Synopsis: Trip cancellations can lead to financial losses and especially when flights and hotels are booked with non-refundable fares. But in such scenarios, some credit cards in India now include complimentary trip cancellation insurance as part of their travel benefits. These cards can reimburse travelers for prepaid expenses if a trip is cancelled due to covered reasons. Take a look at these five credit cards that offer trip cancellation protection along with other travel perks.
Travel plans can be met with sudden illness or unexpected disruption which can force travelers to cancel a trip at the last minute. This often results in the loss of non-refundable bookings. In some cases, people purchase separate travel insurance for such situations but fewer realize that some credit cards already offer built-in trip cancellation benefits when the travel booking is made using the card.
In India, there are credit cards under travel and premium range provide complimentary insurance that can cover trip cancellations inconveniences. These benefits can help reduce financial losses if a trip has to be cancelled for valid reasons under the policy terms. That is why we have brought a list of credit cards with valuable travel insurance coverage that can therefore add an extra layer of protection for regular travellers.
1. IDFC First Bank Ashva Metal Credit Card
- Joining fee: ₹2,999 + taxes
- Annual fee: ₹2,999 + taxes
- Forex markup: 1%
- Trip cancellation benefit: Cardholders can cancel flight and hotel bookings and receive reimbursement of up to ₹25,000 per cancellation, twice in a year, for the non-refundable portion of the booking when paid using the card.
- Travel Benefits:
- 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter on spending ₹20,000 in the previous calendar month
- 2 international airport lounge visits per year under the same spend condition
- 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per quarter
- Low forex markup of 1% on international transactions
- Reward points on travel and retail spends
To apply for the card, please visit the Official Website
2. ICICI Times Black Credit Card
- Joining fee: ₹20,000 + taxes
- Annual fee: ₹20,000 + taxes
- Forex markup: 1.49%
- Trip cancellation benefit: No cancellation charges on domestic flight and hotel bookings of up to ₹12,000.
- Travel Benefits:
- Unlimited complimentary airport lounge access at domestic and international airports
- One night luxury stay at Ayatana or Lohono on spends of ₹20 lakh
- Travel insurance coverage on air accident up to 1 cr
3. IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card
- Joining fee: ₹5,999 + taxes
- Annual fee: ₹5,999 + taxes
- Forex markup: 0%
- Trip cancellation benefit: The card offers Cancel-For-Any-Reason (CFAR) coverage. This allows reimbursement of up to ₹50,000 twice per year for cancelled flight or hotel bookings paid using the card.
- Travel Benefits
- 4 complimentary international airport lounge access and 4 domestic lounge access
- 4 railway lounge access per quarter
To apply for the card, please visit the Official Website
4. IndiGo IDFC FIRST Dual Credit Card
- Joining fee: ₹4,999 + taxes (for the base variant)
- Annual fee: ₹4,999 + taxes
- Forex markup: 1.49%
- Trip cancellation benefit: Cardholders can receive reimbursement of up to ₹25,000 every year for the non-refundable portion of IndiGo flight bookings when the cancellation is made under the applicable terms of the trip cancellation cover.
- Travel Benefits
- Complimentary IndiGo ticket vouchers on milestone spends
- Rewards on IndiGo flight bookings
- UPI convenience
To apply for the card, please visit the Official Website
Also read: 3 Best Credit Card Alternatives After Airtel Axis Credit Card’s Major Devaluation in 2026
5. IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card
- Joining fee: Nil
- Annual fee: Nil (Lifetime free card)
- Forex markup: 1.5%
- Trip cancellation benefit: Cardholders get trip cancellation coverage of up to ₹10,000 per year on non-refundable portion of hotel and flight cancellations. The total cover can be used for up to two claims during the policy period. The benefit can be shared between the Primary & Add On cardholders.
- Travel Benefits
- Complimentary 2 domestic airport and 2 international airport lounge access
- Travel insurance including accident cover
- 4 railway lounge access on spending ₹20,000 in current month
- Lifetime free credit card with no annual charges
Comparison of Credit Cards Offering Trip Cancellation Benefits
| Credit Card Name | Trip Cancellation Cover |
| IDFC FIRST Ashva Metal | Up to ₹25,000 twice a year |
| ICICI Times Black | Up to ₹12,000 twice a year |
| IDFC FIRST Mayura | Up to ₹50,000 per year |
| IndiGo IDFC FIRST Dual | Up to ₹25,000 per year |
| IDFC FIRST Wealth | Up to ₹10,000 per year |
Conclusion
The trip cancellation feature can be useful for travellers who often book flights in advance. These benefits help reduce the financial loss while making travel plans by reimbursing the non-refundable portion of cancelled bookings. The claim procedures can vary depending on the credit card issuer. That is why it is necessary to carefully review the policy terms and make sure that travel bookings are made using the right card to later claim the benefit.
Written by Kenbi Riba
