This guide will help you make an informed decision and find the Best Travel Credit Cards in India that aligns with your travel preferences and financial needs.
Traveling is a passion shared by many, and having the right credit card can enhance the travel experience by offering exclusive benefits, rewards, and perks.
With numerous options available in the market, selecting the best travel credit card in India can be a challenging task.
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
Table of Contents
Best Travel Credit Cards in India 2023
This guide aims to simplify the process by highlighting key factors to consider when choosing a travel credit card and showcasing some of the top options available in the Indian market.
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
Axis Bank Vistara Signature
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs 3,000 + taxes
Annual fee: Rs 3,000 + taxes
Welcome Benefits: Upon joining, you’ll receive a welcome package featuring a complimentary Premium Economy Class air ticket and a Club Vistara Silver Membership.
Travel/Rewards Benefits: This membership includes a bonus Premium Economy Class ticket and complimentary access to domestic airport lounges.
Domestic Lounge Access: Additionally, enjoy the perk of accessing domestic lounges up to twice a quarter at no extra cost.
International Lounge Access: N/A
Read more about Axis Bank Vistara Signature
SBI Card ELITE
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs. 4,999 + taxes
Annual fee: Rs. 4,999 + taxes
Welcome Benefits: Upon enrollment, you’ll receive a welcome perk in the form of E-vouchers valued at Rs. 5,000, redeemable at select brands such as Yatra, Aditya Birla Fashion, Hush Puppies/Bata, Pantaloons, and Shoppers Stop.
Travel/Rewards Benefits: Additionally, enjoy the privileges of a complimentary Club Vistara Membership, Trident Privilege Red Tier membership, and complimentary access to both domestic and international airport lounges. Earn 2 Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spent on retail purchases, with a bonus of 5X Reward Points for dining expenses, departmental store purchases, and grocery acquisitions.
Domestic Lounge Access: Furthermore, relish the benefit of two complimentary visits to domestic airport lounges each quarter.
International Lounge Access: Get 6 complimentary visits to international airport lounges per year (max 2 per quarter) with the Priority Pass program.
Read more about SBI Card ELITE
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
HDFC Bank Diners Club Privilege
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs. 2,500 + taxes
Annual fee: Rs. 2,500 + taxes
Welcome Benefits: As a welcome benefit, you will get Complimentary membership of Amazon Prime, MakeMyTrip Black Elite Tier, Swiggy One (3 Months), Times Prime Smart.
Travel/Rewards Benefits: Get complimentary lounge access at both domestic and international destinations. Earn 4 Reward Points on every Rs 150 spent
Domestic Lounge Access: Get 12 complimentary domestic lounge access every year.
International Lounge Access: Get 12 complimentary international lounge access every year.
Read more about HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Card
Axis Atlas Credit Card
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs. 5,000 (plus applicable taxes)
Annual fee: Rs. 5,000 (plus applicable taxes)
Welcome Benefits: As a welcome bonus, cardholders will get 5,000 Edge Miles on successfully completing 1 transaction within 30 days of the card set-up date.
Travel/Rewards Benefits: Get complimentary access to the airport lounge, complimentary airport concierge service, and chauffeured airport pickup service. Get 5 Edge Miles for every Rs. 100 spent on travel spends, 2 Edge Miles for every Rs. 100 spent on all other transactions excluding spends on Hotels, Airlines, and TRAVEL EDGE Portal.
Domestic Lounge Access: Get 8 per annum with Silver Tier, 12 per annum with Gold Tier, and 18 per annum with Platinum Tier.
International Lounge Access: Get 4 per annum under Silver Tier, 6 per annum under Gold Tier, and 12 per annum under Platinum Tier.
Read more about Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
Intermiles HDFC Signature
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs. 2,500 + taxes
Annual fee: Rs. 2,500 + taxes
Welcome Benefits: As a welcome benefit, you will Earn up to 8,000 bonus Inter Miles, exciting discount vouchers for Flight & Hotel bookings
Travel/Rewards Benefits: Get complimentary domestic as well as International lounge access through VISA Lounge Program, MasterCard Lounge Program, and Priority Pass on this credit card. Earn 6 Inter Miles for every retail spend of Rs. 150 and 2x InterMiles on hotel/flight bookings at intermiles.com.
