Best Credit Cards for Flight Booking: Top 5 Picks

Travelling is trending (and getting more likes and shares) not just on social media but in our personal lives as well. And with it, the hunt for smarter ways to manage expenses during travel is also rising. 

For wanderers (or travellers) in India, the best credit cards for flight booking are more than just a payment tool; they're a passport to rewards, perks, and significant savings, especially when it comes to booking flights. 

Choosing the right plastic to travel, i.e. a credit card for flight booking, can transform hefty travel costs into valuable points, free trips, luxurious lounge visits, and exclusive credit card flight ticket offers. This article explores the best credit cards for flight booking, helping travellers like you navigate the options and find the perfect match for your journey.

Table of Contents:

• Why Using a Credit Card for Flight Booking is a Smart Move
• What to Look for in a Credit Card for Flight Booking
• Top 5 Best Credit Cards to Book Airline Tickets
• Best Air Travel Credit Cards 
• How to Choose the Best Card for Flight Bookings

Why Using a Credit Card for Flight Bookings is a Smart Move

Paying for flights with a credit card offers advantages far beyond mere convenience. It’s a strategic approach to managing travel finances, which can unlock multiple benefits to enhance your travel experience while potentially saving money (maybe a lot).

Here's why it's a clever choice:

• Earning rewards (miles/points): Every flight booked through any of the best air travel credit cards can help you save big. Cards accumulate points or air miles, which you can redeem for free flights, upgrades, or discounts on your future travel expenses.
• Travel perks: Many credit cards for flight booking also give access to comfortable airport lounges, complimentary travel insurance, and sometimes priority check-in or extra baggage allowance. All these extra benefits will add significant value to your itinerary.
• Exclusive discounts and offers: Cardholders often get access to special flight offers, credit card deals, or air tickets credit card offers, which may not be available to the general public.
• Enhanced security: Credit cards generally provide stronger fraud protection mechanisms compared to debit cards or direct bank transfers. And thanks to this, you can book flight tickets online with greater peace of mind.
• Convenience and tracking: Best credit cards for flight booking streamline online booking processes and consolidate monthly statements to simplify expense management.

The true value of using the best air travel credit cards extends beyond just direct savings on a flight ticket. It lies in the cumulative benefits, which include: 

• Points earned for future trips
• Lounge comfort and savings through it
• A safety net of travel insurance
• And access to exclusive deals

All of this can collectively enhance your travel experience significantly. Furthermore, many travel-focused credit cards offer a wider ecosystem of benefits, including perks for hotel bookings, dining discounts during travel, and even a fuel surcharge waiver (for your destination city's local market sightseeing). 

What to Look for in a Credit Card for Flight Booking

Selecting the best card for flight booking requires looking beyond the surface-level appeal. The ideal card aligns with your specific travel habits, spending patterns, and priorities.

Consider these crucial factors when evaluating the options for the best credit card to book airline tickets:

• Reward program (points/miles): Assess the reward rate, particularly for flight and travel-related spending versus general purchases. Determine if your credit card for flight booking offers easily usable air miles or points that can be efficiently converted to miles.
• Redemption value and flexibility: Understand the actual value of each point or mile when redeemed for flights. Check the flexibility: Can points be transferred to multiple airline partners, and what are the transfer ratios?
  A high earning (reward) rate is less valuable if the conversion ratio to airline miles is poor (such as 20 points for 1 mile). Conversely, a card earning fewer points but offering a favourable 1:1 or 1:2 transfer ratio can provide superior value for flight redemptions.
• Airline and hotel partnerships: Verify if the card partners with airlines, alliances, or hotel chains that you frequently opt for. A broad network of relevant partners enhances redemption flexibility.
• Lounge access (domestic and international): Check the specifics of the lounge access benefit. Figure out the number of complimentary visits per year or quarter, the policy for accompanying guests, and the lounge network covered (for example, Priority Pass, specific domestic networks, railway lounges).
  Be aware that even "unlimited" access might have guest visit caps or network limitations. Priority Pass itself, while extensive, has varying access rules depending on the issuing card.
• Fees (annual and forex): Check the card's joining and annual renewal fees against the perceived value of the benefits. If you're an international traveller, the forex markup fee is critical; lower fees (below the standard ~3.5%) mean direct savings for you on all foreign currency transactions.
• Welcome and milestone benefits: Look for attractive joining bonuses (points, vouchers) and rewards to achieve specific spending targets within a year. These can significantly offset the annual fee or boost reward balances.
• Travel insurance and other perks: Evaluate the comprehensiveness of included travel insurance (air accident, baggage delay/loss, medical emergency) and the availability of services like 24/7 concierge assistance.

