Best Travel Credit Card in India: A 2025 Guide

With around 220 airports expected to be up and running by the end of 2025, air travel in India is becoming easier and more convenient than ever. At the same time, airport facilities like premium lounges are growing quickly to offer a better experience for travellers.

One of the easiest ways to enjoy these upgrades is by using a travel credit card. Many of these cards offer free lounge access, along with air accident cover, travel insurance and other useful benefits, especially for frequent flyers.

Let’s explore the 8 best travel credit cards in India and the key travel-related benefits they offer in this blog.

List of Best Travel Credit Cards in India

1. American Express Platinum Card

If you book a property under the Fine Hotels and Resorts category with an American Express Platinum Card, you will get benefits worth ₹44,300 every time. In addition, the card comes with air accident insurance and overseas medical insurance. If you spend at least ₹20 lakh on the membership year and pay the renewal fee, you will get rewards worth ₹35,300.

• Welcome Benefit: Get a welcome gift worth up to ₹60,000, with options to choose from Taj Hotels, Luxe Gift Card or The Postcard Hotels & Resorts
• Lounge Access: Access over 1,550 airport lounges across over 500 airports
• Annual Fees: ₹66,000 plus applicable taxes

2. HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card

You can get air accident coverage up to ₹2 crore, travel insurance cover up to ₹55,000 and overseas hospitalisation cover up to ₹50 lakh on the HDFC Diners Club Black Credit card. The foreign currency markup is 2% on this card.

• Welcome Benefit: Complimentary annual membership for Club Marriott, MMT (Black) and others on spending ₹1.5 lakh within the first 90 days.
• Lounge Access: Unlimited airport lounge access in India and abroad for primary and add-on cards
• Annual Fees: ₹10,000 plus applicable taxes

3. IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card

If you spend at international destinations, you can earn 6 Avios or rewards points for every ₹200 spent. The foreign currency markup on this card is 1.5%. If you are a VISA Infinite cardholder, you can get a 25% discount on retail rates on Airport Fast Track immigration services and a 20% discount on airport transfer services.

Renewal benefits on this card include 5,000 Avios (partner points) for Qatar Airways Privilege Club and British Airways Executive Club (partner airlines). Additionally, you can get 10% savings on flight bookings for flights originating in India.

• Welcome Benefit: 20,000 Avios (Qatar Airways Privilege Club or British Airways Executive Club as preferred airport loyalty programme)
• Lounge Access: 2 international airport lounge access with Priority Pass per calendar quarter; 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter
• Annual Fees: ₹10,000

4. Axis Atlas Credit Card

As a cardholder, you can earn 2 EDGE miles on every ₹100 spent on the card and 5 EDGE miles on travel spends of the same amount. Each EDGE mile is equivalent to ₹1.

• Welcome Benefit: 2,500 EDGE miles as a welcome benefit on the first transaction within 37 days
• Lounge Access: 8 domestic lounge visits and 4 international lounge visits on silver tier cards, 12 domestic and 6 international lounge visits on gold tier cards, 18 domestic and 12 international lounge visits on platinum tier cards
• Annual Fees: ₹5,000

5. Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

As a cardholder, you can earn 2 Skywards miles on every ₹100 spent. For the first year, you will get an Emirates Skywards Silver Tier membership. You can renew the membership if you meet the spend criteria.

• Welcome Benefit: 5,000 bonus miles
• Lounge Access: 2 lounge accesses per quarter using Dreamfolks Pass
• Annual Fees: ₹5,000

6. Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card 

You can get 1,500 EDGE miles, equivalent to ₹1,500, on completing an anniversary year. As a cardholder, you can earn 5 EDGE miles on every ₹100 spent on the Axis Bank Travel EDGE portal or airlines' websites.

In addition, you can earn 2 EDGE miles on every ₹100 spent. Every Wednesday, you can get a 15% discount on flight and hotel bookings using MakeMyTrip.

• Welcome Benefit: Earn 5,000 EDGE miles (bonus reward points or milestone benefits) on spending at least ₹1,000 on your first transaction within 30 days of card issuance
• Lounge Access: 8 domestic lounge access on VISA cards and 6 complimentary domestic lounge access on MasterCards; 2 international lounge access per quarter
• Annual Fees: ₹3,000

7. Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Credit Card

You can get 8 Marriott Bonvoy points (rewards program) on every ₹150 spend and 4 Marriott Bonvoy points on other travel spends of ₹150. The foreign currency markup is 3.5% on this card.

• Welcome Benefit: 1 free night award and 10 Elite night credits on your first transaction of at least ₹500
• Lounge Access: 12 complimentary lounge visits each in India and abroad, including both domestic and international lounges
• Annual Fees: ₹3,000

8. 6E Rewards XL Indigo HDFC Credit Card

You can get 5 6E rewards on every ₹100 spent on Indigo flight bookings with the 6E Rewards XL Indigo HDFC Credit Card. The foreign currency mark-up fee on this card is 2.5%.

• Welcome Benefit: 1 complimentary flight ticket voucher (travel voucher) of ₹3,000; 1 complimentary 6E Prime add-on of ₹1,099 for Priority check-in
• Lounge Access: 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year, with 2 per quarter
• Annual Fees: ₹1,500

💡Use the PICE App to make your credit card bill payments smooth and access travel privileges.

Conclusion

The best travel credit cards in India offer a wide range of benefits, including reward points redeemable for travel expenses. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria to avail the benefits and save on your expenses with your travel cards. However, note that several cards offer rewards in partnership with specific hotel chains or flight booking platforms, so being aware of these details can help you avoid missing out on savings throughout the year.

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