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Best Credit Cards for International Travel

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People who frequently travel abroad can save a significant amount using the right international travel credit card. Benefits like complimentary international lounge access, a low forex markup fee, accelerated reward earning on international spends, and general savings on flights and hotel bookings can help travellers save a lot on their trips. Though almost all credit cards now come with worldwide acceptance, choosing one specifically to cover international spends can be tricky. Below is a list of the best credit cards for international travel that can help you save significantly on your travel spends.

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Updated: 04-08-2025 07:41:27 AM

Compare Top Credit Cards for International Travel in August 2025

HDFC Infinia Credit Card

infinia-credit-card
4/5

Joining fee: ₹12500

Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹12500

Unlimited airport lounge access for primary and add-on members

10x reward points on travel and shopping spends on Smartbuy

Travel
Premium
Rewards
Check Eligibility

Product Details

  • 1 RP = 1 Air Mile or Rs. 1 for travel bookings, Apple products and Tanishq vouchers purchased via SmartBuy
  • Invite-only card with Club Marriott membership and 12,500 reward points on card activation & renewal
  • 5 reward points on every Rs. 150 spent, including spends on insurance, utilities and education​
  • Access to unlimited golf games and lessons across premium golf courses worldwide
  • Book 3 nights stay at participating ITC hotels and pay for 2 with 1+1 complimentary weekend buffet
  • Low forex mark-up fee of 2%
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ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

emeralde-private-metal-credit-card
4/5

Joining fee: ₹12499

Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹12499

Taj Epicure & EazyDiner Prime memberships

Unlimited airport lounge visits

Travel
Premium
Rewards
Check Eligibility

Product Details

  • Rs. 3,000 EaseMyTrip vouchers on reaching each annual spending milestone of Rs. 4 Lakh and Rs. 8 Lakh
  • Unlimited golf lessons or rounds every month on creating a Golftripz account
  • EazyDiner membership, up to 50% off on dining in India & Dubai; 2,000 EazyPoints on joining
  • Buy 1 ticket and get up to Rs. 750 off on the 2nd ticket on BookMyShow bookings, twice a month
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver of up to Rs. 1,000 per month on fuel transactions below Rs. 4,000
  • Low forex markup fee of 2%
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Axis Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card

magnus-burgundy-credit-card
4/5

Joining fee: ₹30000

Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹30000

Unlimited complimentary domestic & international lounge visits

Up to 24% value back on travel spends

Travel
Premium
Rewards
Check Eligibility

Product Details

  • Up to 60 reward points per Rs. 200 spent on Travel EDGE portal
  • Up to 35 points per Rs. 200 spent on other categories
  • Redeem reward points against partner airlines or hotel loyalty points at a 5:4 ratio
  • Up to 30% discount at partner restaurants under the Dining Delights Program
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HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit Card

hdfc-diners-club-black-credit-card
4/5

Joining fee: ₹10000

Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹10000

Unlimited airport lounge access for primary and add-on members

High base rewards rate of 3.33% with 5 reward points per Rs. 150 spent

Travel
Premium
Rewards
Check Eligibility

Product Details

  • Up to 10X reward points on SmartBuy and 2X on weekend dining with up to 1:1 redemption ratio
  • Annual memberships of Club Marriott, Amazon and Swiggy One on joining
  • Low forex markup fee of 2% and renewal of annual complimentary memberships on Rs. 8 lakh annual spends
  • 10,000 reward points on spending Rs. 4 lakh or more in a quarter
  • 6 complimentary golf games in a calendar quarter
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YES BANK Marquee Credit Card

marquee-credit-card
4/5

Joining fee: ₹9999

Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹4999

36 YES Rewardz Points per Rs. 200 spent online & 18 on offline spends

Up to 24 domestic & unlimited international airport lounge visits per year

Travel
Premium
Rewards
Check Eligibility

Product Details

  • 1% forex mark-up fee
  • Up to 12 complimentary golf lessons in a year & 4 green fee waivers at select golf courses in India
  • 60,000 and 20,000 YES Rewardz Points on joining and renewal fee payments respectively
  • B1G1 offer with up to Rs. 800 off per BookMyShow movie ticket with max. 3 free tickets per month
  • Min. 15% off on dining via Dining Fiesta program
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Axis Atlas Credit Card

