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Best Travel credit cards

Every Travel card we track, compared on fee, rewards and eligibility.

HDFC Bank

Best of Travel

Auto-scored from card data

Best overall

IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card BK

Up to 3 reward points per ₹100

Apply now View

Best for travel

IndiGo Axis Bank Premium Credit Card BK

Airport lounge access included

Apply now View

Quick picks

Premium · Travel

Axis Bank

IndiGo Axis Bank Premium Credit Card BK

Seven BluChips per hundred on IndiGo, eight lounge visits a year, at a 2.5% forex markup.

Best forFrequent IndiGo flyers
Complimentarylounge access
₹5,000welcome voucher

Annual fee

₹5,000

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹5,000

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 7 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: 2.5%
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic · 2/yr intl
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: IndiGo does not publish a fixed value for a BluChip. Redemption is dynamic — roughly Rs. 0.40 to Rs. 0.60 a chip — so the headline earn…

Entry level · Travel

Axis Bank

IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card BK

A lifetime-free RuPay card that pays in IndiGo BluChips, with a lounge visit every quarter.

Best forRegular IndiGo flyers
Complimentarylounge access
₹1,200welcome voucher

Annual fee

Lifetime free

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 3 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: Not published
Lounge access: 1/qtr domestic
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: IndiGo does not publish a fixed value for a BluChip. Redemption is dynamic — roughly Rs. 0.40 to Rs. 0.60 a chip — so the headline earn…

Everyday · Travel

Federal Bank

Scapia Credit Card BK

Zero forex, zero fee, and unlimited lounges for ten thousand a month.

Best forInternational travellers
Complimentarylounge access
Zeroforex markup

Annual fee

Lifetime free

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 4% rewards
Forex markup: Zero
Lounge access: Domestic
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Scapia Coins redeem only against travel booked in the Scapia app. They cannot be taken as cashback, statement credit or airline miles.

Entry level · Travel

State Bank

Yatra SBI Card BK

Entry-level Yatra travel rewards card - now discontinued

Best forBudget travellers who booked flights and hotels on…
₹8,250welcome voucher
Fuel surchargewaiver

Annual fee

₹499

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹499

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 6 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: None
Interest: 42% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: SBI Card discontinued issuance of the Yatra SBI Card with effect from 28 March 2025. The welcome gift and all Yatra.com travel discount…

Premium · Travel

State Bank

Etihad Guest SBI Card BK

Entry-level Etihad travel card with Silver tier status - now discontinued

Best forOccasional Etihad Airways flyers who wanted Etihad…
Complimentarylounge access
2,500 mileswelcome bonus

Annual fee

₹1,499

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹1,499

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 3 miles per ₹100
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: 8/yr domestic · International
Interest: 42% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: SBI Card discontinued new issuance of this card from 11 March 2025, and Etihad Guest co-branded benefits (including Miles earning) ended on…

Super premium · Travel

State Bank

Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card BK

Premium Etihad travel card with Gold tier status and dual lounge access - now discontinued

Best forFrequent Etihad Airways flyers who wanted accelerated…
Complimentarylounge access
5,000 mileswelcome bonus

Annual fee

₹4,999

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹4,999

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 6 miles per ₹100
Forex markup: 1.99%
Lounge access: 8/yr domestic · International
Interest: 42% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: SBI Card discontinued new issuance of this card from 11 March 2025, and Etihad Guest co-branded benefits (including Miles earning) ended on…

Entry level · Travel

State Bank

Ola Money SBI Card BK

Seven per cent back on every Ola ride, straight into the OlaMoney Wallet, with no joining fee.

Best forFrequent Ola riders
₹2,000welcome voucher
Instantapproval

Annual fee

₹499

Fee waivable on spend

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 7% rewards
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: None
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Reward Points are credited to the OlaMoney Wallet. They can be transferred to SBI Rewards, but cannot be taken as cashback or statement…

Entry level · Travel

State Bank

IRCTC RuPay SBI Card BK

Up to ten per cent back on AC train fares, with four railway lounge visits a year.

Best forFrequent Indian Railways passengers
Complimentarylounge access
₹100welcome cashback

Annual fee

₹300

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹500

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 10% rewards
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: 4/yr domestic
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Reward Points redeem only against train ticket fare on IRCTC. They cannot be taken as cashback, statement credit or airline miles.

