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Best Travel Credit Cards in India (2026) — Lounge Access & Air Miles
Updated · 8 options compared
A good travel card pays for itself through airport lounge visits, accelerated rewards on flights and hotels, low forex markup and travel insurance. The right one depends on how often you fly and whether you travel abroad.
Premium travel cards have annual fees of ₹2,500 to ₹12,500 plus GST. They make sense only if you will actually use the lounges and reach the spend milestones — otherwise a mid-range card like HDFC Regalia Gold delivers most of the value at a fraction of the cost.
Quick comparison
| # | Name | Lounge access | Forex markup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HDFC Infinia Metal | Unlimited domestic + international (Priority Pass) | 2.0% + GST |
| 2 | Axis Magnus | Unlimited domestic + 8 international (Priority Pass) | 2.0% + GST |
| 3 | HDFC Diners Club Black | Unlimited domestic + international | 2.0% + GST |
| 4 | SC Ultimate | Unlimited domestic + international (Priority Pass) | 2.0% + GST |
| 5 | HDFC Regalia Gold | 12 domestic + 6 international per year | 3.5% + GST |
| 6 | ICICI Sapphiro | 16 domestic + 4 international per year | 3.5% + GST |
| 7 | AU Zenith+ | 8 domestic + 4 international per year | 2.5% + GST |
| 8 | BoB Eterna | 8 domestic + 4 international per year | 3.5% + GST |
1.HDFC Infinia Metal
5/5- Lounge access
- Unlimited domestic + international (Priority Pass)
- Forex markup
- 2.0% + GST
- Annual fee
- ₹12,500 + GST
India's most exclusive credit card, available only by invitation for ultra-high-income individuals. Unlimited global lounge access and a low 2% foreign transaction fee make it unbeatable for international travel. Not worth pursuing unless you already spend ₹10L+ per year on the card.
- Unlimited Airport lounge access globally
- Global Concierge & Golf privileges
- Club Marriott membership for 1 year
2.Axis Magnus
4.9/5- Lounge access
- Unlimited domestic + 8 international (Priority Pass)
- Forex markup
- 2.0% + GST
- Annual fee
- ₹12,500 + GST
Axis Bank's ultra-premium offering that rivals HDFC Infinia in benefits. The 12 EDGE points per ₹200 and unlimited lounge access make it exceptional for frequent travellers. The ₹25L annual spend requirement for fee waiver is aggressive, so this card is truly meant for very high spenders only.
- Unlimited domestic lounge visits & priority pass
- Annual fee waiver on ₹25L annual spend
- VIP meet & greet services at airports
3.HDFC Diners Club Black
4.9/5- Lounge access
- Unlimited domestic + international
- Forex markup
- 2.0% + GST
- Annual fee
- ₹10,000 + GST
Often considered the best reward card in India — 5X points on regular spends and 10X on SmartBuy. Unlimited lounge access puts it close to the Infinia at nearly half the annual fee. The only catch: Diners Club network acceptance is limited at smaller merchants, so keep a backup Visa or Mastercard handy.
- Unlimited domestic & international lounge access
- 10X rewards on SmartBuy portal
- Complimentary annual memberships worth ₹10,000+
4.SC Ultimate
4.7/5- Lounge access
- Unlimited domestic + international (Priority Pass)
- Forex markup
- 2.0% + GST
- Annual fee
- ₹5,000 + GST
Standard Chartered's top-tier card with one of the highest reward rates at 3.33% value back on all spends. Unlimited global lounge access and ₹5 Crore travel insurance put it in the same league as HDFC Infinia. The ₹1L/month income requirement ensures it targets serious high-income professionals.
- Unlimited domestic & international lounge access
- Travel insurance up to ₹5 Crore
- Golf privileges worldwide
5.HDFC Regalia Gold
4.8/5- Lounge access
- 12 domestic + 6 international per year
- Forex markup
- 3.5% + GST
- Annual fee
- ₹2,500 + GST
HDFC's flagship travel card for frequent flyers earning ₹60K+ per month. The 12 domestic and 6 international lounge visits alone justify the ₹2,500 annual fee. Spend ₹3-5 lakh/year to get the fee waived — the Club Marriott membership and flight milestone rewards make it worthwhile for regular travellers.
- Complimentary Club Marriott membership
- Complimentary flight tickets on spend milestones
- 12 domestic & 6 international lounge visits
6.ICICI Sapphiro
4.4/5- Lounge access
- 16 domestic + 4 international per year
- Forex markup
- 3.5% + GST
- Annual fee
- ₹3,500 + GST
A solid mid-premium card for lifestyle spenders who value movie tickets and lounge access. The ₹9,000+ in welcome vouchers almost covers three years of the annual fee upfront. Best suited for those who travel domestically 4-5 times a year and watch movies regularly on BookMyShow.
- Buy 1 Get 1 Free on movie tickets (BookMyShow)
- Dreamfolks Membership for lounges
- 4 domestic lounge visits per quarter
7.AU Zenith+
4.4/5- Lounge access
- 8 domestic + 4 international per year
- Forex markup
- 2.5% + GST
- Annual fee
- ₹7,999 + GST
AU Small Finance Bank's premium play that punches well above its weight class. The ₹3 Crore travel insurance and worldwide lounge access are impressive features for a small finance bank card. Worth considering if you already bank with AU and want premium benefits without switching to a larger bank.
- Complimentary airport lounge access worldwide
- Travel insurance up to ₹3 Crore
- Concierge services 24/7
8.BoB Eterna
4.3/5- Lounge access
- 8 domestic + 4 international per year
- Forex markup
- 3.5% + GST
- Annual fee
- ₹2,499 + GST
Bank of Baroda's premium card that offers strong lounge access and dining rewards at a competitive price. The Dreamfolks membership is a nice touch at this price point for travel lovers. Best suited for BoB salary account holders who can leverage relationship-based fee waivers from the bank.
- Complimentary Dreamfolks lounge access
- Golf privileges at select courses
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
How we chose
- Lounge access (domestic and international, and whether spend conditions apply).
- Forex markup — every 1% matters on international spends.
- Reward value when transferred to airline and hotel partners or redeemed for flights.
- Annual fee relative to the benefits a frequent flyer can realistically use.
CardKhoj is independent and does not earn commission from banks. Rates and fees change often — always confirm the latest terms on the bank's official website before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Which credit card is best for airport lounge access in India?
HDFC Infinia, HDFC Diners Club Black, Axis Magnus and Standard Chartered Ultimate offer unlimited or near-unlimited domestic and international lounge access. For a lower fee, HDFC Regalia Gold and ICICI Sapphiro offer a fixed number of visits each year.
Which credit card has the lowest forex markup?
Super-premium cards such as HDFC Infinia, Diners Club Black, Axis Magnus and SC Ultimate charge around 2% + GST, compared with 3.5% + GST on most regular cards.
Do lounge visits require a minimum spend?
Increasingly, yes. Many banks now unlock lounge access only if you spent a minimum amount (often ₹50,000–₹1,00,000) in the previous quarter. Check the current rule on the bank's website before you rely on it.