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Mathematically ranked · हिन्दी

Best travel credit cards in India

Frequent flyer or occasional traveller, a good travel credit card pays for itself in lounge visits alone. We compared cards on a ₹8,000/month travel spend including flights and hotels.

Last updated: August 2026 · Based on current card terms
ICICI
MAKEMYTRIP
ASHOK KUMAR
SBI
IRCTC CARD PRE
ASHOK KUMAR
SBI
IRCTC PLATINUM
ASHOK KUMAR
Top 3 cards for your spend
1
Best overall
IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card
SBI Card
₹9,100Annual benefit
10% value back as reward points on AC train tickets via IRCTC; 1.8% transaction charge waiver; 0.8% base (1 RP per ₹125)Reward rate
₹500 joining; ₹300 renewal from Year 2 (get 500 RP worth ₹500 annually, effectively free)Annual fee

The IRCTC SBI Platinum is India's most popular train travel card. The 10% value back on AC tickets + 1.8% transaction charge waiver makes every train journey cheaper. At ₹500 (effectively free with 500 RP renewal bonus), it's a no-brainer add-on for anyone who regularly books train tickets online. The downside: rewards only work for more train tickets.

10% value back as reward points on AC1, AC2, AC3 and Chair Car tickets booked via irctc.co.in or IRCTC app1.8% transaction charge waiver on IRCTC ticket bookings (additional saving)5% value back on air tickets and e-catering via IRCTC
Min income: ₹20,000/month (salaried)
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2
Runner up
IRCTC SBI Card Premier
SBI Card
₹8,101Annual benefit
10% value back on AC train tickets via IRCTC; 5% on IRCTC air tickets; 2.4% on dining and utility; 0.8% baseReward rate
₹1,499 + taxes (waived on ₹2,00,000/year spend; 1,500 RP welcome bonus = ₹1,500 offsets joining fee)Annual fee

The IRCTC SBI Premier is the step-up from IRCTC SBI Platinum with double the railway lounge visits, higher milestone benefits and rail accident insurance. The welcome bonus offsets the ₹1,499 joining fee entirely. If you travel by train frequently and value lounge comfort, this is better value than the Platinum at minimal extra cost.

10% value back on AC1, AC2, AC3 and Chair Car tickets via IRCTC website or app1.8% transaction charge waiver on IRCTC bookings5% value back on air tickets via air.irctc.co.in
Min income: ₹25,000/month (salaried)
Apply now ↗ Full review →
3
Also consider
MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card
ICICI Bank
₹4,761Annual benefit
6% myCash on MMT hotel bookings; 3% on MMT flights/packages/cabs/bus; 1% on all other spends; 0.99% forexReward rate
₹999 + taxes (waived on ₹3,00,000/year spend)Annual fee

The MakeMyTrip ICICI card is the best credit card for dedicated MMT users. The 6% on hotel bookings, 3% on flights with 0.99% forex at ₹999 is unbeatable for domestic travellers who book via MMT. If you use multiple booking platforms, the locked-in rewards structure limits its appeal.

₹6 myCash on every ₹100 spent on hotel bookings on MakeMyTrip (6%)₹3 myCash on every ₹100 spent on flights, holiday packages, cabs and bus bookings on MMT (3%)₹1 myCash on every ₹100 on all other spends including non-MMT (1%)
Min income: ₹25,000/month (salaried)
Apply now ↗ Full review →

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Card reviews
IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit CardFrequent travellers who book hotels and flights through the IDFC FIRST Bank app specifically, where the real redemption value is highest; weak for everyday spending outside the appAxis Bank Select Credit CardHigher spenders (₹6L+ income) who will spend ₹3L+ a year, want international lounge access through Priority Pass with 12 visits, and want a 2% earn rate on everyday retail spendsAxis Bank Privilege Credit CardModerate-to-high spenders in the ₹6-15L income range who will hit the lounge spend gate every quarter and want a simple, uncapped reward rate without chasing accelerated categoriesRBL Bank IRCTC Credit CardFrequent IRCTC train travellers who will use the railway lounges and want cancellation protection, not a general-purpose rewards card
How we picked these cards

We calculated the net annual benefit for every card in our database using verified reward rates on a typical travel spend profile, then ranked by net benefit after subtracting the annual fee. Cards with waivable fees were evaluated at zero cost if the spend threshold is realistic.

What to look for in a travel credit card

Beyond the headline reward rate, check whether the card has a monthly cap on cashback, whether the reward is actual cashback or redeemable points, and whether the annual fee is waivable at your spend level.

Should you get more than one card?

Many smart spenders hold 2 cards: one optimised for their top category and one flat-rate card for everything else. Use our personalised tool to find the best combination for your full spend profile.

Frequently asked questions
Based on our analysis of 120+ Indian credit cards, IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card is the best travel credit card in India, offering ₹9,100 annual benefit on a typical spend profile.
Among travel credit cards, lifetime free options include cards like IDFC FIRST Millennia, Scapia Federal and HSBC Visa Platinum. Use our tool above to find the best zero-fee card for your spend profile.
We rank travel credit cards by calculating the exact annual rupee benefit using hardcoded, verified reward rates, not AI-generated estimates. Every card is scored on a realistic monthly spend profile for this category, with the annual fee subtracted to show net benefit.
A travel-specific card makes sense if you spend heavily in that category every month. If your spending is spread across multiple categories, a flat cashback card like Axis ACE (1.5% on everything) may deliver better overall returns. Use our personalised tool to compare both for your actual spend.
Yes. When you click "Apply now" on Faayda, you are taken directly to the bank's official website or application page. Faayda does not collect your personal or financial information. We may earn a referral fee on approved applications. This never influences our rankings.