Travel cards earn their keep through miles, lounge access and low forex. We picked the strongest across air miles, hotel stays and everyday trip booking.
As of October 2026, the Axis Atlas Credit Card leads our travel picks with 5 miles per ₹100 on travel. We shortlisted 7 cards, each earning a distinct "Best for" verdict from MITC-sourced data — never paid placement.
Why we picked itEDGE Miles transfer 1:1 to a broad set of airline and hotel partners, and tier upgrades unlock more lounge access as you spend. The most flexible travel card in India.
Why we picked itEarns Etihad Guest miles directly with a market-leading 0% forex markup and 12 lounge visits — purpose-built for international flyers. Miles credit straight into the Etihad Guest programme with no conversion step.
Why we picked itOne of the highest complimentary lounge allowances at this fee — 24 visits a year — with accelerated air-travel rewards. Built for the frequent domestic flyer.
Why we picked itEarns Marriott Bonvoy points directly with complimentary Silver Elite status and a free-night award. The pick if hotels — not flights — dominate your travel.
Why we picked itTravel Credits that never expire and convert to airline miles, paired with a low 1.99% forex markup and international lounge access. A clean miles-and-abroad combo.
Why we picked itInterMiles on every spend, 16 lounge visits and a market-low 1% forex markup make this a heavy-flyer favourite. Miles pool across the InterMiles alliance.
Why we picked itThe lowest forex markup on this list at 0.99%, plus MMT vouchers and 8 lounge visits. Purpose-built for booking flights and hotels through MakeMyTrip.
| Card | Travel | Annual Fee | Best For | Welcome | Network | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Atlas Credit Card | 5 miles | ₹5,000 | per ₹100 on travel | ₹2,500 | VISA | Apply |
| BOBCARD Etihad Guest Premium Credit Card | 0% | ₹5,000 | forex · Etihad Guest miles | — | VISA | Apply |
| Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card | 24 | ₹3,000 | lounge visits / year | ₹5,000 | VISA | Apply |
| Marriott Bonvoy® HDFC Bank Credit Card | 12 | ₹0 | lounge visits + Bonvoy | — | Diners | Apply |
| SBI Miles Elite Credit Card | 1.99% | ₹4,999 | forex · 8 lounges | ₹5,000 | Mastercard | Apply |
| InterMiles Signature Credit Card | 16 | ₹0 | lounge visits · 1% forex | — | VISA | Apply |
| MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card | 0.99% | ₹999 | forex markup | ₹1,000 | Mastercard | Apply |
Every card is judged on four criteria. Picks live in code review — never influenced by affiliate payouts, and never ordered by a paid placement.
Travel cards earn their keep through miles, lounge access and low forex. We picked the strongest across air miles, hotel stays and everyday trip booking.
The best travel card depends on where your money goes. Match the card's strongest rate to your biggest spending categories, and weigh the annual fee against the rewards you will realistically earn — not the headline number on the marketing page.
Shortlist two or three cards from the picks above and put them side-by-side with the compare tool before you apply. And whichever you choose, clear the statement in full each month — interest quickly outweighs any reward.