Top 5 Travel Credit Cards in India

Here are the top 5 travel credit cards in India for frequent travellers with benefits like air miles, complimentary lounge access, low forex markup and overall travel value.

Top 5 Travel Credit Cards

1. Axis Atlas Credit Card

• Earn up to 10% EDGE miles on travel spends
• Strong point-to-mile conversion ratio of 1:2
• Up to 12 international lounge visits
• Up to 18 domestic lounge visits
• Bonus 10,000 miles every year

Best For: Frequent flyers seeking value from air miles

2. Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card

• Earn 5% EDGE miles on travel spends
• 1:1 point-to-mile conversion ratio
• Strong airline & hotel transfer partners
• Up to 32 domestic lounge visits every year

Best For: Flexible air miles redemption

3. HSBC TravelOne Credit Card

• Up to 12% value-back on travel spends
• 4% value-back on flights & travel aggregators
• Up to 15% off on travel platforms, like Yatra, EaseMyTrip, etc.
• 1:1 point-to-mile conversion ratio

Best For: Frequent overseas travellers

4. Axis Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card

• Up to 24% value-back on travel spends
• Up to 8.75% value-back on other spends
• 5:4 point-to-mile conversion ratio
• Unlimited lounge visits worldwide
• Low forex mark-up fee of 2%
• 4 airport meet & greet services every year

Best For: Premium travel & lifestyle benefits

5. HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit Card

• Up to 33.33% value-back on travel spends
• 3.33% value-back on other spends
• 1:1 point-to-mile conversion ratio
• Unlimited lounge visits worldwide
• Low forex mark-up fee of 2%
• Club Marriott & MMT BLACK Elite Tier memberships

Best For: International travellers seeking overall travel value

How to Choose the Right Travel Credit Card

Identify Your Travel Style

Identify which type of traveller you are:

• International traveller
• Domestic traveller
• Occasional traveller

Focus on Rewards & Air Miles

Keep a note of:

• How many air miles you can earn?
• Point-to-mile conversion ratio
• Transfer partners of the card issuer

Check Forex Markup Fee

• Most cards charge around 3.5% forex markup fee
• Look for cards with lower or zero forex markup fee

Look at Lounge Access Benefits

Check:

• Domestic airport lounge visits per quarter or year
• International lounge access (Priority Pass, etc.)
• Spend requirements to avail domestic lounge access benefits

Compare Co-branded vs Generic Cards

• Co-branded cards
  • Offer benefits on partnered brands (airlines/travel portals)
  • Best for brand loyal customers
• Generic travel cards
  • Offer similar value across all brands
  • Better for flexible air miles redemption

Check Overall Value

• Compare annual fee vs benefits offered
• Check whether you can recover the fee through rewards, and travel perks

PRO TIP:

The best travel card is the one that matches:

• Your travel frequency
• You spending pattern
• Redemption preferences

Top Category-wise Travel Credit Cards in India

Best Credit Cards for Air Miles

Best Co-branded Travel Credit Cards

Best Credit Cards for International Travel

Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access

Best Credit Cards for Zero Forex Markup

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best travel credit card in India?
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card is considered one of the best travel credit cards in India because it offers strong air miles earning, good airport lounge access, and multiple airline and hotel transfer partners.

What are the main benefits of travel credit cards?
Travel credit cards mainly offers air miles or rewards, airport lounge access, discounts on flights and hotel bookings, low forex charges on international spends, and other travel perks.

How is a travel credit card different from a regular credit card?
A travel credit card is specifically designed for travel-related benefits such as travel bookings, lounge access, and more, whereas a regular credit card is more focused on general spends rewards like cashback, shopping discounts, and everyday purchases.

Should I choose air miles or reward points?
You should choose air miles if you frequently travel and prefer redeeming points for flights or airline loyalty programs. Reward points are better if you want more flexibility, as they can be used for cashback, vouchers, or multiple categories beyond just travel.

Who should get a travel credit card?
Travel credit cards are best suited for users who travel frequently, including regular domestic flyers, international travellers, and business professionals who often book flights and hotels.

Are there any lifetime free credit cards?
Yes, there are lifetime free credit cards available in India such as Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card, Ixigo AU Credit Card, BOBCARD Scapia Credit Card and more.