Now that you know what features to keep an eye on, it's time to put that knowledge to good use. Let's jet-set into the top 5 credit cards that can transform your every flight booking into a rewarding experience.

Top 5 Best Credit Cards to Book Airline Tickets

Finding the perfect credit card for flight bookings can be tricky, since everyone's needs are different.
To make it easier, we've curated 5 top cards that stand out for booking air tickets, based on thorough research from trusted sources.

1. Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card

The Axis Bank Atlas card positions itself as a premium, airline-agnostic travel card. It's built around earning flexible EDGE Miles, making it ideal for points enthusiasts who value transferring rewards across various airline and hotel partners.

• Key features and benefits:

  • EDGE Miles: 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on travel spends (direct airline/hotel bookings or via Axis Bank Travel EDGE portal) up to cumulative transactions of ₹2 lakh per month. And for cumulative transactions above ₹2 lakh per month, earn 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on all other spends.
  • Tiered structure: Features Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers based on annual spends (milestones at ₹7.5 lakh and ₹15 lakh). Higher tiers unlock bonus miles and an increased number of lounge accesses.
  • Miles transfer program: A key strength is the excellent transfer ratio: 1 EDGE Mile converts to 2 Partner Points/Miles for most airline and hotel partners.
    Notable partners include Air India, Vistara, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Marriott International (Note: 2 EDGE Miles = 1 Marriott Bonvoy Point), and ITC Hotels.
  • Milestone benefits: Earn bonus EDGE Miles upon reaching spending tiers 2,500 Miles at ₹3 lakh, an additional 2,500 Miles at ₹7.5 lakh (Gold Tier upgrade), and another 5,000 Miles at ₹15 lakh (Platinum Tier upgrade).
  • Welcome benefit: Receive 2,500 EDGE Miles upon completing the first transaction within 37 days of card issuance.
  • Dining benefits: Enjoy 25% off up to ₹800 on dining restaurants via EazyDiner (min order value ₹2,500, and once per month).

• Lounge access:

  • Domestic: Tier-dependent access–
    • Silver: 8 visits/year
    • Gold: 12 visits/year
    • Platinum: 18 visits/year
  • International: Tier-dependent access–
    • Silver: 4 visits/year
    • Gold: 6 visits/year
    • Platinum: 12 visits/year

• Fees and charges:

  • Joining and Annual fee: ₹5,000 + GST
  • Forex markup fee: 3.50% 
  • Annual percentage rate: 55.55%

Eligibility: Annual income: For salaried, min ₹12 lakh per annum, and for self-employed, min ₹15 lakh per annum. Age: 18-70 years.

Explore the full benefits and details of the Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card here.

2. American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card

This card focuses on rewarding consistent spending through valuable milestone benefits, including bonus points and hotel vouchers. It appeals to those who appreciate the American Express service ecosystem and can channel significant spending through the card.

• Key features and benefits:

  • Membership Rewards (MR) points: 1 MR point for every ₹50 spent. Except for fuel, insurance, utilities, cash advances, and EMI conversions at the point of sale.
  • Welcome benefit: 10,000 bonus MR points after spending ₹15,000 within the first 90 days of card membership.
  • Milestone benefits: 
    • Spend ₹1.9 lakh/year → 15,000 bonus Membership Rewards (MR) points
    • Spend ₹4 lakh/year → Additional 25,000 bonus MR points + Taj Stay Voucher worth ₹10,000
  • Redemption: Redeem points through the 'Platinum Travel Collection' or via the 'Pay with Points' option on the Amex Travel Online portal.
  • Fuel benefit: Enjoy a 0% fuel convenience fee at HPCL for transactions of less than ₹5,000. And a 1% convenience fee on transactions of ₹5,000 and above. 
  • Dining benefit: Get up to 20% off every time you dine at select restaurants.

