9 Best Credit Cards for International Travel

Payment options on travels are no more a hassle. Credit cards have made international trips immensely convenient. Banks offer travel credit cards that come up with their own benefits and attractive offers making it a great choice for users and you can find all about it at loanbaba.com. In addition to the airline miles, there are huge Reward Points (RPs) and various cash back offers that can be claimed in future. Following is a list of the best international travel credit card options and international travel credit card features.

Documents Required to Apply for Travel Credit Cards

Here is the documentation needed for credit card application:

• Coloured passport-sized photographs.
• Bank statement for the last 3 months.
• Identity Proof: You can submit a copy of PAN Card/Passport/Driving Licence/Aadhaar Card/Voter’s ID Card.
• Address Proof: You can submit a copy of PAN Card/Aadhaar Card/Utility Bills/Voter’s ID Card/Passport.
• Income Proof: IT assessment order/salary certificate or latest salary slips/latest balance sheet/salary account statement.

1. Citibank Premier Miles Credit Card

Citibank brings an incredible option for travellers with complimentary air travel offers in over 100 airlines. The frequent flyers can earn airline miles through credit card spends and use the miles in the subsequent bookings. The rewards are also available for redemption on car rentals and hotel stays. The international travel credit card features:

Features and Reward Points:

• Earn miles on transactions with the credit card and redeem at over 100 domestic or international airlines.
• You have the option to transfer your miles through the card to any Citibank's airline or a hotel associate.
• Get 10,000 reward points when you first spend over Rs. 1000 within 60 days from the date of issue. 10,000 miles is of the estimated worth Rs. 4,500.
• Get 4.5% rupee value back. 100 miles = Rs. 45.
• Renew your card and earn 3000 airline miles i.e. vouchers worth Rs. 1,350.
• You get 10 airline miles on every Rs. 100 spent on flight bookings, hotel stays, and car rentals through www.premiermiles.co.in.
• Get 10 miles on every spending of Rs. 100 on airline bookings all over the world.
• Get 10 miles on every spending of Rs. 100 with Citibank online partner traders.
• Get 4 miles on every spending of Rs. 100 on any other transaction through the card.
• The miles you earn are valid lifelong. Thus, the blackout dates do not disturb you and your savings.
• You can track reward points 24 x 7 through SMS.
• Get air accident insurance cover up for free, up to Rs. 1 crore.
• To settle the outstanding amount, you get easy payment options.
• Get 15% off on dining bills with the bank’s restaurant partners.
• The Frequent Flyer Program, FFP members, can book airline tickets anywhere around the world and get 10 miles on every spending of Rs. 100. This lets you accumulate additional FFP miles for flying with the same airline again.
• Earn one frequent flyer miles on every 2 miles transferred to British Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Cathey Pacific, Qatar Airways, Delta Airlines, Thai Airways, Air India, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines and Eva Air.
• Get access to airport lounges in any part of the country.

Fees and Charges:

2. American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card

This is one of the best credit cards, which allow you to earn miles and additional reward points on credit card spends. You can redeem points at any of the airlines. The credit card comes with a number of benefits that make it an apt option. The features of the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card are given below.

Eligibility:

Eligible candidate are those over 18 years of age with an Indian or multinational bank’s current or savings account in India.

• The individual should have a permanent residential address in India.
• The person should have annual income of Rs. 6 lakhs and above.
• He/she should have a good credit history and no defaults on payments.
• If the applicant is self-employed, then the company he/she is employed with should have operation history of 12 months

Features and Reward Points:

