Best Travel Credit Cards in India 2026
8 cards ranked by lounge depth, miles velocity, and forex markup. From ₹0-fee Scapia to invite-only HDFC Infinia — independently scored. Methodology disclosed.
Indian travel credit cards optimize three things: lounge access (domestic + international counts), miles velocity (reward rate on travel bookings), and forex markup (the 3.5% charge most cards impose on international transactions, eliminated entirely on three specialty cards).
The 8 picks below span the full income spectrum — from ₹25K Scapia to ₹3L+ Infinia. Cards are filtered for: ≥4 lounge visits per year OR ≥5% effective reward on travel bookings, ≥4.0 user rating, and meaningful (not vanity) milestone benefits.
The optimal travel stack for ₹1.5L+ earners traveling abroad 3+ times/year: HDFC Diners Black (unlimited DragonPass + 5% reward) + Scapia Federal Bank (zero forex on supplementary spend) = ~₹50K annual effective return on ~₹3L travel spend.
Top 8 travel cards for 2026
Ranked across lounges + miles + forex markup + spend accessibility. Tap any card for the full editorial review.
HDFC Infinia Credit Card
₹12,500 fee, 5% reward base + 1.6× SmartBuy multiplier (8% effective on travel). Unlimited domestic + 6 international lounges per quarter. ₹3L+/month income, invite-only via HDFC Imperia.
HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card
₹10,000 fee, 5% reward + 10× SmartBuy on MakeMyTrip/BookMyShow (effective ~16% on travel). Unlimited DragonPass worldwide lounge access (primary + 1 guest). ₹1.5L income.
SBI Card Miles Elite
₹4,999 fee, 8 Travel Credits per ₹100 on SBI Card Miles portal (effective 8% on flight/hotel bookings via Miles). 6+6 lounges. ₹1L/month income.
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
₹5,000 fee, EDGE Miles 2× on travel + 5× on Atlas portal. 8 domestic + 8 international lounges. ₹1.5L income. Strong for affluent travel-only spenders.
Scapia Federal Bank Credit Card
₹0 fee (LTF), 10% on Scapia-app travel + 0% forex markup. 4 domestic + 4 international lounges. ₹25K income. The forex saving alone covers any annual fee equivalent on competing cards.
HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card
₹2,500 fee, 4% reward + 12 domestic + 6 international lounges. ₹1.5L spend milestone unlocks Marriott Bonvoy Silver. ₹1.2L income. The workhorse for ₹1-1.5L earners.
RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card
₹3,500 fee, 3% reward + 0% forex markup + 8 domestic + 4 international lounges. ₹50K income — most accessible premium-travel card on the market.
Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
₹0 fee, 12% reward + 20% instant discount (up to ₹4K) on EaseMyTrip bookings. Strongest LTF travel card if you can consolidate bookings on EMT.
Which travel card is right for you?
Travel-card economics reduce to three questions: how often do you travel? domestic or international? what's your income tier?
- ₹25K income, occasional international trips → Scapia Federal Bank (LTF + 0% forex)
- ₹50K income, want premium-tier benefits → RBL World Safari (₹3,500 fee + lounges + 0% forex)
- ₹1L income, ₹2L+ annual travel spend → SBI Card Miles Elite (₹4,999, 8% on Miles portal)
- ₹1.2L income, want lounges + reward → HDFC Regalia Gold (₹2,500, 4% + 18 lounges/year)
- ₹1.5L income, frequent international flyer → HDFC Diners Club Black (₹10K, unlimited DragonPass)
- ₹3L+ income, full premium catch-all → Wait for HDFC Infinia invite via Imperia banking
- EaseMyTrip-heavy traveller → Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip (LTF + 12% on EMT)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best travel credit card in India 2026?
Which Indian credit card has the most lounge access?
What is forex markup on Indian credit cards?
Are credit card spends abroad subject to LRS + 20% TCS?
Which travel credit card is best for miles redemption?
Other ways to slice the deck
Regulated by Reserve Bank of India.
Credit cards in India are issued by banks and NBFCs licensed by the Reserve Bank of India. Card issuance, credit limit, interest rate (APR), fees, and reward structures are at the sole discretion of the issuer subject to KYC, credit profile, and internal policy. Rates and benefits shown on this page are issuer-published and may change without notice — verify on the issuer's official website before applying.
Risk note: Carrying revolving credit-card balances at typical APRs of 36–48% per annum is one of the most expensive forms of debt in India. Always pay the total amount due, not just the minimum.
InvestingPro is an independent comparison and education platform. We are NOT a SEBI-registered investment advisor, IRDAI-licensed insurance broker, or RBI-licensed lending intermediary. We may earn affiliate commission when you click through to a partner — see how we make money. For personalised advice consult a registered advisor.