Top 5 Credit Cards in India: A frequent traveller who often flies for business trips and meetings prefers credit cards that offer maximum airport lounge access at minimal fees. Today, credit cards are much more than just plastic money — they have become powerful financial tools. With banks competing aggressively, many cards now come with attractive benefits such as airport lounge access, reward programs, and waived annual fees. If you are a backpacker, choosing a credit card that also offers cashback and reward points will be more rewarding. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right one.
SBI PRIME Card
The SBI PRIME Credit Card is a great choice for frequent travelers, especially those who value airport lounge access and travel perks. Cardholders get 8 complimentary domestic and 4 international airport lounge visits per year.
Additionally, the card provides exclusive travel privileges such as discounts on hotel stays, dining, and car rentals, plus special golf and luxury hotel benefits. With added features like Flexipay for easy EMIs, global acceptance, and worldwide card replacement, it’s designed to enhance every travel experience — both within India and abroad.
| Type of Charge | Amount |
| Annual fee | Rs.2,999 |
| Renewal fee | Rs.2,999 |
| Add-On card fee | Nil |
| Cash advance fee | 2.5% of the amount withdrawn or Rs.500 (Domestic ATMs)2.5% of the amount withdrawn or Rs.500 (International ATMs) |
| Finance Charges | 3.75% per month or 45% per annum |
| Payment dishonor fee | 2% of the payment amount; minimum of Rs.500 |
| Cash payment fee | Rs.250 |
HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card
You can book air tickets or make hotel reservations across 150 airlines and hotels (international as well as domestic). You can redeem reward points for booking air tickets or making hotel reservations across a variety of options (international as well as domestic). You get unlimited access to 1,000+ airport lounges across the globe. The access is complimentary for primary card holders as well as add-on card holders.
| Type of Fees and Charges | Amount |
| Joining fee | Rs.10,000 |
| Renewal fee | Rs.10,000 |
| Minimum repayment amount | 5% or a maximum of Rs.200 |
| Cash withdrawal fee | 2.5% of the withdrawn amount (Minimum Rs.500) |
| Rewards redemption fee | Rs.99 |
| Add-on cards charges | Lifetime Free |
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card- 4 lounge visits with great cashback on dining and bill payments
With this credit card, you can visit international airport lounges as many times as you want using Priority Pass, and you can bring four guests per year. You also get unlimited visits to domestic airport lounges for both the main card and add-on cards. To use this benefit, you must have spent at least Rs. 50,000 in the past three months.
- Annual Fee Waiver: Get your annual fee of Rs.12,500 waived off on spending Rs.25 lakh or more in the previous year
- Lounge Benefits: With this credit card you get unlimited complimentary international lounge access through Priority Pass and four additional guest visits per year. You also get unlimited domestic airport lounge visits for both primary and add-on cardholders. Do note that this benefit will require a minimum spending of Rs. 50,000 in the previous three months, with effect from 1 May 2024
- Other Benefits: You get a lowered interest rate of 3% if credit is extended. The markup fee is reduced by 2% if you conduct a foreign currency transaction, and there is no cash withdrawal fees
Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank Credit Card
- You can visit domestic airport lounges up to 4 times a year (once every quarter) if you spend Rs. 50,000 in a calendar quarter
- You will get 499 NeuCoins as a welcome bonus after your first transaction
- You can earn rewards on your spending: 7% on Tata Neu (select categories), 2% when shopping with Tata partner brands (online and offline), and 1% on all other purchases, excluding certain categories.
- There is no joining fee for a limited time
- The renewal fee is Rs. 499, but it will be waived if you spend Rs. 1 lakh or more in the previous year.e preceding year
Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
- 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per calendar year
- Flat discounts of 20% on hotel bookings and 10% on flight bookings done via the EaseMyTrip website/app (conditions apply)
- Earn 10x reward points per Rs 100 spent on direct hotel and airline bookings
- Annual fee – Rs 350, waived on annual spends of Rs 50,000 or more
(Source: Bankbazaar.com)
(Disclaimer: The information provided about credit cards, including benefits, fees, and offers, is for general informational purposes only and may change over time. Readers should verify all details directly with the respective banks or official sources before applying or making any financial decisions.)
