If you travel by flight frequently, then airline credit cards can improve your travel experience to a great extent. These cards are usually issued by banks and credit card companies in collaboration with airlines. Their purpose is to give you some extra benefit on every flight booking – such as air miles, free tickets, upgrades and other special offers.
However, these cards fall in some premium category, so charges like annual fees, joining fees are also levied on them, which can be slightly higher than normal cards.
What are the benefits you get with airline credit cards?
In the last few years, the demand for premium and airline credit cards has increased a lot. Earlier they were known only for airport lounge access, but now these cards have become not just a payment tool but a travel-lifestyle package. These days, these cards come with benefits like fast-track boarding, free seat selection, extra baggage allowance, travel insurance, discounts on hotel bookings or ride-hailing apps, international lounge access, and even golf course access. Some cards also offer personal concierge services and special offers for international travel.
In fact, premium credit cards are no longer just a status symbol for big spenders—instead, companies are designing them in such a way that every smart traveler can get full benefit of rewards and savings from them. In the digital age, banks have customized these cards so that you can earn miles with every spend, and later use them to book tickets or get upgrades.
Should you apply for an airline credit card?
If you travel by flight only once or twice a year, then this card may not be right for you. Because the annual fee charged on these cards can range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000 or even more. And if you don’t use the rewards or miles, these benefits will be of no use.
In such a situation, instead of getting a card unnecessarily, it is better to first understand your travel habits, and then choose an airline credit card wisely. In this story, we will review some of top airline cards with loads of benefits.
Top airline cards for frequent flyers in June 2025
1. 6E Rewards XL Indigo HDFC Credit Card
Key features:
-Joining/renewal fee: Rs 1,500
-5 6E Rewards per Rs 100 spent on the IndiGo website or mobile app.
-3 6E Rewards per Rs 100 spent on grocery, dining, and entertainment spends.
-2 6E Rewards per Rs 100 on all other retail spends.
-8 complimentary domestic lounge visits in a year; 2 per quarter.
-Welcome benefit includes one complimentary flight ticket voucher worth Rs 3,000, and one complimentary 6E Prime Add-On worth INR 1,099 which offers priority check in, choice of seat, and a complimentary meal.
2. Air India SBI Signature Credit Card
Key features:
-Annual/renewal fee: Rs 4,999
-Enjoy 8 complimentary visits per year to domestic Visa lounges in India (maximum of 2 visits per quarter).
-Earn 10 reward points per Rs 100 spent on Air India ticket purchases made through the Air India website, mobile app, booking offices, and call centers.
-Welcome benefit includes 20,000 reward points. Additionally, enjoy an anniversary gift of 5,000 Reward Points every year on card renewal.
-Earn up to 1,00,000 bonus reward points annually by achieving specified spending milestones.
-Convert accumulated reward points into Air India Air Miles; minimum of 10,000 points required for conversion.
3. Axis Bank ATLAS Credit Card
Key features:
-Joining/annual fee: ₹5,000
-Earn 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on direct airline bookings made through airline websites, counters, or helplines.
-Enjoy up to 18 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits on a minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the preceding three months.
-Get unlimited international lounge visits and 8 additional guest visits per year through the Priority Pass program.
-Enjoy 2500 EDGE Miles as welcome benefit upon first transaction on your ATLAS credit card within 37 days from the date of card issuance.
-Convert your accumulated EDGE Miles into miles with various domestic and international airline partners.
Also read: Big change for HDFC Bank credit card holders: No direct airport lounge access on these cards
4. Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
Key features:
-Annual fee: ₹350
-Earn 10x reward points per ₹100 spent on airline bookings made directly through airline websites, apps, or outlets.
-Enjoy a flat 10% instant discount on domestic and international flight bookings made via the EaseMyTrip website or app using the promo code
“EMTSCB”; Maximum discount is ₹1,000 for domestic flights and ₹5,000 for international flights.
-Enjoy 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses per calendar year.
-Enjoy annual fee waiver on spending ₹50,000 or more in the previous year using the Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card.
-Get ₹125 off on bus ticket bookings with a minimum ticket booking of ₹500.
5. MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card
Key features:
-Joining fee: ₹2,500
-Enjoy 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses per quarter on minimum spends of ₹75,000 in the preceding calendar quarter.
-Enjoy 1 complimentary international airport lounge access per year.
-Enjoy MMTBLACK Platinum Membership and enjoy benefits like 0.75% off on flight bookings, free meals at select airports, discounted airport transfers, and free seat selection.
-Earn 3% myCash on flight bookings made through MakeMyTrip, over and above existing discounts.
-Get up to 10% instant discount on domestic flights and up to 8% on international flights when booking via MakeMyTrip using ICICI Bank Credit Cards on select days.
-Welcome benefits include a MakeMyTrip holiday voucher worth ₹2,500 and ₹1,500 myCash.
(Compiled by Bankbazaar.com)
FinancialExpress.com does not endorse any specific investment instruments. Readers are encouraged to make their own informed decisions, as any losses incurred will be their sole responsibility.
