Discover the magic of travel Credit Cards and unlock exciting benefits and rewards to enhance your vacations like never before.
From accelerated rewards on travel to complimentary lounge access to air mile earning, travel Credit Cards offer a unique world of exciting benefits and rewards that make them necessary for any travel enthusiast. As the financial landscape evolves to cater to the needs of everyone, let us look at what travel Credit Cards have to offer and understand why they are an essential companion for people who travel frequently for business or leisure.
In this blog, we will explore the numerous advantages and use cases of travel Credit Cards, highlighting how they can elevate your travel experiences and finally, we will list some of the best travel Credit Cards in India with maximum benefits on travel-related spending.
Why Use A Travel Credit Card?
Generous Reward Programs:
With tempting rewards like air miles, hotel loyalty points, or cashback on travel-related purchases, Travel Credit Cards are made to reward users. Building up these rewards can dramatically reduce your travel expenses, giving you more financial freedom to travel.
Airport Lounge Access:
Airport lounge access is one of the most sought-after benefits of travel Credit Cards. With free refreshments, cosy seats, and other rewards, lounges give travellers a break from the hustle and bustle of packed terminals.
Bonus Welcome Offers:
Travel Credit Cards offer attractive welcome bonuses to encourage new customers You can earn significant rewards or miles by satisfying certain spending requirements within the first several months, helping them get their travel adventures off to a great start.
Travel-Related Discounts:
Exclusive deals and offers with airlines, hotels and online ticket booking websites are frequently included with Travel Credit Cards. Discounts on airline tickets, hotel bookings, and other travel-related costs are available to users
Now that you know the whys, it is time to know the options you must enter the world of travel benefits. There are six Credit Cards on this list. The first four cards are best for someone who is looking to get their first travel Credit Card; the last two are for people who are looking to get more out of their travels.
Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Card
With the Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Card, you can enjoy a wide range of benefits. This card truly rewards your spending habits and offers you the luxury of one domestic lounge visit every calendar quarter, adding a touch of comfort to your journey.
Earn 4 points for every ₹150 spent on retail items other than government, insurance, and petrol. What is even better is that you get an additional 4 reward points (RP) for each ₹150 in monthly retail purchases exceeding ₹20,000, with a maximum of 2,000 bonus reward points per statement cycle.
The best part is that you will love the benefits of free joining fees and yearly fee reversal beginning in the second year, if you spent ₹3,00,000 or more in the preceding year. With the Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Card, you can maximise your points and relish extraordinary benefits, making it the perfect companion for your frequent journeys.
Rewards:
4RP – For every ₹150 spent on retail purchases
1 RP – For every ₹150 spent on government and insurance expenses
Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
The Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card offers ease, savings, and rewards beyond imagination for unforgettable journeys!
| Offer | Discount |
| Domestic Hotel Reservations | 20% instant discount (up to ₹10,000) |
| International Hotel Reservations | 20% instant discount (up to ₹10,000) |
| Domestic Flight Tickets | Flat 10% discount (up to ₹1,000) |
| International Flight Tickets | Flat 10% discount (up to ₹5,000) |
| Bus Tickets | ₹125 off (on a minimum booking of ₹500) |
Enjoy the added benefit of having the yearly charge of ₹350 waived if you have spent ₹50,000 or more on the Credit Card in the previous year. Relax during your journey with access to one domestic lounge per quarter and two international lounges per year. Earn 10x rewards on every ₹100 spent on standalone hotel and airline websites/apps/outlets. Plus, earn 2x reward points on all other retail purchases.
Rewards:
10 RP – For every ₹100 spent on standalone hotel websites/apps/outlets
10 RP – For every ₹100 spent on standalone airline websites/apps/outlets
2 RP – For every ₹ 100 spent on retail purchases
Additional Reading: Trip Planning Secrets Of Top Travel Bloggers – Revealed
Yatra SBI Card
The Yatra SBI card is an exciting proposition that you should consider. As a new member, you will get ₹500 vouchers for domestic travel and ₹1,000 vouchers for international flights. Enjoy a ₹750 voucher for hotels and an exciting ₹1,500 voucher for a Domestic Holiday Package. For foreign adventures, there is a generous ₹3,000 voucher for an International Holiday Package. So, you receive ₹8,250 in vouchers from Yatra just for joining!
