Travel credit cards are intended to provide travel-related incentives and perks, such as airline miles, hotel points, and travel insurance. Meanwhile, regular credit cards may offer tons of rewards and bonuses, but they aren't designed specifically for travel-related expenses.
Additionally, through direct discounts, co-branded loyalty points, airline miles, travel memberships, lounge access, and more, travel credit cards can help frequent travelers save significant amounts of money when booking travel.
Here are some of the best travel bank credit cards that offer great value for your spending. Some of these cards offer general travel benefits, while others are co-branded with top travel websites or airlines.
1. American Express (Platinum Travel Credit Card)
Annual fee – Rs 5,000
characteristic:
– 10,000 Membership Rewards points can be exchanged for Flipkart vouchers or points-to-purchase opportunities.
Additionally, 3,400 regular membership rewards points can be exchanged for gift certificates or travel rewards worth Rs 1,020.
– Free use of domestic airport lounges 8 times per year
– Taj Experience E-Gift Card worth Rs. 10,000 for Taj, SeleQtions and Vivanta Hotels.
– Receive up to 20% discount when dining at select restaurants (only available at partner restaurants).
2. ICICI Bank (Travel Credit Card)
Subscription fee – Rs 6,500
characteristic:
– Welcome voucher worth up to Rs 9,500 including EaseMyTrip voucher worth Rs 4,000.
– You can accumulate up to 20,000 ICICI Bank Rewards points per year for domestic and international transactions.
– 5,000 in a quarter for 4 free visits to selected airport lounges in India when you spend Rs.
– Two free visits to international airport lounges per year.
3. Axis Bank (Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card)
Annual fee – Rs 5,000
characteristic:
– Earn 2,500 EDGE miles when you make your first transaction within 37 days of card issuance.
– 5 EDGE Miles for Rs. With a monthly expenditure of Rs 2 lakh, I spent 100 on Travel EDGE, airlines and hotel sellers.
– Visit up to 12 international airport lounges each year.
– Up to 18 classes of domestic airport lounge visits occur each year.
– Up to 10,000 additional EDGE miles per year as a milestone incentive.
– Cardholders can earn up to 5,000 bonus EDGE miles upon paying the annual fee, depending on their tier.
4. Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card*
Annual fee – Rs 10,000
Key Features:
– 1 Vistara business class air ticket voucher upon payment of membership fee, 1 voucher upon payment of renewal fee.
– Complimentary 1-year Club Vistara Gold membership.
– Access to two domestic airport lounges every quarter after spending Rs. 50,000 in the last three months.
– Enjoy 6 free rounds of golf in India.
– 6 CV points for every Rs. 200 spent and valid for award flights and upgrades.
– USD 300 insurance coverage for travel documents and baggage.
5. IDFC FIRST Bank (Club Vistara IDFC FIRST Credit Card)
Annual fee – Rs 4,999
characteristic:
– As a sign-up bonus, you will receive one Vistara premium economy flight ticket and one one-class upgrade voucher.
– Upon signing up, you will receive a complimentary Club Vistara Silver membership and 3 months of EazyDiner Prime membership.
– 6 CV points for every Rs 200 spent per month up to Rs. 100,000
– 4 CV points for every Rs 200 spent after spending Rs. 10 million won per month.
– 10 CV points for every Rs 200 spent on food on your birthday.
– 1 CV point for every Rs 200 spent on utility bills, petrol, rent, insurance and wallet recharge.
– 12 free golf lessons per year (once a month) and 4 green fees (up to once a month)
– 50% discount on green fees in addition to free golf sessions.
6. SBI (Air India SBI Signature Card)
Annual fee – Rs 4,999
characteristic:
– Upon signing up, you will receive an additional 20,000 reward points and 5,000 annual membership fee rewards.
– Get 30 reward points after spending Rs 100 on Air India tickets purchased using Air India app or website.
– For every Rs 100 you spend on Air India tickets booked through the app or website for others, you will get 10 reward points.
– Earn 10 points per KRW 10,000 and receive USD 100 when purchasing Air India tickets and Super Saver tickets booked through the Air India reservation office or call center.
– Free Priority Pass membership
– Free use of domestic VISA lounges 8 times per year (2 times per quarter).