Travel in India doesn’t have to burn a hole in your wallet. With the right credit card hacks, you can enjoy flights, hotels, and vacations for less. From cashback perks to lounge access, SavePlus India reveals 15 ways to turn your credit card into your ultimate travel companion.

Use Credit Card Portals for Flight Bookings

Booking flights through credit card portals is a great way to score additional discounts and rewards. Banks such as HDFC, SBI, and Axis have their exclusive travel platforms. These portals are often in collaboration with leading travel sites like Goibibo and MakeMyTrip. You get access to exclusive coupon codes and limited-time cashback offers. Additionally, bookings made through these platforms may offer added reward points. These travel portals ensure competitive pricing when paired with your credit card benefits.

• HDFC SmartBuy offers up to 10% off on flight bookings along with 10X reward points.
  
  
• Axis Grab Deals provides extra cashback and bonus points when booking via partner sites.
  
  
• SBI Card travel platform integrates exclusive discounts and cashback options on Yatra and Goibibo.

Pro Tip: Always compare direct website pricing with credit card portals before booking.

Redeem Reward Points for Hotel Vouchers

Credit card reward points are often underutilized, but they can save you thousands on hotel stays. Leading Indian banks like ICICI, HDFC, and SBI allow redemption of accumulated points for hotel bookings. You can redeem them through partner sites or convert them to gift vouchers. Some cards allow you to book directly via apps like OYO and Treebo. It’s a perfect way to enjoy stays without shelling out cash. Use this for both business trips and vacation stays.

• ICICI and HDFC cards allow you to redeem points for top hotel chains like Lemon Tree and Taj.
  
  
• Some cards convert points into Amazon India vouchers, which you can use to book hotels online.
  
  
• SBI Cards' tie-up with platforms like OYO and Treebo lets you book directly with points.

Pro Tip: Combine reward redemptions with seasonal hotel discount codes for extra value.

Unlock Free Lounge Access at Indian Airports

Traveling becomes less stressful when you have lounge access at airports. Indian credit cards offer free domestic and international airport lounge visits. Cards like HDFC Regalia and SBI Elite come bundled with complimentary access. Visa and Mastercard variants also unlock entry to lounges in major cities. Enjoy free meals, Wi-Fi, and cozy seating before flights. Ideal for business travelers and frequent flyers in India.

• Visa Signature and Mastercard World cards offer complimentary lounge access at domestic terminals.
  
  
• HDFC Regalia and SBI Elite cards provide international lounge access via Priority Pass.
  
  
• DreamFolks and DragonPass also enable lounge entries using linked credit cards.

Pro Tip: Check your card’s free lounge visit quota and expiry terms before each trip.

Maximize Festival and Seasonal Travel Offers

Festive seasons in India are goldmines for travel savings through credit cards. Travel portals launch sale campaigns during Diwali, Dussehra, and Holi. Banks partner with these platforms to offer additional credit card-based discounts. You’ll often find bundled hotel stays or cashback on trains and flights. Booking in advance during these times guarantees the best savings. Always track sale timelines to make the most of your travel budget.

• Diwali, Dussehra, and Holi offer up to 25% discount on travel bookings via cards.
  
  
• Great Indian Festival and Republic Day sales feature exclusive hotel and flight offers.
  
  
• Independence Day campaigns provide cashback and promo codes for IRCTC bookings.

Pro Tip: Set alerts on SavePlus India for early notifications on upcoming festive bank offers.

Choose Cards That Offer Global Travel Concierge

Premium credit cards in India often come with global concierge services. These services include assistance with trip planning, ticket booking, and itinerary adjustments. Cards like Amex Platinum and HDFC Infinia are known for high-end concierge support. Whether it’s reserving a hotel or booking last-minute events, your card does it all. This benefit is perfect for frequent international travelers. Make use of this premium service to travel stress-free.

• Amex Platinum and HDFC Infinia offer personal concierge services for global travelers.
  
  
• Concierge can book tickets, plan trips, suggest local experiences and make reservations.
  
  
• Axis Vistara Infinite provides a travel desk to handle itinerary changes and upgrades.

Pro Tip: Use concierge support to grab hard-to-book tickets, event entries, or travel upgrades.