atlas-credit-card
4/5

Joining fee: ₹5000

Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹5000

2.5X EDGE Miles on Travel spends

Up to 12 international and 18 domestic lounge access every year

Travel
Lounge Access
Rewards
Check Eligibility

Product Details

  • Up to 2,500 bonus EDGE Miles as welcome benefit
  • Up to 5 EDGE Miles per Rs. 100 spent on travel
  • Redeem EDGE Miles at value of 1 EDGE Mile = 2 Partner Points
  • Milestone benefits of up to 5,000 EDGE Miles
  • Up to 5,000 EDGE Miles as milestone benefit
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Video: Top Credit Cards for International Travel in 2025

Note: Details mentioned in the video have been sourced from the issuer’s website as of August 2024. For updated information, refer to this page.

Best Credit Cards for International Travel 2025

With the right travel credit card, cardholders can save significantly on their travel spends through complimentary memberships, accelerated rewards and more. While most of the travel cards offer accelerated benefits on travel spends, only premium credit cards offer benefits like unlimited lounge visits, low forex markup fees and decent value-back through reward redemption for travel spends. Given below are some of the premium travel credit cards for international travel that can enhance your savings:

1. HDFC Infinia Credit Card

HDFC Infinia Credit Card Metal Edition

Joining Fee: Rs. 12,500 + Applicable Taxes
Annual Fee: Rs. 12,500 + Applicable Taxes

Key Features & Benefits

  • Complimentary Club Marriott Membership and exclusive dining benefits at ITC Hotels
  • Unlimited international and domestic lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders
  • Comparatively low forex markup fee of 2%
  • 5 reward points per Rs. 150 spent across all categories
  • 10X rewards on SmartBuy spends (including travel bookings)
  • Use reward points to make travel bookings via SmartBuy Platform or convert into Airmiles at a 1:1 ratio
  • Exclusive concierge service for travel booking assistance, dining referral, golf course referral and more
  • Unlimited complimentary golf games at participating golf courses in India and abroad

One of the best premium credit cards in India, HDFC Infinia makes a worthy addition to an international traveller’s wallet owing to its low forex markup fee, unlimited international lounge visits and the option to convert reward points into Airmiles at a 1:1 ratio. The earning rate on the card is also good, which allows travellers to spend more, earn more and then utilize the earned rewards to save on their travel spends. However, this is an invite-only card that is offered to select customers of HDFC Bank. So, cardholders who are not eligible for Infinia and want to avail similar benefits can apply for HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card.

2. ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 12,499 + Applicable Taxes
Annual Fee: Rs. 12,499 + Applicable Taxes

Key Features & Benefits

  • Complimentary Taj Epicure Membership for the first year
  • Unlimited complimentary international and domestic lounge access
  • Refund of up to Rs. 12,000 in a year on 2 air travel or hotel booking cancellations
  • Low forex markup fee of 2%
  • 6X rewards on flights/vouchers and 12X rewards on hotel bookings through iShop
  • 6 reward points per Rs. 200 spent
  • EaseMyTrip vouchers worth Rs. 3,000 each on reaching annual spending milestone of Rs. 4 Lakh and Rs. 8 Lakh
  • Unlimited golf games and lessons every year

ICICI Emeralde Private is a suitable choice for those who frequently travel abroad, as they can avail free international lounge access as many times as they want. The forex markup fee on most credit cards is 3.5%, but Emeralde Private charges only 2%, which makes foreign spends cheaper for cardholders. Additionally, EaseMyTrip vouchers as milestone benefits, flight & hotel booking cancellation cover and concierge services add to the benefits. Overall, this credit card is a rewarding option for consumers who spend significantly on travel and lifestyle categories.

