It is ideal for people who travel internationally to have a credit card that offers benefits for international use. The right credit card gets travelers complimentary lounge access, exclusive privileges, discounts on bookings, etc. Thus, the idea is to choose the best credit card for international travel depending on personal requirements and preferences.
Suggested read: Best Luxury Credit Cards in India
Pick the best credit card for international travel
1. SBI Elite Credit Card
This is a great option for people who frequently travel internationally. It has a low forex markup fee of 1.99%. The card offers reward points on international transactions. It offers 6 international lounge access in a year and 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits in India per quarter.
Complimentary memberships of Trident Privilege, Trident Red Tier, and Club Vistara also allow more savings on bookings. There is complimentary membership worth $99 to the Priority Pass Program.
The joining fee is Rs. 4,999 and the annual fee is also Rs. 4,999 which is reversed if Rs. 10 lakh is spent in a year.
2. RBL World Safari Credit Card
There is a 0% fee for forex markup on this card. The joining fee and annual fee cost Rs. 3000 each. Users get 5 travel points every time they spend Rs. 100 on travel expenditures. They also get 2 complimentary lounge visits at major airports in India every quarter. Priority Pass Membership holders get 2 complimentary international lounge visits.
3. IDFC First Wealth Credit Card
This card also includes several benefits. It offers a low forex markup fee of 1.5%. Users get comprehensive air accident coverage and travel insurance. Each quarter, people would get 4 complimentary international and domestic airport lounges and spa visits.
The card allows interest-free cash withdrawals from anywhere across the globe. The cash advance fee is only Rs. 250 for each transaction. Cardholders get discounts on airport and fast-track immigration services at more than 450 destinations worldwide.
The best part is that there is no joining or annual fee to pay for the card.
4. HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Card
This card offers various benefits in lifestyle and travel categories. It comes with complimentary membership of Times Prime, Amazon Prime, Dineout Passport, and MMT Black if Rs. 75,000 is spent in the first 90 days. The joining fee is fixed at Rs. 2500 and the annual fee is the same as well but can be waived if Rs. 3 lakhs are spent in the previous year.
The forex markup fee is set at 2%. The card offers 12 complimentary visits every year to more than 1000 airport lounges around the world. Users get 2 complimentary golf access to the finest golf courses across the world.
5. Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
This card offers several benefits on bookings through EaseMyTrip since Standard Chartered and EaseMyTrip collaborated on this. Benefits are also available on other transactions. Users get instant discounts for travel bookings.
The joining fee and annual fee cost only Rs. 350 each. The annual fee gets waived on spending Rs. 50,000 in the previous year. 1 complimentary domestic lounge visit is offered per quarter. 2 complimentary international lounge visits per year are given to Priority Pass holders.
Users also get a 20% discount on international and domestic hotel bookings through EaseMyTrip (Terms and Conditions apply). A 10% discount is available on international and domestic flight bookings through EaseMyTrip (Terms and Conditions apply).
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After ascertaining the best credit card for international travel from the list above, contact the credit card company to get a card issued for you. You are requested to share this article with others if you found it useful.
Also read: Build Credit Score with the Top 5 Best Credit Cards for Students in 2023
