 reward points per ₹150, with 5X accelerated points above ₹4 lakh annual spend. Points can be transferred to airline miles (British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air India, Etihad) at competitive rates.
"HSBC Platinum is a hidden gem. At ₹0 annual fee, it offers what most paid cards don't — transfer to British Airways Avios, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Air India Miles, and Etihad Guest at competitive rates. The 5X accelerator above ₹4L annual spend rewards loyal users. Buy 1 Get 1 movies on BookMyShow adds weekly entertainment value. HSBC's premium service quality is a cherry on top. Verdict: Best free card for building international airline miles."
Applying takes less than 5 minutes. You will need your PAN card and Aadhaar details handy.