Q1: Which is the best travel card in India?

Ans: A good credit card for international travel should have a forex markup fee below 2% to minimise spending. If it is for travelling within India, look for co-branded credit cards with reward points or cashback cards. Look for cards offering global lounge benefits, airline miles and other benefits.

Q2: Which Indian credit card is good for international travel?

Ans: Cards with a very low forex markup or 0 forex with lounge access are best.

Q3: Is there travel insurance on my credit card?

Ans: Yes, some travel credit cards in India also offer travel insurance coverage, such as air accident cover, flight delays, flight cancellations, trip cancellations, etc. This will depend upon the kind of card and the issuing company. However, you must understand that these cards cannot replace the need for overseas travel insurance, which provides more extensive coverage.

Credit Cards for Travellers

Finding the best credit card for international travel from India can completely transform your experience. Gone are the days when you had to convert cash and carry bundles before going on an international trip. If you are a travel enthusiast looking for ways to make your trips more cost-effective and rewarding, you need to compare the top travel credit cards. This can help you get additional benefits like free airline miles, zero markup privileges, complimentary lounge access, and other travel & lifestyle discounts, etc. Read on to evaluate the best travel credit cards in India and choose the one that best suits you.

What is a Travel Credit Card?

Specially designed for frequent travellers, travel credit cards are quickly gaining popularity because of their many benefits and accelerated rewards. Packed with perks like lounge access, discounted hotel stays, air mile earnings and travel insurance plans, you can make your international or domestic trips far more enjoyable and affordable by picking the right credit cards for your travel needs.

Why Credit Cards for Travellers?

Travel credit cards are designed to benefit those who spend a lot on travel. This includes hotels, flights, trains, buses and a lot more. Many credit cards also offer travel insurance and other benefits. Many cards offer unique co-partnered benefits with a specific airline or travel partner and let you collect travel points that can be redeemed later at your convenience.

Best Credit Cards for Travellers

Types of Travel Credit Cards

Here are some of the most popularly available types of credit cards in India:

Travel Reward Credit Card

These all-rounder cards offer cash back and reward points, including shopping, travel and lifestyle. Depending on the card, they can also offer travel benefits such as lounge access, Priority Pass, flight upgrades, etc.
Co-branded Travel Credit Card

These cards are offered exclusively by two brands, so loyal customers can avail of extra benefits. Airlines, hotels or popular banks usually offer these cards.
Air-miles Card

These are exclusive cards offered by a popular airline and are especially useful for travellers who use that particular airline. The miles can be redeemed as per the user's requirements. These may also offer lounge access.

In addition to these, some cards cater to domestic travellers who use trains and cars to travel across India. Those journeying by road can buy a fuel-surcharge waiver credit card, while frequent railway users can buy different IRCTC cards to save big on every journey.

Best Travel Credit Cards in India

While there are a variety of credit cards for international travel from India this article will focus on different travel credit cards that are affordable and offer several benefits. Take a look at some of the most popular credit cards for travellers:

SBI Card ELITE

An all-rounder, SBI Card Elite is among the top credit cards in India, offering many benefits while you shop, travel, or go to the movies. It is an excellent card for travellers who want to save on travel expenses.

The card also includes a welcome gift, available as different e-voucher options, redeemable at participating stores.

Joining Fee	INR 4999 + Taxes
Eligibility	Indian citizen aged between 18 and 70 years
Key Benefits	Reward points, milestone privileges. Free movie tickets every year worth INR 6,000. Club Vistara Membership. 6 complimentary airport lounge visits outside India. Exclusive concierge service Emergency card replacement Savings on car rentals, and more.
Forex Mark-up	1.99%

Axis Bank ATLAS Card

The card is offered in different tiers, Silver, Gold & Platinum, each adding more benefits than the previous tier. With various schemes of earning reward points on every transaction you make, you get the opportunity to redeem them on flight bookings, hotel partners, airport lounge access, etc. With so many benefits & rewards, it is a perfect credit card for frequent travellers.

Joining Fee	INR 5000+ taxes
Eligibility	Indian citizen between 18 to 70 years, with a net annual income of INR 12 lakh (salaried employee) or INR 15 lakh (self-employed).
Key Benefits	5 EDGE Miles per INR 100 on travel-related spends and 2 EDGE Miles per INR 100 on other eligible spends. These miles can be redeemed at a 1:1 ratio on the Axis Travel EDGE portal or converted to partner airline and hotel loyalty programs at a 1:2 ratio. Free domestic & international lounge access. Complimentary travel insurance.
Forex Markup Fee	3.5%

HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card

HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card is famous for reward points and several travel benefits, including travel insurance plans such as accidental air death cover, lost card liability cover, and emergency overseas hospitalisation.

The card also offers reward points that can be redeemed for flight bookings, hotel bookings, air miles conversions and several other products and vouchers. You can unlock 3 domestic lounge visits by spending INR 60,000 or more in the preceding calendar quarter.

