Category: Travel Credit Cards

Best Travel Credit Cards

Earn miles, access lounges, and travel smarter

9 cards found • Updated July 2026

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Top 5 Best Travel Credit Cards — Quick Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of the top-rated cards in this category

Card NameLounge AccessMiles/PointsForex MarkupAnnual FeeAction
#1
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
8 visits per quarter5 miles/₹200 travel, 2 miles/₹200 base3.5% + GST₹5,000
Scapia Federal Bank Credit Card
Check detailsCheck details3.5%Lifetime Free
Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
Check detailsCheck details3.5%Lifetime Free
Federal Bank Signet Credit Card
Check detailsCheck details3.5%Lifetime Free
SBI Card Miles Elite
Check detailsCheck details3.5%₹4,999

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Compare Cards (9 found)

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
Axis Bank

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card

Reviewed by InvestingPro Credit Team
Best travel miles card from Axis Bank
Miles transferable to multiple airlines
8 lounge visits per quarter
Annual fee of ₹5,000
Need high travel spending to justify fee
94/100
APPLY NOW on Axis Bank's website
Pro
Best travel miles card from Axis Bank
Pro
Miles transferable to multiple airlines
Pro
8 lounge visits per quarter
Our Take

Axis Atlas is Indias top travel credit card offering 5X EDGE Miles on international spends, 2X on domestic travel, complimentary Priority Pass lounge access (8/year), and travel insurance up to ₹1 crore.

Read full review →How we score this →
Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card
Axis Bank

Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card

Reviewed by InvestingPro Credit Team
Best card for Vistara frequent flyers
Complimentary Silver membership
Priority boarding and extra baggage
Value only if you fly Vistara regularly
Vistara-Air India merger changes unclear
82/100
APPLY NOW on Axis Bank's website
Pro
Best card for Vistara frequent flyers
Pro
Complimentary Silver membership
Pro
Priority boarding and extra baggage
Our Take

Earn accelerated Club Vistara points on every spend. Complimentary Vistara flight ticket on joining and annual renewal. 3 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter.

Read full review →How we score this →
Scapia Federal Bank Credit Card
Federal Bank

Scapia Federal Bank Credit Card

Reviewed by InvestingPro Credit Team
Zero forex markup — best in class for international spending
Zero joining fee and zero annual fee forever
No cashback cap — rare feature in free cards
1% cashback rate is decent but not exceptional
No airport lounge access
92/100
APPLY NOW on Federal Bank's website
Pro
Zero forex markup — best in class for international spending
Pro
Zero joining fee and zero annual fee forever
Pro
No cashback cap — rare feature in free cards
Our Take

Scapia is a disruptive lifetime free travel card offering flat 10% cashback on flight bookings via Scapia app, unlimited international lounge access via Dreamfolks, and zero forex markup. Best free travel card in India 2026.

Read full review →How we score this →
Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card

Reviewed by InvestingPro Credit Team
Exceptional value if you book travel on EaseMyTrip
Domestic airport lounge access (4 per quarter)
Good dining cashback alongside travel rewards
Annual fee of ₹1,499 (waivable on ₹2L spend)
10x rewards ONLY on EaseMyTrip — not other travel platforms
88/100
APPLY NOW on Standard Chartered's website
Pro
Exceptional value if you book travel on EaseMyTrip
Pro
Domestic airport lounge access (4 per quarter)
Pro
Good dining cashback alongside travel rewards
Our Take

A travel co-branded card from Standard Chartered and EaseMyTrip offering 10x rewards on flight and hotel bookings, airport lounge access, and ₹2,000 travel voucher.

Read full review →How we score this →
Federal Bank Signet Credit Card
Federal Bank

Federal Bank Signet Credit Card

Reviewed by InvestingPro Credit Team
No joining fee and no annual fee — lifetime free
5% contactless cashback is excellent for daily spends
Simple cashback structure — no points to redeem
Contactless cashback capped at ₹2,000 per transaction
No airport lounge access
86/100
APPLY NOW on Federal Bank's website
Pro
No joining fee and no annual fee — lifetime free
Pro
5% contactless cashback is excellent for daily spends
Pro
Simple cashback structure — no points to redeem
Our Take

A lifetime-free credit card with 5% contactless cashback on tap-and-pay transactions. No joining or annual fee — but a standard 3.5% forex markup, so keep it for domestic spends.

Read full review →How we score this →
SBI Card Miles Elite
SBI Card

SBI Card Miles Elite

Reviewed by InvestingPro Credit Team
Excellent for mileage collectors — 10x on flight bookings
Air miles transferable to multiple airline partners
Domestic airport lounge access (8 per quarter)
Annual fee of ₹4,999 (waivable on ₹5L spend)
Flight bookings must be via SBI portal for 10x
86/100
APPLY NOW via SBI Card's official application portal
Pro
Excellent for mileage collectors — 10x on flight bookings
Pro
Air miles transferable to multiple airline partners
Pro
Domestic airport lounge access (8 per quarter)
Our Take

A premium air miles card from SBI offering 10x miles on flight bookings via SBI portal, airport lounge access, and transferable miles to multiple airline partners.

