Top 10 Best Travel Credit Card In India 2026
Top 10 best travel credit cards in India 2026 compared: annual fees, zero forex options, lounge access, and which card fits your kind of travel.
The best travel credit card can quietly pay for a big part of your trips: free lounge access while you wait, zero forex charges when you spend abroad, reward points that turn into flights, and hotel perks that upgrade your stay. The wrong card does the opposite. It charges a 3.5% fee on every foreign swipe and gives points you never use.
This guide covers the top 10 best travel credit cards in India for 2026 (one of the key types of credit cards), from lifetime free cards to premium metal cards. For each one you get the fees, forex charges, lounge access, and why it is good for travel, in simple words. Quick note before we start: banks change fees and benefits often, so always confirm the latest details on the card's official page before applying, and compare with the best credit cards in India overall.
Top 10 Travel Credit Cards: Quick Comparison
| Card | Annual fee | Forex markup | Lounge access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scapia Federal Bank | Lifetime free | 0% | Unlimited domestic (on spends) |
| ixigo AU | Lifetime free | 0% | 8 domestic + 1 international/year |
| IndusInd Tiger | Lifetime free | 1.5% | 2 domestic/quarter + 2 intl/year |
| Axis Bank Horizon | Rs 3,000 + GST | Low (check bank) | Up to 8 domestic + 2 intl/quarter |
| Marriott Bonvoy HDFC | Rs 3,000 + GST | Standard | 12 domestic + 12 intl/year |
| HSBC TravelOne | Rs 4,999 + GST | Standard | 6 domestic + 4 intl/year |
| Axis Atlas | Rs 5,000 + GST | Standard | Tier-based, up to 18/year |
| Amex Platinum Travel | Rs 5,000 + GST | Standard | 8 visits/year |
| HDFC Diners Club Black Metal | Rs 10,000 + GST | 2% | Unlimited domestic + international |
| ICICI Emeralde Private Metal | Rs 12,499 + GST | Low (check bank) | Unlimited domestic + international |
Best Free Travel Credit Cards
1. Scapia Federal Bank Credit Card
| Annual fee | Rs 0, lifetime free |
| Forex markup | 0% |
| Lounge access | Unlimited domestic, on meeting monthly spends |
| Best for | First-time travel card users, students going abroad, young travellers |
Why it is best for travel: There is no joining fee and no annual fee, ever. The biggest gift is zero forex markup: normal cards charge up to 3.5% plus GST on every foreign swipe, Scapia charges nothing. On a Rs 2 lakh foreign trip, that alone saves you around Rs 8,000. You also earn Scapia coins on eligible spends (up to 10% rewards on travel bookings through the app) and get airport benefits like Rs 1,000 off.
2. ixigo AU Credit Card
| Annual fee | Rs 0, lifetime free |
| Forex markup | 0% |
| Lounge access | 8 domestic + 1 international per year, no spend condition |
| Best for | People who book trips on ixigo, budget travellers who want fixed lounge visits |
Why it is best for travel: Another lifetime free card with zero forex charges on international spends. Built with ixigo, it gives up to 10% off on flight, train, and hotel bookings on ixigo, and a Rs 1.5 lakh credit shield. The lounge visits are fixed, so you do not need to chase a spend target.
3. IndusInd Tiger Credit Card
| Annual fee | Rs 0, lifetime free |
| Forex markup | 1.5% (normal cards charge 3.5%) |
| Lounge access | 2 domestic per quarter + 2 international per year |
| Best for | One free card for both daily spends and occasional trips |
Why it is best for travel: A strong free all-rounder with a travel tilt. You get up to 6 reward points per Rs 100 in top categories, regular lounge visits, and extras like movie tickets and golf lessons. The 1.5% forex markup is less than half the usual rate.
Best Mid-Range Travel Credit Cards
4. Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card
| Annual fee | Rs 3,000 + GST per year |
| Forex markup | Low, check the bank page |
| Lounge access | Up to 8 domestic + 2 international every quarter |
| Best for | Frequent flyers who want maximum lounges at a mid-range fee |
Why it is best for travel: You earn 5 EDGE Miles per Rs 100 on travel spends, and you can move these miles to airline and hotel partners. The lounge count is among the best at this price, and a Rs 1,500 anniversary benefit softens the fee further.
5. Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Credit Card
| Annual fee | Rs 3,000 + GST per year |
| Forex markup | Standard |
| Lounge access | 12 domestic + 12 international per year |
| Best for | Travellers who stay at Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield and similar hotels |
Why it is best for travel: The hotel lover's card. You get a free night award every year, Marriott elite status, points on every spend that turn into hotel stays, and solid travel insurance. One free hotel night can cover the full annual fee by itself.
6. HSBC TravelOne Credit Card
| Annual fee | Rs 4,999 + GST per year |
| Forex markup | Standard |
| Lounge access | 6 domestic + 4 international per year |
| Best for | Regular international travellers who like flexible points |
Why it is best for travel: TravelOne's strength is flexible points: you can transfer them to many airline and hotel partners. Add double rewards on flights and holiday booking discounts up to Rs 40,000, and it earns its fee for anyone who travels a few times a year.
