Best Travel Credit Cards In India 2020

Travel credit card is a type of credit card that offers exciting offers and deals related to travel.Most features and benefits offered by travel credit cards provide you savings on travel. From air ticket bookings to reward points accumulation, everything comes with a perk when done through travel credit card.

Benefits of Travel Credit Cards

Travel credit cards offer a wide range of benefits that can be availed by the credit cardholders while enjoying their holiday. From offering welcome gifts to providing complimentary airport lounge access and fee waivers, travel credit cards offer a wide variety of features and benefits catering the needs of frequent travellers.

Let's look at the common benefits offered by most credit cards in detail.

Welcome gift: Most travel credit cards offer a huge lot of reward points or air miles as welcome gift or sign-up bonus. Guess what, the points can be redeemed for air miles at both international and domestic airlines. Some cards also offer free tickets on select airliners.

Complimentary airport lounge access: Some travel credit cards offer complimentary lounge visits at both domestic and international airports. Cardholders can sit and relax in select airport lounges during flight delays and can enjoy the privileges offered by the lounges at no cost. Some lounges provide free access to friends and family accompanying the cardholder.

Travel insurance: Some travel credit cards offer a comprehensive insurance cover that protect the cardholder from unforeseen expenses that may arise due to air accident, medical emergency, loss of baggage, passport or ticket, etc.

Zero liability on lost card: Don't worry if you lose your travel credit card in foreign location. If you report it immediately to the bank, you will have zero liability on any fraudulent transactions made after reporting the loss.

Annual fee waiver: Most of you might be looking for travel credit cards with zero annual fee or no annual fee.

However, due to exclusive privileges offered on travel credit cards, it becomes difficult to find one with no annual fee. But cardholders can avail the annual renewal fee waiver facility offered on most of the travel credit cards.

By spending a specific amount, as decided by the bank, in a given year, users can avail annual fee waiver for the following year. By achieving the target spend every year, cardholders can enjoy the benefits of a no annual fee credit card.

Other benefits: Some travel credit cards also come with complimentary golf lessons, concierge services, free movie tickets and discount coupons on dining.

Many credit card issuers have partnered with major airline companies such as Jet Airways, Air India, Vistara Airlines, etc., to provide exclusive benefits for its customers.

Some of the regular benefits offered by travel credit cards include -

• Bonus air miles
• Complimentary membership to airport programs and airline programs
• Free lounge access to both domestic and international airports
• Accelerated reward points on airline related spends
• Reward point redemption for air miles
• Discount offers on air ticket bookings
• Priority check-in at partner airlines
• Extra baggage allowance, etc.

If you're frequent traveller, a travel credit card is a must to have. Listed below are some of the popular travel credit cards offered by various card issuers in India. Choose the one based on your travel patterns and the benefits covered.

Top Travel Credit Cards

JetPrivilege HDFC Bank Diners Club

Key Highlights: A co-branded credit card that provides exclusive benefits on Jet Airways flight bookings.

Joining fee: Rs.10,000

Renewal fee: Rs.5,000 (2nd year onwards). Enjoy annual fee waiver by spending Rs.8 lakh every year.

Joining bonus: Up to 30,000 bonus JPMiles and 15 Jet Privilege Tier Points within first 90 days of JetPrivilege HDFC Bank Diners Club Credit Card set up.

Features and benefits:

• Base fare waiver on domestic air tickets booked on Jet Airways within India
• 8 JPMiles on regular spends and 24 JPMiles on air tickets booked through Jet Airways.
• 5% discount on all economy class tickets booked via Jet Airways within India.
• Premium check-in and extra baggage allowance at select Indian airports.
• Free, unlimited access to the world's largest airport lounge program.
• Unlimited complimentary golf games and lessons across the globe.
• Exclusive fine dining privileges at top restaurants.
• Personalised 24x7 concierge services for all your bookings.

