PNB vs Canara Bank Credit Cards: A Wider Range Against Strictly Zero-Fee Simplicity

Canara Bank is the simpler lineup. Its own-brand cards share one structure: no joining fee, no annual fee, 2 points per ₹100 (0.5%) on everything, a flat 3% forex markup. Punjab National Bank offers more variety, including paid RuPay tiers, a metal premium range and a few cashback cards. If simplicity appeals, Canara is the cleaner pick; if rewards matter, PNB has more to offer.

Fees and structure

Every Canara retail card on our list is free, with income floors from ₹15,000 (RuPay Classic) to ₹83,334 (RuPay Select). Only the Corporate Visa carries a ₹250 joining charge, and the RuPay Corporate a ₹250 joining fee as well.

PNB mixes free and paid. Global and the Rakshak cards are free. The RuPay Platinum has a ₹500 annual fee, Select ₹500 joining and ₹750 annual, Millennial ₹399 and ₹999 (waived at ₹1,00,000), and the Visa Signature ₹1,500 and ₹2,000. Canara wins on the number of free options, though PNB's paid cards often include extras.

Reward rates

Canara has no category bonuses at all. PNB's best earners are modest but real. Parakram gives 3% cashback capped at ₹1,500 a month and is free. The Zaggle Twin (₹499) lists 3.33% on its main category, Kiwi (free) gives 1.5% cashback through UPI, and LUXURA cards add 3% on travel and dining. PNB's ordinary cards earn 0.25% to 0.33% base, which is lower than Canara's 0.5%, so for everyday spending on a plain card Canara pays slightly more.

Lounges

Canara's free lounge cards are strong. The Visa Signature gives 3 domestic and 1 international visit per quarter, Mastercard World gives 3 self and 2 guest domestic visits a quarter plus international visits via LoungeKey, and the RuPay Select gives 2 domestic visits a quarter and 2 international visits a year.

PNB's RuPay Platinum and Select give 2 domestic visits a quarter and 2 international visits a year, but they cost ₹500 and ₹750 a year. Salary-account versions are free: Platinum with 4 domestic and 1 international visit a year, and Select with 8 domestic and 2 international. Canara has the edge for non-salary customers; PNB's salary cards are comparable if you bank there.

Metal and premium

Canara has no metal card. PNB's LUXURA Visa Infinite Metal costs ₹4,999 to join and ₹1,999 a year, waived at ₹6,00,000, with zero forex, unlimited domestic and international lounges and a ₹1,50,000 income floor. The RuPay LUXURA costs ₹9,000 and ₹7,500 a year, waived at ₹8,00,000. Anyone who spends above that level and wants the metal has only PNB to choose.

Secured and starter cards

Both banks run FD-backed cards. PNB's RuPay Platinum and Classic Visa against FD are free; Canara has Visa Gold, Mastercard Gold, RuPay Select and RuPay Platinum secured versions, also free. For building a credit history from a fixed deposit, our guide to secured credit cards against FD explains the mechanics. Canara offers more secured variants, and its RuPay Select secured card keeps the lounge allowance.

Who should choose which

Employee, pensioner or customer wanting a no-fee card with lounges: Canara RuPay Select or Visa Signature. Customer wanting cashback or UPI features: PNB Parakram or Kiwi. High spender who wants metal and zero forex: PNB LUXURA. First card with a fixed deposit: either bank.

More to read

Read the PNB guide and Canara Bank guide for each lineup in full. For another comparison with Canara, Canara Bank vs Union Bank of India sets two similar PSU lineups side by side.