The benefits do not stop there, there are more.
| Offers | Discounts |
| Domestic Flight Booking (₹5,000 or more) | ₹1,000 off |
| International Flight Booking (₹40,000+) | ₹4,000 discount |
| Domestic Hotel Booking (₹3,000 or more) | 20% discount |
You will also earn six reward points for every ₹100 spent on department stores, grocery shopping, dining, movies, and entertainment. And for all other categories, you still get one reward point for every ₹100 spent.
Rewards:
6 RP – For every ₹ 100 spent on grocery, movies & dining
6 RP – For every ₹ 100 spent abroad
1 RP – For every ₹ 100 spent on retail purchases
IRCTC SBI Platinum Card:
The IRCTC SBI Platinum Card will be your best friend when it comes to train journey. When you book AC1, AC2, AC3, and AC CC tickets with IRCTC, you get 10% value back in the form of reward points.
But the benefits do not end there! Treat yourself to luxury while traveling with up to four complimentary railway lounge services per year, one per quarter. The IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card offers a range of rewards to enhance your travel experience. Get ready for a journey filled with rewards and exciting benefits!
| Offers | Details |
| Travel Booking (IRCTC) | Get 10% value back as reward points |
| Train Ticket Booking (IRCTC website) | Avail 1% discount |
| Flight Ticket Booking (IRCTC website) | Exclusive offers on flight tickets |
Rewards:
1 RP – For every ₹ 125 spent on railway tickets via IRCTC
1 RP – For every ₹ 125 on non-fuel retail purchases
Additional Reading: Preparing To Travel Again? Here’s Your Travel Insurance Guide
Air India SBI Platinum Card
If you want to up your travel game, the Air India SBI Platinum Card is the one for you. Get 5,000 SBI reward points as a welcome bonus when you sign up, credited within 15 days of registration or annual fee payment. Enjoy complimentary membership in the premium Air India Frequent Flyer Programme – Flying Returns, unlocking special travel incentives.
Reach annual spending milestones and earn up to 15,000 additional reward points. Get 5,000 reward points for spending ₹2 lakh annually and 10,000 reward points for spending above ₹3 lakh, totalling 15,000 bonus points. Also, with every renewal fee payment, get 2,000 reward points every year. Enjoy complimentary access to select domestic airport lounges through the Visa Lounge entrance Programme and access over 600 international lounges with the complimentary Priority Pass Programme.
Rewards:
15 RP – For every ₹ 100 spent on flight bookings via Air India website and app
2 RP – For every ₹ 100 spent
Convert these reward points into Air India Air Miles and redeem them for your Air India trip bookings.
Additional Reading: Cash Or Credit Card For Your Travels Abroad?
Air India SBI Signature Card
The Air India SBI Signature Card offers you a gateway to a world of travel rewards! Through the Priority Pass Programme, you can enjoy complimentary admission to over 600 airport luxury lounges. Take advantage of the Visa Lounge Access Programme, which provides you with two complimentary visits to domestic airport lounges per quarter.
Enjoy smooth railway bookings with the card, which allows you to order railway tickets and have them delivered right to your home. The Air India SBI Signature Card provides exceptional advantages and rewards, making your journeys more enjoyable.
Rewards:
30 RP – For every ₹ 100 spent on flight bookings via Air India website and app
4 RP – For every ₹ 100 spent
Conclusion
Embracing a travel Credit Card is a meaningful change for frequent travellers, unlocking a realm of unparalleled benefits and convenience. With exclusive discounts on flights, hotels, and other travel bookings, it paves the way for significant savings. The ease of earning reward points for every expenditure, especially on travel-related expenses, ensures that wanderlust is now a pathway to more journeys. Moreover, complimentary access to airport lounges adds a touch of luxury to every trip. The peace of mind from features like lost card liability coverage and fuel surcharge waivers further solidify the card’s worth.