7. Axis Atlas Credit Card
| Annual fee | Rs 5,000 + GST per year |
| Forex markup | Standard |
| Lounge access | Tier-based, up to 18 visits per year |
| Best for | Serious travel card users who spend enough to climb tiers |
Why it is best for travel: Atlas has levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The more you spend in a year, the higher your tier, and the more miles and lounge visits you get. You earn EDGE Miles on all spends (5 per Rs 100 on travel), and miles transfer to many airline and hotel partners at good rates.
Best Premium Travel Credit Cards
8. American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
| Annual fee | Rs 5,000 + GST per year |
| Forex markup | Standard |
| Lounge access | 8 visits per year |
| Best for | People whose yearly card spend comfortably crosses Rs 4 lakh |
Why it is best for travel: This card works like a milestone game: spend Rs 4 lakh in a year and collect rewards worth much more than the fee, including bonus points and a Rs 10,000 Taj hotel voucher. Amex service quality and travel offers add to the value.
9. HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card
| Annual fee | Rs 10,000 + GST per year |
| Forex markup | 2% |
| Lounge access | Unlimited domestic and international |
| Best for | High spenders who fly often, in India and abroad |
Why it is best for travel: A premium metal card with unlimited lounge access worldwide, strong reward rates (10X on select partners via SmartBuy), 6 free golf games every quarter, and Rs 2 crore air accident cover. For frequent flyers, the benefits easily beat the fee.
10. ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
| Annual fee | Rs 12,499 + GST per year |
| Forex markup | Low, check the bank page |
| Lounge access | Unlimited domestic and international |
| Best for | Premium travellers who want everything handled |
Why it is best for travel: ICICI's top metal card: unlimited lounges, zero cancellation charges on flight and hotel bookings (a rare and very useful travel benefit), unlimited golf, 12X rewards on hotel bookings, and strong insurance cover.
How to Choose Your Travel Credit Card
- Count your trips: 1-2 trips a year means start with a free card (Scapia, ixigo AU). Monthly flying justifies a paid card.
- Going abroad? Make forex markup your first filter: 0% cards save 3.5% on every foreign spend.
- Check lounge access against your real airports and travel pattern, domestic vs international.
- Do the fee math: the card's yearly benefits you will actually use should be worth more than the annual fee.
- Match the card to your loyalty: hotel person (Marriott Bonvoy), points optimizer (Atlas, TravelOne), simplicity (Scapia).
- Apply for one card (a good credit score helps approval), use it for a year, and upgrade only when your travel grows.
One honest closing tip: a travel card only gives you its credit card benefits if you pay the bill in full every month. Interest charges of 36-45% a year will eat every mile and lounge visit. Pick the card that fits your trips, use it with discipline, and your travel gets cheaper every year. Several travel credit cards from leading banks can also be compared and applied for through the GroMo app.
FAQ: Best Travel Credit Card
Which is the best travel credit card in India?
For most people, Scapia Federal Bank is the best start: lifetime free, zero forex markup, and unlimited domestic lounge visits on meeting spends. For frequent flyers, Axis Atlas and HSBC TravelOne give transferable miles and more lounges. For premium travellers, HDFC Diners Club Black Metal and ICICI Emeralde Private Metal give unlimited lounges worldwide. The best card is the one whose benefits you will actually use every year.
Which is the best credit card for international travel?
For foreign trips, zero forex markup matters most. Scapia and ixigo AU charge 0% on international spends, saving you the usual 3.5% plus GST on every swipe abroad. If you also want international lounges and transferable points, HSBC TravelOne, Axis Atlas, and the premium metal cards from HDFC and ICICI are the strongest picks for overseas travel.
What is forex markup on a credit card?
It is the extra fee your card charges when you spend in a foreign currency, usually 3.5% plus GST on normal cards. On a Rs 2 lakh international trip, that is roughly Rs 8,000 extra. Travel cards cut this to 2%, 1.5%, or even 0%, which is why forex markup should be your first filter for a foreign travel card.
Are free travel credit cards really good?
Yes, the new generation is genuinely good. Scapia and ixigo AU are lifetime free and still give zero forex charges and lounge access, which even some paid cards do not. Paid cards win only when you travel enough to use their bigger benefits, like unlimited lounges, hotel nights, and transferable miles.
How do I get lounge access with a travel credit card?
Most travel cards give complimentary lounge visits per quarter or per year, and some need you to meet a monthly spend first, like Scapia. Swipe or show the card at the lounge desk, or use the card's app pass. Check three things: how many visits you get, whether they include international lounges, and any spend condition to unlock them.
Disclaimer
This article is general information, not financial advice. Card fees, forex markup, lounge benefits, reward rates, and welcome offers reflect bank published details at the time of writing and change often; the issuing bank's official page and Most Important Terms and Conditions are the only authoritative source, so always verify there before applying. Approval, limits, and charges are decided entirely by the issuing bank. Some travel credit cards are also available for comparison through the GroMo app; GroMo is a distribution platform, not a card issuer, and is available only to users aged 18 and above. Card names are trademarks of their respective owners.