Rewards redemption option: Reward points can be exchanged for JPMiles which in turn can be redeemed for Jet Airways flight tickets.

Suitable for: People who prefer Jet Airways to other air carriers for domestic travel.

AXIS Bank Miles & More World Credit Card

Key highlights: Earn never expiring miles every time you spend on the AXIS Bank Miles & More World Credit Card. Other travel benefits include free lounge visits to international and domestic airports.

Joining fee: Rs.3,500

Renewal fee: Rs.3,500

Features and benefits:

• Earn up to 55,000 miles in the first membership year.
• Welcome aboard with welcome award miles and complimentary Priority Pass Membership.
• 2 free visits per year to priority pass lounges and 4 free visits per quarter to MasterCard lounges within India.
• 24X7 concierge service to assist flight ticket bookings, gift deliveries, event bookings, and others.
• Enjoy complimentary insurance that covers baggage losses, loss of card, and air accidents.

Reward redemption option: Redeem accrued miles for flight bookings on partner airlines, hotel bookings, shopping, or charity from the partner list.

Suitable for: Those who travel by air frequently.

Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card

Key Highlights: Offered in partnership with Vistara airlines, the Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card offers exclusive benefits on the airline including free membership, free Vistara tickets, travel insurance benefits, and others.

Joining Fee: Rs.3,000.

Renewal Fee: Rs.3,000 from 2nd year onwards.

Joining Bonus: A free premium economy ticket.

Features and benefits:

• Complimentary membership to club vista silver program that provides priority check-in and additional baggage allowance.
• Earn 4 Club Vistara (CV) points for every Rs.200 spent on the card.
• Get 3,000 bonus CV points on spending Rs.75,000 within the first 90 days from card issuance.
• Free lounge access at select domestic airports.
• A chance to win 3 Premium Economy ticket on achieving the milestone spends every year.
• Air accident cover up to Rs.2.5 crore, purchase protection cover of up to Rs.1 lakh, lost card liability cover up to 100% of the credit limit on the card, etc.

Rewards redemption option:You can redeem CV points against Vistara award flights or on partner airlines.

Suitable for:Those who prefer Vistara Airlines for air travel.

Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card

Key highlights: The beginning variant of Vistara Credit Card, the Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card offers free membership to Club Vistara, free Vistara tickets, milestone benefits, and many more.

Renewal fee: Rs.1,500

Joining fee: Rs.1,500 on 2nd year onwards

Joining bonus: Get acomplimentary economy class ticket upon joining.

Features and benefits:

• Complimentary membership to Club Vistara Base program.
• 2 CV points on every Rs.200 spent on the card.
• 1,000 bonus CV points on spending Rs.50,000 within the first 90 days of card issuance.
• 2 Economy class tickets on achieving the applicable milestone spends.
• Air accident cover of up to Rs.25 lakh, purchase protection cover up to Rs.1 lakh, and lost card liability up to 100% of your credit limit.

Reward redemption option: You can redeem CV points against Vistara award flights or on partner airlines.

Suitable for: Those who prefer Vistara Airlines for air travel.

Air India SBI Platinum Card

Key Highlights: For frequent Air India travellers, the Air India SBI Platinum Card provides a complimentary membership to Flying Returns, accelerated reward points on Air India spends, reward point redemption for Air Miles, free airport lounge visits, etc.

Joining Fee: Rs.1,499

Renewal Fee: Rs.1,499 (2nd year onwards)

Joining Bonus: 5,000 reward points on payment of joining fee. Complimentary membership to Air India's frequent flyer program - Flying Returns.

Features and Benefits:

• 15 reward points per Rs.100 spent on Air India tickets.
• Renewal bonus includes 2,000 reward points every year.
• 8 free airport lounge visits per year to domestic VISA lounges in India.
• Lost card liability cover worth Rs.1 lakh.

Rewards redemption option: Convert reward points into Air India miles. (1RP = 1 Air Mile). Use the air miles for booking tickets at Air India website.

