Best Airline Credit Card in India
In an era where air travel has become more accessible than ever, frequent flyers and occasional travelers alike are on the lookout for credit cards that help them save on flight bookings, earn air miles, and enjoy premium travel perks. In India, several credit cards cater specifically to travel needs — especially airline benefits — making it possible to earn miles, access airport lounges, and unlock exclusive travel rewards.
Top Airline Credit Cards in India (2026)
The Indian market is currently dominated by a few standout performers. Here is a comparison of the top choices:
| Card Name | Best For | Key Highlight | Approx. Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Bank Atlas | High Spenders | 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on travel; highly flexible. | ₹5,000 |
| HDFC Regalia Gold | All-rounders | Complimentary Club Vistara and MMT Black Elite memberships. | ₹2,500 |
| Air India SBI Signature | Air India Loyalists | Up to 30 Reward Points per ₹100 spent on Air India tickets. | ₹4,999 |
| Kotak IndiGo 6E Rewards XL | Budget Travelers | 6% rewards on IndiGo; complimentary 6E Prime add-ons. | ₹2,500 |
| Amex Platinum Travel | Milestone Rewards | Massive bonus points (40k+) on reaching spend milestones. | ₹5,000 |
| HDFC Diners Club Black | Premium Luxury | Unlimited global lounge access and 1:1 mile conversion. | ₹10,00 |
What is an Airline Credit Card
Unlike standard cashback or rewards cards, an Airline Credit Card (often co-branded) is designed specifically to reward travel spending. Instead of generic points, you earn Airmiles (like InterMiles, Club Vistara Points, or Flying Returns) that can be redeemed directly for flight tickets or seat upgrades.
The Two Main Types:
- Co-branded Cards: Partnered with a specific airline (e.g., SBI Air India, Axis Vistara, Kotak IndiGo). These offer the highest rewards when flying with that specific carrier.
- Airline-Agnostic Travel Cards: These allow you to earn flexible points (like Axis EDGE Miles) that can be transferred to multiple airline partners.
Benefits of Owning an Airline Credit Card
Why choose an airline card over a simple cashback card? The perks go far beyond just "points."
- Welcome Bonuses: Most cards offer a free one-way flight ticket or enough bonus miles to cover a domestic trip upon payment of the joining fee.
- Airport Lounge Access: Essential for the frequent traveler. Premium cards offer unlimited domestic and international lounge visits via Priority Pass or DreamFolks.
- Milestone Rewards: Reach a spending target (e.g., ₹2 Lakhs in a year) and receive additional flight vouchers or thousands of bonus miles.
- Priority Services: Enjoy priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, and priority boarding, making the airport experience seamless.
- Low Forex Markup: Many travel-specific cards reduce the "foreign currency markup fee" from the standard 3.5% to 1.5% or even 0%, saving you money on international shopping.
Eligibility Criteria for Airline Credit Cards
While criteria vary by bank, general requirements include:
- Age: Minimum 21 years; maximum 65–70 years.
- Employment: Must be a salaried employee or a self-employed professional/business owner.
- Income: *
- Entry-level cards: Annual income of ₹3 Lakh+
- Premium cards: Annual income of ₹12 Lakh to ₹25 Lakh+
- Credit Score: A score of 750 or above is typically required for higher-tier airline cards.
- Location: You must reside in a city where the bank has a sourcing presence.
Documents Required for Airline Credit Cards
To ensure a smooth application process, keep the following digital or physical copies ready:
- Identity Proof: PAN Card (Mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Voter ID.
- Address Proof: Aadhaar, Utility Bills (last 2 months), or Ration Card.
- Income Proof (Salaried): Last 3 months' salary slips and 6 months' bank statements.
- Income Proof (Self-Employed): Latest ITR (Income Tax Return) with computation of income.
- Photographs: Recent passport-sized color photos.
Steps to Apply for an Airlines Credit Card
- Click on the "Apply Now" button.
- Basic Info: Enter your Name, Mobile Number, Income, and Pincode to see eligible offers.
- Compare & Select: Compare cards from different banks (HDFC, SBI, Axis, etc.) and click "Apply Now" on your preferred card.
- Fill Details: Enter your PAN card number, Date of Birth, and Office address.
- OTP & Video KYC: Verify your mobile number via OTP and complete the Video KYC (or schedule a document pickup).
- Approval & Delivery: Once the bank verifies your credit score (CIBIL) and documents, the card is approved and delivered within 7–10 days.
FAQs
Travel cards offer general travel benefits across portals and airlines. Airline cards focus on earning miles for a specific airline or niche travel perks.
Yes — most airline cards include domestic/international lounge visits, though the number and partner lounges vary.
It is generally not recommended. The high annual fees are usually only ‘offset’ by the travel benefits. For occasional travelers, a simple cashback card is better.
The Axis Atlas or HDFC Infinia are excellent because of their low forex markup fees and the ability to transfer points to international partners like Singapore Airlines or United.
As far as eligibility, operations, and usage are concerned, airline Credit Cards are similar to regular Credit Cards. The only difference is the co-branding that these Credit Cards come with. It enables the card members to avail of higher discounts and rewards points if they patronise the airlines promoted by the co-branded partner.
Reshma Rawat is a passionate writer, with a decade of experience in writing for a variety of domains (finance, technology, lifestyle, e-commerce, real estate, etc.). Currently, she is working as Assistant Manager - Content @MyMoneyMantra, and writes blogs & webpages on financial products (loans, credit cards, insurance, financial policies by government, mutual funds, etc.
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