Premium · Travel

Icici Bank

Adani One ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card BK

Seven per cent back across the Adani ecosystem, with sixteen domestic lounge visits a year.

Best forFrequent flyers through Adani-managed airports
Complimentarylounge access
₹5,000welcome voucher

Annual fee

₹5,000

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹5,000

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 7 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: 4/qtr domestic · 2/yr intl
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: Adani Reward Points redeem only through the Adani One portal or app. They cannot be taken as cashback, statement credit or airline miles.

Entry level · Travel

Icici Bank

Adani One ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card BK

Three per cent back across the Adani ecosystem, with eight lounge visits a year on a Rs. 750 card.

Best forRegular users of Adani-managed airports
Complimentarylounge access
₹2,000welcome voucher

Annual fee

₹750

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹750

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 3 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Adani Reward Points redeem only through the Adani One portal or app. They cannot be taken as cashback, statement credit or airline miles.

Entry level · Travel

RBL Bank

IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card

Points that pay for train tickets, plus railway lounge access, on a Rs. 500 card.

Best forRewards on FASTag Recharge Too
Complimentarylounge access
Fuel surchargewaiver

Annual fee

₹500 + GST

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹500 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: 5X points per ₹200
Forex markup: Not published
Lounge access: 1/qtr domestic
Interest: Not published
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Reward Points redeem only against train ticket fare on IRCTC. They cannot be taken as cashback or statement credit.

Premium · Travel

RBL Bank

RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card

Zero forex markup on a travel card, with domestic and Priority Pass lounge access.

Best for0% Foreign Currency Markup
Complimentarylounge access
₹3,000welcome voucher

Annual fee

₹3,000 + GST

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹3,000 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 1.25% rewards
Forex markup: Zero
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic · 8/qtr intl
Interest: Not published
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: The Rs. 3,000 annual fee is waived only on annual spends of Rs. 3,00,000 or more.

Everyday · Travel

Bank of Baroda

Bank of Baroda EaseMyTrip Debit Card

India’s first co-branded travel debit card from a public sector bank, with eight lounge visits a year.

Best forEaseMyTrip flight and hotel bookings
Complimentarylounge access
10% off up to Rs. 1,000 on domestic flights and up to Rs. 5,000 on international flights…

Annual fee

₹599

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹599

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 15% back
Forex markup: Not published
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic · 2/yr intl
Interest: Not published
Credit score: Not required

Heads-up: This is a DEBIT card, not a credit card. Spends are debited from the linked Bank of Baroda account, there is no credit limit, no statement…

Premium · Travel

State Bank

SBI Card Miles Elite Credit Card

Travel Credits that transfer to airline and hotel partners, at a 1.99% forex markup.

Best forIndustry-Leading 1.99% Forex Markup
Complimentarylounge access
1.99%forex markup

Annual fee

₹4,999 + GST

Joining fee₹4,999 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 3% back
Forex markup: 1.99%
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic · 4/qtr intl
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: The Rs. 4,999 annual fee is reversed only on annual spends of Rs. 15,00,000 — the highest threshold on any SBI card.

Everyday · Travel

State Bank

SBI Card Miles Prime Credit Card

Travel Credits that transfer to airline and hotel partners, at a 2.5% forex markup.

Best forAgnostic Air Miles
Complimentarylounge access
Fuel surchargewaiver

Annual fee

₹2,999 + GST

Joining fee₹2,999 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 4 reward points per ₹200
Forex markup: 2.5%
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic · 4/qtr intl
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: Travel Credits are worth what the transfer partner gives them. SBI Card publishes no fixed rupee rate.

Entry level · Travel

State Bank

IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card

Value back on AC train fares, with railway lounge access on a Rs. 300 renewal.

Best forUp to 10% Value-Back on Train Tickets
Complimentarylounge access
Fuel surchargewaiver

Annual fee

₹300 + GST

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹500 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 10% rewards
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: 1/qtr domestic
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Reward Points redeem only against train ticket fare on IRCTC. They cannot be taken as cashback or statement credit.

Entry level · Travel

HDFC Bank

IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card

A co-branded card for people who book trains often — about 10% back on IRCTC through SmartBuy, and very little anywhere else.

