Best Credit Card for International Travel in India (2026)
Find the best credit card for international travel. Personalized matching based on your spends and approval profile. 6 international travel cards compared on fees, caps, and net returns for 2026.
Updated 21 June 2026·6 cards · 5 min scan·CardHungry
Top pick · ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Credit Card
Net / yr
₹2,761
Annual fee
Free
Return
0.7%
Top picks
Net annual value · moderate spend
Number one pick: ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Credit Card, ₹2,761 per year net
ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Credit Card
ICICI Bank
Net / yr
₹2,761
Fee
₹999
Top
6% myCash
- ✓Best net value on this list — about ₹2,761/yr in your pocket after fees on typical spends.
- ✓Best for mmt hotels — 6% myCash.
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
Axis Bank
Net / yr
₹1,404
Fee
₹5,000
Top
5 EDGE Miles/₹150
- ✓Strong runner-up at ₹1,404/yr net — roughly ₹1,357 behind #1 on the same spend mix.
- ✓Best for travel spends — 5 EDGE Miles/₹150.
ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Credit Card
ICICI Bank
Net / yr
₹2,761
Fee
₹999
Top
6% myCash
- ✓Best net value on this list — about ₹2,761/yr in your pocket after fees on typical spends.
- ✓Best for mmt hotels — 6% myCash.
SBI Card MILES
SBI Card
Net / yr
₹1,020
Fee
₹1,499
Top
Accelerated travel points
- ✓Worth a look — ₹1,020/yr net, still ahead of 3 other eligible cards.
- ✓Best for travel — Accelerated travel points.
Why #2–#6 rank here
Ranked by net annual value on a moderate spend profile. Each line ties to issuer T&Cs, fees, caps, and your eligibility band. How we calculate NAV
- Strong runner-up at ₹1,404/yr net — roughly ₹1,357 behind #1 on the same spend mix.
- Best for travel spends — 5 EDGE Miles/₹150.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹2,00,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
2Axis Bank Atlas Credit CardAxis Bank
- Strong runner-up at ₹1,404/yr net — roughly ₹1,357 behind #1 on the same spend mix.
- Best for travel spends — 5 EDGE Miles/₹150.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹2,00,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
Full review →Net / yr
₹1,404
- Worth a look — ₹1,020/yr net, still ahead of 3 other eligible cards.
- Best for travel — Accelerated travel points.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹3,00,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
3SBI Card MILESSBI Card
- Worth a look — ₹1,020/yr net, still ahead of 3 other eligible cards.
- Best for travel — Accelerated travel points.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹3,00,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
Full review →Net / yr
₹1,020
- #4 here with ₹12/yr net (~0% back on your spends).
- Best for travel spends — 2 EDGE miles/₹150.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹2,50,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
4Axis Bank Privilege Credit CardAxis Bank
- #4 here with ₹12/yr net (~0% back on your spends).
- Best for travel spends — 2 EDGE miles/₹150.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹2,50,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
Full review →Net / yr
₹12
- #5 here with -₹2,052/yr net (~-0.55% back on your spends).
- Best for international spends — 4X points.
- Signup sweetener: ₹3,000 if offer terms are met.
5RBL World SafariRBL Bank
- #5 here with -₹2,052/yr net (~-0.55% back on your spends).
- Best for international spends — 4X points.
- Signup sweetener: ₹3,000 if offer terms are met.
Full review →Net / yr
-₹2,052
- #6 here with -₹3,818/yr net (~-1.03% back on your spends).
- Best for dining / grocery / dept stores / movies — 5X reward points.
- Signup sweetener: ₹5,000 if offer terms are met.
6SBI Card ELITESBI Card
- #6 here with -₹3,818/yr net (~-1.03% back on your spends).
- Best for dining / grocery / dept stores / movies — 5X reward points.
- Signup sweetener: ₹5,000 if offer terms are met.
Full review →Net / yr
-₹3,818
Why each card ranks here
Ranked by net annual value on a moderate spend profile. Each line ties to issuer T&Cs, fees, caps, and your eligibility band. How we calculate NAV
- Best net value on this list — about ₹2,761/yr in your pocket after fees on typical spends.
- Best for mmt hotels — 6% myCash.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹3,00,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
1ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Credit CardICICI Bank
- Best net value on this list — about ₹2,761/yr in your pocket after fees on typical spends.