• Lounge access:

  • Domestic: 8 complimentary visits per year (2 visits per quarter).
  • International: Complimentary Priority Pass membership (waiving the standard $99 annual fee).

• Fees and charges:

  • Joining and Annual fee: ₹5,000 + GST 
  • Fee waiver: NA
  • Forex markup fees: 3.50%
  • Annual percentage rate: 42%
     

• Eligibility: Minimum personal annual income of ₹6 lakh (salaried or self-employed). Age over 18 years. Requires a good credit history and residence in specified Indian cities (including Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, etc.).

 Get more details about the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card here.

3. HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card

A top-tier lifestyle card known for its generous reward points, unlimited lounge access globally, and complimentary memberships to premium programs. It's an excellent choice for high-income individuals seeking luxury travel and lifestyle perks.

• Key features and benefits:

  • Reward points: 5 reward points for every ₹150 spent. Accelerated earnings include up to 10x points via the HDFC SmartBuy portal and 2x points on weekend dining.
  • Welcome/annual memberships: Complimentary annual memberships of Club Marriott, Times Prime, Amazon Prime, Swiggy One (3 months) and MMT BLACK on spending ₹1.5 lakh in the first 90 days or upon renewal if annual spending reaches ₹8 lakh.
  • Milestone benefits: You either earn monthly vouchers of Ola, BookMyShow, or TataCLiQ worth ₹500 on spending ₹80,000, or else get Cult.fit live 1-month membership.
  • Redemption: Points are highly valuable when redeemed 1:1 for flight and hotel bookings on the SmartBuy portal. They can also be transferred to airline partners (like KrisFlyer, Vistara) at a 1:1 ratio.
  • Dining benefit: Flat 10% off (upto ₹400 per transaction on minimum order value of ₹3,000) on dining bills at 35k+ restaurants.
  • Fuel benefit: 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations in India (on min. transaction of ₹400 and max. cashback of ₹1,000 per statement).
  • Other perks: Complimentary golf games (6 per quarter) at courses worldwide and dedicated 24/7 concierge services.

• Lounge access:

  • Domestic and international: Unlimited airport lounge access for both primary and add-on card members to over 1,000 lounges globally.

• Fees & charges:

  • Annual fee: ₹10,000 + GST
  • Fee waiver: Renewal fee waived upon spending ₹8 lakh in the previous year
  • Forex markup fees: 2%
  • Annual percentage rate: 23.88%

• Eligibility: For salaried individuals: net monthly income > ₹2.5 lakh; and for self-employed individuals: ITR > ₹30 lakh per annum. Age 21-60 years (salaried), 21-65 years (self-employed).

Get a full overview of the HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card and its travel perks here.

4. SBI Card Miles Elite

It focuses on accumulating 'Travel Credits' convertible to a vast network of airline and hotel partners. Its strength lies in its credit transfer options, which appeal to travellers seeking maximum redemption flexibility.

• Key features & benefits:

  • Travel Credits (TC): Earn 6 TC for every ₹200 spent on travel categories. Earn 2 TC for every ₹200 spent on all other spends.
  • Welcome benefit: 5,000 travel credits upon spending ₹1 lakh within 60 days of card issuance.
  • Milestone benefit: 20,000 bonus TCs on annual spending of ₹12 lakh.
  • Redemption and transfer: Travel credits offer flexibility: 1 TC = ₹1 when transferred to Air Miles/Hotel Points; 1 TC = ₹0.50 for travel bookings; and 1 TC = ₹0.25 for catalogue redemptions.
    The partner list is extensive, including Air India, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Accor, IHG, ITC, Radisson, and many more. Transfer ratios vary by partner (such as 1:1, 2:1, 6:1, etc.).
  • Insurance: Air accident cover (up to ₹1 crore), up to 6 flight cancellations per year (₹3,500 each), baggage loss/delay/damage cover, and loss of travel documents cover.
  • Fuel benefit: 1% fuel surcharge waiver across all petrol pumps (max. ₹500 per statement).