3. Axis Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 30,000 + Applicable Taxes
Annual Fee: Rs. 30,000 + Applicable Taxes

Key Features & Benefits

  • Up to 60 EDGE reward points per Rs. 200 spent on Travel EDGE portal
  • Redeem rewards against partner airline or hotel loyalty points at a 5:4 ratio
  • Unlimited complimentary international lounge visits through Priority Pass
  • Unlimited visits to select domestic airport lounges on spending Rs. 50,000 in the previous 3 months
  • 4 additional guest visits each to international & domestic lounges every year
  • Low forex markup fee of 2%
  • 4 complimentary airport meet & greet services in a year
  • Any one voucher worth Rs. 5,000 from Luxe gift card, The Postcard Hotels gift voucher or Yatra gift voucher
  • Up to 35 EDGE reward points per Rs. 200 spent

Axis Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card is exclusively designed for Axis Bank’s Burgundy clients. Cardholders can earn accelerated rewards on travel spends and redeem them against partner airlines or hotel loyalty points at a 5:4 ratio. Besides this, other benefits like unlimited lounge visits with free guest visits, low forex markup fees, complimentary meet & greet services and travel vouchers enhance the card’s overall value for frequent travellers. However, consumers who are not eligible for Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card can consider applying for Axis Magnus Credit Card with similar travel benefits at a lower annual fee.

4. HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card

HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 10,000 + Applicable Taxes
Annual Fee: Rs. 10,000 + Applicable Taxes

Key Features & Benefits

  • Up to 10X reward points on spends at HDFC Bank’s SmartBuy Platform (including travel spends)
  • Convert reward points into Airmiles at a value of 1 Reward Point = 1 Air Mile
  • Use reward points to book hotels/flight tickets through Smartbuy portal at 1 Reward Point = Rs. 1
  • Unlimited airport lounge access worldwide for both primary and add-on cardholder
  • Low forex markup fee of 2%
  • Priority check-in and baggage assistance through Fast Track Airport Experience
  • Exclusive discounts at leading spas, salons, gyms etc. such as Sarva Yoga, Eyewearlabs, Round Glass Living, Tattva Spa, SleepyCat, Himalayan Hideaway, Neemrana Hotels, etc.
  • Complimentary annual memberships of Club Marriott, Times Prime, Amazon Prime, MMT BLACK Elite Tier and three-month Swiggy One on spending Rs. 1.5 Lakh within the first 90 days or upon first-year fee realization
  • 2 monthly vouchers from cult. fit Live 1-month membership or BookMyShow or TataCLiQ or Ola vouchers worth Rs. 500, every month on spends of Rs. 80,000
  • 6 complimentary golf games per quarter across the finest courses in the world
  • 5 reward points per Rs. 150 spent

HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card offers benefits similar to HDFC Infinia Card. The card justifies its high annual fee with benefits like accelerated rewards on travel spends, unlimited lounge access, low forex markup fees, exclusive services at airports, complimentary memberships and more. Frequent travellers can save on their travel spends by redeeming the accumulated rewards against travel bookings through the SmartBuy portal or convert them into partner airlines or hotel loyalty points at a 1:1 ratio. While Infinia is an invite-only card, consumers who want to avail similar benefits but are not eligible for it can consider applying for this credit card at a comparatively lower annual fee of Rs. 10,000.

5. YES Marquee Credit Card

YES Bank Marquee Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 9,999 + Applicable Taxes
Annual Fee: Rs. 4,999 + Applicable Taxes

Key Features & Benefits

  • Unlimited international lounge visit for primary and add-on users
  • 24 domestic lounge visits in a year for primary and add-on users
  • 8 complimentary domestic or international lounge visits in a year for guests
  • Low forex markup fee of 1%
  • 36 reward points per Rs. 200 on online spends
  • 18 reward points per Rs. 200 on offline spends
  • 10 reward points per Rs. 200 on wallet loading, rental, utility bill, insurance and other government payments
  • 40,000 reward points as welcome benefit on the payment of joining fee
  • Complimentary ETPrime subscription worth Rs. 3,199

YES Marquee is a premium credit card that helps international travellers save on their spends made in foreign currency, with a low forex markup fee of only 1%. Moreover, the card also offers unlimited international lounge visits for primary as well as add-on users along with up to 8 free guest visits, which makes it one of the best credit cards for overseas travel. Besides this, cardholders can earn 2X rewards on online spends, including travel expenses, along with the base reward rate of 18 points per Rs. 200 on offline spends, allowing cardholders to save significantly on their travel spends. This credit card is a suitable option for frequent international travellers looking for an all-rounder card with decent benefits on the travel category.