• The first year fee is Rs. 3,500 excluding taxes. The fee from the second year is Rs. 5,000 excluding taxes. Interest rate is 40.2% per annum.
• Earn 5000 Membership points as a welcome gift that can be converted into Indigo Vouchers worth Rs. 4000.
• Reward point rate is: For every Rs. 50 spent, get 1 Membership Rewards Point. This excludes spends on insurance, fuel, cash transaction, EMI conversion at Points of Sales, and utilities.
• Spend Rs. 1.90 lakh each year and get over Rs. 7700 worth Indigo Vouchers.
• If you spend Rs. 1.90 lakhs in a year, then you earn Rs. 3,400 regular Membership Reward Points. This is redeemable value is worth Rs. 1,700 travel vouchers. Also get 7500 spend milestone bonus.
• Earn Rs. 10,000 Spend Milestone Bonus Membership Rewards Points on spending Rs. 4 lakhs in a year. Redeem these points for Rs. 10,000 worth travel vouchers. Get additional 3,600 Regular Membership RPs of worth Rs. 1,800 travel vouchers.
• You have 500 other redemption choices if you do not want to redeem points on travel vouchers.
• If you transact over Rs. 4 lakhs in a year with the card, you earn Taj Experiences E-gift card of Rs. 10,000 from Taj Group. This gift card is from the Vivanta Hotels, Taj, and SeleQtions.
• Get free visits every year in over 30 airport lounges in ten big cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
• Earn 3% cash back on top fuel stations of the country.
• One gets 1 reward point on every spending of Rs. 50 except for cash transactions, fuel, utilities and insurance.
• Some of the benefits include Platinum services, zero lost card liability, contactless payment, and supplementary cards.
• Other privileges include fuel convenience fee waiver, complimentary membership to Priority Pass (waiver of USD 99 annual membership fee), 20% discount every time for dining at select restaurants.
• One can carry the unspent reward points of a year to further 3 years of enrolment. After this, the unused points will expire.

3. HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card

This is an ideal choice if you look forward to benefits on dine out, entertainment, travels, etc. Let us look at the major advantages of choosing an HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card.

Features and Reward Points

• Get welcome gift of Zomato Gold Membership for 1 year. You get a complimentary dish or up to 2 complimentary drinks at every visit to a Gold partnered food or drinks restaurant, respectively. This membership is available after you spend Rs. 75,000 in a period of first 3 months of getting the credit card.
• Earn 4 points on every Rs. 150 spent on retail. This includes spends on education, insurance, rent pay, and insurance, except fuel transactions.
• If you spend Rs. 5 lakhs annually, you get Rs. 10,000 RPs. Additional 5,000 reward points are available if the annual spend is Rs. 8 lakhs.
• The reward points get 2x on sending Rs. 150 if you make the bookings through www.hdfcbankregalia.com, airvistara.com and spend on stand-alone cafeterias.
• You can convert these points into air miles of some popular domestic and international airlines.
• Also get a 2% mark-up if you spend using foreign currency.
• You can redeem up to 70% of the flight and hotel booking value through RPs. The remaining should be paid through the credit card. You can redeem the points against hotel or airline ticket booking. When redeemed on https://offers.smartbuy.hdfcbank.com/regalia each RP is worth INR 50 paise.
• You will receive comprehensive protection of Rs. 1 crore in case of accidental air death.
• Credit liability cover is offered up to Rs. 9 lakhs.
• Rs. 15 lakhs worth cover for emergency overseas hospitalization is available.
• Spend between Rs. 400 and Rs. 5000 at fuel stations across India, and get benefited with 1% fuel surcharge.
• You get airport lounge access within India. You have to swipe the Regalia credit card for this purpose. Enjoy 12 complimentary accesses every year at both international and domestic termination. You have to use the MasterCard/Visa Regalia Credit Card.
• For a complimentary airport lounge access in India, Visa customers will have to pay Rs. 2 as transaction fee on the Visa Regalia Credit Card. For MasterCard customers, the charge will be Rs. 25 for the same. This amount will be deducted from the card account for authorisation purpose. However, this fee will be reversed.
• You can also enjoy airport lounge access outside India. You get the facility to apply for a Priority Pass for yourself or add on members after making 4 retail transactions on the card.
• With the Priority Pass outside India, you and the added member together can get up to 6 complimentary accesses in a year. If you exceed the complimentary visits, charges per visit will be USD 27 + GST.
• If you use the Priority Pass in India, charges to the same will be billed on your upcoming statement within 90 days of the visit date. This transaction will not earn you RPs. The currency conversion rate will be according to the exchange rate at the time of the billing.
• Experience a great dining program at premium restaurants in the top cities.
• You get a free Taj Epicure Plus membership. So, make the most out of the exclusive benefits of Taj resorts and hotels.
• Get epicure points on food and beverage by spending on the participating outlets in the main cities across the country.
• Get the Club Vistara Silver Membership for free and get amazing benefits. Also, earn 6 Club Vistara points on every spending of Rs. 100 across all the Vistara flights.
• Also, enjoy extra 5 kg allowance and check-in priority during your board.

