#FinancialBytes: 5 best credit cards in India for frequent flyers
What's the story
For many, traveling is a passion and an escape from their hectic life. Though traveling has become popular in India, it has also become expensive.
People generally search for coupons and cashback offers to reduce travel expenses and that's where travel credit cards come in.
From travel credit cards offering rewards, free flight tickets, to coupons, here are 5 best ones for frequent flyers.
Travel Card #1
Top-tier Jet card: Jet Airways American Express Platinum Credit Card
Jet Airways American Express Platinum Credit Card is one of the best travel credit cards. Customers can earn 16 JPMiles for every Rs. 150 spent on Jet Airways.
The joining fee is Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000 for annual renewal. They can enjoy complimentary Amex Proprietary Lounge Access, select hotel memberships, free one-way ticket fare waiver, 5% discount on base fare, among other privileges.
Travel Card #2
About the popular Citi PremierMiles Credit Card
With an annual fee of Rs. 3,000, Citi PremierMiles Credit Card offers 10,000 Miles as welcome gift and 3,000 Miles on every annual renewal.
Also, the Miles do not expire and can be redeemed for over 100 airline purchases anytime.
Other features include 10 Miles for every Rs. 100 spent on PremierMiles.co.in (4 Miles for other transactions) and lounge access at select domestic airports.
Travel Card #3
Credit card for traveling with AI, other Star Alliance partners
With Air India SBI Signature Card, customers enjoy complimentary Air India Frequent Flyer program-Flying Returns membership. There's Rs. 4,999 joining fee and 20,000 reward points welcome gift; the annual fee is Rs. 4,999.
Cardholders earn 30 points for every Rs. 100 spent on AI tickets. They get lounge access at 600 international airports and major domestic airports.
Rewards are convertible into Air India miles.
Travel Card #4
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
With American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card, customers get 5,000 Milestone points as welcome-gift redeemable for Rs. 4,000-worth travel vouchers.
The joining fee is Rs. 3,500; annual renewal charges are Rs. 5,000. Cardholders earn 1 point for every Rs. 50 spent.
Other features include four annual airport lounge visits, exclusive MakeMyTrip benefits, IndiGo and other travel-vouchers, and a Taj Hotels Palaces Resorts Safaris voucher.
Travel Card #5
JetPrivilege HDFC Bank World Credit Card is an affordable option
JetPrivilege HDFC Bank World credit card offers a complimentary Jet Airways ticket (base fare waiver), 7,500 Bonus JPMiles, Rs. 750-worth voucher (for return ticket) on JetAirways.com as welcome gift.
The annual fee is Rs. 2,500. Cardholders earn 18 JPMiles for every Rs. 150 spent on JetAirways.com.
Other features are 5% discount on domestic Jet Airways bookings, premier check-in, complimentary airport lounge access, additional baggage-allowance.