Suitable for: Air travellers who prefer to fly on Air India.

Air India SBI Signature Card

Key highlights: Another partnership card with Air India, the Air India SBI Signature Card offers Priority Pass Program membership, accelerated reward points on Air India spends, reward point redemption for Air Miles, free airport lounge visits, etc.

Joining fee: Rs.4,999

Renewal fee: Rs.4,999 (2nd year onwards).

Joining bonus: 20,000 reward points on payment of joining fee.

Features and benefits:

• 30 reward points per Rs.100 spent on Air India tickets
• Renewal bonus includes 5,000 reward points every year.
• Complimentary membership to airport Priority Pass Program.
• 8 free airport lounge visits per year to domestic VISA lounges in India.
• Up to 1 lakh bonus reward points every year.
• Lost card liability cover worth Rs.1 lakh.

Rewards redemption option: Convert reward points into Air India miles. (1RP = 1 Air Mile). Use the air miles for booking tickets at Air India website.

Suitable for: Air travellers who prefer to fly on Air India.

Yatra SBI Card

Key Highlights: Offered in partnership with Yatra.com, the Yatra SBI Card provides exclusive benefits on domestic and international travel bookings made on Yatra.com.

Joining Fee: Rs.499

Renewal Fee: Rs.499 (2nd year onwards). Waived if the total spends in the previous year exceed Rs.1 lakh.

Joining Bonus: Yatra.com gift voucher worth Rs.8,250 on payment of 1st year annual fee.

Features and benefits:

• Up to Rs.1,000 discount on domestic flight bookings made through Yatra.com.
• Up to Rs.4,000 off on international flight bookings made through Yatra.com.
• 20% off on hotel bookings made within India on Yatra.com.
• 2 free airport lounge visits per quarter within India.
• Complimentary air accident cover worth Rs.50 lakh.

Rewards redemption option: Reward points can be redeemed for gift vouchers from Yatra. 1RP = Rs.0.25; Minimum redemption points - 1,000.

Suitable for: People who frequently travel by air within India.

Citi PremierMiles Card

Key Highlights:Provides attractive deals on domestic and international flight and hotel bookings. With over 100 partnered airlines, this Citi PremierMiles Card helps save on travel bills.

Joining Fee: Rs.3,000 (Waived for Citi Priority customers)

Renewal Fee:Rs.3,000

Features and benefits:

• 10,000 Miles on the first spend of more than Rs.1,000 made within 60 days of card issuance.
• 3,000 Miles on card renewal
• Earn 10 Miles per Rs.100 spent on flight and hotel bookings made through PremierMiles website.
• Complimentary access to select airport lounges within India.

Rewards redemption option:Reward points can be redeemed against flight or hotel bookings on the dedicated PremierMiles travel website.

Suitable for:People who travel frequently by air within or outside India.

Jet Airways IndusInd Bank Voyage American Express Card

Key Highlights: Offered in partnership with Jet Airways, the Jet Airways IndusInd Bank Voyage American Express Card provides rewards in the form of JP Miles, exclusive benefits for frequent flyers.

Joining Fee: NIL

Renewal Fee:Rs.2,000 (2nd year onwards)

Joining Bonus: Complimentary membership to Jet Privilege Flier Program. Base fare waiver on domestic one-way ticket and bonus JPMiles.

Features and benefits:

• 5% discount on base fare for both domestic and international flights booked via Jet Airways or JetKonnect websites.
• Complimentary priority pass membership that provides access to more than 600 airport lounges across the globe.
• Travel Plus program provides special waivers on usage charges to airport lounges outside India.
• Complimentary golf lessons exclusively hosted at select golf clubs across India.
• Up to 8 JPMiles on every Rs.100 spent on www.jetairways.com and up to 4 JPMiles on other spends.
• Concierge service for pre-trip assistance, hotel reservation, flight bookings, sports and entertainment bookings, etc.