Best forBooking train tickets on IRCTC several times a month
Complimentarylounge access
₹500welcome voucher

Annual fee

₹500 + GST

Waived on ₹1.5L spend

Joining fee₹500 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 5% cashback
Forex markup: Not published
Lounge access: Included
Interest: Not published
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Points cover at most 70% of a train fare, so the headline 5% is closer to 3.5% when you pay with points alone.

Ranked lists and other categories

BEBest Travel Credit Cards in India

Tools for choosing a Travel card

Check approval odds, track the fee dates, and see if switching from your current card pays.

How we rank

Every card we trackThe full catalogue, filterable by fee and perk.Will they approve me?Soft check against each bank’s published rules.Best card per purchaseFuel, dining, online — the winner changes.Switch calculatorNet gain after annual fees, on your spends.My walletFee-waiver countdowns for cards you hold.Shortlist & shareSave picks, send one link to anyone.

Travel credit cards: guide and FAQs

Everything worth knowing before you choose. All of it is on this page — open only what you need.

1. Travel credit cards in India

1 min read

Travel credit cards pay in miles, points or flight discounts, and charge between nothing and Rs. 5,000 a year. Twenty are tracked here, from Scapia and IndiGo Axis Bank at no annual fee to Adani One ICICI Signature and IndiGo IDFC FIRST Dual at Rs. 5,000.

Two numbers decide which one suits you, and neither is the reward rate: the forex markup you pay on every foreign transaction, and how many lounge visits the card actually includes.

2. What makes a good travel credit card

1 min read

A low forex markup. The standard is 3.5%. Scapia, IDFC FIRST WOW! Black and RBL World Safari charge 0%; SBI Card Miles Elite and Etihad Guest SBI Premier charge 1.99%. On Rs. 2,00,000 of foreign spending, that gap is Rs. 7,000.
Lounge visits you will use. They range from one a quarter to eight a year, and most unlock only after a spend in the previous quarter.
The right co-brand, or none. An airline card earns most on that airline and little elsewhere.
A redemption you will actually make. Miles that transfer to an airline are worth more than a catalogue voucher, but only if you transfer them.

3. Travel credit cards compared

Table · 1 min read

Card	Annual fee	Forex	Lounge	Top earn rate
Scapia Federal	Nil	0%	Domestic, on spend	20 points per Rs. 100 on travel
IndiGo Axis Bank	Nil	—	1 a quarter	3 points per Rs. 100 on travel
IRCTC SBI Platinum	Rs. 300	3.5%	1 a quarter	Train bookings
IRCTC RuPay SBI	Rs. 300	3.5%	4 a year	10 points per Rs. 100
IRCTC HDFC Bank	Rs. 500	—	No	5 points per Rs. 100
IDFC FIRST WOW! Black	Rs. 750	0%	1 a quarter	50 points per Rs. 100 on hotels
Adani One ICICI Platinum	Rs. 750	3.5%	2 a quarter	3 points per Rs. 100 on travel
Etihad Guest SBI	Rs. 1,499	3.5%	8 a year	3% on flights
SBI Card Miles Prime	Rs. 2,999	2.5%	2 a quarter	Air miles
RBL World Safari	Rs. 3,000	0%	2 a quarter	5 points per Rs. 100 on flights
SBI Card Miles Elite	Rs. 4,999	1.99%	2 a quarter	3% on flights
Etihad Guest SBI Premier	Rs. 4,999	1.99%	8 a year	6% on flights
Adani One ICICI Signature	Rs. 5,000	3.5%	4 a quarter	7 points per Rs. 100 on travel

A Rs. 5,000 card with a 3.5% markup can cost more to use abroad than a free card with none.

4. How the earn rates and caps differ

1 min read

Airline co-brands pay their top rate only on that airline: IndiGo Axis Bank and IndiGo IDFC FIRST Dual on IndiGo, Etihad Guest SBI cards on Etihad.
General travel cards pay across flights, hotels and bookings: RBL World Safari at 5 points per Rs. 100 on flights, Adani One ICICI Signature at 7 points per Rs. 100 on travel.
Train cards are their own category: the IRCTC cards from SBI, HDFC Bank and RBL refund part of the IRCTC transaction charge, which no general travel card does.
Hotel-weighted cards exist too — IDFC FIRST WOW! Black pays 50 points per Rs. 100 on hotel bookings.

Convert before comparing: at about Rs. 0.25 a point, 10 points per Rs. 100 is roughly 2.5% back.

