Every metal credit card you’ve seen someone pull out at a restaurant — HDFC Infinia, Amex Platinum — probably came with a ₹10,000+ annual fee attached to it. OneCard metal credit card went a different way. It’s a metal card with zero annual fee. Forever.
This review is for people asking the obvious question: “Is OneCard metal credit card actually useful, or just something that looks good in photos?“
What Is OneCard Metal Credit Card?
OneCard is an entry-level metal credit card from FPL Technologies, a fintech startup based in Pune. It’s issued in partnership with five banks — IDFC FIRST Bank, Federal Bank, SBM Bank, South Indian Bank, and BOB Financial.
The card design is deliberately clean. The front only has your name on it. Card number, expiry date, and CVV are all printed on the back. It’s a small security improvement over traditional cards, and it genuinely looks sharp.
Fees and Charges — At a Glance
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹0 |
| Annual Fee | ₹0 |
| Foreign Markup Fee | 1% + GST |
| Interest Rate | 2.5% – 3.5% per month |
| Metal Card Replacement | ₹3,000 |
| Plastic Card Replacement | ₹145 (from 2nd replacement) |
| Early Closure Fee (within 6 months) | ₹3,000 |
The 1% foreign markup fee is genuinely low. Even premium cards like HDFC Regalia charge 2%. On this one metric, OneCard holds up well against cards that cost far more.
OneCard Metal Credit Card Rewards — The Honest Picture
The rewards rate is where things get less exciting:
- Regular spends: ₹50 = 1 reward point (~0.2% return)
- Top 2 spend categories: 5X points (~1% return)
- 1 point = ₹0.10
No points on money transfers, rent payments, cash withdrawals, or wallet top-ups.
Points never expire, and you earn fractional points too — both reasonable. But compare this to Axis Ace or SBI Cashback Card, which offer up to 5% cashback, and the gap is hard to ignore.
How to Apply for OneCard Metal Credit Card
The process takes just a few minutes:
- Download the OneCard app
- Enter your email, PAN, and Aadhaar details
- Complete video KYC
A decent credit score improves your chances of approval. If your CIBIL score is 700 or above, you’re in a reasonable position to apply.
OneCard Metal Credit card Benefits and Disadvantages
What Works
- Genuinely Lifetime Free No joining fee, no annual fee, no add-on card fee. As long as you don’t close the card within six months, there’s nothing to pay.
- Fast Onboarding The virtual card is issued within about 30 minutes of approval. The physical metal card arrives in 3–4 business days.
- Low Foreign Markup Fee At 1%, this matches what some super-premium cards charge. If you travel internationally or shop on foreign websites, this is a real benefit.
- Clean App Spending insights, category tracking, easy payment — the app is less cluttered than most traditional bank apps.
What Doesn’t Work
- Weak Rewards on Regular Spends A 0.2% return on everyday spending is low. Several free cards in India today offer 1–2% cashback without any annual fee.
- Expensive Card Replacement If you lose your metal card, getting a new one costs ₹3,000. That’s probably the biggest real-world drawback of this card.
- No Airport Lounge Access Even though it’s a Visa Signature card, there’s no complimentary lounge access. Frequent flyers will feel this gap.
- Early Closure Penalty Close the card within six months of getting your virtual card and you’ll be charged ₹3,000. Worth knowing before you apply.
Final Verdict — Who Should Get This Card?
OneCard Metal Credit Card makes sense if you’re getting your first credit card and want something that looks premium without paying annual fees. The low foreign markup fee is a genuine plus for international spending.
But if earning maximum rewards is your priority, Axis Ace or SBI Cashback Card will give you better value on everyday purchases.
The metal card feels real. The value proposition is more of a mixed bag.
This review is based on publicly available information. Credit card approval is subject to the issuing bank’s criteria.