Fees and Charges:

4. Axis Bank Miles & More World Credit Card

The Axis Bank has launched a credit card for its users to earn unlimited miles on numerous eligible spends. You can also check out travel loan offered by this bank at loanbaba.com. This credit card is ideal for those who are frequent travellers. You can make automatic payments on the card for utility bills. The credit card has an EMV certified chip to make the transactions more secure. The privileges of opting for this credit card are given below.

Eligibility

The primary cardholder should be between 18 years of age and 70 years. The add-on card holder should be at least more than 18 years old. The applicant must be either a resident Indian or an NRI (non-resident Indian).

Features and Reward Points:

• There is an insurance cover for mishaps such as air accidents, baggage loses, lost card or credit shield.
• Get preferential rates for Axis Bank loans.
• Every quarter, get 4 complimentary visits to select airport lounges. Free access to the MasterCard lounges anywhere in the country.
• 3000 miles as a Welcome Offer on the card. 2000 miles as a reward on activation and transactions worth Rs. 50,000 within the first 60 days.
• 5000 miles as a Welcome Bonus on the first purchase through the card. 3000 award miles each year as the annual bonus.
• Earn 4 award miles on every spending of Rs. 200. There is no expiry of award miles.
• Earn 20 miles on every spending of Rs. 200 on movie tickets.
• 24,000 miles on spending of Rs. 1 lakh within a month.
• Priority Pass is issued on the activation of the Credit Card. Get 2 Priority Pass lounge visits every year.

Fees and Charges

5. Jet Privilege HDFC Bank World Credit Card

This credit card brings elite travel benefits with the top airline associated brands in the world. Note that now you can experience the leisure of JPMiles with InterMiles. The earned JPMiles can be accrued and redeemed at retail spends and www.intermiles.com as InterMiles. You can continue with the existing JetPrivilege Number on the InterMiles platform and enjoy the existing benefits on the HDFC Bank JetPrivilege Credit Card. As a primary card holder salaried/self-employed applicant, the age limit is 21 years to 60 years and 21 years to 65 years, respectively. First year fee and renewal fee on this card is Rs. 2,500 + GST.

• Revolving credit is offered at a monthly interest rate of 1.99%.
• From the date of Card purchase, get 50 interest free days subject to the submission of charge at the merchant.
• If you spend Rs. 3 lakhs on the card in 12 months of set up or renewal date, then the renewal fee will be waived off for the next year. On waiver of renewal fee, you cannot avail renewal discount vouchers.
• There is zero liability on lost card or on fraudulent transactions made through the card.
• Enjoy safe and secure transactions with the EMV chip card at POS or swipe machine at any non-chip POS.
• You can opt for 3 add-ons involving your immediate family members who are over 18 years of age.
• You earn 3,750 InterMiles after swiping the card for the first time.
• If you make retail spends of Rs. 75,000 and more within initial 90 days of the card activation, then get 3,750 InterMiles.
• By default, get a Silver Membership on the InterMiles platform. JetPrivilege Tier members will be now counted as InterMiles Tier members.
• On return flights booked, avail a discount voucher of Rs. 750.

NOTE: The joining benefits are on the realization of the Membership fee and upon Rs. 50 minimum spent on first swipe within the first 90 days. Also, the credited InterMiles cannot be converted to RPs.

