Looking for a credit card that makes your travels more rewarding and comfortable? Whether you're a frequent flyer or occasional traveler, the right travel credit card can help you earn free flights, enjoy airport lounges, and save significantly on your travel expenses.
Why Choose a Travel Credit Card?
Travel credit cards in India offer exclusive benefits designed for both domestic and international travelers:
- Airport Lounge Access: Complimentary access to 1000+ airport lounges worldwide
- Air Miles: Earn up to 5X air miles on travel bookings
- Free Flights: Get welcome bonus miles worth ₹15,000+ in flight tickets
- Forex Benefits: Save up to 3.5% on foreign currency markup fees
- Travel Insurance: Complimentary travel insurance worth up to ₹3 Crores
Key Features to Look for in Travel Credit Cards
When choosing a travel credit card in India, consider these important factors:
- Lounge Access Program: Priority Pass membership (worth $99) with 4-12 free visits annually
- Air Miles Conversion: Check miles transfer ratio to airlines like Air India, Vistara, Emirates
- Welcome Benefits: Bonus air miles worth ₹10,000-50,000 on card activation
- Annual Fee Value: Benefits should outweigh the card's annual charges
- Travel Partners: Tie-ups with airlines, hotels, and travel portals you frequently use
Types of Travel Credit Cards in India
- Airline Co-branded Cards:
- Best for loyal customers of specific airlines (Air India, Vistara, IndiGo)
- Earn accelerated miles on airline bookings (up to 10X)
- Get complimentary flight tickets and upgrades
- Premium Travel Cards:
- Unlimited lounge access worldwide
- Higher reward rates on all travel spending
- Luxury hotel benefits and elite status
- Entry-Level Travel Cards:
- Lower annual fees (₹1,000-3,000)
- Basic lounge access (4-8 visits per year)
- Decent reward rates on travel bookings
Smart Tips to Maximize Travel Card Benefits
- Milestone Benefits: Plan large purchases to hit spending milestones for bonus miles
- Points Expiry: Most air miles expire in 2-3 years; plan redemptions accordingly
- Lounge Access: Register for lounge programs immediately after card activation
- Forex Transactions: Use cards with lower markup fees (1.5-2%) for international spends
- Insurance Claims: Keep all travel documents and card statements for easy claims
Common Questions About Travel Credit Cards
Q: How many air miles do I need for a free flight?
Typically, domestic flights require 7,000-15,000 miles, while international flights need 25,000-100,000 miles, depending on the destination and class of travel.
Q: Are travel cards worth their annual fees?
Yes, if you travel 3-4 times a year. Just lounge access benefits (worth ₹1,000 per visit) and welcome bonuses can offset the annual fee.
Q: Can I use travel cards for non-travel expenses?
Yes, most travel cards offer decent rewards (1-2X points) on regular spending, helping you accumulate miles faster.
Here are the Best Travel Credit Cards in India:
Jupiter Edge RuPay Credit Card
CSB Bank
The 3-in-1 RuPay Credit Card: Switch between shopping, travel, and dining with assured cashback.
Free
Free
RuPay
HSBC Live+ Credit Card
HSBC
Dine, shop and have fun with extra cashback.
₹999
₹999
VISA
Federal Scapia Co-Branded Credit Card
Federal Bank
Scapia is built for travel lovers, allowing you to convert everyday expenses into travel experiences. Get the card instantly through a fully digital onboarding process on the Scapia app.
Free
Free
VISA
American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
American Express
Earn Membership Rewards points on spends and enjoy exclusive travel benefits including vouchers and lounge access.
₹5000
₹5000
Amex
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
ICICI Bank
The ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is an invite-only super-premium credit card designed for high-end customers, offering luxury, travel, and lifestyle benefits.
₹12499
₹12499
VISA
Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card
ICICI Bank
Welcome to a world where convenience comes knocking at your door and experiences are curated for an audience of one.
₹20000
₹20000
VISA
BPCL SBI Card OCTANE
SBI Bank
Get 7.25% value back on fuel purchases, 25X Reward Points at BPCL, and 4 complimentary lounge visits per year.
₹1499
₹1499
VISA
KrisFlyer SBI Card Apex
SBI Bank
Get exclusive benefits, KrisFlyer miles, lounge access, fuel surcharge waiver, and more.
₹9999
₹9999
VISA
IRCTC SBI Platinum Card
SBI Bank
Get exclusive benefits on railway ticket bookings through IRCTC, complimentary railway lounge access, and fuel surcharge waiver.
₹500
₹500
VISA
SBI Card PRIME
SBI Bank
SBI Card PRIME offers great reward rates, milestone benefits, lounge access, and various travel privileges.
₹2999
₹2999
VISA, Mastercard, Amex
SBI Card ELITE
SBI Bank
Premium lifestyle credit card with rewards, lounge access, and travel benefits.
₹4999
₹4999
VISA, Mastercard, Amex
SBI Card Miles Elite
SBI Bank
Get exclusive benefits with SBI Card Miles Elite, including travel credits, milestone rewards, and lounge access.
₹4999
₹4999
Mastercard, RuPay
HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card
HDFC Bank
For the global citizen who cherishes the unexplored, savor the exotic. Elevate your Joy with the HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card. Global Belonging, Ready For You.
