ONE OF INDIA'S BEST SUPER PREMIUM CREDIT CARDS, IDEAL FOR FREQUENT TRAVELLERS

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.25
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
33.3% reward on hotels, select partners
✔︎
16.6% reward on flights, holiday packages, select partners
✔︎
10% reward on gift vouchers, train tickets, select partners
✔︎
3.3% on other card spends
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Complimentary golf rounds worldwide - 24 per year
Annual Fee

₹10000

Minimum Income

Salaried: ₹2.50 lakhs per month | Self-employed: ₹30 lakhs per year

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome Offer: Annual memberships of Club Marriott, Amazon Prime and Swiggy One (on spending ₹1.50 lakhs within 90 days)
  • Renewal Offer: Annual fee waived on ₹8 lakhs annual spend

BEST IN CLASS REWARDS STRUCTURE (UP TO 33%) AND LIFESTYLE BENEFITS

HDFC Bank INFINIA Metal Credit Card

HDFC Bank INFINIA Metal Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.50
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
33.3% reward on hotels and select partners
✔︎
16.6% reward on flights, gift vouchers, holiday packages, and more
✔︎
10% reward on IRCTC train tickets
✔︎
3.3% reward on other card spends
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Unlimited golf rounds in India and abroad
Annual Fee

₹12500

Minimum Income

By Invite

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome Offer: ₹12500 + 1 year Marriott membership
  • Renewal Offer: Renewal fee waived at ₹10 lakh annual spend, else 12500 reward points worth ₹12500 on payment of renewal fee

Premium Travel Credit Card

HSBC TravelOne Credit Card

HSBC TravelOne Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.0
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
Up to 24% rewards (in airline/hotel points) on travel spending
✔︎
International airport lounge access - 4 times per year
✔︎
Domestic airport lounge access - 6 times per year
✔︎
4 free golf rounds per year, 1 free golf lesson per month
✔︎
2 free movie tickets (up to ₹200 each) each month, through Zomato
✔︎
10% dining discount (up to ₹1000 per month), on Zomato
Annual Fee

₹4999

Minimum Income

₹6 lakhs per year

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offers: ₹1,000 cashback + ₹3,000 PostCard voucher + 3-month EazyDiner Prime (spend ₹10,000 in 30 days + download HSBC app)
  • Renewal offer: Annual fee waived off at ₹8 lakhs annual spend

EXCELLENT CHOICE IN MID-PREMIUM CATEGORY - FOR THOSE WHO CAN MAXIMIZE AIRMILES/HOTEL POINTS

Axis Bank ATLAS Credit Card

Axis Bank ATLAS Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.25
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
10% reward (in airline/hotel partner points), on monthly travel spends up to ₹2 lakhs
✔︎
4% reward (in airline/hotel partner points), on other card spends
✔︎
Domestic & international airport lounge access, frequency depends on annual card spending
Annual Fee

₹5000

Minimum Income

Salaried: ₹12 lakhs per year || Self-employed: ₹15 lakhs per year

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offer: 2500 EDGE Miles (worth ₹2500 OR 5000 travel partner points)
  • Renewal offer: 2500 EDGE Miles at ₹3 lakh annual card spend

BEST FOR FLIGHT & HOTEL BOOKINGS ON EASEMYTRIP

Standard Chartered Bank EaseMyTrip Credit Card

Standard Chartered Bank EaseMyTrip Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.0
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
10% discount on domestic flight bookings up to ₹10,000 per month (maximum ₹1000 discount)
✔︎
10% discount on international flight bookings up to ₹50,000 per month (maximum ₹5000 discount)
✔︎
20% discount on domestic hotel bookings up to ₹25,000 per month (maximum ₹5000 discount)
✔︎
20% discount on international hotel bookings up to ₹50,000 per month (maximum ₹10,000 discount)
✔︎
2.50% reward on hotel and airlines
✔︎
Domestic airport lounge access - 2 times per year
Annual Fee

₹350

Minimum Income

Not specified

Annual Fee Offers
  • Renewal Offer : Annual fee from the 2nd year waived, if you spend ₹50,000 or more in the previous year