Joining Fee	INR 2500 + taxes
Eligibility	Indian citizens between 21 and 60 years, with the following income: Non-govt. Salaried employees: Monthly Rs 1,50,000 or above Govt. Salaried employees: Monthly Rs 1,00,000 or above Self-employed: ITR> Rs 18 lakhs annually
Key Benefits	Zero lost card liability, milestone benefits, and annual spend benefits 3 complimentary lounge access if spending over INR 60,000 in the preceding quarter Accidental air death coverage worth INR 1 Crore, emergency overseas hospitalisation up to INR 15 lakhs 24/7 concierge services
Foreign Currency Markup	2%

ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

This exclusive, invite-only travel card for international travellers in India is for high-spending individuals seeking luxury and travel perks. You mostly get 3% value back on most spends. It also provides travel protection to travellers, including emergency assistance, lost baggage, and flight delays.

Joining Fee	INR 12499+ taxes
Eligibility	Issued by invitation only
Key Benefits	Unlimited lounge visits Exclusive Taj Epicure membership Reward points and milestone benefits Golf lessons privileges Discount and reward points on dining
Foreign Currency Markup	2%

RBL World Safari Credit Card

This card is highly favoured among international travellers due to its unique features. It saves significantly on cross-border transactions, offers lounge access, and an attractive welcome voucher. You can unlock several benefits by spending INR 35,000 in the previous calendar quarter.

Joining Fee	INR 3000 + Taxes
Eligibility	Indian citizen aged between 18 and 70 years with regular income proof
Key Benefits	Accelerated rewards with 5 travel reward points per INR 100 spent Complimentary Priority Pass membership providing 2 international lounge visits annually. 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year Built-in credit cards with travel insurance benefits like trip delays, baggage loss, and passport loss
Foreign Currency Markup	0%

Benefits of a Travel Credit Card

One of the most significant advantages of seeking the best credit card for international travel is that its benefits are not restricted to long-term customers of an airline or hotel. The points you earn from using these cards can be used for more than just airline tickets and hotel bookings. Some of these are briefly mentioned below:

Airport Lounge Access

Most travel credit cards in India provide free airport lounge access, where you can enjoy the comfortable seating areas, complimentary food & beverages, Wi-Fi Connectivity, etc. And this is not just for domestic lounges, but also for international lounges.
Flight & Hotel Booking and Dining Benefits

Travel credit cards offer discounts & cashback on flight tickets and on booking specific premium hotel accommodations. You may also get special offers & privileges at dining partner restaurants.
Reward Points

Most international travel credit cards in India offer reward points on every transaction you make. These points can be redeemed for flight tickets, shopping, hotel bookings, etc.
Travel Insurance

Many credit cards offer free travel insurance, providing financial assistance for unexpected events and emergencies. However, you must note that these cards are not a complete replacement for a proper travel insurance policy.
Additional Benefits

Travel cards offer various other benefits, such as concierge services during the trip, a fuel surcharge waiver, memberships to loyalty programme memberships, special offers on travel packages, and much more.

Depending on your needs, you can search for the best travel credit cards in India and choose the right one that meets your requirements. Not only does it let you earn redeemable points or miles, but these cards are also helpful for people who wish to build their credit score and improve their purchasing power. Nowadays, these cards offer benefits that you may otherwise get only if you buy an international travel insurance plan separately... So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and start collecting those miles!

How to Compare Travel Credit Cards?

With so many options, selecting the right travel credit cards in India for 2025 can be confusing. Here are a few tips that will help you shortlist the best credit card in India for international travel:

Check Annual Fee This should be your first step to shortlisting travel cards. Check if the annual cost of the international travel credit card is within your budget and worth the value. Opting for a card with decent benefits at a low annual fee is usually suggested. You can also look for a credit card with travel insurance for comprehensive benefits.
Check the Joining Fee Many cards offer welcome bonuses, but you must pay attention to their joining/annual renewal fee to ensure you are able to continue with the card benefits year after year.
Know What You Need You must be well aware of your travel needs and spending habits to be able to choose the best Indian credit card for international travel. If you are looking to save money while travelling, go for a co-branded card or one that gives you good cashback for flight and hotel bookings. Similarly, there's no point in going for a lounge access credit card if you don't travel by flight frequently.
Compare Forex Charges If you take frequent international trips, you must get a credit card with the lowest foreign exchange fees. These charges can add up a lot and cost you much more than you can imagine. Opting for cards with zero foreign transaction charges is also a great idea.
Research About Additional Charges Compare additional charges that you may have to pay for different services, like balance transfer, or if there is any late payment or cash advance fees.

Now that you know how to choose the best international travel credit card in India, start your research and get your hands on the most suitable card that helps you ease your international travel. Happy researching and happy travelling!!