As 2023 has arrived, you must be busy making ambitious travel plans, right? From flight costs to a hotel of your budget, you may be googling all that like me. Say thanks to the baggage of attractive travel packages, travelling has become more of a fun these days. And guess what, it’s credit card which many use to book those packages and enjoy the offs that are on offer. To make it more rewarding, banks offer travel credit cards specifically designed for frequent travellers.
Loaded with bonus miles, lounge access, travel membership and a host of many other privileges, the travel cards double the convenience for a traveller like you. Apart from that, these travel cards also yield substantial savings by allowing cardholders to get lucrative discounts on their spends. I have chosen one travel credit card, have you? No! Then, choose from the below list that comprises the best travel credit cards offered in India.
Best Travel Credit Cards in India November 2023
| Credit Cards | Bonus & Rewards | Joining Fee (In ₹) | Annual Fee (In ₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air India SBI Signature Card | Earn 20,000 reward points on the payment of joining fee Get up to 1,00,000 bonus reward points in a year | 4999 | 4999 |
| Air India SBI Platinum Card | Get 5,000 reward points on the payment of joining fee Earn up to 15,000 bonus reward points in a year | 1499 | 1499 |
| Yatra SBI Card | Grab yatra.com vouchers worth ₹8,250 Get your annual membership fee reversed for the next year after spending ₹90,000 in the current year | 499 | 499 |
| Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card | 1,500 Etihad Guest Miles on quarterly spends of ₹1.5 lakhs Annual fee to be reversed from the second year onward on spending a minimum of ₹5 lakhs in a year | 4999 | 4999 |
| Etihad Guest SBI Card | 5,000 Etihad Guest Miles on annual spends of ₹5 lakhs Get the annual fee reversed from the second year onward by spending a minimum of ₹3 lakhs in a year | 1499 | 1499 |
| Jet Privilege HDFC Bank World | Get a welcome benefit of up to 7,500 Bonus InterMiles. Also, receive a discount voucher code worth of INR 750 on return flights booking at www.intermiles.com Get your renewal fee waived after spending ₹3 lakhs in 12 months prior to renewal | 2500 | 2500 |
| HDFC Superia Card | Welcome benefit of 1,000 reward points The reward points accumulated can be redeemed for air miles at over 20 international airlines or any major domestic airline | As applicable | As applicable |
| HDFC AllMiles | Enjoy double reward points* on all your spends on ALLMILES website Redeem reward points for exciting gifts from an exclusive rewards catalog | 1000 | 1000 |
| InterMiles ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card | Get 10,000 welcome bonus InterMiles as well as a complimentary discount voucher code worth of INR 750 as a joining benefit Earn 5,000 bonus InterMiles as well as a complimentary voucher code worth of INR 500 on renewal | 5000 | 5000 |
| InterMiles ICICI Rubyx Credit Card | Get 5,000 bonus InterMiles as a welcome benefit. | 2500 | 2500 |
| InterMiles ICICI Bank Coral Credit Card | Get 2,500 bonus InterMiles within 45 days from the payment of joining fee Earn 1,250 renewal bonus InterMiles every year on renewal | 1250 | 1250 |
| Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card | 1 complimentary Economy Class ticket on joining Earn 1,000 CV Points after spending ₹50,000 within the first 90 days of the card issuance date. | 1500 | 1500 |
| Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card | Get a welcome gift of one complimentary Business Class ticket Win 10,000 bonus CV Points after spending ₹1,00,000 within the first 60 days of the card issuance date | 10000 | 10000 |
| Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card | Get a welcome gift of one complimentary Premium Economy Class ticket Earn 3,000 bonus CV points if you spend ₹75,000 within the first 90 days of the card issuance date | 3000 | 3000 |
Note – The fees & charges would also include 18% GST.
Air India SBI Signature Card
You can earn up to 1,00,000 bonus reward points in a year.
Striking Features at a Glance
Earn 4 reward points for every INR 100 spent. You can convert the reward points into Air India Miles. 1 Reward point equals to 1 Air India Mile. The card gives you a membership to the Priority Pass Program, allowing you to enjoy the facilities of international luxury airport lounges.
Annual Fee – INR 4,999 + 18% GST
Why Should You Go for It?
Privileges such as frequent flyer membership, domestic and international lounge access, reward points on travel and other spends add to the glitter of this card. Besides offering travel benefits & privileges, the card is also a delight for those fuelling their vehicle at petrol pumps across India. Using this card to refill your vehicle will waive off the 1% fuel surcharge, which otherwise would apply to the transactions. However, the waiver is subject to fuel purchase worth INR 500-4,000. The complimentary lost card liability cover of INR 1 lakh is also an attention grabber.
