Best Credit Card for Travel in India (2026)
Find the best credit card for travel. Personalized matching based on your spends and approval profile. 6 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
Forex vs miles
International travellers should compare forex markup (2–3.5%) against miles earn rates — zero-forex cards often win on spend alone.
Lounge ≠ value
Two free lounge visits don't offset a ₹10K fee if your annual travel spend is moderate. Run the net value math.
Portal accelerators
SmartBuy-style portals can 10X rewards — but only if you actually book flights/hotels through them.
Frequently asked questions
Which credit card is best for travel in India?+
No single winner — it depends on monthly travel spend, caps, and fee structure. This guide compares 6+ cards by net annual value.
Are reward caps important for 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 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 travel cards?+
Yes, but one primary 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 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.
Travel cards trade higher annual fees for lounge access, miles accrual, and forex markup waivers. They only beat cashback cards when you fly 4+ times a year or spend significantly on international transactions.
On this page
What matters for 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 "travel".
- Partner lock-in — co-brand cards only win at specific merchants.
- Annual fee breakeven — fee must be recovered from 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 travel with a ₹5,000/month cap, maximum 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 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 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.