Flights are more expensive. Hotels are pricier. Lounges are crowded. But your bank still sends you those “exclusive travel credit card” emails every other week. So, which are the best air miles credit cards in India?
In this guide, you’ll discover the best air miles credit cards in India for your needs, whether you’re flying for work every month, doing 2–3 trips a year, or just dreaming of that one big international vacation.
And, instead of dumping a random list of cards on you, we’ll first build a simple travel rewards strategy and then show you which type of card makes sense for you.
By the end, you’ll know:
- What kind of travel rewards should you be chasing
- Which category of card suits your life (not your neighbour’s)
- How to use rewards smartly without overspending
…and in the last section, you’ll get a cheat sheet to use whenever you’re confused.
Let’s start with the basics your bank never explains properly.
Why Frequent Flyers in India Need a Travel Rewards Strategy
Most of us start in reverse:
First, we get a card. Then we open the app and try to understand the rewards.
Do it once the other way round and everything clicks.
The reality of travel right now
- Flight prices: Domestic flights that used to be ₹3,000–₹4,000 now easily touch ₹6,000–₹8,000 on peak dates.
- Hotel stays: Even “okay-ish” 3-star properties in metro and tourist cities feel overpriced on weekends.
- Airport lounges: Once a rare luxury; now, half your flight is in the lounge queue.
If you travel even 2–3 times a year and you’re paying full price while your card offers basic cashback, you’re leaving serious value on the table.
A simple, intentional approach to travel rewards in India can get you:
- Free or heavily subsidised flights
- Lounge access when you need it the most
- Free nights or upgrades at hotels
- Smoother, less stressful travel days
And you don’t have to become “that” points-obsessed friend. You just need the right card and a plan.
Keep reading, because in a bit we’ll do a persona-based match: “If you’re this kind of traveller → this is the kind of card you should look at.”
How Air Miles and Travel Rewards Credit Cards Work in India
Before we pick the best air miles credit cards in India, we need to fix the basics: points, miles, cashback, co-branded, transfer partners… the usual suspects.
Points vs Air Miles vs Cashback – what’s the difference?
- Cashback Cards
- You spend → you get a percentage back as a statement credit.
- Simple, clean, great if you don’t want to think.
- Downsides: Usually lower upside for frequent travellers.
- Reward Points Cards
- You earn points per ₹100 spent.
- Points can be used for flights, hotels, vouchers, etc.
- Sometimes those points can be converted to air miles.
- Air Miles Cards
- Typically co-branded with specific airlines or part of a travel ecosystem.
- You earn directly in a frequent flyer program or in flexible points that convert to miles.
- Upside: Better value per rupee when redeemed smartly.
Think of it like this:
Cashback = thoda sa money back now.
Miles = more value later, but only if you use them right.
We’ll talk about how to use them right in the “Maximise Travel Rewards” section – don’t skip that part.
Airline co-branded vs bank travel cards
You’ll mostly meet two types of travel rewards credit cards in India:
- Co-branded airline credit cards
- Example: Bank X + Airline Y
- You earn faster miles with that particular airline.
- Good if you frequently fly with the same airline.
- Bank travel or premium rewards cards
- Issued purely by the bank, with multiple airline and hotel partners.
- Points are flexible; you can transfer them to different partners.
- Good if your airline choice depends on price/timings, and you’re not loyal to just one.
If your work always books you on the same airline, a co-branded credit card can be gold.
If you hunt for the cheapest flights on OTAs, you likely need flexibility.
How miles are earned
You typically earn miles/points via:
- Regular spends – per ₹100 spent
- Category bonuses – extra points for travel, dining, online spends, etc.
- Welcome bonuses – a big chunk of points or miles after you cross a spend threshold in the first 60–90 days
- Milestone benefits – hit ₹X lakh in a year, get bonus miles or free tickets
- Special offers – limited-time promos with OTAs, airlines, and festive seasons
Note: Some of the best air miles credit cards in India are less about the base earn rate and more about the milestone and welcome structure.
How miles are redeemed
Redemption options usually include:
- Flight tickets
- Seat upgrades (economy → business)
- Hotel stays
- Experiences (events, lounges, etc.)
- Gift vouchers (last resort; usually poor value compared to flights)
The trick is: you want maximum rupee value per point.
