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 best travel credit card.
Top Credit Cards with Travel Benefits
| Axis Bank Titanium Smart Traveller Credit Card |
Easy EMI conversion, eDGE Loyalty Rewards Programme advantage, fuel surcharge waiver across India, reward points for all train, bus, flight, and hotel bookings. |
| Axis Bank Miles & More World Credit Card |
Complimentary Domestic Mastercard Lounge access membership, annual bonus miles on renewal, fuel surcharge refund of all fuel transactions across India. |
| HDFC Bank Superia Credit Card |
Access to more than 600 airport lounges across the world with complimentary priority pass membership, fuel surcharge waiver, zero liability on lost card, up to 2 years of expiry-free reward points accumulation. |
| Air India SBI Signature Card |
Complimentary membership to Priority Pass Program, free airport lounge access, joining and renewal bonus. |
| Yatra SBI Card |
Discount on domestic and international flight bookings, hotel bookings made through Yatra, fuel surcharge waiver across petrol pumps, complimentary air accident cover, free airport lounge access. |
| IRCTC SBI Card Premier |
Get 1500 reward points as a welcome gift, complimentary insurance cover, waived fuel surcharge, complimentary railway lounge access. |
| Axis Bank Vistara Signature |
Complimentary premium economy ticket voucher as welcome gift, exclusive privileges as priority check-in, additional baggage allowance. |
| HDFC Regalia Credit Card |
12 complimentary domestic lounge access and six international lounge access in a year |
| SBI Card Elite |
Welcome e-gift voucher worth Rs.5,000, free movie tickets worth Rs.6,000 annually, 2 complimentary domestic lounge access every quarter and 6 complimentary international lounge access every year. |
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.
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 5,000 reward points on joining in the first membership year.
- Welcome aboard with welcome award miles and complimentary Priority Pass Membership.
- Two free visits per year to priority pass lounges and four 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 Titanium Smart Traveller Credit Card
Key Highlights: Exciting eDGE Loyalty Rewards Program enrolment with the Axis Bank Titanium Smart Traveller Credit Card that allows you earn loyalty reward points on all spendings.
Joining Fee: Rs.250 (no annual fee for first year)
Renewal Fee: Rs.100 from 2nd year onwards.
Features and benefits:
- Convert all credit card transactions of Rs.2,500 or more into easy EMIs.
- Avail 1% waiver on fuel surcharge on all fuel transactions.
- Earn two eDGE Loyalty Reward Points for every Rs.200 spent on the card.
- Earn four eDGE Loyalty Reward Points for every Rs.200 spent on travel bookings (train, bus, airline, hotel, etc.) that are eligible on the card.
- Earn eight eDGE Loyalty Reward Points for every Rs.200 spent on the card when travelling abroad.
Rewards redemption option: You can redeem your eDGE reward points against a number of options offered on the Axis Bank card portal.
Suitable for: Those who travel frequently.
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.
- Two 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.
Air India SBI Signature Card
Key highlights: A 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 one 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.
IRCTC SBI Card Premier
Key Highlights: The SBI IRCTC Premier card offers various travel benefits and reward points on travel spends
Joining Fee: Rs.1,499
Renewal Fee: Rs.1,499 (2nd year onwards).
Joining Bonus: 1500 reward points as welcome gift
Features and benefits:
- Complimentary air accident insurance cover worth Rs.50 lakh
- Complimentary rail accident insurance cover worth Rs.10 lakh
- Avail up to eight railway lounge access annually
- Earn 5,000 reward points on reaching milestone of Rs.1 lakh on travel spends in a year
- Earn 2,500 reward points on reaching milestone of Rs.50,000 on travel spends in a year
Suitable for: People who frequently travel by rail within India.
Axis Bank Vistara Signature Card
Key Highlights: This Axis Bank Vistara Signature card is best suited for people who frequently travel by air.
Joining Fee: Rs.3,000
Renewal Fee: Rs.3,000
Joining Bonus: Avail one complimentary premium economy ticket as welcome benefit
Features and benefits:
- Get air accident cover of up to Rs.2.5 crore and can purchase protection cover of Rs.1 lakh
- Get lost card liability cover up to 100%
- 4 club Vistara points on every Rs.200 spent
Suitable for: People who frequently travel by air
HDFC Regalia Credit Card
Key Highlights: This HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card offers various benefits on air travel and is best suited for frequent flyers
Joining Fee: Rs.2,500
Renewal Fee: Rs.2,500
Features and benefits:
- Avail priority-pass membership for primary and add-on members
- Low forex markup fee of 2%
- Up to six complimentary international lounge access
- Up to 12 complimentary domestic lounge access
- Airmiles convert through net banking, for every one point you get 0.5 airmiles
Suitable for: People who frequently travel by air
SBI Card Elite
Key Highlights: This SBI Card Elite offers benefits for shopping, travelling and entertainment
Joining Fee: Rs.4,999
Renewal Fee: Rs.4,999
Joining Bonus: Welcome Yatra voucher worth Rs.5,000
Features and benefits:
- Club Vistara Silver Membership with one complimentary upgrade voucher
- Low forex markup fee of 1.99%
- Nine Club Vistara points on every Rs.100 spent
- 1,000 welcome points on registration and complimentary Trident Privilege Red Tier membership
- Six international lounge visits per calendar year and complimentary priority pass membership
- Up to two complimentary domestic lounges access every quarter
Suitable for: People who spend on travel, entertainment and shopping
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 (Permanent Account Number) card
- Copy of Aadhaar card
- One passport size photograph.
- Past two months salary slips or IT Returns
- Address proof document such as Aadhaar, Voter's ID, driving licence, passport, etc., whichever holds your current address.
FAQs on Best Travel Credit Cards
- How do travel credit cards work?
Travel credit cards help you earn points or miles on different purchases related to travel and in other categories. After accumulating the reward points, these can be redeemed while booking flights and hotels.
- What should I look for in a first travel credit card?
Some of the major points to look for in a travel credit card are free hotel, reward benefits, flight booking discounts, airport lounge access, and elite status.
- Does travel credit expire?
Travel credit cards offer flight credit that can be used for flight booking, which should be valid for a year from the date of the issuance.
- Is it worth it to take travel credit?
Travel credit helps you to earn reward points that can be redeemed and avail yourself of the perks and benefits to save time and money while on a trip.
- Can you use a travel credit card for anything?
Travel credit cards are commonly used for booking hotels, flight tickets, and earn reward points to avail yourself of various benefits. Some travel cards also offer various purchase benefits on certain products, such as apparel, electronics, and many more.
- How often should you travel to get a travel credit card?
You should make at least one big trip in a year and have a good credit score to get approval for best travel credit card and avail yourself of the rewards and benefits of the card.
- Is a travel card the same as a credit card?
A travel card is the same as a credit card with certain differences. General credit cards offer cashback and reward points to avail various purchase and transaction benefits. While travel credit cards are designed for travelers which help them avail various travel-specific benefits to avoid problems during a trip.
- 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.
- 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 best travel credit card for you.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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