Traveling by air has become increasingly common for business and leisure alike. Whether you’re booking a quick domestic trip or planning an international vacation, using the right credit card for flight booking can unlock significant benefits. From earning air miles to complimentary lounge access and exclusive discounts on flight fares, the best travel credit cards in India offer unmatched value.
In this article, we’ll help you discover the best credit cards in India for flight bookings, explain their features, compare them in a table, and address frequently asked questions for smart travel planning.
Why Use a Credit Card for Flight Booking?
Using a credit card for booking flights in India offers more than just payment convenience. Here’s why it’s a smart financial choice:
- Earn Reward Points or Air Miles: Many cards give bonus reward points or air miles for booking flights.
- Free Access to Airport Lounges: Enjoy complimentary domestic and international lounge visits.
- Flight Booking Discounts: Get exclusive deals and cashback when booking through partner travel websites.
- Travel Insurance & Protection: Includes coverage for lost baggage, trip delays, and cancellations.
- No Forex Markup (on some cards): Ideal for international flight bookings.
Top Credit Cards in India for Flight Booking
Here are the top credit cards in India for booking flights, selected based on travel benefits, reward points, lounge access, and annual fees.
Credit Card | Annual Fee | Lounge Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
HDFC Regalia Credit Card | ₹2,500 | 12 domestic + international lounges | Luxury travel & rewards |
SBI Card ELITE | ₹4,999 | 8 domestic + 6 international | Premium lifestyle & travel |
Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card | ₹3,000 | Domestic lounges | Flying with Vistara |
ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Signature Credit Card | ₹2,500 | Domestic lounges | Online flight bookings |
American Express Platinum Travel Card | ₹5,000 | Domestic lounge access | Domestic holidaymakers |
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card | ₹5,000 | Domestic + international | Frequent flyers |
Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card | ₹999 | Limited | Entry-level travel benefits |
HDFC Regalia Credit Card
Best For: Frequent travelers who want luxury and rewards
The HDFC Regalia Credit Card is a versatile travel credit card with excellent reward potential. You earn 4 reward points per ₹150 spent on travel and can redeem them for flights and hotels through the HDFC SmartBuy portal.
Perks:
- Complimentary lounge access (12 domestic + international via Priority Pass)
- ₹750 dining and travel vouchers
- Travel insurance worth ₹1 crore
Drawbacks:
- Points expire in 2 years
- High joining fee without a fee waiver
SBI Card ELITE
Best For: Premium travel and lifestyle benefits
This premium card from SBI offers generous reward points, complimentary Club Vistara Silver Membership, and international lounge access through the Priority Pass program.
Perks:
- Free domestic flights as milestone benefits
- Movie tickets (Buy 1 Get 1)
- Complimentary airport lounge visits (both domestic and international)
Drawbacks:
- High annual fee of ₹4,999
- Benefits tied to higher spending milestones
Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card
Best For: Those who fly frequently with Vistara
This co-branded card offers generous Club Vistara Points (CV Points) that can be redeemed for flights or upgrades. You also receive a complimentary economy flight ticket every year.
Perks:
- 3 CV Points per ₹200 spent
- Milestone benefits up to 3 free Vistara tickets annually
- Lounge access to select domestic airports
Drawbacks:
- Not beneficial if you don’t fly Vistara often
- No international lounge access
ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Signature Credit Card
Best For: Booking through MakeMyTrip
Tailored for online travelers, this co-branded card with MakeMyTrip offers MyCash rewards and instant discounts on flight bookings through MMT.
Perks:
- Welcome voucher worth ₹2,500
- Up to 6x rewards on MMT bookings
- Lounge access at domestic airports
Drawbacks:
- Best suited only if you book via MakeMyTrip
- Limited redemption options outside MMT
American Express Platinum Travel Card
Best For: Travel vouchers and domestic flyers
While this card doesn’t offer air miles, it gives Indigo flight vouchers worth over ₹19,000 annually based on your spending milestones.
Perks:
- Complimentary domestic lounge access (8/year)
- Up to ₹6,000 Taj voucher per year
- Excellent customer service
Drawbacks:
- Not accepted at every POS
- No Priority Pass or international lounge access
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
Best For: Frequent international and domestic flyers
The Atlas Credit Card rewards you with Edge Miles, which can be converted into air miles for over 15 airline partners. It includes complimentary domestic and international lounge access.
Perks:
- Up to 5 Edge Miles per ₹100 spent
- Access to over 1000 lounges worldwide
- Free concierge service
Drawbacks:
- Annual fee not waived even with high spending
- Newer card, fewer historical reviews
Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card
Best For: Beginners entering travel rewards
If you’re new to travel credit cards, this is a budget-friendly option. It offers 2x points on travel bookings and other lifestyle spends.
Perks:
- Affordable annual fee of ₹999
- Earn 10,000 bonus points as a welcome gift
- Fuel surcharge waiver
Drawbacks:
- No international lounge access
- Low reward rate compared to premium cards
Tips for Choosing the Right Travel Credit Card
- Check Airline Partnerships: Choose cards that offer rewards aligned with airlines you frequently fly (e.g., Vistara, IndiGo, Air India).
- Compare Lounge Benefits: Frequent fliers should look for cards with Priority Pass or international lounge access.
- Evaluate Redemption Flexibility: Cards offering Edge Miles, CV Points, or reward points with transfer partners are more valuable.
- Watch for Hidden Charges: Pay attention to forex markup fees, reward redemption fees, and annual renewal charges.
- Use for All Travel Expenses: Earn the maximum rewards by using your card for hotels, cabs, insurance, and meals too.
Our Recommendation
Choosing the best credit card for flight booking in India depends on your travel frequency, airline preferences, and spending patterns. For premium travelers, cards like HDFC Regalia, Axis Atlas, and SBI ELITE deliver maximum value with rewards, lounge access, and exclusive offers. For more casual flyers, entry-level cards tied to platforms like MakeMyTrip can offer meaningful savings.
Make sure to always compare annual fees, reward rates, redemption options, and additional travel perks before applying. The right card can turn every flight into a rewarding experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
The Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card and HDFC Regalia Credit Card are among the best for international flights due to their international lounge access, low forex markup (Atlas), and the ability to convert points to air miles.
Yes. Cards like Axis Bank Vistara Signature and SBI Card ELITE offer complimentary flight tickets as part of milestone benefits or welcome gifts.
Absolutely. Cards like HDFC Regalia allow booking flights directly via SmartBuy. Others, like American Express Platinum Travel, offer vouchers for Indigo and other airlines.
If you travel frequently and use the benefits (like lounge access, travel insurance, free tickets), the high annual fee can easily be offset by savings and rewards.
The Kotak Royale Signature and ICICI MMT Coral Credit Card offer decent travel benefits at a low or waived annual fee, but perks are limited compared to premium cards.
Ranjan is a dedicated finance writer for smartfinclub.com, where he specializes in comparing top financial products in India, including loans, credit cards, savings accounts & more. With a focus on providing clear insights into features, rates, and benefits, Ranjan aims to empower readers to make informed financial decisions customized to their needs.