Best Credit Cards for Apple Pay in India: Cards, Rewards and Benefits

Apple Pay is now available in India, allowing users with eligible cards to make payments using their iPhone or Apple Watch.

The initial rollout supports eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

But Apple Pay compatibility is only one part of choosing a credit card.

If you're planning to use Apple Pay regularly, you should also compare the card's rewards, cashback, annual fee, forex markup and other benefits.

Here's what to look for.

Which Credit Cards Support Apple Pay in India?

The initial Apple Pay rollout supports eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Examples identified in the launch research include:

The exact eligibility can vary by card variant.

RuPay credit cards, Axis Bank debit cards, prepaid/Forex cards and most corporate or commercial cards are not included in the initial supported set described in the launch research.

Should Apple Pay Compatibility Be Your Main Selection Factor?

Not necessarily.

Apple Pay is a payment method.

The underlying credit card determines most of the financial benefits you receive.

For example, two cards may both work with Apple Pay but have completely different:

Reward rates
Cashback structures
Annual fees
Spending milestones
Airport lounge access
Forex markups
Reward redemption options

Therefore, Apple Pay compatibility should generally be considered alongside the card's overall benefits.

What Should You Compare?

If you are choosing a credit card specifically for Apple Pay usage, consider these factors.

1. Reward Rate

Look at the reward rate for the categories where you spend the most.

For example:

Online shopping
Dining
Travel
Fuel
Groceries
Utilities
General spending

A card with a high reward rate in your actual spending categories can provide more value than a card with a high headline reward rate that applies only to limited categories.

2. Cashback

Cashback cards can be useful if you prefer simple rewards.

Before choosing one, check:

Cashback percentage
Eligible merchant categories
Monthly cashback caps
Exclusions
Minimum spending requirements

Apple Pay itself does not determine your cashback.

The underlying card's terms do.

3. Annual Fee

A card's rewards should be considered against its annual fee.

Check:

Joining fee
Renewal fee
Fee waiver conditions
Reward value
Other benefits

For example, a premium card with a high annual fee may offer travel benefits that make sense for some users but not for someone who mainly wants everyday cashback.

4. Forex Markup

If you plan to use Apple Pay while travelling internationally, forex charges become important.

Apple Pay can be used internationally where the underlying card network and Apple Pay are accepted.

However, Apple Pay does not remove your card's foreign exchange charges.

A card with a lower forex markup can therefore be more suitable for international spending.

5. Travel Benefits

Premium cards can provide additional benefits such as:

Airport lounge access
Travel rewards
Hotel benefits
Airline-related rewards
Travel insurance

If you frequently travel, these benefits can be more important than the Apple Pay feature itself.

Example Axis Cards Supported by Apple Pay

Axis Magnus Credit Card

The Axis Magnus card is positioned as a premium credit card.

When evaluating it for Apple Pay usage, consider the complete package rather than only the ability to add it to Apple Wallet.

Important factors include:

Annual fee
Reward structure
Travel benefits
Lounge access
Spending milestones
Reward redemption rules

If your spending is high enough to use the card's premium benefits, its overall value may differ significantly from that of an everyday cashback card.

Axis Atlas Credit Card

Axis Atlas is a travel-focused credit card.

If you use Apple Pay internationally, factors such as travel rewards and forex charges become particularly relevant.

When comparing Atlas with another Apple Pay-compatible card, look at the value of its travel rewards alongside its fees and eligibility requirements.

Axis Horizon Credit Card

Axis Horizon is another Axis credit card identified in the initial Apple Pay-supported card set.

Before selecting it, compare its rewards, fees, travel benefits and spending requirements with other eligible cards.

Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card

The Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card is a co-branded card focused on shopping and cashback-related benefits.

If your spending is concentrated around eligible shopping categories, compare the card's cashback structure with other cards that support Apple Pay.

Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card

The Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card is another co-branded card in the initial supported set.

It can be relevant for users who regularly spend on categories covered by its benefits.

Again, Apple Pay compatibility is only one consideration.

Apple Pay Credit Card Comparison Checklist

Before choosing your card, compare:

Factor	What to Check
Apple Pay	Is your exact card eligible?
Network	Visa/Mastercard eligibility
Rewards	Base and accelerated reward rates
Cashback	Percentage and monthly limits
Annual fee	Joining and renewal charges
Fee waiver	Spending required for waiver
Forex	Foreign currency markup
Lounge	Domestic/international access
Travel	Travel rewards and benefits
Exclusions	Transactions that don't earn rewards
Redemption	How easily rewards can be redeemed

Does Apple Pay Change Credit Card Rewards?

No.

Apple Pay is the payment mechanism.

Your underlying credit card determines the applicable reward and cashback rules.

For example, if a card offers cashback only for certain merchant categories, using Apple Pay does not automatically make every transaction eligible.

Similarly, if a card excludes certain transactions from rewards, adding the card to Apple Wallet does not necessarily remove those exclusions.

What About International Apple Pay Spending?

This can be useful for travellers.

Suppose you have an eligible Axis Mastercard or Visa credit card added to Apple Wallet.

When travelling internationally, you may be able to use Apple Pay at supported merchants.

The transaction is still subject to the card's normal international transaction terms.

Before travelling, check:

International transactions enabled
Forex markup
Currency conversion charges
Card network acceptance
Merchant Apple Pay support
Any card-specific restrictions

Apple Pay vs Carrying a Physical Card

One advantage of Apple Pay is convenience.

Instead of taking out your physical credit card, you can use your iPhone or Apple Watch at a compatible terminal.

This can be particularly convenient for:

Daily commuting
Shopping
Dining
Travel
Quick contactless payments

However, carrying a physical card can still be useful as a backup, especially when travelling.

What If You Already Have an Eligible Axis Card?

If you already own an eligible Axis Bank Visa or Mastercard credit card, you may not need another card simply to use Apple Pay.

You can first check whether your existing card can be added to Apple Wallet.

If it works, compare its rewards and fees against your current spending pattern before applying for another credit card.

How to Choose a Credit Card for Apple Pay

A simple approach is:

Step 1: Check Apple Pay Eligibility

Make sure the exact card variant is supported.

Step 2: Analyse Your Spending

Look at where most of your monthly credit card spending happens.

Step 3: Compare Rewards

Calculate the actual rewards or cashback you could earn from those categories.

Step 4: Check Fees

Compare annual fees against the expected value of the rewards and benefits.

Step 5: Check Travel and Forex Benefits

If you travel internationally, forex markup and travel benefits can significantly affect the card's value.

Step 6: Check Reward Exclusions

Always check which transactions are excluded from rewards.

Final Takeaway

Apple Pay adds another convenient way to use eligible credit cards in India.

The initial rollout supports eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards, including several popular Axis and co-branded cards.

However, the best card for you depends on your spending pattern and the benefits you actually use.

When comparing Apple Pay-compatible cards, look beyond Apple Pay itself and evaluate rewards, cashback, annual fees, forex markup, lounge access, travel benefits and transaction exclusions.

Use CardsWala's credit card comparison tools to compare these factors before choosing a card.