LIFETIME FREE TRAVEL CREDIT CARD WITH ZERO FOREX FEES || TRAVEL DISCOUNTS ON IXIGO

ixigo AU Credit Card

ixigo AU Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.0
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
Lifetime-free (no annual fee)
✔︎
Ixigo flight bookings : 10% discount (up to ₹1000), once a month
✔︎
Ixigo hotel bookings: 10% discount (up to ₹1000), once a month
✔︎
Ixigo bus bookings: 10% discount (up to ₹300), once a month
✔︎
International airport lounge access - once per year
✔︎
Domestic airport & railway lounge access - 16 times per year
✔︎
No forex fee on international transactions
Annual Fee

₹0

Minimum Income

Not specified

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offer : 1000 reward points worth ₹250 || ₹1000 ixigo money vouchers

PREMIUM CO-BRANDED SPICEJET CARD - 7% REWARD ON SPICEJET SPENDS || 3% REWARD ON BILL PAYMENTS & FOOD ORDERS

SpiceJet Axis Bank Voyage Black Credit Card

SpiceJet Axis Bank Voyage Black Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 3.75
Top Reasons to Choose
7%
Reward on Spicejet spends
3%
Reward on online food orders, online bill payment, online entertainment
Upto 1.25%
Additional milestone benefit - at ₹2 lakh and ₹4 lakh annual card spend
✔︎
Complimentary SpiceClub Gold membership
✔︎
Domestic airport lounge access - 8 times per year
Annual Fee

₹2000

Minimum Income

Not specified

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offer: Spicejet vouchers worth ₹11500
  • Renewal fee offer: 2000 SpiceClub points worth ₹1000

ONE OF INDIA'S BEST CARDS IN MID-PREMIUM CATEGORY

HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card

HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.0
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
17.3% reward on hotels and select partners
✔︎
8.6% reward at select partners - Marks & Spencer, Myntra, Nykaa, Reliance Digital
✔︎
8.6% reward on flights, gift vouchers, holiday packages and select partners
✔︎
5.2% reward on train tickets
✔︎
1.7% reward on other spends
✔︎
Up to 2.1% additional reward based on quarterly/ annual card spending requirements
✔︎
Domestic airport lounge access (12 times per year), and international access (6 times per year)
Annual Fee

₹2500

Minimum Income

Salaried: ₹1.5 lakh/month | Self-employed: ₹18 lakh/year | Government: ₹1 lakh/month

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offers : ₹2,500 voucher + Swiggy One + MMT Black Gold membership (spend ₹1 lakh in 90 days)
  • Renewal offer : Annual fee waived on ₹4 lakhs annual spend

SUPER-PREMIUM CARD FOR BURGUNDY CUSTOMERS | HIGH REWARDS

Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy Credit Card

Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.25
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
24% reward (in airline/hotel partner points), on monthly travel spends up to ₹2 lakhs
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Airport Meet & Greet Services, 4 times per year
Annual Fee

₹30000

Minimum Income

Maintenance of high-value 'Axis Burgundy Account Status'

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offer: Vouchers worth ₹5000
  • Renewal offer: Annual fee waived on ₹30 lakhs annual card spend

ICICI CARD WITH SUPER-PREMIUM BENEFITS

Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card

Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.0
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
24% reward on hotel bookings, 12% on flights
✔︎
Unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access
✔︎
Reduced forex fee of 1.49%, 2.5% rewards on international spending
Annual Fee

₹20000

Minimum Income

Salaried: ₹2 lakhs per month || Self-employed: ₹24 lakhs per year

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offers worth over ₹20,000
  • Renewal offer: Annual fee waived at ₹25 lakh annual spend

SIMPLE REWARDS STRUCTURE, PREMIUM BENEFITS

HSBC Premier Credit Card

HSBC Premier Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.25
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
Rewards on travel spending - 36% on hotels, 18% on flights (in airline/ hotel partner points)
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Free golf rounds - 24 per year, free golf lessons - 12 per year
✔︎
Low fee of 0.99% on foreign transactions
✔︎
₹20,000 annual fee waived if you meet HSBC Premier banking criteria
Annual Fee

