Best Credit Cards for Travel in India (2026): Compare Top Travel Cards & Maximize Rewards

Travel today isn’t just about reaching your destination — it’s about how smartly you spend along the way. You can quietly upgrade your entire journey with the right credit card. It can enhance everything from flight bookings and hotel stays to airport. lounges and international payments. That’s why choosing from the best credit cards for travel has become just as important as picking the right airline or hotel.

In 2026, Indian banks are offering travel credit cards packed with air miles, hotel reward points, lounge access, milestone bonuses, and low forex charges. However, with so many options available — premium, mid-range, airline-specific, and hotel-focused — finding the right travel card can feel overwhelming. This guide simplifies the decision by breaking down the top travel credit cards in India, explaining what each card does best and who it’s actually meant for.

Whether you’re a frequent international flyer, a domestic business traveler, or someone who takes a few well-planned trips every year, this article will help you find the best credit card for travel that matches your lifestyle, spending habits, and travel goals.

What Are Travel Credit Cards?

Travel credit cards are specially designed to reward users for travel-related spending such as flights, hotels, holiday packages, and even international transactions. In addition, they often offer:

• Airport lounge access (domestic & international)
• Air miles or reward points
• Discounts on flight & hotel bookings
• Low or zero forex markup fees
• Hotel elite status or airline benefits

If you travel frequently — whether for work or leisure — choosing the best credit cards for travel can save you thousands every year.

Best Credit Cards for Travel in India – 2026

1. HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card

Best All-Round Travel Card (Premium Rewards + Lounges)

• Rewards: High reward rate on spends — up to ~3.3% value back when redeemed for travel via SmartBuy platform. You earn accelerated points on flights, hotels & lifestyle spends.
• Lounge Access: Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access for both primary & add-on members (often via Priority Pass).
• Milestone Benefits: Earn bonus reward points on quarterly and annual spend milestones — e.g., bonus points on ₹4 L spent per quarter, and potential fee waivers on high annual spending.
• Additional Benefits: Premium perks such as concierge, golf access, and travel insurance (depending on ongoing offers).
• Ideal For: Frequent flyers and heavy travel spenders who want the highest value on rewards plus premium airport experiences.

2. Axis Atlas Credit Card

Best Flexible Travel Rewards (Tiered Benefits & Miles)

• Rewards:
  • Earn EDGE Miles — typically more miles on travel bookings vs. regular spends.
  • Welcome bonus miles when you make your first transaction within a specified period.
• Lounge Access:
  • Tier-based lounge visits — ranges from 4 international + 8 domestic (Silver tier) to 12 international + 18 domestic (Platinum tier) per year based on your annual spends.
• Redemption Flexibility: EDGE miles can be transferred to multiple airline & hotel partners and redeemed for flights/hotels.
• Milestone Rewards: Additional miles as you cross higher spend thresholds.
• Ideal For: Travellers who want strong reward earnings across different airlines and hotel programs without being locked into one loyalty ecosystem.

3. HSBC TravelOne Credit Card

Best Mid-Range Travel Card (Simple Rewards + International Focus)

• Rewards:
  • Earn 4 reward points per ₹100 on flights, travel platforms and foreign currency spends.
  • Earn 2 reward points per ₹100 on other spends.
• Bonus Rewards: Large annual bonus if you spend above a high threshold in a year.
• Lounge Access: Complimentary domestic + international lounge visits (exact count varies by offers).
• Redemption: Easy conversion of reward points to airline miles — often at 1:1 ratio with partner programs.
• Ideal For: Occasional international travellers or those who want a straightforward travel rewards structure without ultra-premium fees.

4. Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Credit Card

Best Hotel-Focused Travel Card

• Rewards on Hotel Stays:
  • Earn up to 4 Bonvoy points per ₹150 spent on travel, dining & entertainment, and 2 points on other spends.
• Hotel Benefits: Complimentary Silver Elite status, extra elite night credits, and special redemption perks like free night awards.
• Lounge Access: Includes domestic & international lounge visits (varies per card terms).
• Ideal For: Frequent hotel guests who want bonus hotel points and elite status benefits.

