Synopsis: This complete list of travel credit cards features low fees with high rewards and covers everything from secured cards to air and rail travel benefits. These picks are perfect for building credit while saving on your next getaway or journey home.
In India, currency conversion charges and airport service fees can sometimes inflate travel budgets by 4-5%. In such a situation adoption of a low-fee travel card is a wise choice for financial safety. The cards in this list come with a manageable fee structure or spend-waiver conditions that allow travelers to access a bunch of rewards and a layer of protection.
This compilation of cards has a combination of very low annual/joining fees, unsecured cards, to secured fixed-deposit based cards. This mix made sure that there are enough options to choose from.
The choice of low fees does not always have to be about budget, but rather benefits that significantly de-risk their international and domestic journeys without committing to a hefty annual fee or memberships.
7. Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
- Joining Fees: ₹350+ taxes
- Annual Fees: ₹350+ taxes
- Annual Fee Waiver: Waiveable on an annual spend of ₹50,000 or more.
- Card Type: Travel Co-branded Credit Card (Visa)
Why is it Best For Travel:
- Flat 10% instant discount on domestic and international flight bookings via EaseMyTrip.
- Flat 20% instant discount on domestic and international hotel bookings via EaseMyTrip.
- 2 complimentary domestic lounge visit per calendar Year
6. IRCTC SBI Platinum Card
- Joining Fees: ₹500+ taxes
- Annual Fees: ₹500+ taxes
- Card Type: Railway Co-branded Credit Card (RuPay/Visa)
Why is it Best For Travel:
- Up to 10% value back as reward points on AC1, AC2, AC3, and AC CC tickets booked via the IRCTC website.
- 1% transaction fee waiver on all railway ticket bookings via IRCTC.
- 4 complimentary railway lounge access visits per year (1 per quarter).
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on a transaction between ₹500 to ₹3,000.
5. MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card
- Joining Fees: ₹500+ taxes
- Annual Fees: Nil (Lifetime Free)
- Card Type: Travel Co-branded Credit card (Mastercard/Visa)
Why is it Best For Travel:
- ₹500 My Cash and a MakeMyTrip holiday voucher worth ₹3,000 as welcome bonus
- 1 domestic airport lounge access per quarter (upon spending ₹75,000 in the previous quarter).
- 1 railway lounge access in a quarter to participating lounges
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on all the fuel purchase between ₹400 to ₹4,000 at HPCL
Also read: Who is Leading India’s Credit Card Market in 2025? A Bank-Wise Share Breakdown
4. Niyo SBM Credit Card
- Joining Fees: Nil
- Annual Fees: Nil (Lifetime Free)
- Card Type: Secured Travel Credit Card (Visa Signature)
Why is it Best For Travel:
- Secured against a Fixed Deposit (FD) thus, credit limit is based on the deposit.
- 7.5 % interest per annum for cardholders FD amount (T&C according to bank)
- 0 Forex Markup Fee
- Free ATM withdrawal abroad (fee is reversed as Niyo coins)
- Real-time in-app currency converter and ATM locator.
- 10% Niyo Coins on domestic travel spends
3. IDFC FIRST WOW! Credit Card
- Joining Fees: Nil
- Annual Fees: Nil (Lifetime Free)
- Card Type: Secured Travel Credit Card (Visa Infinite)
Why is it Best For Travel:
- 0 Forex Markup
- 0% interest on ATM cash withdrawals for up to 45 days.
- 1X reward points on all spends (points never expire).
- Fixed Deposit backed card and interest for amount starts at 6.3% p.a
- Personal Accident cover of up to ₹2,00,000
2. Ixigo AU Credit Card
- Joining Fees: NIL (Lifetime Free;currently in promotions)
- Annual Fees: NIL (Lifetime Free;currently in promotions)
- Card Type: Travel Co-branded Credit Card (Visa)
Why is it Best For Travel:
- 0 Forex Markup
- 10% discount instantly on flights booking via Ixigo (capped at ₹1,000)
- 10% off on bus bookings made through the Ixigo app. (capped at ₹300)
- 10% off on Hotel Bookings through Ixigo(capped at ₹1,000)
- 1 international lounge access per year as complimentary feature
- 2 domestic airport lounge access per quarter on spend of ₹20,000 in previous quarter
1. Scapia Federal Bank Credit Card
- Joining Fees: Nil
- Annual Fees: Nil (Lifetime Free)
- Card Type: International Travel Credit Card (Visa)
Why is it Best For Travel:
- 0 forex markup on all international transactions.
- Access to unlimited domestic lounge upon spending ₹10,000 in a calendar month.
- 20% reward as Scapia Coins on every travel booking made via Scapia app
- 10% return on eligible online and offline store purchases
- 5 Scapia coins = ₹1
Concluding Words
The choice of the best travel card might seem confusing, but it is worth noting that every applicant’s need for reward structure is different. Thus, a one-card fit-all approach feels outdated now. These new generation cards come with unique features that set each of them apart.
In the maze of credit cards, remember to check every reward and benefit before applying to make sure you don’t miss out on the maximum offerings by the respective bank.
Written by Kenbi Riba