₹20000

Minimum Income

HSBC Premier relationship required to get card || No annual fee for HSBC Premier customers

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offer : Earn 20,000 reward points when you start using your HSBC Premier Credit Card
  • Renewal offer : No annual fee for HSBC Premier customers

BEST IN CLASS REWARDS STRUCTURE (UP TO 36%) AND LIFESTYLE BENEFITS

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.50
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
36% reward on hotel bookings
✔︎
18% reward on flight bookings & gift vouchers
✔︎
3% reward on other card spends
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Unlimited golf rounds both in India and abroad
✔︎
2 free BookMyShow movie tickets (up to ₹750 each), per month
✔︎
Complimentary EazyDiner Prime membership
Annual Fee

₹12499

Minimum Income

Invite Only

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome Offer: 12,500 reward points worth ₹12,500, Taj Epicure Membership with free one-night stay
  • Renewal Offer: Annual fee waiver at ₹10 lakh annual spend, else 12500 reward points worth ₹12,500 on payment of annual fee

Super-Premium Credit Card from IDFC First Bank

IDFC First Private Credit Card

IDFC First Private Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 4.25
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
40% reward on hotels, 20% on flights
✔︎
Unlimited domestic & international airport lounge access
✔︎
Unlimited free golf rounds and lessons in India
✔︎
Zero forex fee on international transactions
✔︎
Unlimited domestic railway lounge access
✔︎
100% discount (up to ₹750) on movie tickets - 2 times per month
✔︎
Club ITC Culinaire Select membership
Annual Fee

₹50000

Minimum Income

Invite Only

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offers: Club ITC Culinaire Select membership. 50,000 reward points worth ₹50,000
  • Renewal offers: Renewal of Club ITC Culinaire Select membership at ₹40 lakh annual card spend. 25,000 reward points worth ₹25,000

HIGH TRAVEL REWARDS || ZERO FOREX MARKUP CREDIT CARD

IDFC First Mayura Credit Card

IDFC First Mayura Credit Card - Our Money Guide Our Rating 3.75
Top Reasons to Choose
✔︎
20% reward on hotels, 13.3% on flights
✔︎
Domestic airport lounge access - 16 times per year
✔︎
International airport lounge access - 16 times per year
✔︎
Railway lounge access – 16 times per year
✔︎
Zero forex fee on international transactions
✔︎
Golf Offer 1: Complimentary golf rounds – up to 2 per month
✔︎
Golf Offer 2: 4 free golf rounds per year, and 1 free golf lesson per month
✔︎
Free movie tickets - 2 tickets per month (up to ₹500 each)
Annual Fee

₹5999

Minimum Income

Not specified

Annual Fee Offers
  • Welcome offer: Up to 12000 reward points worth ₹6000
  • Renewal offer: 7500 reward points worth ₹3750, at ₹8 lakh annual card spend. OR 15000 reward points worth ₹7500, at ₹15 lakh annual card spend

Credit Card Offers on Flight Booking - Latest Promotions

Banks often partner with online travel platforms & airlines and launch limited-time flight offer promotions for their cardholders. 

See links below to know about the latest credit card flight offers from the 4 big card issuers in India- 

  • Please click here for the latest SBI credit card offers on flight tickets in india, and abroad
  • Please click here for the latest HDFC credit card offers on flight tickets in india, and abroad
  • Please click here for the latest Axis credit card offers on flight tickets in india, and abroad
  • Please click here for the latest ICICI credit card offers on flight tickets in india, and abroad

Given below are links to know about the latest flight offers from the other card issuers- 

Conclusion: Choosing Your Ideal Flight Credit Card

The best credit card for flight booking depends on your specific travel patterns, income level, and preferences. For maximum value:

  • Heavy travelers/ very high income earners: Choose HDFC INFINIA or ICICI Emeralde for flight & all-around benefits, and a competitive annual fee structure
  • Moderate travelers/ high income earners: Consider Axis ATLAS or HSBC TravelOne
  • Light travelers/ moderate income earners: Start with ixigo AU

You should always remember to evaluate the total cost of ownership, including annual fees, against the benefits you'll actually use. The right flight rewards credit card can significantly reduce your travel costs while enhancing your journey experience.

