Best HDFC Travel Credit Card for Frequent Travellers

Booking trips, planning outfits, and picking that perfect "airport look" is the fun part. But when it comes to actually funding your travel and squeezing the most out of every rupee spent, things get tricky. 

The real problem is wading through the chaos of credit card options that promise the world but deliver complicated terms, confusing reward systems, and sneaky hidden fees. One wrong swipe and you're stuck with a card that looks premium but barely keeps up with your travel goals.

Here's the solution: choosing the right HDFC travel credit card that actually matches your travel style and spending habits. The right card is about access to airport lounges, flight upgrades, travel insurance, and sweet discounts that follow you across borders. 

This guide breaks it all down for you. 

Table of Contents

• Why Choose an HDFC Credit Card for Travel?
• The Best HDFC Travel Credit Cards: A Detailed Comparison
• Which is the Best HDFC Travel Credit Card for You?
• Maximising Your HDFC Travel Offers: The SmartBuy Advantage
• Understanding the Costs: Travel Card HDFC Charges Explained

Why Choose an HDFC Credit Card for Travel?

HDFC Bank offers more than just a way to pay. It gives real travel benefits that help you save money, earn rewards, and stay comfortable while you're on the move. 

Here's why picking an HDFC travel credit card is a smart choice for anyone who travels often:

• Lounge access: Waiting at the airport can be long and tiring, but HDFC's top travel cards give you access to over 1,000 airport lounges across the world. It's a simple way to make your journey more comfortable, with free snacks, Wi-Fi, and a quiet place to relax before your flight.
• Reward points on travel spending: HDFC travel cards help you collect points much quicker when you spend on flights, hotels, and travel-related bookings. You can earn up to 10x more points than usual, which means more chances to redeem them for discounts, vouchers, or free travel.
• Extra benefits through SmartBuy: Booking through HDFC's SmartBuy portal gives you better value for your money. You earn more reward points when you book flights or hotels on the portal, helping you make the most of every rupee you spend.
• Lower forex fees when abroad: Most of HDFC's travel cards charge a foreign exchange fee lower than the usual 3.5% that many other cards charge. That means more savings on everything from hotel bills to shopping overseas.
• Helpful travel insurance included: These cards often come with strong travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, flight-related issues, and even serious situations like air accident coverage. You get extra safety without needing to pay for separate insurance.

HDFC travel credit cards give you real, useful benefits that make travelling easier, more affordable, and more rewarding every time you use them.

The Best HDFC Travel Credit Cards: A Detailed Comparison

Finding the right HDFC travel credit card depends on your travel habits, spending power, and the kind of benefits you want. 

HDFC offers a tiered selection of premium cards that caters to different types of travellers, from those just stepping into premium travel to those who fly first class on a regular basis. 

Below is a simple side-by-side comparison of the top 3 HDFC travel credit cards, highlighting what each one brings to the table.

Feature	HDFC Infinia Metal Edition Credit Card	HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card	HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card
Best For	Ultra-luxury travellers	All-round premium travellers	Aspiring premium travellers
Annual Fee	₹12,500 + GST	₹10,000 + GST	₹2,500 + GST
Fee Waiver	On spends of ₹10 lakh or more	On spends of ₹5 lakh or more	On spends of ₹4 lakh or more
Key Travel Benefit	Unlimited lounge access	Unlimited lounge access, 6 free golf games per quarter	12 domestic and 6 international lounge visits via Priority Pass
Base Reward Rate	3.3% to 33%	3.3% to 33%	1.3% to 13.3%

Each card offers strong travel perks, but the real difference lies in how much you're willing to spend and what kind of value you expect in return. HDFC Bank Infinia is for those who want top-tier luxury, HDFC Diners Club Black balances benefits and price, while HDFC Regalia Gold gives entry-level premium travel features at a much lower annual fee.

Which is the Best HDFC Travel Credit Card for You?

A comparison table gives you the facts, but finding your card means thinking about how you actually travel and spend. Below is a practical breakdown of who each top HDFC travel card is made for, so you can match your lifestyle to the right level of benefits.

HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card

If you're all about top-tier experiences, this card delivers. It's ideal for high-income professionals, senior executives, and globe-trotters who value comfort and convenience at every step of the journey.

Its invite-only status gives it an exclusive edge, but the true strength lies in what it offers:

• Unlimited lounge access for both primary and add-on cardholders, so your family or colleagues can enjoy the same perks.
• On SmartBuy, 1 Reward Point = ₹1, turning your base spends into a 3.33% return, and 10X SmartBuy spends into a huge 33.3% return.
• Extras like complimentary ITC hotel stays and Club Marriott membership round out a luxury-focused package that actually delivers value, not just flashy branding.

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card 

This is the best choice for frequent travellers who are also smart spenders. Designed for business owners and senior professionals, it brings a balance of luxury and practical value.

• Known for its complimentary annual memberships like Amazon Prime, Club Marriott, and more, easily covering the fee if you already use these services.
• Offers unlimited global lounge access, with a small catch: a transaction in the previous month may be required to keep the perk active.
• Rewards consistent spending with monthly vouchers from brands like Ola and BookMyShow.
• Even though the original version is no longer available to new users, the updated metal version still carries the same strong features.

HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card 

Perfect for young professionals or emerging travellers looking for premium perks without a premium price tag.

• For just ₹2,500 annually, you get 12 domestic and 6 international lounge visits via Priority Pass.
• Offers milestone rewards like flight vouchers worth up to ₹10,000 per year, helping offset travel expenses.
• Also earns 5X points on brands like Myntra and Nykaa, making it ideal for lifestyle spending too.
• The trade-off? Lower reward point value (1 RP = ₹0.50 on travel), but that's expected with the lower entry cost.

Each of these cards serves a different kind of traveller. Choose the one that fits your lifestyle, spending habits, and travel goals, and you'll get far more than just a way to pay.

Also, check out the Top HDFC Credit Cards with features, eligibility, and charges on Finology Select.

Maximising Your HDFC Travel Offers: The SmartBuy Advantage

Having a premium HDFC travel credit card is great, but using it right is what makes the real difference. If you're not booking through HDFC SmartBuy, you're only getting half the benefits. 

Think of SmartBuy as your shortcut to unlocking bigger rewards without changing your spending habits. It's not complicated. It's just smarter.

SmartBuy is HDFC Bank's own online travel and shopping platform. What makes it powerful is its ability to multiply your reward points when you book flights and hotels through it. Instead of the usual reward rate you get by booking directly, SmartBuy boosts those points by a lot.

Here's how the process works:

1. Visit the HDFC Bank SmartBuy website.
2. Click on the "Flights" or "Hotels" section.
3. You'll be redirected to trusted partner sites like MakeMyTrip or Cleartrip, but through an HDFC-specific link.
4. Book as you normally would.
5. Pay with your HDFC travel credit card at checkout.

That's it. No extra steps. But the reward difference is massive.

Let's say you're booking a ₹1 lakh family trip. 

• Booking directly: If you book on an airline's website with your HDFC Infinia card (earning 5 RP per ₹150), you would get approximately 3,333 Reward Points.
• Booking via SmartBuy: The same booking, eligible for 10X rewards, would earn you a massive 33,333 Reward Points.

The SmartBuy portal is HDFC's way of giving cardholders a clear edge. It rewards those who use the system smartly, not just those who spend more. If you've got an HDFC travel card and you're skipping SmartBuy, you're not using your card to its full potential.

Understanding the Costs: Travel Card HDFC Charges Explained

A premium travel credit card brings serious perks (airport lounge access, hotel deals, flight rewards), but along with the benefits, there are also costs. 

Knowing these up front can save you from bill shock and help you use your card smartly, not blindly. So, before you swipe or book that next international getaway, here's a clear breakdown of the common HDFC travel credit card charges you should be aware of.

