Travel in 2026 is no longer just about booking flights and hotels — it’s about how you pay for them. The right travel credit card can unlock free lounge access, flight rewards, hotel stays, milestone benefits, and even save thousands in annual travel costs. This guide breaks down the best travel credit cards in India for 2026, based on real-world value — not marketing claims.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer, occasional traveller, or someone planning one big international trip a year, this blog will help you pick the right cards.
How We Selected the Best Travel Credit Cards (Our Criteria)
To create this list, we filtered cards using five practical criteria:
- Travel Rewards & Redemption Value – Cards that earn:
- Air miles
- Travel points
- Hotel rewards
- Or high-value rewards redeemable for flights/hotels
- Lounge Access (Domestic & International) – Because lounge access is one of the most tangible travel perks — saving money, time, and stress.
Milestone Benefits – Cards where hitting annual or quarterly spends unlock –
- Free flights
- Hotel Nights
- Bonus Points
- International Travel Friendliness – We favoured cards with:
- Good International Acceptance
- Travel Insurance
- Reasonable forex charges (or premium value that offsets them)
- Net Value vs Annual Fee – High annual fee cards only made the list if they clearly justify the cost.
Best Travel Credit Cards in India (2026)
HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card
Best Niche Airline Rewards Card
- Why HDFC Diners Club stands out
- Unlimited domestic + international airport lounge access
- High reward rate via SmartBuy on flights & hotels
- Premium travel & lifestyle perks (golf, concierge)
- Best for
- Frequent flyers
- Professionals with high annual spends
- Users who want one card that does everything
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
Best Airline-Agnostic Travel Rewards Card
- Why Axis Atlas stands out
- Strong EDGE Miles earning on travel spends
- Points redeemable across multiple airline & hotel partners
- Milestone rewards for frequent travellers
- Best for
- Travellers who don’t want to lock into one airline
- Users booking flights and hotels frequently
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card
Best Hotel-Focused Travel Card
- Why HDFC Marriott Bonvoy stands out
- Earn Marriott Bonvoy points on spends
- Complimentary Silver Elite status
- Free night awards via milestones
- Best for
- Travellers who stay at Marriott properties
- Business travellers and hotel loyalists
HSBC TravelOne Credit Card
Best Mid-Range International Travel Card
- Why HSBC TravelOne stands out
- Travel rewards across flights & hotels
- International lounge access
- Clean, simple travel-focused structure
- Best for
- Occasional international travellers
- Users upgrading from basic cards
Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card
Best Ultra-Premium Travel Card
- Why Axis Reserve stands out
- Unlimited lounge access worldwide
- Premium concierge & travel privileges
- High EDGE Miles earning potential
- Best for
- Very frequent flyers
- High-income users who value comfort & convenience
IndusInd Airline / Travel-Linked Credit Cards
Best Niche Airline Rewards Cards
- Why they stand out
- Airline-linked reward structures
- Lounge access & travel perks
- Often underrated but valuable for loyal flyers
- Best for
- Airline-specific travellers
- Users seeking alternative travel ecosystems
Quick Comparison Table – Best Travel Credit Cards 2026
| Credit Card | Lounge Access | Travel Rewards | Travel Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Diners Club Black Metal | Unlimited | High | Frequent flyers |
| Axis Atlas | Limited + Milestones | Very High | Airline-agnostic travel |
| Marriott Bonvoy HDFC | Limited | Hotel-focused | Hotel stays |
| HSBC TravelOne | Limited | Medium | Occasional international |
| Axis Reserve | Unlimited | Very High | Ultra-premium travel |
| IndusInd Travel Cards | Limited | Airline-linked | Airline loyalists |
Travel Credit Cards vs Zero-Forex Cards (Important)
- Travel cards focus on:
- Rewards
- Lounge access
- Hotel & flight benefits
- Zero-forex cards focus on:
- Saving money on foreign spends
Best strategy: Use travel card for bookings & lounges + zero-forex card for international spending
Check out Best Credit Cards for Zero Forex here.
Who Should Use a Travel Credit Card?
A travel credit card makes sense if you:
- Travel at least once or twice a year
- Spend on flights, hotels, or travel platforms
- Want lounge access
- Can hit milestone spends without overspending
Final Verdict: Which Travel Credit Card Should You Choose in 2026?
- Best all-rounder: HDFC Diners Club Black Metal
- Best flexible travel rewards: Axis Atlas
- Best hotel card: Marriott Bonvoy HDFC
- Best mid-range travel: HSBC TravelOne
- Best premium experience: Axis Reserve
No single card is perfect — the best travel setup often includes two cards, each doing one job well.
Apply & Earn via PickMyWork
With PickMyWork, you can apply for these Travel-based cards—and also earn by helping others apply.
How it Works
- Download the PickMyWork app
- Sign-Up with Mobile Number (no investment)
- Promote the right Credit Card – You will find it in the Credit Card Section
- Earn incentives for each successful activation