Air India SBI Platinum Card
As much as 15,000 bonus reward points can be earned in a year.
Striking Features at a Glance
Get 15 reward points for every INR 100 spent on booking Air India tickets via airindia.com, airindia mobile app. The reward points can be converted into Air India Miles, with 1 RP equaling to an Air Mile. Also, you can enjoy complimentary VISA lounge access via Air India Frequent Flyer Program.
Annual Fee – INR 1,499 + 18% GST
Why Should You Go for It?
Reward point offers on travel and other spends are an absolute delight for the cardholders. Plus with privileges such as lounge access and fuel surcharge waiver, the platinum card makes it for a convenient experience. The card protection is also ensured with a lost card liability cover of INR 1 lakh.
Yatra SBI Card
Get Yatra.com vouchers worth INR 8,250 as soon as you pay the joining fee.
Striking Features at a Glance
You can enjoy a discount of INR 1,000 and INR 4,000 on domestic and international flight bookings, respectively. The discount is, however, subject to the minimum amount to be spent on booking the tickets. For domestic, the minimum transaction has to be INR 5,000. While for international flights, a cardholder has to make a minimum transaction of INR 40,000 to get the discounts. In addition, the exclusive access to MasterCard airport lounges across India gives cardholders a reason to cheer.
Annual Fee – INR 499 + 18% GST
Why Should You Go for It?
Not only the travel benefits are appealing with discounts on both domestic and international flight bookings, but also the reward point offers on dining, groceries, entertainment, departmental stores and international spends. The complimentary air accidental cover of INR 50 lakhs and fuel surcharge waiver only add to the benefits.
Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card
Earn as much as 1,500 Etihad Guest Miles on spends of INR 1.5 lakhs in a quarter.
Striking Features at a Glance
The card earns you 8% and 10% discount on economy and business class travel via Etihad Airways. After March 31, 2019, the discount on economy class would be 3% while the 10% off would still be applicable to business class travel. You can earn up to 6 Etihad Guest Miles on spends made by the card, including the money spent on ticket bookings at Etihad Airways, international purchases, etc. The affiliation to the Priority Pass Program and Domestic Lounge Program lets you enjoy the riches of both domestic and international airport lounges.
Annual Fee – INR 4,999 + 18% GST
Why Should You Go for It?
The card makes an instant impression by offering complimentary Etihad Guest Gold tier status after you make the first transaction with it. The two free WiFi voucher on your first flight booking is also a show stealer. To add to the list of benefits is the waiver of the annual fee from the second year onward on accomplishing the milestone spend of INR 5 lakhs a year. The safety of cardholders is also taken into consideration by giving them a complimentary INR 50 lakh cover against overseas air accident, INR 1 lakh fraud liability cover, as well as a complimentary lost baggage allowance of up to US$ 1,000.
Etihad Guest SBI Card
Grab 5,000 Etihad Guest Miles on spending INR 5 lakhs annually.
Striking Features at a Glance
The attractive 8% and 10% discount on the economy and business class travel with Etihad Airways excites the avid travellers from the go. Remember, the discount on economy class would be 3% after March 31, 2019. You can still grab a 10% discount on business class travel after the said date. The miles earning on ticket booking at Etihad Airways, international purchases add to the savings. The membership to Priority Pass Program lets you enjoy the riches of international airport lounges.
Annual Fee – INR 1,499 + 18% GST
Why Should You Go for It?
The welcome gift in the form of a complimentary Etihad Guest Silver Status after the first card transaction, free Wi-Fi voucher on first flight booking sets up things nicely for the cardholder. The renewal fee reversal on a minimum annual spend of INR 3 lakhs, cover against overseas air accident, fraud liability, complimentary lost baggage allowance add to the attractions.
Jet Privilege HDFC Bank World
Get a welcome benefit of up to 7,500 bonus InterMiles and a discount code voucher worth of INR 750 on return flights booked through www.intermiles.com. Earn one 1 Inter Tier Point for every INR 2 lakh spent.
Striking Features at a Glance
The annual fee gets waived when you spend INR 3 lakhs in 12 months prior to renewal. You can earn 6 InterMiles on every INR 150 spent on retail expenses with the card. Get 12 InterMiles on every 150 spent on booking flights through www.intermiles.com Complimentary domestic and international lounge access, along with dedicated check-in and baggage allowance add to a traveller’s delight.
Annual Fee – INR 2,500 + 18% GST
Why Should You Go for It?
Availability of InterMiles on retail & travel spends, coupled with the lounge access at both domestic & international airports keep this card on the list of top travel credit cards in India. InterMiles earned are valid for an extended period of 5 years, unlike many travel cards having a validity for 2 years from the date of accumulation.
