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The travel credit card market in India is expanding rapidly, catering to frequent flyers, business travelers, and even train and bus commuters. With rising demand, banks and financial institutions are offering co-branded cards in partnership with airlines, hotels, and travel portals. These cards not only provide free lounge access but also bring exciting benefits such as reward points, air miles, discounts, and lower forex charges.

Choosing the right travel credit card in 2025 can be tricky, given the variety of options. Here’s a detailed look at the 12 best travel credit cards in India that deliver maximum value to different kinds of travelers.

1. Axis Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card

• Unlimited domestic and international lounge access

• Up to 24% value-back on travel spends

• Premium milestone rewards and attractive travel point transfer ratios

• Annual fee: ₹30,000 (waived off on spends above ₹30 lakh)

2. Axis Atlas Credit Card

• Earn 2.5X EDGE Miles on travel spends

• 30 free lounge visits per year (12 international, 18 domestic)

• Tier-based reward system: higher spends unlock higher benefits

• Annual fee: ₹5,000

3. Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card

• 32 domestic and 8 international lounge visits annually

• Earn 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 spent, convertible at 1:1 ratio to partner points

• Annual fee: ₹3,000

4. SBI Card MILES

• Ideal for frequent flyers

• ₹200 spent on travel = 6 travel credits

• Complimentary Priority Pass membership and low 1.99% forex markup

• Annual fee: ₹1,499 to ₹4,999 (varies by variant)

5. IRCTC SBI Platinum Card

• Designed for train travelers

• 10% value-back on IRCTC bookings

• 4 complimentary railway lounge visits yearly

• Annual fee: ₹500 (Premier version at ₹1,499)

6. KrisFlyer SBI Card

• Co-branded with Singapore Airlines

• 3,000 KrisFlyer miles as a welcome bonus

• Earn up to 5 miles per ₹200 spent

• Complimentary lounge access and Elite Silver membership

• Annual fee: ₹2,999 to ₹9,999

7. Yatra SBI Card

• Affordable travel card with an annual fee of just ₹499

• Joining benefit worth ₹8,250 in vouchers

• Direct discounts on Yatra flight and hotel bookings

8. HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit Card

• Unlimited global lounge access

• Strong rewards program: 5 points per ₹150 spent

• Lifestyle memberships and low forex markup of 2%

• Annual fee: ₹10,000

9. Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Credit Card

• Perfect for hotel stays at Marriott properties

• Earn 4X points on hotel spends

• Complimentary Silver Elite status and 24 lounge visits annually

• Annual fee: ₹3,000

10. Kotak IndiGo 6E Rewards XL Credit Card

• Specially designed for IndiGo flyers

• 6% rewards on airline spends

• 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits annually

• Annual fee: ₹1,500

11. MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card

• Save up to 6% on MakeMyTrip bookings

• Low forex markup of 0.99%

• 8 domestic and 1 international lounge visits annually

• Annual fee: ₹999

12. Ixigo AU Credit Card

• Lifetime-free credit card

• 16 complimentary railway lounge visits yearly

• Discounts on Ixigo bookings and zero forex markup

• Best suited for train and bus travelers

Final Takeaway

Whether you’re a frequent flyer, luxury traveler, or budget-conscious commuter, there’s a travel credit card designed to match your lifestyle in 2025. While premium cards like Axis Magnus and HDFC Diners Club Black deliver high-end rewards, affordable options like Yatra SBI Card and Ixigo AU Credit Card provide excellent value for occasional travelers.

Before applying, consider your travel habits, annual spends, and whether you prefer air, rail, or hotel-based benefits. With the right choice, your travel experiences can become smoother, more affordable, and more rewarding.