Did you know this, Indians are one of the most passionate travellers in the world? With the rise of middle-class families and the desire for adventure mean that Indians are exploring new destinations more than ever before. Make these adventures more rewarding and affordable with good travel credit cards.
India offers a huge number of travel credit cards, and each one comes with different benefits. These cards will significantly improve your travel by earning reward points, airport lounge access, and from the inclusion of complimentary insurance. To help you select the best travel credit card in India that will be most useful for your lifestyle and travel needs, let us look at some of the best travel reward programs available now.
- The global travel credit card market was valued at $16.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $48.5 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 11.8% from 2023 to 2032.
- Travel credit cards were the fastest-growing category in India in 2023, with demand rising 27% year-over-year, particularly from Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns.
- Approximately 50% of new credit card users are under 25 years of age, indicating a significant interest among younger consumers.
- Credit card penetration in India is currently low at about 5% of the population, but it is expected to rise to 10 crore (100 million) credit card owners by early 2024, up from 7.5 crore in April 2022.
- The most sought-after travel credit cards in India include the SBI IRCTC, Axis Vistara, and IDFC Vistara credit cards, with SBI Card being a major player offering 7 co-branded travel cards.
- According to a Visa study, 95% of Indian travellers intend to use credit cards for overseas travel to enhance convenience.
- A report by American Express indicated that 62% of Indians plan to spend more on travel in 2024 compared to the global average of 40%.
- Data from IndiaLends revealed a five-fold increase in travel-specific credit card applications over the past year, with women travellers leading this trend.
What is a Travel Credit Card?
A travel credit card is a particular type of credit card that comes with special benefits and rewards for travellers. It offers benefits such as airport lounge access, travel insurance, and bonus points. Earn reward points that can be used for flights, hotel stays, and other travel expenses. These cards usually come with an annual fee, but they may pay for themselves if you travel often.
Benefits of Travel Credit Cards
| Benefit | Details |
| Reward Points | Earn points on purchases, and redeem them for flights, hotel stays, and other travel expenses. |
| Travel Insurance | Get coverage for trip cancellations, lost luggage, and medical emergencies. |
| Airport Lounge Access | Enjoy comfortable lounges with amenities like Wi-Fi, food, and drinks. |
| Annual Fee Waivers | Annual fees can be waived with high spending or specific conditions. |
| Foreign Transaction Fee Waivers | Avoid extra charges when using your card abroad. |
| Priority Pass Membership | Access to a network of airport lounges worldwide. |
| Companion Ticket Offers | Get a second ticket at a discounted rate or for free with certain spending levels. |
| Hotel Status Upgrades | Enjoy perks like late check-out and room upgrades at participating hotels. |
List of Top Travel Credit Cards
- Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
- American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
- RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card
- Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card
- Air India SBI Signature Credit Card
- IndiGo 6E Rewards XL Credit Card by HDFC Bank
- IndiGo 6E Rewards Credit Card by HDFC Bank
- Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card
- Club Vistara SBI Card Prime
- IDFC FIRST Club Vistara Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Credit Card
- AU ixigo Credit Card
- Yatra SBI Card
- HDFC Bank Superia
- InterMiles HDFC Bank Diners Club
- Axis Bank Miles & More World Credit Card
- SBI Card Elite
- Club Vistara IDFC FIRST Credit Card
- Axis Atlas Credit Card
- American Express® Platinum Travel Credit Card
- Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
Do’s of Using a Travel Credit Card
- Settle your balance monthly
- Track your spending.
- Use travel perks
- Be Careful With the Terms and Conditions
- If you suspect fraud, contact your card issuer.
- Make Travel Purchases With The Card
- Opt for cards with waived or very low annual fees
- Compare rewards programs.
- Utilize the benefits of travel insurance.
- Spend within your limit.
Don’ts of Using a Travel Credit Card
- Carry a balance but avoid paying interest on it
- For anything that isn’t for travel, do not use your card unless you are receiving extremely valuable rewards.
- Forget the annual fee if it costs more than you get back in benefits
- Ignore your card terms and conditions
- Never give your card details to anyone you are not confident.
- Overspend
- Withdraw cash on your card
- Apply for several cards at the same time
- Do not update your card details
- Think your card is already safe from fraudulent transactions.
