Why I Started Paying Rent with a Credit Card
Paying rent is one of the biggest monthly expenses for many of us. So I asked myself: Why not earn something back while paying rent? That simple question led me on a journey to explore credit cards in India that offer rewards on rent payments.
In this blog, I’ll share a detailed comparison of the top rent-friendly credit cards in India, their pros and cons, and which one might be the right fit for your lifestyle in 2025.
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Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card
· Annual Fee: ₹5,000 + GST
· Rent Payment Rewards: 2% via gift vouchers
· Processing Fee: 1% + GST
· Key Benefits: Uncapped rewards, premium voucher value
If you’re looking for maximum returns on high rent payments, the Standard Chartered Ultimate Card is hard to beat. I found the 2% gift voucher rewards uncapped, meaning whether I pay ₹20,000 or ₹1 lakh in rent, I keep earning.
Best for: High spenders who want premium vouchers and unlimited earning potential. -
IDFC FIRST SWYP Credit Card
· Annual Fee: ₹499 + GST
· Rent Payment Rewards: 400 reward points/month (for ₹20,000+ rent)
· Processing Fee: Not specified
· Key Benefits: Bonus points, milestone rewards, lifestyle offers
This card is ideal for beginners or those with moderate monthly rent. While it caps rewards at 400 points per month, it comes with a very low annual fee, making it perfect for someone looking to ease into the credit card game.
Best for: Budget-conscious users and new credit card holders. -
Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card
· Annual Fee: ₹3,000 + GST
· Rent Payment Rewards: No direct rewards
· Processing Fee: 1% + GST
· Key Benefits: Free Night Awards on milestone spends
Though it doesn’t offer direct rent rewards, this card excels in hotel perks. I found the Free Night Awards very useful for travel. It’s not ideal solely for rent payments, but great for frequent hotel-goers.
Best for: Travel lovers and Marriott hotel loyalists. -
Amex Platinum Travel Credit Card
· Annual Fee: ₹5,000 + GST
· Rent Payment Rewards: Indirect via Mobikwik wallet
· Processing Fee: ~3% (Mobikwik)
· Key Benefits: Travel milestones, exclusive Amex privileges
This one was a bit tricky. To earn rent rewards, I had to use Mobikwik, which charges about 3%. If you’re okay with that workaround, the card does offer excellent milestone-based travel benefits.
Best for: Frequent travelers who can justify Mobikwik’s processing charges. -
HDFC Bank Diners Club Metal Credit Card
· Annual Fee: ₹10,000 + GST
· Rent Payment Rewards: None (milestone-based only)
· Processing Fee: 1% + GST
· Key Benefits: Premium lifestyle benefits, quarterly rewards
With the highest annual fee on this list, this card doesn’t offer direct rewards for rent payments. But if you’re a heavy spender across categories, you can unlock quarterly milestone bonuses that can be substantial.
Best for: High-income users with large overall spends. -
Standard Chartered Smart Credit Card
· Annual Fee: ₹500 + GST
· Rent Payment Rewards: Entry-level (check offers)
· Processing Fee: 1% + GST
· Key Benefits: Easy approval, starter rewards
This was my first-ever credit card, and it’s still one of the best for beginners. It provides basic rewards and is suitable if you’re paying rent and looking to build your credit score with low fees.
Best for: New users or students starting their financial journey.
Why Use a Credit Card for Paying Rent?
If you’re still unsure whether to pay rent with a credit card, here are some key advantages:
· Earn rewards on a fixed monthly expense
· Extend your cash flow with interest-free periods
· Track expenses better for financial planning
· Unlock milestone bonuses or loyalty programs
Just be mindful of processing fees, which can sometimes offset your rewards if not managed smartly.