Leaderboards / Spend Categories

Best for Travel

Travel rewards + lounge access + low forex + travel insurance combined for the ultimate travel companion.

5 cards ranked | Updated January 2026

Key Ranking Factors

30% Rewards

Travel earning rate

30% Lounges

Airport access

25% Forex

International cost

15% Insurance

Travel protection

🥇

HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card

Lounge Access Premium ₹10,000/yr

Unlimited lounges 2.00% forex

Score

Score: 430

Top 20%

Score

Score: 430

Top 20%

🥈

Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card

Co-Branded Shopping ₹500/yr

Score

Score: 341

Top 40%

Score

Score: 341

Top 40%

🥉

HDFC Regalia Gold

Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr

18 lounge visits/yr

Score

Score: 122

Top 60%

Score

Score: 122

Top 60%

HDFC Infinia Metal Edition

Lounge Access Premium ₹12,500/yr

₹3.3-33.3/₹100 rewards Unlimited lounges 2.00% forex

Score

Score: 53

Top 80%

Score

Score: 53

Top 80%

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

Lounge Access Premium ₹12,499/yr

₹3.0-6.0/₹100 rewards Unlimited lounges 2.00% forex

Score

Score: 50

Top 100%

Score

Score: 50

Top 100%

About Travel Rankings

Travel cards combine multiple benefits: travel rewards, airport lounges, low forex markup, and travel insurance. The best travel cards excel across all these dimensions, making them true travel companions.

How We Rank Travel Cards

Travel rewards: Earning rate on flights, hotels, travel bookings
Lounge access: Domestic and international airport lounges
Forex markup: Cost of international transactions
Travel insurance: Emergency medical, trip coverage
Travel perks: Airport transfers, meet & greet, travel desk

Travel Value

Combined benefits

International Focus

Forex + lounges

What Makes a Great Travel Card

Comprehensive benefits: Good across rewards, lounges, forex, insurance
Priority Pass: Essential for international travelers
Low/zero forex: Saves significantly on international spending
Strong travel insurance: Emergency medical coverage abroad

Who Needs a Travel Card

Frequent flyers (5+ trips annually)
International travelers
Business travelers
Vacation enthusiasts who travel multiple times yearly

Maximizing Travel Cards

Use for all travel: Book flights, hotels, and experiences on your travel card
Leverage lounges: Arrive early and enjoy free food, drinks, and WiFi
Avoid DCC: Always pay in local currency abroad
Stack with programs: Combine card benefits with airline/hotel loyalty

Travel Card FAQ

Do I need a travel card if I only travel once or twice a year?

A dedicated travel card may not be necessary for infrequent travelers. Consider a general rewards card with decent travel perks instead of paying premium fees for benefits you'll rarely use.

Bottom Line

True travel cards deliver value across multiple dimensions. For frequent travelers, the combination of rewards, lounges, low forex, and insurance can easily justify premium annual fees.

Learn more about our methodology