Rewards redemption options: You can redeem your JPMiles for booking flights on Jet Airways, upgrading your ticket class from economy to business class, and upgrading your flight from business to first class.

Suitable for: Frequent travellers and flyers who want premium privileges and benefits on their credit card.

Jet Airways IndusInd Bank Voyage Visa Card

Key Highlights: Unique features, enhanced value propositions, and multiple benefits make the Jet Airways IndusInd Bank Voyage Visa Card a good choice for frequent flyers.

Joining Fee:NIL

Renewal Fee:Rs.2,000 (2nd year onwards)

Joining Bonus: Complimentary membership to Jet Privilege. Base fee waiver on domestic one-way air tickets and bonus JPMiles.

Features and benefits:

• Up to 6 JPMiles on every Rs.100 spent on Jet Airways website and up to 3 JPMiles on other spends.
• 5% discount on base fare for both domestic and international flights booked via Jet Airways or JetKonnect websites.
• The complimentary priority pass gives you access to over 600 airport lounges across the globe.
• Complimentary golf lessons at select golf clubs across India.
• Concierge service for pre-trip assistance, hotel reservation, flight bookings, sports and entertainment bookings, etc.
• Buy one movie ticket and get the other free every month on BookMyShow.

Rewards redemption options: Redeem JPMiles for booking flights on Jet Airways, upgrading your ticket class from economy to business class, and upgrading flight from business to first class.

Suitable for: Frequent travellers who opt for Visa to Amex.

How to Apply For Travel Credit Cards Online?

BankBazaar is an official partner of major credit card issuers and provides an online platform to apply for travel credit cards. You can check your eligibility for a specific card, apply for it, upload the document and enjoy a hassle-free application process.

To apply through BankBazaar, follow the steps mentioned below

• On the travel credit card page, choose your preferred card from the list of cards
• Click on 'Check Eligibility' option
• Submit the details as required and find your eligibility
• Once you're eligible, you will be directed to online application page.
• Fill the form and submit the form
• Once your application is submitted, you will receive an 'Application ID' which should be retained for future reference

The website also features a 'Track Application' option, using which you can track your application.

Eligibility To Apply For Travel Credit Cards

The eligibility to apply for travel credit cards vary from one bank to another and from one card to other. Listed below is the minimum eligibility criteria set by many banks.

• Applicant should be an Indian citizen
• Should be either salaried or self-employed
• Should have a good credit record.
• Minimum age should be 21 years while the maximum should be 60/65 years

Documents Required To Apply For Travel Credit Cards

Again, different credit card issuers require different set of documents to process a travel credit card application. Sometimes, the required documents also vary based on the applicant type. Some of the common documents required for a travel credit card application are listed below.

• Copy of PAN card
• Copy of Aadhaar card
• 1 passport size photograph.
• Past 2 months salary slips or IT Returns
• Address proof document such as Aadhaar, Voter's ID, driving licence, passport, etc., whichever holds your current address.

Travel Credit Cards FAQs

1. Which travel credit cards offer Vistara membership or lounge access?

   Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card offers free Club Vistara membership and the Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card offers a free membership to Priority Pass Program.

2. Does the Air India SBI Signature Card offer any reward points on payment of the joining fee?

   Yes, you will get 20,000 reward points when you pay the joining fee.

3. What is the joining fee of the Yatra SBI Card?

   You will have to pay Rs.499 as a joining fee for the Yatra SBI Card.

4. What are the main benefits of having a travel credit card?

   Travel credit cards come with a lot of exciting benefits like welcome gift, travel insurance, complimentary airport lounge access, zero liability on lost card, and annual fee waiver.

5. Are there any eligibility criteria for getting a travel credit card?

   Yes, you should be an Indian citizen and your age should be between 21 years and 65 years. You should also be salaried or self-employed. Apart from this, the bank will also look into your credit score before they approve a travel credit card for you.