- Best for mmt hotels — 6% myCash.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹3,00,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
Full review →Net / yr
₹2,761
- Strong runner-up at ₹1,404/yr net — roughly ₹1,357 behind #1 on the same spend mix.
- Best for travel spends — 5 EDGE Miles/₹150.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹2,00,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
2Axis Bank Atlas Credit CardAxis Bank
- Strong runner-up at ₹1,404/yr net — roughly ₹1,357 behind #1 on the same spend mix.
- Best for travel spends — 5 EDGE Miles/₹150.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹2,00,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
Full review →Net / yr
₹1,404
- Worth a look — ₹1,020/yr net, still ahead of 3 other eligible cards.
- Best for travel — Accelerated travel points.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹3,00,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
3SBI Card MILESSBI Card
- Worth a look — ₹1,020/yr net, still ahead of 3 other eligible cards.
- Best for travel — Accelerated travel points.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹3,00,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
Full review →Net / yr
₹1,020
- #4 here with ₹12/yr net (~0% back on your spends).
- Best for travel spends — 2 EDGE miles/₹150.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹2,50,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
4Axis Bank Privilege Credit CardAxis Bank
- #4 here with ₹12/yr net (~0% back on your spends).
- Best for travel spends — 2 EDGE miles/₹150.
- Fee likely waived if you spend ₹2,50,000/yr — worth it on moderate usage.
Full review →Net / yr
₹12
- #5 here with -₹2,052/yr net (~-0.55% back on your spends).
- Best for international spends — 4X points.
- Signup sweetener: ₹3,000 if offer terms are met.
5RBL World SafariRBL Bank
- #5 here with -₹2,052/yr net (~-0.55% back on your spends).
- Best for international spends — 4X points.
- Signup sweetener: ₹3,000 if offer terms are met.
Full review →Net / yr
-₹2,052
- #6 here with -₹3,818/yr net (~-1.03% back on your spends).
- Best for dining / grocery / dept stores / movies — 5X reward points.
- Signup sweetener: ₹5,000 if offer terms are met.
6SBI Card ELITESBI Card
- #6 here with -₹3,818/yr net (~-1.03% back on your spends).
- Best for dining / grocery / dept stores / movies — 5X reward points.
- Signup sweetener: ₹5,000 if offer terms are met.
Full review →Net / yr
-₹3,818
Net value snapshot
Rewards minus annual fee on your spend profile
- #1ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Credit Card₹2,761#1ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Credit Card₹2,761
- #2Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card₹1,404#2Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card₹1,404
- #3SBI Card MILES₹1,020#3SBI Card MILES₹1,020
- #4Axis Bank Privilege Credit Card₹12#4Axis Bank Privilege Credit Card₹12
- #5RBL World Safari-₹2,052#5RBL World Safari-₹2,052
Before you apply
Category fit first
This guide ranks international travel cards by net annual value — pick the one that matches your real spends in this category.
Net value over hype
Subtract annual fees and model monthly caps before comparing headline reward rates.
Apply once
One well-matched application beats multiple CIBIL enquiries in the same month.
Frequently asked questions
Which credit card is best for international travel in India?+
No single winner — it depends on monthly international travel spend, caps, and fee structure. This guide compares 6+ cards by net annual value.
Are reward caps important for international travel cards?+
Critical. A high rate with a low cap often loses to a lower unlimited rate. Always convert caps to absolute annual currency.
Do international travel cards work with wallets and QR payments?+
Often not. Wallet loads, rent, EMI, and government payments are commonly excluded. Check issuer MCC exclusions before applying.
Can I hold multiple international travel cards?+
Yes, but one primary international travel card plus a general-purpose backup is usually optimal. Diminishing returns after that.
Will CardHungry spam me after I apply?+
No. Zero outbound sales calls. Optional email updates capped at 2 messages. One-click unsubscribe.
Full written guide
Methodology, tables, eligibility & fine print · ~8 min read
Full written guide
Methodology, tables, eligibility & fine print · ~8 min read
Looking for the best credit card for international travel in India? Generic top-10 listicles ignore your income, monthly caps, excluded MCCs, and whether you can actually get approved. This CardHungry guide analyses 6 leading cards with reward rules, net annual value across three spend profiles, exclusions, and who each card suits best — updated June 2026.
International travel cards live or die on forex markup (typically 2–3.5%) and whether lounge + insurance perks justify the fee. Calculate forex cost on your annual international spend before chasing miles.