We’ll get into concrete do’s and don’ts in the “Smart Redemption Strategy” section – that’s where you can literally avoid losing half your value.
Transfer partners and airline alliances (in simple terms)
Some cards let you convert your reward points into air miles across multiple airlines.
Why this matters:
- You might earn points via domestic spends in India.
- But you might redeem them for a premium cabin on an international airline.
- Airline alliances (Star Alliance, Oneworld, etc.) let you redeem on partner airlines as well.
You don’t need to memorise the alliances. But knowing your card has transfer partners is a big plus if you see yourself travelling internationally in the next 1–3 years.
How to Choose the Best Air Miles Credit Cards in India
This is where most people go wrong:
They pick a card because it’s “best” on a random list, not because it’s best for them.
Use this simple framework as a filter.
1. Map your travel pattern
Ask yourself:
- How many trips do you realistically do in a year? (not aspirationally, actually)
- Mostly domestic or international?
- Economy all the way, or do you want to target upgrades?
- Solo, couples, or family travel?
If you do:
- 1–2 domestic trips a year → you don’t need a super premium card.
- 4–6 trips a year with some international → a premium travel card can really pay off.
- Multiple international work trips → a strong, flexible rewards card + lounge access is almost mandatory.
2. Airline and hotel preferences
- Are you mostly flying the same airline because of the timings from your city?
- Are you loyal to one chain (like Taj, Marriott, etc.) or flexible based on offers?
If yes, co-branded cards with your preferred airline or hotel can give outsized value.
If not, stick to flexible travel rewards credit cards in India that let you move points around.
3. Lounge access needs
Be honest:
- Do you really need lounges on every trip, or just on longer journeys?
- Domestic vs international?
- Do you travel with family who might also want access?
Many of the best air miles credit cards in India bundle:
- Domestic lounge visits per quarter
- International lounge access via Priority Pass / Dreamfolks or similar
Later in the lounge section, we’ll talk about the fine print (quarterly caps, guest access, etc.) that most people realise only at the airport gate.
4. Fees and charges
Don’t let the joining fee scare you off or seduce you.
Look at:
- Joining & annual fee
- Fee waiver conditions (spend ₹X lakh a year, etc.)
- Forex markup (important if you make international spends or travel abroad)
- GST on fees
A ₹5,000 annual fee can be very cheap if it gives you:
- 1–2 free tickets
- Enough miles for at least one solid return trip
- Lounge visits
- Hotel vouchers
We’ll talk about “value for fee” in the cheat sheet at the end.
5. Reward rate and milestone benefits
Not all reward structures are equal:
- Some cards offer a decent base earn rate but insane milestone bonuses.
- Some offer flashy lounge benefits but poor ongoing rewards.
- Some are great for travel, but poor for everyday spending.
The smarter choice:
Pick a card where your natural spending pattern (rent, bills, groceries, travel, online shopping) hits the spend tiers without forcing you to overspend.
6. Co-branded vs general travel rewards cards
If:
- You live in a metro with multiple airlines,
- You compare flight prices on OTAs,
- You’re flexible on dates and carriers,
…then a flexible travel rewards credit card in India is usually better.
If:
- Your city is dominated by one airline,
- Your company books you only with that airline,
- You already have a frequent flyer number for them,
…then look for one of the best air miles credit cards in India, co-branded with that airline.
Top Air Miles Credit Card Picks by Use-Case
Here’s a framework you can use to slot in specific cards (or we can map actual cards in a separate post):
- Best for Premium International Flyers
- High annual fee, strong lounge access (including international), great transfer partners, high reward rate on international spends, good forex markup.
- Best for Domestic Frequent Flyers
- Solid domestic lounge access, good earn rate on travel and fuel, milestone-free tickets, and easy annual fee waiver.
- Best for Zero/Low Annual Fee
- Modest lounge access, decent points for flight and hotel bookings, simple reward structure.
- Best for Hotel & Staycation Lovers
- Free night vouchers, hotel points, upgrades, breakfast, and late checkout.
- Best for Occasional Flyers Who Still Want Lounge Access
- Lower annual fee, a few lounge visits per quarter, simple earning structure.
You can use this snapshot as your “shortlist view” and then plug in actual card names based on your research.