HDFC Superia Card
Get 1,000 reward points both at the time of joining and renewal.
Striking Features at a Glance
You can enroll for a KrisFlyer membership by registering the details on the website of the frequent flyer program. With this membership, you can redeem the reward points earned on your travel and other spends at more than 20 international airlines. The reward points can also be redeemed for Air Miles at domestic airlines, including Jet Airways, Air India, etc. Redemption can also be made for Air Vouchers of other major domestic airlines.
Annual Fee – As Applicable by the Bank
Why Should You Go for It?
The card strikes a chord with travellers by offering them reward points at the time of joining as well as renewal, besides a wide range of attractive reward redemption options. Apart from the travel benefits, the card also offers 50% more reward points on dining and a surcharge waiver on fuel transactions. To gain the waiver, the transaction amount must be a minimum of INR 400. Moreover, the waiver of first-year membership fee on spending INR 15,000 within the first 90 days of the card set-up date enlists the card among the best travel cards in India.
AllMiles Travel Card
Accumulate 3 reward points for every INR 150 spent using the card. The reward points can be redeemed for Air Miles, as well as exciting gifts from an exclusive catalog.
Striking Features at a Glance
The card not only offers exciting reward points but also give you an opportunity to get your first-year membership fee reversed. For that, you need to spend INR 15,000 within the first 90 days of the card set up date. If you go ahead and make a spend of INR 1 lakh in a year, you can even get an annual fee waiver for the next year.
Annual Fee – INR 1,000 + 18% GST
Why Should You Go for It?
Exciting reward point offers, fuel surcharge waiver after making a minimum transaction of INR 400, annual fee waiver after meeting the specified spend limits, etc, make a shopper go for the travel card. Above all, you have a zero lost card liability if you report the incident immediately to the 24×7 customer care centre in the event of a card loss. So, you can get financial protection against any fraudulent transaction that may take place when the card is lost.
InterMiles ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
10,000 bonus InterMiles and a complimentary discount code worth of INR 750 on joining.
Striking Features at a Glance
Not only on joining, you can earn bonus InterMiles and a complimentary discount voucher code worth of INR 500 even on renewal. As much as 5,000 bonus InterMiles can be earned on renewal. Every INR 100 spend will give you 7 InterMiles. More so, this travel card has complimentary lounge access, golf sessions, movie tickets, discounts on your dining, and plenty more to keep you interested.
Annual Fee – INR 5,000 + 18% GST
Why Should You Go for It?
The card gives you a complimentary membership to DragonPass, enabling you to relax at over 450 comfortable and luxurious airport lounges located in more than 100 countries worldwide. Complimentary baggage allowance of 5 kg for the Economy and 10 kg for Premiere Class travellers are also there. The InterMiles, which you earn on the spends, can be redeemed for flights at www.intermiles.com. InterMiles can also be redeemed to upgrade the class of your flight, from economy to premiere or premiere to first class.
InterMiles ICICI Rubyx Credit Card
Get 5,000 bonus InterMiles and a complimentary discount code worth of INR 500, at the time of joining. Upon renewal, you can earn 2,500 bonus InterMiles along with the additional discount code worth of INR 250.
Striking Features at a Glance
Get 5,000 and 2,500 bonus InterMiles at joining and renewal, respectively, along with a complimentary discount code on each of the two occasions.
Annual Fee – INR 2,500 + 18% GST
Why Should You Go for It?
Bonus InterMiles on joining and renewal, along with a discount on base fare for all domestic and international flights add to the delight of travellers using this travel card to travel around the destinations. To add to the customer delight is the redemption of InterMiles for booking on www.airmiles.com.
InterMiles ICICI Bank Coral Credit Card
Get a membership to the InterMiles Program along with 2,500 bonus InterMiles within 45 days from the payment of joining fee. Also, get 1,250 bonus InterMiles every year on renewal.
Striking Features at a Glance
In addition to earning InterMiles on joining and renewal, the card provides an opportunity to earn limitless InterMiles on the spends you make. The miles accelerate when you book tickets on www.intermiles.com. Apart from that, you can get an access to complimentary airport lounges in India.
Annual Fee – INR 1,250 + 18% GST
Why Should You Go for It?
Not only you earn InterMiles on travel spends and get lounge access at airports, you also become the beneficiary of a host of other privileges with this travel card. You can get a VIP Card for an extra 10% saving on shopping at any of the nine luxury Chic Outlet Shopping Villages. 15% discount is available on the Shopping Express, a luxury coach service direct from main central city destinations to the village. Hurry up, as the offer is valid till 30th June, 2018.