5. Fees, and which cards are effectively free

1 min read

Scapia Federal and IndiGo Axis Bank charge no annual fee at all. The IRCTC cards at Rs. 300 are the cheapest paid cards on the list.

At the top end, Etihad Guest SBI Premier and SBI Card Miles Elite charge Rs. 4,999 and waive it only at Rs. 5,00,000 and Rs. 15,00,000 of annual spending respectively — thresholds most cardholders never reach, so treat those fees as real.

A fair test: a Rs. 5,000 fee needs about Rs. 2,50,000 of travel spending a year at 2% value back before it pays for itself.

6. What earns nothing

1 min read

Rent, fuel, wallet loads and EMI earn nothing on nearly every travel card.
Lounge visits expire quarterly and usually need a minimum spend in the previous quarter to unlock.
Miles and points expire, commonly after 24 months.
Forex markup applies to every foreign transaction, including international websites billing in rupees through a foreign gateway.

7. How to choose a travel credit card

1 min read

Mostly international trips — RBL World Safari or Scapia for 0% forex.
Domestic flights on IndiGo — IndiGo Axis Bank at no annual fee.
Train travel — IRCTC HDFC Bank or IRCTC RuPay SBI.
Lounge access above all — Etihad Guest SBI Premier with 8 visits a year.

See the no-fee travel picks, or price any card against your own spending with the card value calculator.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

5 questions answered

Which is the best travel credit card in India?

For foreign spending, a 0% forex card — Scapia Federal at no fee, or RBL World Safari at Rs. 3,000 with 2 lounge visits a quarter. For IndiGo flyers, IndiGo Axis Bank costs nothing a year.

Which travel credit card has zero forex markup?

Scapia Federal, IDFC FIRST WOW! Black and RBL Bank World Safari charge 0%. SBI Card Miles Elite and Etihad Guest SBI Premier charge 1.99%, against the 3.5% most cards take.

How many lounge visits do travel credit cards give?

From one a quarter on entry cards to eight a year on the Etihad Guest SBI cards. Adani One ICICI Signature gives four a quarter. Most require a spend in the previous quarter to unlock.

Are travel credit cards worth the annual fee?

Only above roughly Rs. 2,50,000 of annual travel spending at 2% value back for a Rs. 5,000 card. Below that, a no-fee card with zero forex usually returns more.

Which credit card is best for booking train tickets?

The IRCTC cards — IRCTC HDFC Bank, IRCTC SBI Platinum, IRCTC RuPay SBI and IRCTC RBL. They earn on ticket bookings and refund part of the IRCTC transaction charge, which general travel cards do not.

Best Travel credit cards

Every Travel card we track, compared on fee, rewards and eligibility.

HDFC Bank

IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card

Annual fee ₹500 + GST

17cards

Best of Travel

Auto-scored from card data

Best overall

IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card BK

Up to 3 reward points per ₹100

Apply now View

Best for travel

IndiGo Axis Bank Premium Credit Card BK

Airport lounge access included

Apply now View

Quick picks

Premium · Travel

Axis Bank

IndiGo Axis Bank Premium Credit Card BK

Seven BluChips per hundred on IndiGo, eight lounge visits a year, at a 2.5% forex markup.

Best forFrequent IndiGo flyers
Complimentarylounge access
₹5,000welcome voucher

Annual fee

₹5,000

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹5,000

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 7 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: 2.5%
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic · 2/yr intl
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: IndiGo does not publish a fixed value for a BluChip. Redemption is dynamic — roughly Rs. 0.40 to Rs. 0.60 a chip — so the headline earn…

Entry level · Travel

Axis Bank

IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card BK

A lifetime-free RuPay card that pays in IndiGo BluChips, with a lounge visit every quarter.

Best forRegular IndiGo flyers
Complimentarylounge access
₹1,200welcome voucher

Annual fee

Lifetime free

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 3 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: Not published
Lounge access: 1/qtr domestic
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: IndiGo does not publish a fixed value for a BluChip. Redemption is dynamic — roughly Rs. 0.40 to Rs. 0.60 a chip — so the headline earn…

Everyday · Travel

Federal Bank

Scapia Credit Card BK

Zero forex, zero fee, and unlimited lounges for ten thousand a month.