1. Annual fee (₹2,500 to ₹12,500 + GST): This is the yearly cost of owning the card. However, most premium HDFC cards offer a fee waiver if you meet a certain annual spending limit. 

For example, spend ₹4 lakh–₹10 lakh in a year (depending on the card), and you could get that fee waived completely. So, if you're already a big spender, this fee might not even apply.

2. Forex markup fee (2% – 3.5% on international transactions): When you swipe your card abroad or shop on a foreign website, a forex fee is applied. 

The good news is that cards like Infinia, Diners Club Black, and Regalia Gold charge only 2%, which is lower than the industry standard of 3.5%. Over an international trip, this lower rate can save you thousands.

1. Lounge access fee (over-limit): These cards give you complimentary lounge access, but only up to a limit. If you bring a guest or exceed your annual quota, you'll be charged an extra fee per person, per visit (usually ~$35). So keep track of how many times you've swiped in, especially if you travel often or take family along.
2. Cash advance fee (~2.5% of the withdrawn amount, minimum ₹500): This is charged when you use your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM. And it's usually not worth it. You pay the fee plus interest from day one. It's better to carry a debit card or prepaid forex card for cash needs abroad.

Here's a quick summary table of the major fees associated with HDFC's premium travel credit cards:

Charge Type	Typical Amount
Annual Fee	₹2,500 – ₹12,500 + GST
Forex Markup Fee	2% – 3.5% on foreign transactions
Lounge Access (Over-limit)	~$35 + GST per extra visit
Cash Advance Fee	~2.5% of the amount (min. ₹500)

Being aware of these charges helps you use your HDFC travel credit card wisely, maximising perks, while minimising avoidable costs.

Conclusion

HDFC's travel credit cards are kinda like business class for your wallet. They come with fancy perks, extra comfort, and a solid return on every rupee you spend. But they're not the only ones out there flexing travel benefits. 

And even within HDFC, there are cards built for fuel savings, online shopping, lifestyle upgrades, you name it.

So, before you pick a card just because it looks premium, pause, ask yourself: Is this actually the best card for my spending style?

That's where a smart comparison tool makes all the difference. With Finology Select, you can explore and compare over 90 credit cards based on your spending habits, goals, and vibe. So you're not just picking what's popular, you're picking what actually fits you.

Because at the end of the day, the best travel experiences start way before the airport, they begin with choosing the right card for your lifestyle. So go ahead, travel smart, earn those points, and make every swipe worth it.

Want to know which card can actually elevate your travel game? Check out the Best Travel Credit Cards in India offering unmatched lounge access, forex savings, and reward structures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Which HDFC credit card is best for airport lounge access?

For unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both primary and add-on members, the HDFC Infinia and HDFC Diners Club Black are the top choices. For a generous number of visits (12 domestic + 6 international) at a lower fee, the HDFC Regalia Gold offers excellent value.

2. How can I get the best HDFC credit card offers travel related?

The single best way is to book your flights and hotels through the HDFC SmartBuy portal. This is where you find the best HDFC travel offers, as it can multiply your reward points by up to 10X, giving you the most significant HDFC travel discount in the form of rewards.

3. What are the foreign transaction charges on an HDFC travel card?

The travel card HDFC charges for foreign currency transactions (the forex markup fee) is a low 2% on their premium cards like Infinia, Diners Club Black, and Regalia Gold. This is a significant saving compared to the standard 3.5% fee on many other cards.

4. Can I book flights directly on the HDFC website?

Yes, you can perform an HDFC travel booking via the HDFC SmartBuy portal. It will seamlessly connect you to partner travel sites like MakeMyTrip to complete the purchase, ensuring you receive the accelerated reward points.

5. Is an HDFC Forex Card better than a travel credit card?

They serve different, complementary purposes. A Forex Card is best for withdrawing foreign cash at ATMs with lower fees. An HDFC travel credit card is superior for making payments to earn massive reward points, gaining lounge access, getting comprehensive insurance, and enjoying other premium perks. Most savvy international travellers carry both.