• Lounge access:

  • Domestic: 8 complimentary visits per year (max. 2 per quarter), plus up to 15 additional visits (₹1 lakh spend per additional visit).
  • International: Complimentary Priority Pass membership (annual fee waived for the first two years). Provides 6 complimentary international lounge visits per year (max. 2 per quarter).

• Fees and charges:

  • Joining and annual fee: ₹4,999 + GST 
  • Fee waiver: Renewal fee waived on annual spending of ₹15 lakh
  • Forex markup fee: 1.99% 
  • Annual percentage rate: 42%
     

• Eligibility: Age: 21-60 years (salaried), 21-65 years (self-employed). Requires a good credit score and meets SBI's income criteria for Elite cards.

5. ixigo AU Credit Card

A co-branded card offered by AU Small Finance Bank in partnership with ixigo. Its unique selling points are its current lifetime free status (no joining/annual fees) and zero foreign exchange markup fee, making it attractive for budget-conscious travellers, especially those frequently using the ixigo platform.

• Key features and benefits:

  • ixigo discounts: 10% off on flight and hotel bookings (up to ₹1,000/month), respectively, and 10% off on bus bookings (up to ₹300/month).
  • Train benefits: Offers zero payment gateway charges on train bookings made via ixigo (valid twice per month). Earns an accelerated 20 reward points per ₹200 spent on ixigo train bookings.
  • Reward points: Earn 10 reward points per ₹200 on online spending and 5 reward points per ₹200 on offline spending (10,000 max. per statement).
  • Welcome benefit: 1,000 reward points and ₹1,000 in ixigo money vouchers upon the first transaction within 30 days of card issuance.
  • Fuel benefit: 1% fuel surcharge waiver (up to ₹250) on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000 at all fuel stations in India.

• Lounge access Details:

  • Railway: 8 complimentary visits per year (2 per quarter)
  • Domestic airport: 8 complimentary visits per year (2 per quarter)
  • International airport: 1 complimentary visit per year

• Fees & charges:

  • Joining and annual fee: ₹0 (currently lifetime free)
  • Fee waiver: Not applicable 
  • Forex markup fee: 0% (a big advantage for international usage)

Eligibility: For salaried individuals: 21-60 years of age (primary), over 18 years (add-on). For self-employed individuals: 25-65 years of age (primary). And over 18 years for an add-on card. Must be an Indian resident and a registered user on the ixigo platform.

The choice between a co-branded card like ixigo AU and a general travel card like Atlas or SBI Miles Elite often hinges on loyalty versus flexibility. The ixigo card provides excellent, easy-to-understand value and boasts zero forex fees, but its rewards lack the broad transferability of the other cards.

Check out the complete review of the ixigo AU Credit Card here.

Best Air Travel Credit Cards by Use Case

The best card for booking flights truly depends on the traveller's profile:

• The points maximiser/transfer enthusiast: For those who enjoy the game of points and miles and want flexibility across various airlines and hotels, Axis Atlas and SBI Card Miles Elite stand out. Their solid reward rates on travel and, crucially, favourable transfer ratios to a wide network of partners allow for strategic redemptions that can yield high value.
• Luxury seeker/high spender: Those who value premium experiences, unlimited lounge access worldwide, concierge services, and complimentary memberships alongside travel rewards will find the HDFC Bank Diners Club Black or the American Express Platinum Travel credit card more suitable.
• Budget-conscious international traveller: They can consider the ixigo AU credit card. Its 0% forex markup offers direct, guaranteed savings on every international transaction. This benefit can quickly add up and potentially outweigh rewards earned on cards with standard ~3.5% markups. The lifetime free status further enhances its appeal for cost-conscious users.
• Domestic ixigo loyal user: Travellers who primarily use the ixigo platform for travel bookings can extract maximum value from the ixigo AU credit card. Direct discounts and accelerated rewards, specifically for ixigo bookings, are tailored for this loyal user group.