Best forInternational travellers
Complimentarylounge access
Zeroforex markup

Annual fee

Lifetime free

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 4% rewards
Forex markup: Zero
Lounge access: Domestic
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Scapia Coins redeem only against travel booked in the Scapia app. They cannot be taken as cashback, statement credit or airline miles.

Entry level · Travel

State Bank

Yatra SBI Card BK

Entry-level Yatra travel rewards card - now discontinued

Best forBudget travellers who booked flights and hotels on…
₹8,250welcome voucher
Fuel surchargewaiver

Annual fee

₹499

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹499

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 6 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: None
Interest: 42% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: SBI Card discontinued issuance of the Yatra SBI Card with effect from 28 March 2025. The welcome gift and all Yatra.com travel discount…

Premium · Travel

State Bank

Etihad Guest SBI Card BK

Entry-level Etihad travel card with Silver tier status - now discontinued

Best forOccasional Etihad Airways flyers who wanted Etihad…
Complimentarylounge access
2,500 mileswelcome bonus

Annual fee

₹1,499

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹1,499

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 3 miles per ₹100
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: 8/yr domestic · International
Interest: 42% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: SBI Card discontinued new issuance of this card from 11 March 2025, and Etihad Guest co-branded benefits (including Miles earning) ended on…

Super premium · Travel

State Bank

Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card BK

Premium Etihad travel card with Gold tier status and dual lounge access - now discontinued

Best forFrequent Etihad Airways flyers who wanted accelerated…
Complimentarylounge access
5,000 mileswelcome bonus

Annual fee

₹4,999

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹4,999

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 6 miles per ₹100
Forex markup: 1.99%
Lounge access: 8/yr domestic · International
Interest: 42% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: SBI Card discontinued new issuance of this card from 11 March 2025, and Etihad Guest co-branded benefits (including Miles earning) ended on…

Entry level · Travel

State Bank

Ola Money SBI Card BK

Seven per cent back on every Ola ride, straight into the OlaMoney Wallet, with no joining fee.

Best forFrequent Ola riders
₹2,000welcome voucher
Instantapproval

Annual fee

₹499

Fee waivable on spend

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 7% rewards
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: None
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Reward Points are credited to the OlaMoney Wallet. They can be transferred to SBI Rewards, but cannot be taken as cashback or statement…

Entry level · Travel

State Bank

IRCTC RuPay SBI Card BK

Up to ten per cent back on AC train fares, with four railway lounge visits a year.

Best forFrequent Indian Railways passengers
Complimentarylounge access
₹100welcome cashback

Annual fee

₹300

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹500

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 10% rewards
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: 4/yr domestic
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Reward Points redeem only against train ticket fare on IRCTC. They cannot be taken as cashback, statement credit or airline miles.

Premium · Travel

Icici Bank

Adani One ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card BK

Seven per cent back across the Adani ecosystem, with sixteen domestic lounge visits a year.

Best forFrequent flyers through Adani-managed airports
Complimentarylounge access
₹5,000welcome voucher

Annual fee

₹5,000

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹5,000

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 7 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: 4/qtr domestic · 2/yr intl
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: Adani Reward Points redeem only through the Adani One portal or app. They cannot be taken as cashback, statement credit or airline miles.

Entry level · Travel

Icici Bank

Adani One ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card BK

Three per cent back across the Adani ecosystem, with eight lounge visits a year on a Rs. 750 card.

Best forRegular users of Adani-managed airports
Complimentarylounge access
₹2,000welcome voucher

Annual fee

₹750

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹750

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 3 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Adani Reward Points redeem only through the Adani One portal or app. They cannot be taken as cashback, statement credit or airline miles.

Entry level · Travel

RBL Bank

IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card

Points that pay for train tickets, plus railway lounge access, on a Rs. 500 card.

Best forRewards on FASTag Recharge Too
Complimentarylounge access
Fuel surchargewaiver

Annual fee

₹500 + GST

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹500 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: 5X points per ₹200
Forex markup: Not published
Lounge access: 1/qtr domestic
Interest: Not published
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Reward Points redeem only against train ticket fare on IRCTC. They cannot be taken as cashback or statement credit.

Premium · Travel

RBL Bank

RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card

Zero forex markup on a travel card, with domestic and Priority Pass lounge access.