₹10000
₹10000
Diners Club
HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card
HDFC Bank
Maximize Savings with Regalia Gold Credit Card and experience premium benefits like lounge access, milestone rewards, and exclusive memberships.
₹2500
₹2500
VISA
Millennia Credit Card
HDFC Bank
Best cashback credit card with benefits on shopping, dining, and travel.
₹1000
₹1000
VISA
Biz Black Metal Edition Credit Card
HDFC Bank
A premium business credit card with unlimited lounge access, golf benefits, and exclusive rewards.
₹10000
₹10000
Diners Club
Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card
HDFC Bank
Experience luxury with Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card, offering exclusive hotel benefits and travel perks.
₹3000
₹3000
Diners Club
Infania Credit Card Metal Edition
HDFC Bank
A premium metal credit card with exclusive benefits including unlimited lounge access, Club Marriott membership, golf privileges, and accelerated rewards.
₹12500
₹12500
VISA
ACE Credit Card
Axis Bank
Welcome to the world of cashback! This card becomes your everyday companion with accelerated cashback on all your spends.
₹499
₹499
VISA
Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card
Axis Bank
Get unlimited cashback on Flipkart, Cleartrip, and preferred merchants, along with lounge access, dining discounts, and EMI options.
₹500
₹500
Mastercard
My Zone Credit Card
Axis Bank
Enjoy discounts on movies, Swiggy, AJIO, lounge access, and more with the My Zone Credit Card.
₹500
₹500
VISA
Axis Neo Credit Card
Axis Bank
Enjoy discounts on Zomato, Blinkit, Myntra, and BookMyShow along with cashback on utility bill payments.
₹250
₹250
VISA
Samsung Axis Bank Infinite Credit Card
Axis Bank
A future-ready card crafted with exclusive benefits and privileges in sync with your evolving world.
₹5000
₹5000
VISA
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank
Premium travel and lifestyle credit card with luxury benefits.
₹12500
₹12500
Mastercard
Axis Bank Privilege Credit Card
Axis Bank
Earn Axis EDGE REWARD points, complimentary lounge access, fuel surcharge waiver, and dining discounts with the Axis Bank Privilege Credit Card.
Free
Free
Mastercard
Axis Bank Select Credit Card
Axis Bank
Get premium benefits with Axis Bank Select Credit Card, including lounge access, milestone rewards, and cashback on top brands.
₹3000
₹3000
VISA
LIC Axis Bank Signature Credit Card
Axis Bank
Earn Reward Points on every spend and accelerated Reward Points on LIC premium payments and international transactions.
Free
Free
VISA
ATLAS Credit Card
Axis Bank
An airline-agnostic travel credit card designed to benefit you on every travel you make. Enjoy exclusive travel benefits and much more.
₹5000
₹5000
VISA
YES BANK POP-CLUB Credit Card
Yes Bank
Earn POPcoins on every transaction with this RuPay credit card, plus exciting joining benefits.
₹399
Free
RuPay
AU Bank LIT Credit Card
AU Bank
The LIT Credit Card by AU Bank is a lifetime free credit card which you can customise as per your needs. You can switch on or off your features at your convenience and easily manage and track your expenses.
Free
Free
VISA
IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Lifetime-free credit card with premium benefits, never-expiring reward points, and exclusive travel and lifestyle privileges.
Free
Free
VISA
IDFC FIRST SWYP EMI Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
A flexible credit card that lets you choose between easy EMI conversions or full payments, with exciting reward points and discounts.
₹199
₹199
VISA
FIRST WOW! Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
The FIRST WOW! Credit Card offers zero forex markup, interest-free ATM cash withdrawals for up to 45 days, and 4X reward points on travel spends.
Free
Free
VISA
IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
A premium metal credit card inspired by India's heritage, offering luxury travel perks, high reward rates, and zero forex markup.
₹5999
₹5999
VISA
IndusInd Legend Credit Card
IndusInd Bank
Enjoy world-class privileges on travel, dining, and shopping.
Free
Free
VISA
IndusInd Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card
IndusInd Bank
The IndusInd Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card offers a comprehensive range of travel and lifestyle benefits.
Free
Free
VISA
IndusInd Bank Platinum Aura Edge Credit Card
IndusInd Bank
The IndusInd Bank Platinum Aura Edge Visa and Mastercard Credit Card with the contactless feature enables you to make fast, convenient and secure purchases every day. Simply wave your credit card at merchant locations where contactless payment is accepted and you’re done.
Free
Free
VISA, Mastercard
IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card
IndusInd Bank
The IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card offers premium benefits, including accelerated rewards, lounge access, golf privileges, and a discounted forex markup fee.
Free
Free
VISA, Mastercard
Federal Bank Celesta Credit Card
Federal Bank
Premium credit card with exclusive travel, dining, and international spending rewards.
Free
Free
VISA
Federal Bank Imperio Credit Card
Federal Bank
Enjoy our bespoke 3-2-1 rewards structure curated for you & your family. Complimentary Lounge Access, Amazon Pay e-Voucher, BOGO INOX movie offers, and more.
Free
Free
VISA
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Disclaimer:
The credit card information and recommendations provided are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. While we strive to maintain accurate and current information, credit card offers, terms, and conditions may change without notice. Always verify all details directly with the card issuer before making any financial decisions. If you notice any inaccuracies, please contact us to help us maintain the quality of our content.