Travel credit cards offer a range of benefits for frequent travelers, including discounts on bookings, lounge access, and accelerated rewards. Each card in the Indian market has unique features tailored to different travel needs. Below, we compare some of the top travel cards for 2024: Axis Atlas Credit Card, American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card, Air India SBI Signature Card, InterMiles HDFC Bank Diners Club Credit Card, StanC EaseMyTrip Credit Card, Yatra SBI Card, and ICICI MakeMyTrip Signature Credit Card.
1. Axis Atlas Credit Card
The Axis Atlas Credit Card is a premium travel card designed for globetrotters. It offers elevated rewards, making it ideal for those who spend frequently on travel and overseas expenses.
– Joining Fee: ₹5,000 + GST
– Annual Fee: ₹5,000 + GST
– Joining Bonus: 5,000 EDGE Miles on joining + 10,000 EDGE Miles on spends over ₹1.5 lakh within 90 days.
– Benefits:
– Earn up to 6 EDGE Miles per ₹100 spent on international transactions.
– Complimentary access to select international and domestic lounges.
– 24×7 concierge service for travel bookings and reservations.
– Travel insurance coverage and flight cancellation benefits.
2. American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
This card is popular for travelers who prefer domestic travel benefits and enjoy membership reward points that can be redeemed for vouchers and travel bookings.
– Joining Fee: ₹3,500 + GST
– Annual Fee: ₹5,000 + GST
– Joining Bonus: Welcome gift worth ₹3,500 (Travel vouchers).
– Benefits:
– 10,000 Membership Reward Points on spending ₹5 lakh in a year.
– Travel vouchers worth ₹7,700 for cumulative annual spends of ₹4 lakh.
– Complimentary access to select domestic lounges.
– Discounts on hotel bookings and car rentals.
3. Air India SBI Signature Credit Card
The Air India SBI Signature Credit Card is best suited for frequent flyers with Air India, offering rewards in the form of Air India Miles and numerous travel privileges.
– Joining Fee: ₹4,999 + GST
– Annual Fee: ₹4,999 + GST
– Joining Bonus: 20,000 Air India Miles.
– Benefits:
– Earn up to 30 reward points for every ₹100 spent on Air India tickets.
– Complimentary domestic and international lounge access.
– Priority check-in, additional baggage allowance, and other Air India benefits.
– Discounted companion tickets on select routes.
4. InterMiles HDFC Bank Diners Club Credit Card
The InterMiles Diners Club Credit Card offers accelerated InterMiles rewards on travel spends, making it ideal for frequent flyers across various airlines.
– Joining Fee: ₹10,000 + GST
– Annual Fee: ₹5,000 + GST
– Joining Bonus: Up to 30,000 InterMiles.
– Benefits:
– 8 InterMiles per ₹150 spent on retail and travel.
– Unlimited complimentary lounge access at select domestic and international airports.
– Dining discounts and complimentary golf sessions.
– Travel insurance coverage and concierge services.
5. StanC EaseMyTrip Credit Card
Standard Chartered partnered with EaseMyTrip to offer this card with attractive discounts and cashback on travel bookings, catering to budget travelers.
– Joining Fee: ₹350 + GST
– Annual Fee: ₹350 + GST (Waived off on spends of ₹50,000 per year).
– Joining Bonus: ₹1,500 discount on EaseMyTrip bookings.
– Benefits:
– Flat 20% discount on hotel bookings through EaseMyTrip.
– Discounts on domestic and international flight bookings.
– 1 complimentary domestic lounge access per quarter.
– Zero convenience fee on EaseMyTrip bookings.
6. Yatra SBI Card
This card is a joint initiative between SBI and Yatra, offering travel benefits tailored for domestic travelers with cashback and discount offers.
– Joining Fee: ₹499 + GST
– Annual Fee: ₹499 + GST
– Joining Bonus: ₹8,250 worth of vouchers (Yatra).
– Benefits:
– 6 reward points per ₹100 spent on Yatra.
– ₹1,000 discount on domestic flights and ₹4,000 on international flights (min booking ₹30,000).
– Hotel booking vouchers and discounts.
– Fuel surcharge waiver and concierge services.
7. ICICI MMT Signature Credit Card
ICICI’s partnership with MakeMyTrip brings special rewards and discounts for those who frequently book flights and hotels through the MakeMyTrip portal.
– Joining Fee: ₹2,500 + GST
– Annual Fee: ₹2,500 + GST
– Joining Bonus: ₹1,500 MakeMyTrip voucher.
– Benefits:
– Up to 5,000 reward points on joining.
– Discounts and cashback on hotel and flight bookings.
– Complimentary access to select domestic airport lounges.
– Discounts on dining, movies, and more.
Final Thoughts
The best travel card will depend on your specific needs, such as domestic vs. international travel, preferred airlines, or additional benefits like lounge access or concierge services. If you are a frequent international traveler, consider the **Axis Atlas Credit Card** or **InterMiles HDFC Bank Diners Club Credit Card** for high rewards on foreign spends and luxury benefits. For domestic travel, the **American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card** and **Air India SBI Signature Card** stand out for their value propositions.
Choosing the right card can enhance your travel experience while providing substantial savings and exclusive perks.