5. Axis Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card

Best Ultra-Premium Travel Card (Luxury Perks + Lounges)

• Rewards & Lounges: Generally offers very high rewards and unlimited airport lounge access worldwide — an excellent premium perk.
• Best For: High-spend travelers who value luxury travel experiences and unmatched rewards.

6. IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card

Best for Airline Miles Accumulation

• Airline Miles: Earn Avios points on your spending — great if you fly with airlines that use Avios (e.g., British Airways, Qatar).
• Lounge Access: Includes a set number of domestic & international lounge visits.
• Milestone Bonuses: Chances for bonus loyalty miles as you hit spend targets.
• Ideal For: Frequent flyers loyal to specific airline alliances.

7. Kotak IndiGo 6E Rewards XL Credit Card

Best for Domestic Airline Travelers

• Airline Partnership: Earn rewards and perks on IndiGo flight bookings and related spends.
• Lounge Access: Complimentary domestic airport lounge visits each year.
• Ideal For: Frequent flyers within India who primarily use IndiGo.

8. MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card

Best Co-Branded Travel Card

Ideal For: Travelers who frequently book their travel through MakeMyTrip.

Travel Spend Rewards: Discounts and cashback when you book flights/hotels on MakeMyTrip.

Travel Vouchers: Annual travel vouchers that help reduce future trip costs.

Low Forex Costs: Lower foreign exchange mark-up makes it better for international travel spending.

Comparison: Best Credit Cards for Travel (Quick View)

How to Choose the Best Credit Card for Travel

Before applying, consider these factors carefully:

1.Travel Frequency

If you fly often, lounge access and milestone rewards matter more.

2.Domestic vs International Travel

International travelers should prioritize low forex markup fees.

3.Airline or Hotel Loyalty

Co-branded cards work best if you’re loyal to a specific brand.

4.Annual Fee vs Value

Premium cards are worth it only if you fully use the benefits.

5.Rewards & Redemption

How many miles or points you earn on airline, hotel & travel portal spends.

6.Airport Lounge Access

Complimentary access can save you significant costs and improve travel comfort.

7.Milestone Benefits

Extra benefits as you hit higher annual spends.

8. International Travel Benefits

Reward rate on foreign currency, partner airline transfers, and low forex markup.

9.Annual Fee vs Value

Make sure the benefits you’ll use justify the fees charged

Pro Tip: Use Two Cards for Maximum Travel Value

Many experts recommend using:

• One premium travel rewards card (for lounges & miles), and
• One zero-forex card (to save on international transactions).

This combination often delivers the highest overall value.

Final Recommendation

There’s no single “best” card for all travelers — but a smart combo often delivers the most value:

• Premium travelers: HDFC Diners Club Black Metal
• Flexible rewards: Axis Atlas
• Mid-range international: HSBC TravelOne
• Hotel benefits: Marriott Bonvoy
• Airline loyalists: IndusInd Avios or Kotak IndiGo
• Travel portal users: MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Card

Choosing the best credit cards for travel in India depends entirely on how and how often you travel. Whether you want luxury airport lounges or airline miles, there’s a perfect card for you in 2026. Some may offer hotel rewards. Others may provide simple travel savings.

Used smartly, travel credit cards don’t just reduce costs — they upgrade your entire travel experience.

RAJIL M P

Rajil M P is a seasoned banking professional with over eight years of experience in the Indian banking sector. He has successfully completed the JAIIB and CAIIB examinations conducted by the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF), reflecting his strong academic foundation and practical expertise in banking, finance, and risk management. He is the founder and editor of IndianBanker.com, a trusted platform focused on banking news, exam preparation, financial updates, and practical tools for banking aspirants, professionals, and informed readers. Drawing from real-world banking experience, Rajil simplifies complex topics such as interest rates, loans, deposits, RBI policies, and government schemes, making them easy to understand and apply.