Best Travel Credit Cards

Travel Credit Cards are specially designed for frequent travelers, offering benefits such as air miles, complimentary airport lounge access, travel insurance, and discounts on hotel bookings. For example, a travel credit card can provide you with 5 Air Miles per ₹150 spent or free lounge access at domestic and international airports.

The travel benefits may vary depending on the category of spending. You may earn 2 Air Miles per ₹100 spent on groceries and 5 Air Miles per ₹100 spent on travel bookings with the same credit card. The real value of your travel credit card can be determined by the redemption rate of Air Miles or travel vouchers, which differ across credit cards.

While all travel credit cards earn you rewards in the form of Air Miles, travel vouchers, or points, the redemption options differ. Some cards allow redemption against any airline, while others are tied to specific airline partners. Similarly, hotel reward cards may offer benefits on selected hotel chains.

For example, a credit card offering 10 Air Miles per ₹100 spent may not always be better than a card offering 5 Air Miles per ₹100 spent if the redemption value per mile is higher on the latter. Some cards also offer accelerated benefits on specific airline/hotel partners, welcome travel vouchers, and milestone benefits upon achieving a certain spending threshold.

If used strategically, travel credit cards can be extremely rewarding. Below are some key benefits:

• Earn Air Miles, travel vouchers, or reward points on every purchase.
• Enjoy complimentary domestic & international lounge access.
• Get exclusive discounts on flight & hotel bookings.
• Redeem rewards for airfare, hotel stays, and travel expenses.
• Access additional perks like travel insurance, free priority check-in, and concierge services.

Before selecting a travel credit card, consider the following:

• Frequent Flyer Program – Check which airlines/hotel brands the card is partnered with.
• Fees & Charges – Compare annual fees and foreign currency markups.
• Lounge Access & Travel Perks – Look for complimentary airport lounge visits and hotel discounts.
• Redemption Value – Analyze how easily you can redeem Air Miles or travel points.
• Welcome Bonuses & Milestone Benefits – Choose a card that offers valuable signup and milestone rewards.
• Additional Travel Benefits – Look for insurance coverage, priority check-in, and concierge services.