• Renewal benefits include 3,000 InterMiles after the first swipe on the card of at least Rs. 100 within the initial 90 days of the renewal and on the realization of the Membership fee.
• Get Rs. 500 worth discount voucher on return flights.
• On every Rs. 150 spent, earn 6 InterMiles. On Rs. 150 on each flight ticket booking, earn 12 InterMiles. Note that Rs. 150 and more spent on retail purchases qualify for InterMiles.
• Maximum capping for InterMiles accrued for insurance transactions is Rs. 2,000 per transaction. Fuel transaction, charges, fees, cash advance, and e-wallet loading transaction does not accrue for InterMiles.
• If a retail transaction is converted to SmartEMI, then the InterMiles accrued will be reversed.
• Get 5% and 10% discount on Eithad Airways Economy tickets and Eithad Airways Business Class tickets booked, respectively.
• If you book Eithad Airways ticket on http://flights.intermiles.com then you will get 2.5x bonus InterMiles.
• You will receive Priority Pass membership with complimentary enrolment of USD 99. This will allow you a priority access to more than 600 airport lounges not only in India, but abroad. This facility is irrespective to the airline or class you fly. You can use business facilities such as fax, phone, internet, rest and refreshment, conference room.
• You can access select airport lounges in India with the network partners on showing JetPrivilege HDFC Bank World Card with your boarding pass.
• Get 4 complimentary visits every quarter to airport lounges when you travel under the MasterCard Lounge Program or VISA Lounge Program.

6. HSBC MakeMyTrip Signature Credit Card

This is an interesting option brought in by HSBC bank for the ones who love shopping and travelling. The HSBC MMT Credit Card not just offers attractive rewards and discount vouchers, it has additional offers such as free flight tickets on the compliance of certain conditions. Applicants of this card should be 18 years of age and over. They can be salaried, self-employed professionals, or businessmen with steady income source. Let us find the exclusive benefits of using an HSBC MakeMyTrip Signature Credit Card.

Features and Reward Points

• Joining fee is Rs. 3,499. Annual fee is also Rs. 3,499. Second year renewal fee is Rs. 499.
• Interest rate is 3.10% per month on HSBC MMT credit card transactions.
• Get (MakeMyTrip) MMT vouchers of worth Rs. 5,500.
• Get 5 RPs for every Rs. 100 transaction at www.makemytrip.com.
• Get 1.5 points for every Rs. 100 transactions at any other merchant site.
• Get 15 turbo points of every Rs. 100 transaction, if the total spends is over Rs. 50,000 in a year on www.makemytrip.com.
• This credit card is accepted worldwide. Miles are transferable to airline partners. The accumulated miles do not expire.
• You will get access to premium lounges. You can avail in-flight discounts on food purchase.
• Get Rs. 500 worth 1 Domestic flight ticket voucher. This can be redeemed on the total air fare, including the base fare.
• If your total expenditure exceeds Rs. 4 lakhs in the first year, get an exclusive membership anniversary gift. You also get 10,000 extra points with 2 more vouchers worth Rs. 500 of domestic airlines tickets.
• 2.5% fuel surcharge up to Rs. 250 per month waiver if your transaction ranges in Rs. 400 and Rs. 4000.
• Enjoy up to 20% discount on the dining in the top cities of the country.

7. Air India SBI Platinum Card

This credit card from SBI is for frequent travellers. The card comes with attractive offers and rewards. The use of Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card will fetch you comparatively an affordable and a comfortable journey. Besides, enjoy fuel surcharge waivers and save huge on money. The major benefits why you should go for this credit card are:

• The interest on outstanding balances is up to 3.35% per month, which is 40.2% per annum.
• Joining fee and the first-year fee is Rs. 1,499. Fee from the second year onward is Rs. 1,499.
• Reward points can be converted to Air India Air Miles. 1 point is equal to 1 Air India Air Mile.
• Earn a welcome gift of 5000 reward points on payment of joining fee.
• Get free Frequent Flyer Program, FFP membership at Air India.
• Get 2 reward points on payment of every Rs. 100 through the card.
• Earn 2000 bonus points every year as an anniversary present upon paying your renewal fee.
• Enjoy 5000 bonus points and 15000 points if you spend Rs. 2 lakhs and Rs. 3 lakhs in a year, respectively. The points will be credited within 15 days of paying the annual or joining fee.
• Every spending of Rs. 100 on Air India flight tickets, you will receive up to 15 RPs.
• Get fuel surcharge waiver up to 1% across all petrol pumps in India for transactions between Rs. 400 to Rs. 4,000.
• The maximum waiver for a billing cycle is Rs.250.
• Free access to visa lounge at the Indian airports. 8 complimentary visits allowed.
• Under the Priority Pass Program, get access to lounges at more than 600 international airports.
• Lost card liability cover up to Rs. 1 lakh.
• You can book Indian Railway tickets on this card online, and get the ticket delivered to your doorstep.
• You can transfer outstanding balance from other bank credit card to the Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card. You can then pay EMI on this card instead. The chargeable interest rate and processing fee could be lower than the previous rate.
• Pay easy monthly instalments on big-ticket purchases on this card. Purchases of Rs. 2,500 and above can be converted to monthly instalments for tenure 3 months to 12 months.

