Intent shortlist

Best Credit Cards for Travel in India

Why our rankings are different

Trust is part of the result.

Selection methodology is based on issuer-backed data, source confidence, and verified fields. Cards with missing or low-confidence data may stay out of a shortlist.

  • Uses issuer-backed evidence where it is published.
  • Does not invent unpublished values.
  • Leaves cards unranked when evidence is insufficient.
Why cards are missing →

0% forex options

10 shortlisted

Travel selector: published 0% forex cards, ordered by base reward rate, then lounge access.

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Up to 2% forex with lounge access

26 shortlisted

Travel selector: published forex up to 2% plus at least 4 annualized domestic lounge visits, ordered by lower markup, then lounge access.

  • AU Small Finance Bank Zenith+ 2 per quarter domestic lounge · Annual fee ₹4,999 · Forex 0.99% · 2 per quarter domestic lounge
    →
  • ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip 2 per quarter domestic lounge · Annual fee ₹999 · Forex 0.99% · 2 per quarter domestic lounge
    →
  • YES Bank Marquee 6 per quarter domestic lounge · Annual fee ₹4,999 · Forex 1% · 6 per quarter domestic lounge
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  • IDFC FIRST Bank Ashva Metal 4 per quarter domestic lounge · Annual fee ₹2,999 · Forex 1% · 4 per quarter domestic lounge
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  • ICICI Bank Times Black Unlimited domestic lounge access · Annual fee ₹20,000 · Forex 1.49% · Unlimited lounge access
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  • Axis Bank Reserve Unlimited domestic lounge access · Annual fee ₹50,000 · Forex 1.5% · Unlimited lounge access
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How to read this shortlist

Selection criteria
How we picked these cards

Travel groups are derived from published forex and lounge fields: 0% forex cards, plus cards with finite forex above 0% and up to 2% when annualized domestic lounge access is at least 4 visits.

Travel cards are useful only when they combine a manageable forex fee with enough lounge access to matter. This page groups travel candidates by the two travel constraints the current data can defend directly.

If you travel abroad a few times a year, lower forex markup usually matters before category rewards. Once you shortlist a card here, open the full card page and verify the lounge terms and fee waiver rules.

Travel tradeoff to watch

Decision note

A card can be strong for travel because it has 0% forex or because it balances a low forex fee with meaningful lounge access. Use the groups below to choose which tradeoff fits your travel pattern.