Domestic Lounge Access: 16 complimentary domestic lounge access*
International Lounge Access: Up to 5 complimentary visits to International lounges via priority pass
Read more about InterMiles HDFC Bank Signature Credit Card
Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs. 1,499 + taxes
Annual fee: Rs. 1,499 + taxes
Welcome Benefits: As a welcome benefit, you will get 2,500 Etihad Guest Miles, Etihad Guest Silver tier status, 1 complimentary wifi voucher on the first booking for Etihad Airways using the Etihad Guest Credit Card
Travel Benefits: You can enjoy a 10% discount on business class tickets and a 3% discount on economy class tickets. Additionally, for reward miles redemption, you can receive up to a 5% discount. As a Silver tier member, you will receive 2,500 Etihad Guest Miles as a welcome bonus.
Rewards Benefits: The card provides 3 Etihad Guest Miles for every Rs. 100 spent on purchases made on Etihad.com. For international transactions, you can earn 2 Etihad Guest Miles for every Rs. 100 spent. On all other purchases, you will earn 1 Etihad Guest Mile for every Rs. 100 spent.
Domestic Lounge Access: Get 8 complimentary access to domestic lounges in a year
International Lounge Access: Complimentary Priority Pass membership
Read more about Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
Etihad Guest SBI Card
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs. 1,499 + Taxes
Annual fee: Rs. 1,499 + Taxes
Welcome Benefits: As a welcome benefit, you will get 2,500 Etihad Guest Miles, Etihad Guest Silver tier status, 1 complimentary wifi voucher on the first booking for Etihad Airways using the Etihad Guest Credit Card
Travel Benefits: You can enjoy a 10% discount on business class tickets and a 3% discount on economy class tickets. Additionally, for reward miles redemption, you can receive up to a 5% discount. As a Silver tier member, you will receive 2,500 Etihad Guest Miles as a welcome bonus.
Rewards Benefits: The card provides 3 Etihad Guest Miles for every Rs. 100 spent on purchases made on Etihad.com. For international transactions, you can earn 2 Etihad Guest Miles for every Rs. 100 spent. On all other purchases, you will earn 1 Etihad Guest Mile for every Rs. 100 spent.
Domestic Lounge Access: Get 8 complimentary access to domestic lounges in a year
International Lounge Access: Complimentary Priority Pass membership
Read more about Etihad Guest SBI Card
Air India SBI Signature
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs. 4,999 + taxes
Annual fee: Rs. 4,999 + taxes
Welcome Benefits: As a welcome benefit, you will get 20,000 reward points
Travel/Rewards Benefits: Earn 30 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on tickets booked for yourself and 10 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on tickets booked for others through airindia.in. Similarly, earn 10 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on tickets booked for yourself and others through Air India Booking office or call centers.
Domestic Lounge Access: Complimentary visits to domestic lounges, up to 8 times a year.
International Lounge Access: Complimentary Priority Pass membership*
Read more about Air India SBI Signature Card
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
Air India SBI Platinum Card
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs. 1,499 + taxes
Annual fee: Rs. 1,499 + taxes
Welcome Benefits: As a welcome benefit, you will get 5,000 reward points after paying the joining fee
Travel/Rewards Benefits: Earn 15 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on Air India ticket bookings for yourself on airindia.in. Earn 5 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on Air India ticket bookings for others on airindia.com. Earn 5 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on Air India ticket bookings for yourself or others via Air India call centers or booking offices. Get 2 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on other transactions.
Domestic Lounge Access: Get 8 complimentary visits to domestic lounges every year using this card.
International Lounge Access: N/A
Read more about Air India SBI Platinum Card
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Signature
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs. 2,500 + Taxes
Annual fee: –
Welcome Benefits: Get Rs. 1,500 My Cash and MakeMyTrip holiday vouchers worth Rs. 2,500 and MMTBLACK enrolment on this credit card as welcome benefits
Travel/Rewards Benefits: Earn Rs. 1.25 My Cash on every domestic spend of Rs. 200 and Rs. 1.5 My Cash per international spend of Rs. 200 using this credit card.
Domestic Lounge Access: Get 2 complimentary access to domestic lounges per quarter on spending over Rs. 5,000 in a quarter using this credit card*
International Lounge Access: Get 1 Complimentary international lounge visit*
Read more about MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
IRCTC SBI Card Premier
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs. 1,499 + taxes
Annual fee: Rs. 1,499 + taxes
Welcome Benefits: Welcome benefits of Rs.1500*
Travel/Rewards Benefits: Get Complimentary access to railway lounges per year
Domestic Lounge Access: Get upto 8 complimentary visits to railway lounges every year (2 each quarter) within India*
International Lounge Access: N/A
Read more about IRCTC SBI Card Premier
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs. 350 + taxes
Annual fee: Rs. 350 + taxes
Welcome Benefits: N/A
Travel/Rewards Benefits: Enjoy free access to domestic and international lounges, as well as a 20% discount on hotel bookings and a 10% discount on flight bookings through EaseMyTrip
Domestic Lounge Access: Get 1 domestic lounge access each quarter
International Lounge Access: Get 2 international lounge access per year.