How Our Money Guide Works

  • Wide Range of Credit Cards: Our Money Guide brings together a wide range of credit cards from the industry. This helps you choose from a wider bucket and make informed decisions.
  • Quick & Easy Comparison: Our Money Guide makes it easy to compare credit cards on the most important parameters like fees, benefits, eligibility, and annual fee-related offers.
  • Expert Insights: Our Money Guide's team has deep experience in consumer finance. This helps you get honest reviews and trusted information on the most important decision-making parameters, helping you choose better.
  • Simplified Application Process: Our Money Guide website pages contain Apply Now buttons at relevant spots, which help you apply easily from the comfort of your home or office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Flight booking credit cards are credit cards which offer special rewards on flight bookings. Premium credit cards with special rewards on flight bookings, co-branded airline credit cards, and co-branded credit cards with online travel agencies like Yatra & EaseMyTrip are examples of flight booking offers credit cards.

Choosing the best credit card for flight booking in India would depend on your eligibility, spending patterns and personal preferences. HDFC Bank INFINIA Credit Card in the super-premium category, Axis Bank ATLAS Credit Card in the premium category, and ixigo AU Credit Card in the starter category are three of the best credit cards for flight booking in India.

Each card issuer provides information on the eligibility criteria for a flight booking credit card. We have covered this in each of our card reviews on this website. However, some card issuers do not explicitly disclose eligibility criteria, such as minimum income requirements. An excellent credit score, existing credit cards, and a deep banking relationship with the card issuer can help meet the eligibility criteria.

When looking for a flight ticket offer on a credit card, consider your personal preferences since flight offers on a credit card are of different types. The main factors you should look for are: 1) Your typical flight ticket expense is usually based on the distance you typically travel since some deals offer discounts only on a limited flight ticket booking amount. 2) Some flight discounts are restricted to specific days of the week, like Tuesday or Thursday discounts. If you are not flexible on the day you travel, these offers may not suit you. 3) The eligibility criteria of the credit card. 4) Rewards and benefits on non-travel spending, in case you are not looking to get multiple specialist credit cards for each spending need.

Depending on the deal being offered, you could get as high as 25% discounts with flight booking credit cards, especially during the non-peak season. However, one should not just look at the discount percentage, since some deals may offer a high percentage discount but the discount amount may not be that large. Hence, it is important to look at the details of each flight offer before deciding if it is suitable for you.

Premium flight booking credit cards usually offer higher rewards on flight bookings, especially if you redeem these reward points on travel bookings. Starter flight booking credit cards typically offer discounts on flight bookings; while these discounts are not cashback on flight tickets, they are in a way better than cashback since your ticket amount reduces immediately at the time of booking.

Yes, you can use these flight booking credit cards for international flight bookings since there are no restrictions. The rewards offered on flight booking are usually the same for domestic and international flights in the case of premium travel credit cards. However, the starter travel credit cards may offer different rewards for domestic and international flights. Hence, it is essential to read the details of the offer.

Most flight booking credit cards provide additional benefits like complimentary airport lounge access, especially the premium cards. Starter flight booking credit cards may not offer this benefit; the ones that do may provide only domestic airport lounge access and not international access.

Yes, you can book flights for your family using these travel credit cards. Most travel credit cards give the same rewards for flight bookings for your family members also. However, as far as complimentary lounge access is concerned, most travel credit cards that offer this benefit only provide it for the primary cardholder, and family members will need to pay for lounge access in case they want to use this facility.

Flight booking discounts usually have limits in terms of the percentage discount or the total discount amount being offered. Other restrictions, such as a minimum booking amount, may also exist to qualify for the flight discount offer. Hence, it is essential to read the details of each flight discount offer.