Detailed Comparison – Travel Rewards Credit Cards in India
Instead of a boring table, let’s talk about how to evaluate cards side by side.
When you compare travel rewards credit cards in India, look at:
- Earn rate: Points/miles per ₹100
- Bonus multipliers: Extra points on travel, dining, fuel, international spends
- Lounge access: Domestic vs international, number of visits, guests allowed
- Hotel benefits: Free nights, upgrades, late checkout, partnerships
- Forex markup: 1.5% vs 3.5% can make a huge difference on foreign trips
- Milestones: Free tickets or bonus miles at certain annual spend levels
- Fee and waiver: Realistically, can you meet the spend requirement?
Small mental trick:
Ask, “If I had to pay the annual fee out of pocket with no emotion, would the benefits still justify it?”
If yes, the card is worth considering.
Later, in the HerPocket Cheat Sheet, we’ll summarise this into quick “If you are X, look for Y” rules.
Deep-Dive – Best Cards by Type of Frequent Flyer
This is where you start matching yourself to a bucket.
1. Best air miles credit cards in India for domestic flyers
You’re mostly flying:
- Tier-1 → Tier-1 cities for work (Delhi–Mumbai, Bangalore–Hyderabad, etc.)
- Or Tier-1 → Tier-2 to visit family or short trips
What to prioritise:
- Strong domestic lounge access at major airports
- Good earn rate on domestic flight bookings
- Milestone free tickets or bonus points at achievable spend levels
- Moderate annual fee with an easy waiver
You don’t need crazy international perks if 90% of your flying is domestic.
2. Best for international economy and budget travellers
You:
- Take 1–2 international vacations (Dubai, Southeast Asia, Europe, etc.)
- Book economy flights but still care about comfort
What to look for:
- Lower forex markup on international transactions
- International lounge access (Priority Pass / Dreamfolks type access)
- Wide range of airline transfer partners
- Extra points on foreign currency spends and travel bookings
Even if you fly economy, international lounge access plus a slightly cheaper ticket paid via miles can massively improve your experience.
3. Best for business class upgrades and premium travel
You’re either:
- A frequent business traveller, or
- An aspirational traveller who wants to use points for premium experiences instead of just economy tickets.
You need:
- High earning potential on your typical spends (business expenses, high-value tickets, hotels)
- Good international airline partners
- Decent availability for business class redemptions
- Strong lounge access, preferably with guests allowed
For this segment, the value is not “how many free flights did I get?” – it’s “how much luxury did I unlock for the same money?”
4. Best for hotel and staycation lovers in India
You might not be flying that much, but you love:
- Weekend getaways
- City staycations
- Family trips where hotel comfort matters
What to prioritise:
- Hotel tie-ups (free nights on anniversaries, milestones, etc.)
- Bonus points on hotel and OTA bookings
- Room upgrades, late checkout, breakfast
- Complimentary membership in hotel loyalty programs
Travel is not just flights. For many Indian families, the hotel is a bigger part of the experience than the airline.
5. Best low-fee travel rewards credit cards in India
You:
- Don’t want to pay high annual fees
- Still want some lounge access and travel benefits
- Want a simple structure
Key features:
- Low or zero joining fee
- Easy annual fee waiver via modest yearly spends
- 4–8 domestic lounge visits a year
- Basic reward points that can be used for flight or hotel bookings
This is often the ideal “first travel card” for many people.
Lounge Access Benefits – Not Just About Free Food
Let’s be honest:
Half of Instagram thinks lounges = free buffet and reels.
There’s more to it.
Types of lounge access
- Domestic airport lounges – within India, before/after immigration
- International lounges – lounges outside India and at Indian airports on international departures
- Railway lounges – increasingly common at major railway stations
Some of the best air miles credit cards in India provide a mix of these.
How many visits per year actually make sense
If you travel:
- 2–3 times a year → 4–8 visits per year is enough
- 5–8 times a year → you’ll want 8–16 visits or a better structure
- With family → check if guest access is allowed or if they need their own card
More visits are not always better. What matters is where those lounges are and whether your home/most-used airport is covered.
Hidden limitations you must check
- Visits are often per quarter, not per year
- Some cards require a minimum spend to unlock lounge access
- Guest access might be chargeable
- Some lounges exclude certain card networks during peak hours
Imagine reaching the lounge queue with luggage and kids and being turned away because of a hidden condition.