Read full review →How we score this →

Best Travel Credit Cards in India

Why Get a Travel Credit Card?

Travel credit cards are designed for frequent flyers and travelers who want to maximize value from their spending. The best travel cards in India offer airport lounge access, air miles accumulation, low forex markup fees, complimentary travel insurance, and hotel/flight booking rewards that can save thousands on every trip.

Airport Lounge Access in India

One of the most valued travel card benefits, lounge access programs in India work through multiple networks: Priority Pass (global), Mastercard Lounge Key, Visa Airport Companion, and DreamFolks (domestic). A single lounge visit saves ₹800-₹2,500 depending on the airport and lounge tier. Cards like HDFC Regalia offer 12+ complimentary visits per year.

Understanding Air Miles

Travel cards earn air miles or reward points that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and upgrades. The value per mile typically ranges from ₹0.25 to ₹1.50 depending on the program and redemption option. Transfer partners are key — cards that let you transfer points to airline loyalty programs (like InterMiles, Air India, Singapore Airlines) often provide the highest value per point.

Forex Markup: The Hidden Travel Cost

When you use a credit card internationally, banks charge a forex markup of 1-3.5% on every transaction. For a ₹5 Lakh international trip, that is ₹5,000-₹17,500 in markup fees alone. Cards with low forex markup (1-2%) or zero markup can save you significantly:

  • Axis Atlas — zero forex markup on international spends, best for frequent international travelers.
  • HDFC Regalia — 2% forex markup with strong reward earning on travel spends.
  • Amex Platinum Travel — premium forex benefits with comprehensive travel insurance.
  • IDFC First Select — no forex markup with no annual fee, great budget option.

Travel Insurance Benefits

Premium travel cards include complimentary travel insurance covering: trip cancellation/delay (up to ₹50,000), lost baggage (up to ₹2L), medical emergencies abroad (up to ₹50L), and personal accident cover (up to ₹1 Crore). This alone can be worth ₹5,000-₹10,000 per year in saved insurance premiums.

Choosing Between Travel Card Types

  • Domestic travelers (5+ flights/year) — prioritize lounge access and domestic airline partnerships.
  • International travelers — prioritize low forex markup, Priority Pass, and international airline transfer partners.
  • Hotel-focused travelers — consider co-branded hotel cards (Marriott, ITC) for elite status and free nights.
  • Budget travelers — choose zero-fee cards with basic lounge access like IDFC First Select or AU Zenith+.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best travel credit card in India?
For overall value, HDFC Infinia and Axis Magnus are the top picks with unlimited lounge access and excellent reward rates. For mid-range budgets, HDFC Regalia offers great lounge access at moderate fees. For zero annual fee, IDFC First Select provides basic travel perks without cost.
How does airport lounge access work with credit cards?
Show your credit card at the lounge reception along with your boarding pass. The lounge program (Priority Pass, DreamFolks, etc.) verifies your eligibility. Most cards offer 4-12 complimentary visits per year; additional visits cost ₹800-₹2,000 per person.
What is forex markup and how to avoid it?
Forex markup is a fee (1-3.5%) charged on every international transaction including online purchases in foreign currency. Cards like Axis Atlas and IDFC First Select charge zero forex markup. Even a 2% markup card saves significantly compared to the standard 3.5%.
Can I earn air miles on non-travel spending?
Yes, most travel cards earn miles on all spending, not just travel. The earn rate is typically 2-4 miles per ₹100 on regular spending and 5-10 miles per ₹100 on travel-specific spending. Some cards offer accelerated earning on categories like dining, fuel, and international transactions.
Is travel insurance on credit cards sufficient?
Credit card travel insurance covers the basics: trip cancellation, baggage loss, and medical emergencies. For comprehensive coverage (especially for adventure activities, pre-existing conditions, or high-value trips), consider supplementary travel insurance. Card insurance is a good safety net, not a complete replacement.

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Salary Brackets

Cards for Salary ₹60K - ₹1L

Premium cards with international travel benefits, golf privileges, and elite rewards.

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Cards for Salary ₹40K - ₹60K

Mid-premium cards with lounge access, travel benefits, and high cashback.

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Salary Brackets

Cards for Salary ₹25K - ₹40K

Mid-range cards with cashback, rewards, fuel surcharge waivers, and more.

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Guides

Airport Lounge Access Guide

Complete guide to airport lounge access using credit cards in India — rules, activation, and card comparison.

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Categories

Best Travel Credit Cards

Airport lounge access, air miles, and low forex markup for frequent travellers.

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Categories

Best Airport Lounge Credit Cards

Cards with Priority Pass, DreamFolks, and complimentary domestic and international lounge access.

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