6. Axis Atlas Credit Card

axis atlas credit card

Joining Fee: Rs. 5,000 + Applicable Taxes
Annual Fee: Rs. 5,000 + Applicable Taxes

Key Features & Benefits

  • 5 EDGE Miles per Rs. 100 spent on monthly travel spends of up to Rs. 2 Lakh
  • 2 EDGE Miles per Rs. 100 spent across monthly travel spends above Rs. 2 Lakh
  • 2 EDGE Miles per Rs. 100 spent across other categories
  • Redeem EDGE Miles through the Travel EDGE platform at a 1:1 ratio
  • Value of 1 EDGE Mile = 2 Partner Points; except for 2 EDGE Miles = 1 Marriott Bonvoy Point
  • Up to 12 international lounge access in a year*
  • Up to 18 domestic lounge access in a year*
  • Milestone benefit of up to 5,000 EDGE Miles*
  • Welcome benefit of up to 2,500 bonus EDGE Miles

*Subject to annual spends.

Axis Atlas is one of the best credit card for international travel, with accelerated rewards on travel spends and the reward redemption ratio of 1:2 for partner airlines or hotel loyalty points. Besides this, cardholders can also save on their travel expenses through the Travel Edge portal by redeeming the accumulated miles for travel bookings at a 1:1 ratio. Additionally, a good frequency of complimentary international and domestic lounge visits adds to the card’s overall value. With up to 10% value-back on travel spends, this card turns out to be a suitable option for frequent travellers looking to save on their travel expenses.

Other Top Credit Cards for International Travel
Top Credit Cards for International Travel
Benefits of Using International Travel Credit Card
FAQs on International Travel Credit Cards

Other Top Credit Cards for International Travel

Apart from the above-mentioned premium credit cards, there are other credit cards that are designed for international travel with benefits like low forex markup fees or accelerated rewards/discounts/cashback on travel bookings. Below mentioned are some of the best credit cards for international travel:

Credit Card Annual Fee Key Benefits
HSBC TravelOne Credit Card Rs. 4,999
  • 2X rewards on flights, travel aggregators & foreign currency spends
  • 6 domestic & 4 international lounge visits per year
Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card Rs. 3,000
  • 5 EDGE Miles per Rs. 100 spent on travel
  • Up to 32 airport lounge visits per year
AU Zenith+ Credit Card Rs. 4,999
  • Low forex markup fee of 0.99%
  • Up to 16 free international airport lounge visits per year
SBI Card ELITE Rs. 4,999
  • Low forex markup fee of 1.99%
  • 6 international airport lounge visits per year
IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card Nil
  • Low forex markup fee of 1.5%
  • 8 international airport lounge visits per year
Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card Rs. 350
  • Up to 20% off on flight & hotel bookings
  • 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits in a year
MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card Rs. 999
  • Low forex markup fee of 0.99%
  • Up to 6% value-back on travel spends

Top Credit Cards for International Travel

Here is a table with a detailed list of some of the top credit cards which you can consider to boost your value-back on the spends you make during international travels:

Benefits of Using International Travel Credit Card

Here are some of the benefits that you can avail with best credit cards for international travel:

Low Forex Markup Fee

Good credit cards for international travel often charge a low forex markup fee as compared to other cards, typically ranging between 0% to 2%, comparatively lower than the standard rate of 3.5%.
With the right credit card, you can significantly enhance your savings by taking advantage of lower forex markup fee. For instance, RBL World Safari charges a forex markup fee of 0%, making it a great option for international use.

Higher Rewards on International Transactions

Certain credit cards offer higher rewards specifically tailored for international transactions, a feature typically absent in standard credit cards. Take, for instance, AU Zenith+ Card, which offers 2X points on travel and international spends, along with 1 reward point for every Rs. 100 spent on other categories.
Opting for a card that offers higher rewards for international transactions can significantly elevate your travel experience and maximize reward benefits.

Complimentary Lounge Access

Complimentary lounge access is a benefit that is offered not only on travel-specific cards but also on general cards. However, travel credit cards typically offer a higher frequency or unlimited lounge visits for primary and add-on users.
The number of visits varies from card to card, and usually, only premium cards with high annual fees offer unlimited lounge access. Frequent travellers can save significantly on their travels through these benefits.