So whether you're a frequent flyer, a luxury lover, or a budget backpacker, there's a travel card tailored just for you. But before you pick your travel companion, let's break down how to choose the right one to match your flying (and spending) style.

How to Choose the Best Card for Flight Bookings

Making the final decision requires a personal assessment. Here's a practical approach to selecting the best card for air ticket booking or the best card to book flights:

• Assess spending habits: Analyse your annual expenditure, specifically differentiating between travel costs (flights, hotels) and other categories. This helps determine if spending levels justify higher annual fees or meet waiver conditions.
• Analyse travel patterns: Consider your frequency and nature of travel, primarily domestic or international. Figure out if you're loyal to specific airlines or alliances. Also, evaluate how crucial lounge access is and how much it is needed for guests.
• Define priorities: Rank the importance of various benefits. Are transferable points the top priority, or are direct discounts more appealing? Is unlimited lounge access non-negotiable? Or you give more importance to minimal forex fees.
• Read the fine print: Before applying, review the card's “Most Important Terms and Conditions” (MITC). Pay attention to reward exclusions (like fuel or utility payments, which are often excluded from earning reward points), points expiry policies, specific conditions for lounge access (like minimum spends for some cards), and the exact coverage details of included insurance policies.

It's also worth considering that the pursuit of the absolute "best" card might lead to unnecessary complexity or cost if travel is infrequent. A simpler, lower-fee, or even lifetime-free card might be "good enough" and provide sufficient value without the burden of high fees or intricate reward programs, especially for occasional domestic travellers.

Conclusion

Choosing the right credit card for flight booking is a solid step towards more rewarding and comfortable travel. Whether your priority is accumulating flexible miles, enjoying unlimited lounge access, securing direct discounts, or eliminating forex fees, there's likely a card in the Indian market tailored to your needs. 

By carefully assessing personal spending habits, travel patterns, and priorities, you can select a card that not only simplifies payments but also unlocks a world of benefits. Choose wisely, and let the right credit card help elevate future travel adventures.

Do you need a helping hand picking the perfect match? Head over to Finology Select, your one-stop platform to compare 90+ credit cards. Filter by features, benefits, income, and more to find the one that fits your travel goals. Because the best journeys start with the right card.

FAQs

1. Which credit card is best for booking international flights?

The best choice depends on your priorities:

• For minimal fees, the ixigo AU credit card (0% forex markup). 
• For a mix of rewards, lounge access, and low forex fees (around 2%),
• HDFC Bank Diners Club Black and SBI Card Miles Elite.
• For maximum points flexibility via transfers, Axis Bank Atlas and SBI Card Miles Elite.

2. Can I get lounge access with flight booking credit cards?

Yes, complimentary airport lounge access is a common feature of the best air travel credit cards. The specifics range from a limited number of domestic visits per quarter to unlimited access globally for primary and add-on cardholders.
Always check the card's specific lounge program details, including network coverage (like Priority Pass) and guest policies.

3. Are there zero annual fee options for travel cards?

Yes. The ixigo AU credit card is currently marketed as a lifetime free card, offering travel benefits like ixigo discounts, lounge access, and zero forex markup without an annual fee.

Banks like IDFC FIRST Bank often offer lifetime free cards (e.g., FIRST Select, FIRST Wealth) that include travel perks like lounge access and low forex fees. Other banks may run limited-time promotions offering lifetime free status on certain cards.

4. Which credit card gives the highest discount on air ticket booking?

Obtaining the "highest discount" can be achieved in several ways. Direct percentage discounts are usually promotional and tied to specific banks and travel portals (like ixigo AU on ixigo, or bank-specific offers on MakeMyTrip, Yatra, EaseMyTrip).

Often, the highest effective value comes from strategically redeeming accumulated reward points or miles, especially through favourable transfers to airline loyalty programs. Some premium cards also offer complimentary flight tickets as welcome or milestone benefits.