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Comparison of Top Travel Credit Cards in India
| Credit Card | Welcome Bonus | Rewards | Travel Benefits | Other Benefits |
| Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card | Up to 100,000 reward points | 5x reward points on travel and dining | Airport lounge access, hotel discounts | Complimentary golf green fees, dining discounts |
| American Express® Platinum Travel Credit Card | Up to 20,000 reward points | 2x reward points on travel and hotel bookings | Airport lounge access, hotel discounts | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card | Up to 30,000 reward points | 3x reward points on travel and hotel bookings | Airport lounge access, hotel discounts | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card | Up to 25,000 reward points | 3x reward points on travel and hotel bookings | Airport lounge access, hotel discounts | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| Air India SBI Signature Credit Card | Up to 40,000 reward points | 4x reward points on travel and hotel bookings | Airport lounge access, hotel discounts | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| IndiGo 6E Rewards XL Credit Card by HDFC Bank | Up to 50,000 reward points | 4x reward points on IndiGo flights | IndiGo flight benefits, airport lounge access | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| IndiGo 6E Rewards Credit Card by HDFC Bank | Up to 25,000 reward points | 3x reward points on IndiGo flights | IndiGo flight benefits, airport lounge access | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card | Up to 40,000 reward points | 4x reward points on Vistara flights | Vistara flight benefits, airport lounge access | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| Club Vistara SBI Card Prime | Up to 25,000 reward points | 3x reward points on Vistara flights | Vistara flight benefits, airport lounge access | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| IDFC FIRST Club Vistara Credit Card | Up to 30,000 reward points | 3x reward points on Vistara flights | Vistara flight benefits, airport lounge access | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Credit Card | Up to 35,000 reward points | 3x reward points on Marriott hotel bookings | Marriott hotel benefits, airport lounge access | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| AU ixigo Credit Card | Up to 15,000 reward points | 2x reward points on travel bookings | Travel booking discounts, airport lounge access | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| Yatra SBI Card | Up to 25,000 reward points | 3x reward points on travel bookings | Travel booking discounts, airport lounge access | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| HDFC Bank Superia | Up to 50,000 reward points | 4x reward points on travel, dining, and movies | Airport lounge access, hotel discounts | Golf green fees, dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| InterMiles HDFC Bank Diners Club | Up to 50,000 reward points | 4x reward points on travel, dining, and movies | Airport lounge access, hotel discounts | Golf green fees, dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| Axis Bank Miles & More World Credit Card | Up to 35,000 reward points | 3x reward points on travel and hotel bookings | Airport lounge access, hotel discounts | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| SBI Card Elite | Up to 50,000 reward points | 4x reward points on travel, dining, and movies | Airport lounge access, hotel discounts | Golf green fees, dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| Club Vistara IDFC FIRST Credit Card | Up to 30,000 reward points | 3x reward points on Vistara flights | Vistara flight benefits, airport lounge access | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
| Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card | Up to 15,000 reward points | 2x reward points on travel bookings | Travel booking discounts, airport lounge access | Dining discounts, complimentary movie tickets |
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Tips for Using Travel Credit Cards
Managing Your Credit Card
- Set Credit Limit Budget
- Check your credit score frequently.
- Missed payments will reflect badly on your credit record so try not to be late with any of them.
- Verify Card Information
- Another idea is to use a credit card organizer to keep track of your spending and due dates.
Maximizing Rewards
- Understand your choice of card to fit your spending habits.
- Use bonus categories for types of purchases
- Swipe your way to points or miles on those daily purchases with the card you carry every day.
- Checkout for offers and promotions!
- Transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
- Stop spending more than you can afford and stop carrying a high balance.
- Watch for hidden fees and expenses
- Review Your Card Agreement.
- Protect your card data
Top Travel Credit Cards for 2024
| Sr No. | Credit Card Name | Joining Fee (INR) | Annual Renewal Fee (INR) | Benefits | Eligibility Criteria |
| 1 | Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card | 5,000 | 5,000 | 2.5X EDGE Miles on travel spends, up to 12 international lounge accesses per year | Minimum age of 21, Indian citizenship, income proof |
| 2 | American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card | 3,500 | 5,000 | 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits, Membership Rewards Points worth Rs. 3,000 as welcome | Minimum age of 21, good credit score |
| 3 | RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card | 2,000 | 2,000 | Travel rewards, airport lounge access, travel insurance | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 4 | Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card | 1,500 | 1,500 | Air India miles on spends, complimentary lounge access | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 5 | Air India SBI Signature Credit Card | 3,000 | 3,000 | Enhanced Air India miles, priority boarding, complimentary lounge access | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 6 | IndiGo 6E Rewards XL Credit Card by HDFC Bank | 1,000 | 1,000 | 6E Rewards on spends, complimentary lounge access | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 7 | IndiGo 6E Rewards Credit Card by HDFC Bank | 500 | 500 | 6E Rewards on spends, additional discounts on IndiGo flights | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 8 | Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card | 3,000 | 3,000 | Vistara miles on spends, complimentary lounge access | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 9 | Club Vistara SBI Card Prime | 1,499 | 1,499 | Vistara miles on spends, complimentary lounge access | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 10 | IDFC FIRST Club Vistara Credit Card | 1,000 | 1,000 | Bonus reward points, complimentary lounge access, partner discounts | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 11 | Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Credit Card | 3,000 | 3,000 | Marriott Bonvoy points, complimentary hotel stays, travel insurance | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 12 | AU ixigo Credit Card | 999 | 999 | ixigo vouchers, discounts on ixigo bookings | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 13 | Yatra SBI Card | 499 | 499 | Discounts on Yatra bookings, travel rewards | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 14 | HDFC Bank Superia | 999 | 999 | Travel rewards, discounts on bookings, complimentary lounge access | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 15 | InterMiles HDFC Bank Diners Club | 1,000 | 1,000 | InterMiles on spends, complimentary lounge access | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 16 | Axis Bank Miles & More World Credit Card | 3,000 | 3,000 | Miles on international spends, complimentary lounge access | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 17 | SBI Card Elite | 2,999 | 2,999 | Travel rewards, discounts on hotel bookings, complimentary lounge access | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 18 | Club Vistara IDFC FIRST Credit Card | 1,000 | 1,000 | Vistara miles on spends, complimentary lounge access | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
| 19 | Axis Atlas Credit Card | 5,000 | 5,000 | 2.5X EDGE Miles on travel spends, complimentary lounge access | Minimum age of 21, Indian citizenship, income proof |
| 20 | American Express® Platinum Travel Credit Card | 3,500 | 5,000 | 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits, travel insurance | Minimum age of 21, good credit score |
| 21 | Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card | 350 | 350 | Discounts on hotel and flight bookings, complimentary lounge access | Minimum age of 21, income proof |
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Conclusion
Selecting the best travel credit cards in India can play a vital role in level up your travel experiences. With many that offer things like reward points, travel insurance, and airport lounge access – read lots of reviews to compare products before applying so you can find one suitable for your needs. All that will be in good use with the right card on your hand to explore an unforgettable journey.
