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Here’s a guide to the best travel credit cards in 2025 (especially in India) — what features to look for, which cards stand out, and tips on choosing one that fits your travel style.
✈️ What Makes a Great Travel Credit Card in 2025?
Before we list cards, here are the features and metrics you should prioritize:
| Feature | Why It Matters for Travelers |
|---|---|
| High rewards / miles on travel, dining, and international spends | You want more points where you spend most when travelling. |
| Low foreign transaction (forex) markup / fees | So your overseas purchases don’t eat into your rewards. |
| Airport lounge access (domestic & international) | Helps you relax and save money during layovers. |
| Travel insurance & emergency benefits | Offers peace of mind (lost baggage, medical, delay cover). |
| Welcome / milestone bonuses | Big upfront value if you can meet the spending thresholds. |
| Flexibility & transfer partners | Ability to convert rewards to airline/hotel programs or use them across platforms. |
| Annual fee vs waiver threshold | You want the benefits to justify the cost, or the card to waive the fee based on your spending. |
🏆 Top Travel Credit Cards in India for 2025
Here are several standout options (with pros, cons, and who they suit) based largely on recent listings and expert reviews. (Note: always verify the latest terms before applying, since banks may change benefits or fees.)
| Card | Annual / Joining Fee* | Highlights | Best For / Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card | ~ ₹5,000 | 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on travel, domestic & international lounge access, travel & lifestyle perks. mint+1 | Good all‑rounder if you travel regularly. Must use its perks to offset fee. |
| HDFC Diners Club Black | ~ ₹10,000 | Extensive lounge access, high rewards on travel & international spending, premium benefits. mint | Best for frequent international travelers who can absorb a high annual fee. |
| SBI Air India Signature Card | ₹4,999 | 4 reward points per ₹100 spend, joining bonus miles, integration with Air India’s loyalty program. Forbes | Good for those who fly Air India often. |
| Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Card | ~ ₹350 | Discounts on hotel bookings, rewards on retail spends. mint | Great low-cost “travel light” option with perks tied to EaseMyTrip platform. |
| IDFC First Wealth Credit Card | (No or modest fee) | 3x rewards on spend up to a threshold, then 10x, with lounge access & lower forex markup. mint | Good option if you want a lower-fee card with strong rewards and global usability. |
| SBI Card ELITE | ~ ₹4,999 | Lounge access, lifestyle & travel perks, insurance, etc. mint | Balanced card for those who want a mix of travel + lifestyle benefits. |
| HDFC Regalia / Regalia Gold | ~ ₹2,500 (waiverable) | Earn reward points, complimentary lounge access, travel insurance. Travel Tales+1 | Good mid-tier card for those who want premium features without top-tier fees. |
*Fees quoted are approximate / “as of 2025” and may have waivers or changes — always check the current bank website.
🧠 How to Choose the Right One for You
Here are some tailored tips:
- Match your travel patterns
- If you fly mostly domestically, focus on cards with strong domestic lounge access & travel rewards.
- For frequent international travel, low forex markup + international lounge access become more critical.
- Check the break-even usage
Estimate how much you’d need to spend (in travel, dining, etc.) for your card’s perks/rewards to exceed the annual fee. - Leverage co‑branded / partner programs
Cards that tie into airlines or hotel chains you already use can often stretch your rewards further. - Pay your full balance each month
Travel perks are nice, but interest on a revolving balance will often wipe them out. Always treat a credit card like a deferred payment tool, not free money. - Keep an eye on benefit changes
Banks sometimes modify lounge access, reward multipliers, or fees. Review your card’s updated terms yearly. - Use multiple cards smartly
You don’t need just one “travel card.” Keep a rewards card for travel and another for everyday spending, and route expenses carefully to extract the most value.
✅ Summary & Final Thoughts
- Travel credit cards in 2025 are more powerful than ever, but only if you use their perks wisely — lounge visits, reward multipliers, insurance coverage, etc.
- Pick a card that aligns with your travel style, be it domestic, international, or frequent airline routes.
- Always do the math: Does the value you’ll extract exceed the cost? If yes, it’s a winner.
- And most importantly: use the card responsibly — pay off your balance every month and avoid overspending just to “gain rewards.”