Axis Bank Vistara Travel Credit Card
Earn 1,000 bonus CV Points after you spend INR 50,000 within the first 90 days of the card issuance date.
Striking Features at a Glance
At the very start, you get a complimentary Economy Class ticket as a welcome gift. You can earn 2 CV points for every INR 200 spent and redeem them for flights and upgrades. Complimentary lounge access at select Indian airports is an addition to the exciting travel offers one can get using this card. You can even enjoy 15% discount while dining at partner restaurants in India.
Annual Fee – INR 1,500 + 18% GST
Why Should You Go for It?
From accumulating CV points to letting one enjoy the services of airport lounges, the card is an ally to an avid traveller. Beyond travel privileges, the card has one unique offer to excite you. What’s that, you would be asking, right? Before that, let me ask you one question, do you like experiments in life? If Yes, then you must have this card. You can be a chef for a day in a restaurant or relax in a yacht or even enjoy Extraordinary Weekends using this card. The weekends offer lets you cycle around at Ghati Subramanya, go for a New Delhi-Agra ride via a luxurious car or a flight simulation in a Boeing 737 in Mumbai, among a host of other pleasant experiences.
Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card
Get 10,000 bonus CV Points when you spend INR 1 lakh within the first 90 days of the card issuance date.
Striking Features at a Glance
A welcome gift comprising of a complimentary Business Class ticket greets you at the start. The ticket is also available when you achieve different milestone spends in a year. One Business Class ticket is available for each spend of INR 2,50,000, INR 5,00,000 and INR 7,50,000 in a year. Club Vistara Gold membership gives you the privilege of priority check-in, complimentary lounge access, priority baggage handling, excess baggage allowance, etc. Apart from the travel benefits, golf sessions at picturesque locations, 15% discount on dining at partner restaurants in India add to the privileges and savings.
Annual Fee – INR 10,000 + 18% GST
Why Should You Go for It?
If you are a frequent flyer and make extensive trips around a year, this card is for you. Spends made via the travel cards not only gives you the convenience of a Business Class travel but also let you enjoy golf sessions on the grass, become a chef at a restaurant, relax in a yacht, or even entitle you to be a part of Extraordinary Weekends offer.
Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card
Accumulate 3,000 bonus CV Points after you spend INR 75,000 within the first 90 days of the card issuance date.
Striking Features at a Glance
Get a welcome gift that comes in the form of a complimentary Premium Economy ticket, which is also available when you spend INR 1,50,000, INR 3,00,000 and INR 4,00,000 in a year. Every INR 200 spend fetches you 4 CV Points, which can be redeemed for flights and class upgrades. Complimentary Club Vistara Gold membership entitles you privileges such as priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, etc.
Annual Fee – INR 3,000 + 18% GST
Why Should You Go for It?
Premium Economy ticket, accumulation of CV Points, their redemption for flights and class upgrades add to the convenience you would like to enjoy. Further adding to the convenience is the priority check-in and extra baggage allowance that come with complimentary Club Vistara Gold Membership. And not to forget the golf sessions, relaxation in a yacht and short trips during the weekends you are likely to have with this card. All that and more make your association with this travel cards a truly memorable one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which Credit Card Would be Best for Yatra?
If you prefer Yatra official website to plan your journey then you can choose the SBI Yatra Credit Card. this credit card has a lot of offers on Yatra. You will get e-vouchers of Yatra of up to INR 8250 on this card that are easily redeemable on the official website of Yatra.
2. Which Credit Card Would be the Best to Book Vistara Flights?
Currently, three credit cards have exclusive benefits on Vistara Flights. You can explore the fee of all the credit cards and apply for any card as per your choice.
– Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card- This card is available at a joining and annual fee of INR 1500.
– Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card- This card is available at a joining and annual fee of INR 10000.
– Vistara Signature Credit Card- This card is available at a joining and annual fee of INR 3000.
3. How Can I Apply for a Travel Card?
You can apply for a travel credit card by visiting the official website of the respective bank. You can even fill the form given above and the representative will call you to discuss the details of the travel credit card.
4. How are Travel Credit Cards Different from other Credit Cards?
Credit cards have many categories like dining cards, travel cards, shopping cards, fuel cards, and many others. So the credit cards that are having the offers and benefits of flight tickets and travel websites are known to be travel credit cards. You will enjoy discounts and cashback on booking flight tickets and planning a journey from the travelling website if you use a travel credit card. This is how travel cards differ from other cards because they only have travel benefits.
5. Which Travel Card has the Lowest Annual Fee?
You can apply for the SBI Yatra Credit Card because it is available at a joining fee of just INR 499. On the other hand, the annual fee of this card is also the same that is INR 499. So, you can apply for this card even you don’t have a very high income.