Read the fine print. Always.
Do you really need Priority Pass / Dreamfolks?
You’ll typically find:
- Domestic lounge access via your card network (Visa, Mastercard, RuPay)
- International lounges via Priority Pass / Dreamfolks / DragonPass, etc.
If you do at least 1 international trip every year, having one of these mechanisms is worth it.
If you rarely travel abroad, don’t pay a huge premium just for this logo on your plastic.
Hotel and Stay Benefits You Should Actually Care About
Hotel benefits look shiny, but here’s where the real value lies.
Free nights vs discount vouchers
- Free night vouchers
- High value if used at good properties on peak dates
- Check categories: some vouchers exclude premium hotels and busy periods
- Discount vouchers (10–25% off)
- Useful, but rarely game-changing
- Great if you regularly book via a specific OTA
Ideally, you want at least one free night or a solid stay benefit each year to offset your card fee.
Room upgrades, late checkout and breakfast
These soft benefits look small, but:
- Room upgrade = more space, better view, better stay
- Late checkout = huge relief for late evening flights
- Breakfast included = actual, tangible savings versus eating outside
A good travel card can make a “normal” hotel stay feel like a premium one.
Status matches with hotel loyalty programs
Some cards give you:
- Complimentary silver/gold-type status in hotel chains
- Faster earning of hotel points
- Occasional complimentary night/stay offers
If you’re someone who does frequent city travel, this can quietly stack up into real value over time.
When hotel-focused cards make more sense
If:
- You take a lot of road trips or short city getaways
- You don’t always fly, but you always stay somewhere
- You enjoy upgraded stays and pampering more than flight upgrades
…then a card with stronger hotel rewards may beat a pure airline-focused card for you.
How to Maximise Travel Rewards in India (Without Overspending)
This is the part most people skip and then say, “rewards aren’t worth it.”
To actually squeeze value from travel rewards in India, you need to be intentional – not obsessive.
Align big expenses to bonus categories
Look at your card’s bonus structure:
- Extra points on flights, hotels, dining, online spends, international spends?
- Higher rewards on specific OTAs or partner brands?
Then, when you have major spends coming up:
- Vacation bookings
- Weddings / large family events
- Big-ticket electronics or appliances
- Insurance or education spends (where allowed)
…try to route them through the card that gives you the best return.
Important:
Never spend extra just to chase a milestone. It kills the entire point.
Plan around joining and milestone bonuses
Some of the best air miles credit cards in India give a massive welcome bonus if you:
- Hit a spend threshold in the first 60–90 days
- Spend a certain amount in a year
You can plan:
- Home furnishing
- Annual premiums
- Major festival shopping
- Planned travel bookings
…around these windows to unlock those bonuses without changing your overall annual spending.
Smart redemption strategy (don’t throw points away)
General rules:
- Flights and premium travel usually give better value per point than vouchers
- Avoid redeeming points for random gift cards unless the conversion is clearly good
- Avoid “Pay with Points” options that give poor value per point on OTAs
Before redeeming, quickly check:
- If I pay cash, how much would this flight/hotel cost?
- If I use points/miles, how many points will it cost?
- Value per point = cash price/points used
If you’re getting very low value per point, consider saving up for a better redemption.
Avoiding common traps
- Points expiry: Some programs have hard expiry dates. Track them.
- Devaluations: Programs can suddenly increase points needed for the same flight/stay.
- Dynamic pricing: The same flight can cost wildly different miles on different dates.
- Revolving balance: If you don’t pay in full, interest wipes out all your “benefits”.
If you use a credit card for travel rewards, commit to paying your bills in full every single month. Non-negotiable.
Fees, Charges and Fine Print Most Travellers Ignore
The banks make money because we ignore this part.
Forex markup – the silent killer
When you spend abroad or in foreign currency online, many cards add:
- 3–3.5% forex markup + GST
That’s a lot.
Better travel cards usually:
- Offer a lower forex markup
- Or give higher rewards on international spends to somewhat offset it
If you’re planning foreign travel, check this line item carefully.
