Travel-Focused Credit cards in India are one of the best ways to spend your expenses on traveling. There are a lot of perks hidden in travel-focused credit cards. In this article, Miles & More, we will cover different travel-related credit cards and several perks associated with them. If you are interested in international flights from the USA to India, several best offers on international flights are both affordable and comfortable.
Advantages of booking trips with credit cards
- Travel insurance: In India, there are credit cards that come with travel insurance as a bonus. Coverage for things like medical crises, delayed or missing luggage, trip cancellations, and more may be included in this. When traveling, having this coverage can help you avoid unexpected expenses and provide you with peace of mind.
- EMI options: Many credit card companies in India allow you to convert substantial travel expenses into EMIs (equated monthly installments) at a cheaper interest rate. This can help you control your vacation spending and steer clear of high-interest loans.
- Rewards points: Many credit cards in India provide reward points or cashback on travel-related purchases. These reward points can be exchanged as it will lower the cost of your trip, like free flights, hotel stays, and upgrades.
- Exclusive discounts: Many Indian credit card issuers have alliances with airlines, hotels, and travel companies. It allows them to provide unique discounts and deals on trip bookings. You may be able to make big financial savings on your travel expenses thanks to these offers. You can also check the direct flight tickets to Thiruvananthapuram as it will provide multiple options for travel affordability.
Things to consider when selecting a credit card for travel bookings
- Foreign transaction fees: When using a credit card to make travel reservations, look for one that doesn’t impose international transaction fees.
- Other benefits: Take into account the credit card’s additional features, such fraud protection, meal discounts, or extra rewards or cashback on other purchases.
- Rewards or cashback: When making travel reservations, such as reservations for hotels or flights, look for a credit card that gives high benefits or cashback.
- Travel benefits: Think about any extra travel perks the credit card offers, such as access to airport lounges, travel insurance, and luggage allowance.
- Annual fee: Consider the annual price of the credit card and whether it is worthwhile to pay for the travel benefits.
Best credit cards for travel bookings
ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
The ICICI Bank Emeralde credit card comes with various travel benefits, including free domestic lounge access, travel insurance, and a reward program that offers up to 6x reward points on travel bookings. Additionally, through partner websites, consumers can receive savings on reservations for hotels and rental cars. On the other hand, if you live in Canada, and want to visit India. Then, visit Tripbeam.ca for cheap flight tickets from Canada to India.
- Joining Criteria and Requirements: Minimum income of Rs. 1.2 lakhs per month.
- Credit Score Needed: 750 or above
- Joining Fee: Rs. 12,000
- Tenure: Lifetime
- Interest Rates: 3.4% per month
- Eligibility: Indian residents aged between 21-60 years
- Perks and Benefits: Complimentary airport lounge access, air accident insurance, reward points on spending, and discounts on meals and travel, Club Vistara Silver membership, EMI alternatives for trip bookings.
- Pros: Great rewards program and lounge access.
- Cons: High joining fee and minimum income requirement.
HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card
The HDFC Bank Diners Club Black credit card is a premium credit card that provides numerous incentives for travel bookings. These include lounge access, travel insurance, airport concierge services, and a reward program. It offers up to 10x reward points for travel bookings.
- Joining Criteria & Requirements: Applicant must be at least 18 years of age and should have a minimum annual income of Rs. 3 lakhs.
- Credit Score Needed: 750 or above
- Joining Fee: Rs. 10,000 + GST
- Tenure: Lifetime
- Interest Rates: 3.25% per month
- Eligibility: 750 or above.
- Perks & Benefits: Earn up to 5 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on dining, travel, and entertainment. You can also earn up to 2 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on other items. Moreover, you can get up to Rs. 20,000 off on domestic hotel reservations annually. With this card, you can also enjoy a Worldwide Concierge Service, and free entry to more than a thousand domestic and international lounges.
- Pros: Attractive rewards, exclusive benefits & discounts, good customer service, global acceptance.
- Cons: High joining fee, high-interest rate, limited redemption options.
American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
The American Express Platinum Travel credit card offers exclusive travel privileges like complimentary domestic lounge access, travel vouchers, and a rewards program that offers up to 5x reward points on travel bookings. Customers can also use partner websites to get savings on reservations for hotels and rental cars.
- Joining Fee: Rs. 3,500 for the first year, Rs 5,000 with additional tax from the second year
- Joining Criteria: Annual income of Rs 6 lakhs or more
- Credit Score Needed: 750 or above
- Tenure: Lifetime
- Interest Rate: 2.99% to 3.5% per month
- Eligibility: Indian resident
- Perks and Benefits: 10% off of some dining establishments Four complimentary trips to airport lounges every three months, four complimentary cinema tickets each month, 10% cashback when using Yatra.com to make travel reservations five percent cashback on gas purchases, five percent cashback on utility bill payments, five percent cashback on grocery purchases, and five percent cashback on internet purchases.
- Pros: Good range of rewards and benefits, low-interest rates
- Cons: High joining fee, annual fee
SBI Card Elite
Exclusive travel features including free domestic lounge access, travel insurance, and a reward scheme that multiplies reward points by up to five when booking travel are all available with the SBI Card Elite credit card. Customers can also use partner websites to get savings on reservations for hotels and rental cars. On the other hand, If you want to travel to India, there are several options for cheap air tickets to India from USA. It will be a more affordable option to go for.
- Joining Fee: Rs 4,999
- Joining Criteria: Annual income of Rs 8 lakhs or more
- Credit Score Needed: Good
- Tenure: Lifetime
- Interest Rate: up to 3.50% per month
- Eligibility: Indian resident
- Perks and Benefits: Membership in Club Vistara and Trident Privilege, waiver of fuel surcharges, 1.99% foreign currency mark-up on international usage Two gratis visits to India’s domestic airport lounges per quarter, a complimentary $99 Priority Pass Program membership, and six complimentary trips to airport lounges outside of India per year
- Pros: Good range of rewards and benefits, low-interest rates
- Cons: High joining fee, annual fee
Also Read: Best Travel Credit Card(S) To Book Cheap Flights In 2023