Best for0% Foreign Currency Markup
Complimentarylounge access
₹3,000welcome voucher

Annual fee

₹3,000 + GST

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹3,000 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 1.25% rewards
Forex markup: Zero
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic · 8/qtr intl
Interest: Not published
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: The Rs. 3,000 annual fee is waived only on annual spends of Rs. 3,00,000 or more.

Everyday · Travel

Bank of Baroda

Bank of Baroda EaseMyTrip Debit Card

India’s first co-branded travel debit card from a public sector bank, with eight lounge visits a year.

Best forEaseMyTrip flight and hotel bookings
Complimentarylounge access
10% off up to Rs. 1,000 on domestic flights and up to Rs. 5,000 on international flights…

Annual fee

₹599

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹599

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 15% back
Forex markup: Not published
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic · 2/yr intl
Interest: Not published
Credit score: Not required

Heads-up: This is a DEBIT card, not a credit card. Spends are debited from the linked Bank of Baroda account, there is no credit limit, no statement…

Premium · Travel

State Bank

SBI Card Miles Elite Credit Card

Travel Credits that transfer to airline and hotel partners, at a 1.99% forex markup.

Best forIndustry-Leading 1.99% Forex Markup
Complimentarylounge access
1.99%forex markup

Annual fee

₹4,999 + GST

Joining fee₹4,999 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 3% back
Forex markup: 1.99%
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic · 4/qtr intl
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: The Rs. 4,999 annual fee is reversed only on annual spends of Rs. 15,00,000 — the highest threshold on any SBI card.

Everyday · Travel

State Bank

SBI Card Miles Prime Credit Card

Travel Credits that transfer to airline and hotel partners, at a 2.5% forex markup.

Best forAgnostic Air Miles
Complimentarylounge access
Fuel surchargewaiver

Annual fee

₹2,999 + GST

Joining fee₹2,999 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 4 reward points per ₹200
Forex markup: 2.5%
Lounge access: 2/qtr domestic · 4/qtr intl
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 750+

Heads-up: Travel Credits are worth what the transfer partner gives them. SBI Card publishes no fixed rupee rate.

Entry level · Travel

State Bank

IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card

Value back on AC train fares, with railway lounge access on a Rs. 300 renewal.

Best forUp to 10% Value-Back on Train Tickets
Complimentarylounge access
Fuel surchargewaiver

Annual fee

₹300 + GST

Fee waivable on spend

Joining fee₹500 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 10% rewards
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: 1/qtr domestic
Interest: 45% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Reward Points redeem only against train ticket fare on IRCTC. They cannot be taken as cashback or statement credit.

Entry level · Travel

HDFC Bank

IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card

A co-branded card for people who book trains often — about 10% back on IRCTC through SmartBuy, and very little anywhere else.

Best forBooking train tickets on IRCTC several times a month
Complimentarylounge access
₹500welcome voucher

Annual fee

₹500 + GST

Waived on ₹1.5L spend

Joining fee₹500 + GST

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 5% cashback
Forex markup: Not published
Lounge access: Included
Interest: Not published
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Points cover at most 70% of a train fare, so the headline 5% is closer to 3.5% when you pay with points alone.

Ranked lists and other categories

BEBest Travel Credit Cards in India

Tools for choosing a Travel card

Check approval odds, track the fee dates, and see if switching from your current card pays.

How we rank

Travel credit cards: guide and FAQs

Everything worth knowing before you choose. All of it is on this page — open only what you need.

1. Travel credit cards in India

1 min read

Two numbers decide which one suits you, and neither is the reward rate: the forex markup you pay on every foreign transaction, and how many lounge visits the card actually includes.

2. What makes a good travel credit card

1 min read

A low forex markup. The standard is 3.5%. Scapia, IDFC FIRST WOW! Black and RBL World Safari charge 0%; SBI Card Miles Elite and Etihad Guest SBI Premier charge 1.99%. On Rs. 2,00,000 of foreign spending, that gap is Rs. 7,000.
Lounge visits you will use. They range from one a quarter to eight a year, and most unlock only after a spend in the previous quarter.
The right co-brand, or none. An airline card earns most on that airline and little elsewhere.
A redemption you will actually make. Miles that transfer to an airline are worth more than a catalogue voucher, but only if you transfer them.