Fees and Charges

8. Axis Bank Titanium Smart Traveller Credit Card

Axis Bank offers the Titanium Smart Traveller Card with amazing travel benefits with an effort to save your expenses through their rewards. It offers loyalty rewards and many more bonuses like the fuel surcharge waiver and prime gifts. Following are the major advantage to why should one you go for the Axis Bank Titanium Smart Traveller Credit Card.

• Rs. 400 maximum benefit per month on fuel. No RPs on fuel transactions.
• Enjoy 8 EDGE Loyalty points in addition to 500 varied offers on using the card.
• You can convert purchases to EMIs.
• On every Rs. 200 spending, earn 8 points while travelling overseas.
• On every spending of Rs. 200 on airline, train and bus bookings, get 4 reward points. The offers also apply to hotel stays and complete holiday packages in India.
• Earn 2 points on every Rs. 200 with the credit card.

Eligibility

• Resident Indians and non-resident Indians can apply for this credit card.
• The age limit for primary cardholder is 18 years to 70 years.
• The minimum age requirement of the add-on cardholder is 15.

Fees and Charges

9. Yatra SBI Credit Card

The Yatra SBI Credit Card has several attractive offers on travels. These benefits are not just applicable on travels but also on shopping and much more. Below-mentioned are some of the features and benefits of this card.

• 1 reward point is equal to 0.25 paise redeemable on Yatra.com.
• Earn 1 RP on every Rs. 100 spent on other categories.
• 1% fuel surcharge waiver is applicable at all the petrol pumps. The transaction amount should be Rs. 500 to Rs. 3,000 for this benefit. A maximum of Rs. 100 is available monthly as surcharge per card holder.
• If you spend Rs. 90,000 in the current year, then you are eligible for annual membership fee reversal from the following year.
• You get Rs. 8250 worth vouchers at Yatra.com on paying the joining fee.
• Get 2 Rs. 500 worth vouchers for domestic travels.
• Get 2 Rs. 1000 worth vouchers for overseas travels.
• Get 1 Rs. 750 worth voucher on a hotel stay booking.
• Get 20% discount on hotel bookings within India. To avail this, minimum transaction amount should be Rs. 3,000. Upper limit of the discount on each transaction is Rs. 2,000. Use Promo Code ‘TRAVEL’ to get the benefits mentioned here. The Code can be utilized for a total of 6 times in a calendar year.
• Instant discount is applicable of Rs. 1000 for booking domestic air tickets. To avail this, minimum transaction should be Rs. 5,000.
• Get complimentary air accident cover of Rs. 50 lakhs for tickets booked on Yatra portal, if you are the primary cardholder.
• The discount amount is Rs. 4,000 on booking international air tickets. To avail this, minimum transaction amount should be Rs. 40,000.
• Enjoy 6x rewards when you use the card on Yatra.com, departmental stores and for grocery.
• Get 1 point on spending of Rs. 100 each on the card. This is also valid for payments to retail stores that are not grocery or departmental stores.
• You can win discount vouchers on every Rs. 3000 spent on Yata.com
• Waive your surcharge of 2.5% if you make transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3000.
• You get direct access to the top MasterCard airport lounges in the country.

Eligibility

• To avail this credit card, you should be an Indian resident.
• Age limit for application is 21 years to 70 years.
• You should have a good credit score and no default on previous loans or credit cards.

Fees and Charges