#1
Best for · International Travel
Best Credit Card for Foreign Travel from India (2026)
HDFC Infinia Metal (0% forex + Marriott Gold + 8 lounges), Amex Platinum Travel (₹1cr insurance + airport meet-greet), Axis Atlas (Vistara transfers).
For 2+ international trips/year, the right travel credit card returns ₹40,000-1L/year in lounge access + zero forex + hotel benefits + travel insurance. HDFC Infinia Metal is the most-recommended premium card. Amex Platinum Travel justifies its ₹50K+ fee for users hitting 4+ trips. Axis Atlas became the leader post-Magnus-devaluation for Vistara-routed travelers.
Typical spend in this category: ₹15,000+ during travel months/month
Why these specific cards
HDFC Infinia Metal: 0% forex + Marriott Bonvoy Gold + 8 free lounges/year + travel insurance ₹1cr. Amex Platinum Travel: 0% forex (1.99% on some) + ₹6cr travel insurance + airport meet-greet + Fine Hotels + Resorts program. Axis Atlas: 4 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on travel + Vistara transfer 1:1 (pre-merger). SBI Miles Elite: 2x reward + travel-voucher milestone.
Reward math example
On 2 international trips/year (Bangkok + Dubai) at $4K total spend: HDFC Infinia saves $140 forex + 8 lounge visits worth ₹16K + Marriott Gold upgrade × 6 nights = ₹50K+ total value. Justifies the ₹12,500 fee easily.
Top 4 cards for international travel
Curated picks based on category-specific reward rates and fit. See our rating methodology for how we evaluate.
#2
American Express
American Express Platinum Card
★★★★★ 4.9
Annual fee
₹60,000
Joining fee
₹60,000
Base reward
3%
#3
#4
What to evaluate before picking
- Forex markup (0% on premium travel cards)
- Lounge access — domestic + international, Priority Pass / DragonPass / Centurion
- Hotel partner status (Marriott Gold / Hilton Gold / IHG Platinum)
- Travel insurance limits (₹1cr-6cr typical premium-card cover)