The right travel credit card in India pays for itself within two return trips. Airport lounges alone are worth ₹1,500+ per visit; a card offering 4–8 complimentary visits a year covers its annual fee, and everything else — air miles, zero-forex markup, hotel discounts — is pure upside. Below are the four travel cards we trust in 2026.
1. HDFC Regalia Gold — best value travel card under ₹3,000
The HDFC Regalia Gold sits at a ₹2,500 joining fee and rewards travel aggressively: 4 reward points per ₹150 (translates to ~1.3% effective), 6 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year, 12 complimentary international lounges via Priority Pass. On HDFC SmartBuy you can redeem points at up to 1 point = ₹0.50 for flight / hotel bookings — the best redemption rate in this tier.
2. Axis Atlas — best for air-miles enthusiasts
The Axis Atlas (₹5,000 fee) earns EDGE Miles redeemable 1:1 with 22+ airline and hotel partners — Vistara, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Marriott, and Accor among them. 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on travel spends, 2 per ₹100 elsewhere. 8 domestic + 4 international lounge visits annually.
3. HDFC Infinia — the premium travel flagship
The HDFC Infinia (₹12,500 fee, by invite) delivers 5 reward points per ₹150 (~3.3% effective), unlimited Priority Pass lounge visits globally, and the same SmartBuy catalogue where ₹0.50/point redemption makes its effective travel return ~10%. Club Marriott, EazyDiner Prime, golf access, and 24×7 concierge round out the proposition. This is the travel card to hold if you can get approved.
4. SBI Card ELITE — best traditional travel card
The SBI Card ELITE (₹4,999 fee) offers 10x points on travel, 2 complimentary international lounges per quarter via Priority Pass, 8 domestic lounge visits per year, ₹1,000 welcome voucher from Yatra, and Club Vistara Silver enrolment. Benefits lean Indian-travel; international depth is narrower than Regalia Gold Priority Pass.
Feature comparison
| Card | Fee | Domestic lounge | Intl lounge | Forex markup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Regalia Gold | ₹2,500 | 6 / yr | 12 / yr PP | 2% |
| Axis Atlas | ₹5,000 | 8 / yr | 4 / yr | 3.5% |
| HDFC Infinia | ₹12,500 | Unlimited | Unlimited PP | 2% |
| SBI Card ELITE | ₹4,999 | 8 / yr | 8 / yr PP | 3.5% |
How to pick your travel card
- Under 4 flights a year: skip premium. IDFC FIRST Classic gives 4 complimentary lounges for ₹0 annual fee.
- 4–10 flights a year, mostly domestic: HDFC Regalia Gold is the sweet spot — fee recovers after 2 lounges.
- Airline loyalty matters to you: Axis Atlas. EDGE Miles convert 1:1 to KrisFlyer, Vistara Club, Marriott Bonvoy.
- 10+ international flights a year: HDFC Infinia is worth the fee purely for SmartBuy redemption + unlimited lounges.
Don't forget complementary cards — a flat-cashback card for everyday spending makes more sense than forcing every purchase through a travel card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best travel credit card in India for 2026?
HDFC Regalia Gold offers the best value under ₹3,000 fee. HDFC Infinia is the premium flagship if you can get invited. Axis Atlas wins for air-miles transfer flexibility.
Which card has zero forex markup?
No mainstream Indian issuer ships a 0% forex card today. The lowest is ~2% (HDFC Infinia, Regalia Gold, Scapia Federal). Compare this with 3.5% on most mid-tier cards.
Does lounge access expire at year-end or annually from issuance?
Usually by calendar or statement year. Check your card's T&C; on most cards, unused lounges do not carry forward.
Can I get travel insurance with my credit card?
Most ₹2,500+ travel cards include air accident and lost-baggage insurance. Coverage tops out at ₹1 crore for air accident on premium cards. Keep the card's insurance certificate handy while travelling.