On this page
What matters for international travel cards
- Effective rate after caps — divide annual cap by annual spend to get true yield.
- Category MCC coding — some merchants classify as "general" not "international travel".
- Partner lock-in — co-brand cards only win at specific merchants.
- Annual fee breakeven — fee must be recovered from international travel rewards alone or cross-category value.
- Stacking rules — most issuers forbid combining offers; read T&Cs.
Annual fee breakeven example
If a card charges ₹999/year and offers 5% on international travel with a ₹5,000/month cap, maximum international travel rewards = ₹6,000/year. Net after fee = ₹5,001 — but only if you actually hit the cap every month. Partial spends reduce this sharply.
Net value by spend profile
| Card | Light spender | Moderate | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Credit Card | ₹21 | ₹2,761 | ₹6,005 |
| Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card | -₹5,164 | ₹1,404 | ₹2,736 |
| SBI Card MILES | -₹1,229 | ₹1,020 | ₹2,120 |
| Axis Bank Privilege Credit Card | -₹1,594 | ₹12 | -₹656 |
| RBL World Safari | -₹2,940 | -₹2,052 | -₹36 |
Net annual value after annual fee and estimated forex. Caps applied per issuer T&Cs.
Top international travel credit cards — full breakdown
1. ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Credit Card
Issuer: ICICI Bank · Tier: Platinum · Annual fee: ₹999 · Signup bonus: ₹1,500
MakeMyTrip co-brand
Eligibility snapshot
- Min monthly income (salaried): ₹35,000
- Secured / FD-backed: No — standard unsecured
- Approval note: Indicative only. CIBIL checked by bank at application, not by CardHungry.
Reward structure
- travel: 6% cashback (MakeMyTrip only)
- all: 1% cashback
Headline highlight: 6% myCash on MMT hotels
Net value estimate (moderate spend profile)
- Gross annual rewards: ₹2,880
- Annual fee: −₹0
- Forex markup cost (est.): −₹119 (0.99% on international spends)
- Net annual value: ₹2,761 (0.74% effective return)
Key benefits
- 6% myCash on MMT hotels
- 8 domestic + 1 international lounge visits/yr
- Low forex markup
Exclusions & fine print
Typically excluded or reduced: EMI, Fuel, Rent, Wallet.
Best for: MakeMyTrip holiday bookers · Flight + hotel bundles
Read full ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Credit Card review with spend simulator →
2. Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
Issuer: Axis Bank · Tier: Platinum · Annual fee: ₹5,000 · Signup bonus: ₹5,000
Travel miles specialist
Eligibility snapshot
- Min monthly income (salaried): ₹50,000
- Secured / FD-backed: No — standard unsecured
- Approval note: Indicative only. CIBIL checked by bank at application, not by CardHungry.
Reward structure
- travel: 5X points
- all: 2X points
Headline highlight: 5 EDGE Miles/₹150 on Travel spends
Net value estimate (moderate spend profile)
- Gross annual rewards: ₹1,824
- Annual fee: −₹0
- Forex markup cost (est.): −₹420 (3.5% on international spends)
- Net annual value: ₹1,404 (0.38% effective return)
Key benefits
- Airport transfers
- EDGE Miles on travel
- Lounge access
Exclusions & fine print
Typically excluded or reduced: EMI, Fuel, Rent, Wallet.
Best for: Frequent flyers · EDGE Miles transfers · ₹50K+ income
Read full Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card review with spend simulator →
3. SBI Card MILES
Issuer: SBI Card · Tier: Platinum · Annual fee: ₹1,499 · Signup bonus: ₹2,000
SBI travel miles
Eligibility snapshot
- Min monthly income (salaried): ₹35,000
- Secured / FD-backed: No — standard unsecured
- Approval note: Indicative only. CIBIL checked by bank at application, not by CardHungry.
Reward structure
- travel: 9X points
- all: 2X points
Headline highlight: Accelerated travel points on Travel
Net value estimate (moderate spend profile)
- Gross annual rewards: ₹1,380
- Annual fee: −₹0
- Forex markup cost (est.): −₹360 (3% on international spends)
- Net annual value: ₹1,020 (0.27% effective return)
Key benefits
- Travel-centric rewards
- Miles on travel spends
- Partner offers
Exclusions & fine print
Typically excluded or reduced: Fuel, Rent, Wallet, EMI.
