4 Best Travel Credit Cards in India for the Travellers in 2023

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Unlike earlier, you no longer need to carry heaps of cash and convert it while going on an international trip. Travel aficionados can now make their trips rewarding and cost-effective by acquiring any of the best travel credit cards, India.

What do you mean by a travel Credit Card?

As the name suggests, travel credit card is a type of credit card that is used by frequent travellers for availing exciting deals and offers while traveling. The best travel credit cards are specially designed for people who travel frequently. These cards are becoming extremely popular among travellers these days as they are packed with several perks such as hotel discounts, lounge access, earnings on air miles as well as travel insurance etc. All such exciting offers make your travel – domestic or international – all the more enjoyable and affordable.

Why do Travelers Need Travel Credit Cards?

People who spend a considerable amount of money on traveling every year are likely to gain maximum benefit by using the travel credit cards. The various benefits received from a travel card include discounts in hotels, air ticket, train or bus bookings and so on. In fact, many travel credit cards also allow travel insurance among other advantages.

So, if you travel frequently and buy travel insurance online every time you fly, it is better to buy credit cards with travel benefits. There are many travel credit cards that offer special combined benefits gained by tying up with various airlines or travel partners.  These co-brands allow the travel credit card owner earn points which they can redeem later as per need.

3 Different Types of Travel Credit Cards in India

There are many kinds of travel credit cards available in India, which makes journeys of all kinds quite affordable for people. Here’s a list of the most popular travel credit cards in India.

  • Co-Branded Travel Credit Card – The co-branded travel credit cards are offered by two different brands clubbed together. These exclusive cards allow loyal customers to enjoy added benefits. In most cases, these cards are offered by airlines, hotels, as well as renowned banks
  • Travel Reward Credit Card – These travel credit cards India are known as all-rounder cards since they let the customer enjoy reward points and cash-back. These reward points are offered for travel, shopping, and lifestyle etc.
  • Air Miles Card – These special cards are offered by airlines and are regarded as the best credit card for international travel. Travelers availing the facility of the airline can get the benefits of this card. The card allows the travellers to redeem the miles as per their requirement. Many of these cards also allow lounge access

Further, there are some cards meant for the domestic traveller using the facility of trains and cars for travel purposes, such as fuel-surcharge waiver credit card, IRCTC cards etc. which help the consumer save enough each time they travel.

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4 Best Travel Credit Cards Available in India, 2023

Below are some of the best travel credit cards that come with several benefits and are easily affordable.

  • SBI Card Elite – This is among the best travel credit cards in India known as an all-rounder in its field.  You can get many benefits of using this card while shopping, travelling, watching movies etc. But the best benefit of the card is offered to travellers for saving costs while exploring the globe

The card comes with a welcome gift in the form of an e-voucher that the customer can redeem at any of the stores mentioned under the card. Besides, the card also offers two domestic and six international free airport lounges across 1000 global airports

The one-time joining fee of the card is INR 4,999.

  • Axis Bank Ace Credit Card – This card allows the customer to avail cashbacks on almost everything that they spend on ranging between 2 – 5%. The card allows a 5% cashback on bill payment, while they get a 4% cashback on apps like Zomato, Swiggy, Ola etc.

The card offers the facility of four complimentary lounges per year at selected airports across India. Further, it allows 1% waiver on fuel surcharge across all Indian fuel stations.

You can join the card by paying a meagre INR 499, which you can reverse by spending INR 10,000 within 45 days of issuing the card.

  • HDFC Regalia Credit Card – This card comes with several travel benefits including travel points and travel insurance like accidental death cover while flying via air, for any emergency hospitalization abroad and for the cover of card lost.

The card allows 12 free airport lounges across India and six international airport lounges along with other benefits like complimentary food, reward points for flight and hotel bookings, conversion of air miles facility and so on.

You can join the card by paying INR 2500 + taxes.

  • Citi PremierMiles Credit Card – This is another card specially designed for frequent fliers and travellers and it comes with many benefits. Complimentary air ticket, air miles, INR 4500 worth welcome air miles and many other benefits are available under this card.

It also offers free air accident insurance cover of INR 1 Crore and a cover on lost cards worth INR 10 lakh. Further, you get 20% dining benefits on selected restaurants, you can redeem the air miles anytime as they do not expire, instant reward points etc. You also get an instant loan option along with EMI benefits under this card.

The joining fee for this card is INR 3000 + taxes

Benefits of a Travel Credit Card 

Some other benefits of travel credit cards are:

  • Extra baggage allowance
  • Priority pass at airport
  • Discount on base fare
  • Travel insurance for accidental death
  • Complimentary lounges – both domestic and international
  • Redeem miles as per convenience for buying air ticket
  • Discount on flight and hotel bookings
  • Dining discount for partner restaurants etc.

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How to Compare Travel Credit Cards in India?

  • To compare travel cards offered by different companies, check the annual fee and the benefits allowed
  • You can check for welcome bonus and annual renewal fee
  • For saving money on travel, you can check for cards offering good cashback facility
  • You can compare air lounge if you travel very frequently
  • Compare Foreign exchange charges if you are a frequent international traveller

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FAQs: Credit Cards for Travellers

Which travel card would benefit me most in India?

The best travel credit card you choose to buy in India would depend on the type of trip you are planning to take. For domestic trips, you can prefer the co-branded credit cards. These cards offer cashback points or reward points. In case you are planning to travel by your own car via road, you may look for credit cards that offer a waiver on fuel surcharge.

Which Indian Credit Card is best for International Travel?

There are several specific travel cards meant especially for international travel. These cards allow low foreign exchange markup. If you are looking for the best travel card in India for traveling global trips, try to go for cards that allow zero or no foreign exchange charges.

Is there travel insurance on my credit card?

Most travel credit cards in India offer the coverage of travel insurance that include coverage against air accidents, flight cancellations, flight delays, trip cancellation etc. However, it depends on the travel credit card insurance company and the kind of travel card issued.

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Mar 23, 2023
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PayBima is an Indian insurance aggregator on a mission to make insurance simple for people. PayBima is the Digital arm of the already established and trusted Mahindra Insurance Brokers Ltd., a reputed name in the insurance broking industry with 17 years of experience. PayBima promises you the easy-to-access online platform to buy insurance policies, and also extend their unrelented assistance with all your policy related queries and services.

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