Additional Travel Perks         

In addition to the low forex markup fee and reward benefits, top international travel credit cards also allow you to avail additional perks like free memberships, complimentary holiday vouchers, airport pickups, travel assistance, and much more to enhance your overall travel experience. While these benefits might not solely decide the choice of a travel card, they undeniably allow you to enhance your savings and the overall value of the card.

Check the 25 best credit cards in 2025 across other categories from top card providers in India.

FAQs on International Travel Credit Cards

Which is the best credit card for international travel?

There are numerous cards available in the market that are suitable for international travel. While any credit card allows international transactions, certain ones offer lower forex markup fees or extra perks for such transactions, enabling savings during shopping abroad.
Some of the best credit cards for international travel are IDFC First Wealth, HDFC Diners Club Privilege, SBI Aurum, and more. The selection among these cards entirely depends on your spending habits and travel preferences.

What features should I look for in a credit card for international travel?

If you are looking for a credit card for international travel, you should consider a card that is accepted internationally, and offers low forex mark-up fee and complimentary international lounge access. Some credit cards also provide accelerated value-back on international spends and could be a good option for you if you frequently travel overseas or make purchases in foreign currency.

Moreover, cards with additional benefits like emergency replacement in case of loss, emergency overseas health insurance cover, round the clock assistance, etc. could also make your international trips hassle-free.

What is the best new credit card for international travel?

Among the newly launched credit cards in India, HSBC Taj, Times Black ICICI Credit Card and MakeMyTrip ICICI Credit Card are some of the good options for international travel.

Which is the most accepted credit card internationally?

Among all payment networks, Visa and Mastercard have the widest international acceptance. While Rupay, Diners Club and American Express are also accepted at most international locations, they may have limited reach in some areas.

What is the best way to pay for things abroad?

Carrying large amounts of cash during your international travel is not safe. Hence, card-based payment options are the best. These include forex cards and credit cards. Forex cards are prepaid cards that are pre-loaded in one or more foreign currencies of your choice. When you make a payment in the pre-loaded currency, you will not be charged any additional fee.

Similarly, credit cards that come with a low or zero foreign exchange mark-up fee could make international transactions convenient for you, at minimal costs. With some credit cards, you also get additional travel benefits like complimentary lounge access, airport meet and greet, hotel memberships, etc. which could further add value for travellers.

Quick Read: Foreign Transaction Fee On Credit Cards

Which credit cards are free for international transactions?

You can make international transactions using almost all credit cards. However, most of them charge a forex markup fee of around 3.5%. Only a few premium credit cards that are designed for international transactions charge zero or low forex markup fees. Therefore, if you travel internationally, it’s better to choose a card with a low or zero forex markup fee.

How can I apply for a credit card for international travel?

Major credit card issuers offer international credit cards. You can compare & apply for a credit card for international travel online by visiting the respective card issuer’s official website or offline by visiting the nearest branch of the bank. However, before applying for a card, you must check the eligibility requirements and other terms & conditions to avoid credit card application rejection.

I am a Non-Resident Indian (NRI). Can I apply for a credit card for international travel from a bank in India?

Yes, most of the banks allow you to apply for a credit card for international travel even if you are an NRI. However, the eligibility criteria for NRIs may vary from those applicable to Indian residents.The approval of your card application is completely at the discretion of the bank.

Which is the best credit card for international lounge access?

The majority of credit cards provide international lounge access through Priority Pass Membership. Yet, for frequent travellers, having a credit card that offers a higher number of international lounge visits can be beneficial. In these instances, super-premium cards like ICICI Emeralde, HDFC Diners Club Black, and others offer unlimited international lounge access annually.

Is there a limit on the amount of purchases made in foreign currencies?

There is no separate credit limit on credit cards that is specifically assigned for foreign currency transactions. Your overall credit limit, covering both domestic and foreign currency transactions can be used for international transactions. However, to avoid unauthorised usage, you can set a limit on your credit card for international spends through net banking or mobile banking.

What documents are required to apply for international credit cards?

To apply for a credit card for international travel, you are required to submit identity proof, income proof and address proof. However, if you’re an NRI, you might be asked to provide additional documents based on the bank’s internal policies.

Suggested Read: Student Credit Cards in India

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