Best for: Dedicated travel earn below ELITE tier
Read full SBI Card MILES review with spend simulator →
4. Axis Bank Privilege Credit Card
Issuer: Axis Bank · Tier: Platinum · Annual fee: ₹1,500 · Signup bonus: ₹12,500
Mid-tier lifestyle card
Eligibility snapshot
- Min monthly income (salaried): ₹35,000
- Secured / FD-backed: No — standard unsecured
- Approval note: Indicative only. CIBIL checked by bank at application, not by CardHungry.
Reward structure
- travel: 2X points
- all: 1X points
Headline highlight: 2 EDGE miles/₹150 on Travel spends
Net value estimate (moderate spend profile)
- Gross annual rewards: ₹432
- Annual fee: −₹0
- Forex markup cost (est.): −₹420 (3.5% on international spends)
- Net annual value: ₹12 (0% effective return)
Key benefits
- Buy-one-get-one movies
- Welcome EDGE points
- Dining discounts
Exclusions & fine print
Typically excluded or reduced: EMI, Fuel, Rent, Wallet.
Best for: Movie lovers · Mid-tier Axis relationship · Travel point collectors
Read full Axis Bank Privilege Credit Card review with spend simulator →
5. RBL World Safari
Issuer: RBL Bank · Tier: Platinum · Annual fee: ₹3,000 · Signup bonus: ₹3,000
Zero forex card
Eligibility snapshot
- Min monthly income (salaried): ₹50,000
- Secured / FD-backed: No — standard unsecured
- Approval note: Indicative only. CIBIL checked by bank at application, not by CardHungry.
Reward structure
- international: 4X points
- travel: 4X points
- all: 2X points
Headline highlight: 4X points on International spends
Net value estimate (moderate spend profile)
- Gross annual rewards: ₹1,488
- Annual fee: −₹3,540
- Forex markup cost (est.): −₹0 (0% on international spends)
- Net annual value: -₹2,052 (-0.55% effective return)
Key benefits
- Zero forex markup
- Travel rewards
- Airport lounge
Exclusions & fine print
Typically excluded or reduced: EMI, Rent, Wallet.
Best for: International travelers · Zero forex priority · ₹50K+ income
Read full RBL World Safari review with spend simulator →
6. SBI Card ELITE
Issuer: SBI Card · Tier: Platinum · Annual fee: ₹4,999 · Signup bonus: ₹5,000
Mid-premium lifestyle
Eligibility snapshot
- Min monthly income (salaried): ₹60,000
- Secured / FD-backed: No — standard unsecured
- Approval note: Indicative only. CIBIL checked by bank at application, not by CardHungry.
Reward structure
- dining: 10X points
- groceries: 10X points
- all: 2X points
Headline highlight: 5X reward points on Dining / grocery / dept stores / movies
Net value estimate (moderate spend profile)
- Gross annual rewards: ₹2,320
- Annual fee: −₹5,899
- Forex markup cost (est.): −₹239 (1.99% on international spends)
- Net annual value: -₹3,818 (-1.03% effective return)
Key benefits
- 6 domestic + 2 international lounge visits/year
- Milestone travel vouchers
- 5X on dining/grocery/dept stores/movies
Exclusions & fine print
Typically excluded or reduced: Fuel, Rent, Wallet, EMI, Government.
Best for: ₹8L+ annual card spend · Air India flyers · Milestone voucher collectors
Read full SBI Card ELITE review with spend simulator →
Common international travel card mistakes
- Choosing a partner card when you split spends across merchants.
- Ignoring wallet-load exclusions (PhonePe/Paytm loads often earn zero).
- Paying annual fee without hitting fee-waiver spend threshold.
- Assuming surcharge waiver equals reward rate (fuel cards).
Compare before you apply
Headline rates mislead. Compare your top two picks side-by-side or use the 2-minute quiz for a ranked shortlist including cards you may not have considered.
Disclaimer
Reward rates, caps, and fees sourced from issuer public T&Cs as of June 2026. CardHungry is a third-party platform — not a bank, not a credit bureau. Approval not guaranteed. We earn commission if approved — at no cost to you. Zero sales calls.
Your spends are different
These picks use the moderate profile above. Edit spends to re-rank this page, or take CardHungry's quiz — no CIBIL pull.
CardHungry is a third-party recommendation platform, not a bank or credit bureau. Approval estimates are indicative based on public eligibility criteria. Reward calculations use issuer T&Cs and may change. We earn commission if you are approved — at no cost to you.