Read more about Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
HDFC Bank INFINIA Credit Card Metal Edition
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs. 12,500 + taxes
Annual fee: Rs. 12,500 + taxes
Welcome Benefits: As a welcome benefit, you will get 12,500 Reward Points and much more.
Travel/Rewards Benefits: Get Complimentary Priority Pass membership with unlimited free access to airport lounges and with Infinia Credit Card Lounge Access Program along with complimentary Club Marriott membership for 1 year, complimentary 2 + 1-night stay at several premium ITC hotels
Domestic Lounge Access: Unlimited complimentary access to domestic lounges with the Priority Pass membership
International Lounge Access: Unlimited free access to international lounges
Read more about HDFC Bank INFINIA Credit Card Metal Edition
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
Yatra SBI Card
Key Features
Joining fee: Rs 499
Annual fee: Rs 499
Welcome Benefits: As a welcome benefit, you will get e-gift vouchers from Yatra.com worth Rs 8250/- on paying the membership fee
Travel Benefits: You get Rs 1000 off on domestic flight bookings on min transaction of Rs 5,000. You also get Rs Rs. 4,000 off on international flight bookings on min transaction of Rs 40,000 and 20% off on domestic hotels using this credit card.
Rewards Benefits: Earn 6 Reward Points per Rs. 100 spent on Movies, Groceries, Entertainment, Departmental Stores, and Dining. 1 Reward Point per Rs. 100 on all other spending.
Domestic Lounge Access: N/A
International Lounge Access: N/A
Read more about Yatra SBI Card
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
How to Select the Best Travel Credit Card in India?
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
- Understand Your Travel Habits and Preferences: Evaluate your travel frequency, preferred destinations, and airlines or hotel chains. Choose a credit card that aligns with your travel preferences to maximize the benefits.
- Explore Rewards and Benefits: Look for credit cards that offer attractive rewards, such as air miles, reward points, cashback, and discounts on travel-related expenses like hotel bookings and flight tickets. This is an important factor to select the best Travel Credit Cards in India.
- Consider Annual Fees and Charges: Take into account the annual fees associated with the credit card. Ensure that the benefits outweigh the costs, especially if you are a moderate spender or occasional traveler. This is an important factor to select the best Travel Credit Cards in India.
- Check Foreign Transaction Fees: If you frequently travel abroad, select a credit card with minimal or no foreign transaction fees to avoid additional costs on international transactions.
- Evaluate Travel Insurance Coverage: Verify whether the credit card provides comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and flight delays. This is an important factor to select the best Travel Credit Cards in India.
- Lounge Access: Some premium travel credit cards offer complimentary access to airport lounges, enhancing your travel experience, particularly during layovers. This is an important factor to select the best Travel Credit Cards in India.
- Take Advantage of Introductory Offers: Look out for special introductory offers like bonus reward points or waived annual fees for the first year, as these can add extra value to your card. This is an important factor to select the best Travel Credit Cards in India.
- Consider Customer Support: Ensure that the credit card provider offers excellent customer support, especially during emergencies or when dealing with any issues related to the card. This is an important factor to select the best Travel Credit Cards in India.
- Read Reviews and Seek Feedback: Read reviews and seek feedback from existing cardholders to gain insights into the card’s actual benefits and drawbacks. This is an important factor to select the best Travel Credit Cards in India.
- Compare Different Cards: Utilize online tools and platforms to compare various travel credit cards in India side-by-side. This will help you make an informed decision based on unbiased information. This is an important factor to select the best Travel Credit Cards in India.
By following these steps, you can narrow down your options and find the best travel credit card in India that perfectly complements your travel lifestyle and financial needs. Remember that responsible credit card usage and timely payments are crucial to making the most out of the card’s benefits and rewards. Happy travels!
Conclusion
Choosing the best Travel Credit Cards in India requires careful consideration of various factors. Ultimately, the right travel credit card should match your travel habits, spending patterns, and financial goals.
Look for benefits such as air miles, hotel discounts, travel insurance, lounge access, and reward points, as these can significantly enhance your travel experience and save money over time.
Best Travel Credit Cards in India
Additionally, pay attention to any associated annual fees, foreign transaction fees, and interest rates. Opt for a credit card that provides maximum value for your spending while keeping costs manageable. Read the terms and conditions thoroughly and understand the reward redemption options to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Keep in mind that the best Travel Credit Cards in India may vary depending on individual preferences and needs. Take the time to assess your travel habits, financial situation, and the benefits offered by different credit cards before making a final decision.