3. Travel credit cards compared

Table · 1 min read

Card	Annual fee	Forex	Lounge	Top earn rate
Scapia Federal	Nil	0%	Domestic, on spend	20 points per Rs. 100 on travel
IndiGo Axis Bank	Nil	—	1 a quarter	3 points per Rs. 100 on travel
IRCTC SBI Platinum	Rs. 300	3.5%	1 a quarter	Train bookings
IRCTC RuPay SBI	Rs. 300	3.5%	4 a year	10 points per Rs. 100
IRCTC HDFC Bank	Rs. 500	—	No	5 points per Rs. 100
IDFC FIRST WOW! Black	Rs. 750	0%	1 a quarter	50 points per Rs. 100 on hotels
Adani One ICICI Platinum	Rs. 750	3.5%	2 a quarter	3 points per Rs. 100 on travel
Etihad Guest SBI	Rs. 1,499	3.5%	8 a year	3% on flights
SBI Card Miles Prime	Rs. 2,999	2.5%	2 a quarter	Air miles
RBL World Safari	Rs. 3,000	0%	2 a quarter	5 points per Rs. 100 on flights
SBI Card Miles Elite	Rs. 4,999	1.99%	2 a quarter	3% on flights
Etihad Guest SBI Premier	Rs. 4,999	1.99%	8 a year	6% on flights
Adani One ICICI Signature	Rs. 5,000	3.5%	4 a quarter	7 points per Rs. 100 on travel

A Rs. 5,000 card with a 3.5% markup can cost more to use abroad than a free card with none.

4. How the earn rates and caps differ

1 min read

Airline co-brands pay their top rate only on that airline: IndiGo Axis Bank and IndiGo IDFC FIRST Dual on IndiGo, Etihad Guest SBI cards on Etihad.
General travel cards pay across flights, hotels and bookings: RBL World Safari at 5 points per Rs. 100 on flights, Adani One ICICI Signature at 7 points per Rs. 100 on travel.
Train cards are their own category: the IRCTC cards from SBI, HDFC Bank and RBL refund part of the IRCTC transaction charge, which no general travel card does.
Hotel-weighted cards exist too — IDFC FIRST WOW! Black pays 50 points per Rs. 100 on hotel bookings.

Convert before comparing: at about Rs. 0.25 a point, 10 points per Rs. 100 is roughly 2.5% back.

5. Fees, and which cards are effectively free

1 min read

Scapia Federal and IndiGo Axis Bank charge no annual fee at all. The IRCTC cards at Rs. 300 are the cheapest paid cards on the list.

A fair test: a Rs. 5,000 fee needs about Rs. 2,50,000 of travel spending a year at 2% value back before it pays for itself.

6. What earns nothing

1 min read

Rent, fuel, wallet loads and EMI earn nothing on nearly every travel card.
Lounge visits expire quarterly and usually need a minimum spend in the previous quarter to unlock.
Miles and points expire, commonly after 24 months.
Forex markup applies to every foreign transaction, including international websites billing in rupees through a foreign gateway.

7. How to choose a travel credit card

1 min read

Mostly international trips — RBL World Safari or Scapia for 0% forex.
Domestic flights on IndiGo — IndiGo Axis Bank at no annual fee.
Train travel — IRCTC HDFC Bank or IRCTC RuPay SBI.
Lounge access above all — Etihad Guest SBI Premier with 8 visits a year.

See the no-fee travel picks, or price any card against your own spending with the card value calculator.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

5 questions answered

Which is the best travel credit card in India?

For foreign spending, a 0% forex card — Scapia Federal at no fee, or RBL World Safari at Rs. 3,000 with 2 lounge visits a quarter. For IndiGo flyers, IndiGo Axis Bank costs nothing a year.

Which travel credit card has zero forex markup?

Scapia Federal, IDFC FIRST WOW! Black and RBL Bank World Safari charge 0%. SBI Card Miles Elite and Etihad Guest SBI Premier charge 1.99%, against the 3.5% most cards take.

How many lounge visits do travel credit cards give?

From one a quarter on entry cards to eight a year on the Etihad Guest SBI cards. Adani One ICICI Signature gives four a quarter. Most require a spend in the previous quarter to unlock.

Are travel credit cards worth the annual fee?

Only above roughly Rs. 2,50,000 of annual travel spending at 2% value back for a Rs. 5,000 card. Below that, a no-fee card with zero forex usually returns more.

Which credit card is best for booking train tickets?