Reward capping and devaluation
Some cards:
- Cap the monthly points you can earn
- Exclude certain merchant categories from earning points
- Devalue points silently over time
Always read:
- “Exclusions” section for spends
- Maximum reward points per month/year
Convenience fees on flight bookings
Sometimes:
- Booking flights via the bank’s portal gives extra points
- But the base fare or convenience fee may be higher than on direct airline sites
Double-check the final fare. A few hundred rupees saved per booking can add up over multiple trips.
Interest & late payments – the line you never cross
One late payment:
- Triggers interest
- Can affect your credit score
- Makes your next trip more expensive, not cheaper
Your travel rewards game only works if the card never carries a balance.
Who Should Not Get an Air Miles or Travel Rewards Card?
This might sound weird in a post about the best air miles credit cards in India, but some people should not get them at all.
If you rarely travel
If you genuinely:
- Take one trip in 2–3 years
- Prefer trains or buses to flights
- Don’t care about lounges or hotels
…then a simple cashback or no-fee card may be more than enough.
If you often revolve balance
If you:
- Frequently pay only the minimum due
- Struggle with credit discipline
Then forget miles and rewards. Your first job is to fix cash flow and debt.
Rewards on interest-bearing spending are basically an illusion.
If you prefer “set and forget” simplicity
If optimising isn’t your thing:
- Use a good, broad cashback card
- Or a simple, low-maintenance rewards card
No rule says you must play the travel rewards game.
How to Apply for the Best Air Miles Credit Cards in India
Once you know your traveller type and what to look for, applying is straightforward.
Step 1: Check eligibility
Look at:
- Income requirement (monthly/annual)
- Age
- Existing relationship with the bank (savings account, other cards)
- Your credit score (ideally 750+ for premium products)
Step 2: Decide where to apply
You can apply via:
- Your bank’s official website/app
- Branch, if you have a strong existing relationship
- Third-party platforms comparing multiple travel rewards credit cards in India
- Airline/hotel websites for co-branded options
Pro tip:
Sometimes, banks have targeted offers for existing customers that are better than public offers. Always check your net banking/app first.
Step 3: Get your documents ready
Typically:
- PAN
- Aadhaar or other address proof
- Salary slips/bank statements
- Existing card details if you’re doing a card-on-card offer
Step 4: What to do in the first 30 days
This is a crucial open loop that most people forget.
In the first month:
- Activate the card and app
- Note your welcome bonus milestone and deadline
- Plan that you’ll route through to hit the milestone
- Add the card to your travel and OTA profiles
- Set up auto-pay in full from your bank account
If you manage the first 60–90 days smartly, you’ll start your travel rewards journey with a big cushion of points/miles.
HerPocket Cheat Sheet – Best Air Miles Credit Cards in India by Profile
Here’s the screenshot-friendly part you can save.
Match your situation to the kind of card you should look for:
- “I do 2–3 domestic trips a year and hate airport chaos.”
→ Low/medium-fee domestic travel card with:- 4–8 domestic lounge visits per year
- Decent reward rate on travel & fuel
- Easy annual fee waiver
- “I take at least one international trip each year.”
→ Travel rewards card with:- International lounge access (Priority Pass / Dreamfolks)
- Lower forex markup
- Good airline transfer partners
- Higher earnings on foreign currency spends
- “I love fancy hotels more than fancy flights.”
→ Hotel-focused travel card with:- Free night vouchers
- Room upgrades & late checkout
- Extra points on hotel/OTA spends
- “I travel a lot for work, want upgrades and premium experiences.”
→ Premium travel rewards credit card in India with:- High earn rate and strong milestone bonuses
- Good airline alliances and international partners
- Business-class or upgrade-friendly redemption options
- “I’m just starting and don’t want a big fee.”
→ Entry-level or low-fee card with:- Basic lounge access
- Simple reward structure
- Easy waiver at achievable spend levels
Use this cheat sheet as a filter first, then shortlist actual cards. That way, you’re not picking a card because a blog said it’s “No.1”; you’re picking it because it fits your life.
FAQs on the Best Air Miles Credit Cards in India
Best Air Miles Credit Cards in India for Frequent Flyers: Verdict
If you’ve read till far, you already think about money and travel more seriously than most people around you.
You don’t need 5 cards.
You don’t need to play every point game.
You just need:
- A card that fits your travel pattern
- A simple spend and redemption strategy
- The discipline to pay in full and not overspend
