Best Travel Credit Cards India 2025 — Miles, Lounge & Insurance
A good travel credit card can save thousands per year through free lounge access, accelerated air miles, and travel insurance. Here are the best travel credit cards for Indian frequent flyers in 2025.
What to Look for in a Travel Card
The four things that matter: (1) lounge access — how many visits and which network, (2) air miles earning rate, (3) travel insurance coverage, (4) forex markup — ideally under 2% for international use.
Lounge Networks in India
DreamFolks covers 55+ Indian airports. Priority Pass covers 1,400+ international lounges. Some premium cards offer both.
Best Travel Cards 2025
Axis Magnus
Annual fee: ₹12,500. 35 Edge Miles per ₹200 on Axis Travel EDGE. Unlimited domestic lounge, 8 international visits. Travel insurance up to ₹3Cr.
HDFC Regalia Gold
Annual fee: ₹2,500 (waivable). 12 combined lounge visits. 2% forex markup. Best value travel card.
Air India SBI Signature
Annual fee: ₹4,999. Earn Air India miles on every spend. 4 international lounge visits via Priority Pass. Best for Air India flyers.
Bottom Line
For most frequent travellers, Axis Magnus or HDFC Regalia Gold hits the sweet spot. Upgrade to Axis Reserve or HDFC Infinia if your spend justifies the higher fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card gives the most lounge access in India?expand_more
HDFC Infinia Metal, Axis Reserve, and Amex Platinum offer unlimited lounge access. Among mid-tier cards, Axis Magnus and HDFC Regalia Gold offer the best lounge value.
Is travel insurance on credit cards useful in India?expand_more
Yes, but read the terms. Most cards cover trip cancellation and flight delay only if you book the ticket using that card. Medical coverage varies widely.
Which card has the lowest forex markup?expand_more
Niyo Global and IDFC FIRST Wow offer 0% forex markup. Among premium cards, Axis Magnus has 2% which is on the lower end for a full-feature travel card.