Use Travel Cards with UPI and Wallet Integration

In India, UPI and mobile wallets are integral to everyday transactions. Travel cards that integrate with PhonePe, Paytm, or Google Pay provide double the value. These integrations allow users to unlock cashback while paying via UPI or wallets. Booking flights, buses, and hotels via wallet-linked credit cards ensures stacked benefits. Also, some wallets provide cashback offers for bookings using linked cards. The key is to ensure your card supports UPI-based payments.

• Link your credit card with UPI apps like PhonePe and Paytm for cashback.
  
  
• Use wallet-specific codes on apps that provide travel discounts on bookings.
  
  
• Avail instant cashback when you book travel services using a wallet-linked card.

Pro Tip: Combine your card’s bank offer with wallet-exclusive coupons for maximum savings.

Pick Cards with Rail and Bus Ticketing Discounts

Train and bus bookings in India can also fetch rewards using the right credit card. SBI and ICICI offer co-branded cards that give extra discounts on platforms like IRCTC and RedBus. These cards also offer reward points or cashback on each booking. Some cards extend perks like free cancellation or priority support. These benefits are useful for daily commuters and budget travelers alike. Choose cards that align with your frequent travel mode.

• SBI IRCTC Card offers 10% value back on train bookings made through IRCTC.
  
  
• ICICI Cards provide cashback on RedBus and AbhiBus ticketing platforms.
  
  
• HDFC and Paytm co-branded cards extend cashback for wallet-based train bookings.

Pro Tip: Look for co-branded cards linked directly with IRCTC or popular bus operators.

Enjoy No-Cost EMI on Holiday Packages

Booking holiday packages can be heavy on the pocket, but no-cost EMI offers ease the burden. Many Indian credit cards offer zero-interest EMIs for travel bookings on platforms like MakeMyTrip and Yatra. This feature helps spread out large travel expenses without incurring extra charges. EMI options are often available during festival sales or seasonal travel campaigns. These plans come with flexible tenures, typically ranging from 3 to 12 months. Check your eligibility and pre-approved limit for seamless booking.

• Book domestic or international trips on EMI through portals like MMT, Yatra, and Cleartrip.
  
  
• HDFC and Axis Bank cards offer 3 to 6 months no-cost EMI on curated travel deals.
  
  
• Flipkart Travel also extends EMI facilities on flights and hotel bookings for select cards.

Pro Tip: Confirm interest-free tenure before finalizing your EMI-based travel booking.

Access Travel Insurance via Credit Cards

Many Indian credit cards come bundled with complimentary travel insurance coverage. This includes protection against trip cancellations, delays, lost baggage, or accidents. Insurance coverage differs by card type, so reading the fine print is essential. Premium cards often offer higher claim limits and wider coverage across domestic and global routes. The insurance benefit is activated automatically upon booking with the card. It’s a silent safety net that saves you from unexpected expenses.

• HDFC Infinia offers high-limit air accident insurance and lost luggage protection.
  
  
• ICICI Coral and SBI Signature cards include delay compensation and medical cover.
  
  
• Some travel cards even extend overseas hospitalization and legal coverage benefits.

Pro Tip: Keep digital and physical copies of your insurance details when travelling.

Use Forex Markup Waivers on International Trips

When you swipe your credit card abroad, forex markup fees can add up quickly. However, certain Indian credit cards offer reduced or waived forex fees. These include premium offerings from banks like RBL, HDFC, and ICICI. A 0% forex markup can save you up to 3.5% per transaction. These cards are ideal for shopping, dining, or paying hotel bills abroad. Use them instead of cash conversion or debit cards to maximize savings.

• RBL World Safari Card provides 0% forex markup on all international transactions.
  
  
• HDFC Regalia and ICICI Sapphiro offer a reduced forex markup rate of 2% or less.
  
  
• During festival periods, banks may waive markup fees on overseas transactions.

Pro Tip: Activate international usage via net banking before travelling to avoid blocks.

Combine SavePlus Promo Codes with Card Deals

Combining SavePlus promo codes with your credit card offers can lead to triple savings. Begin by checking SavePlus India for active coupons for travel platforms. Then, apply your eligible bank card discount during payment. You can also include wallet-based cashback for added value. These layered offers work best during mega sales or seasonal discounts. It's a powerful way to maximize every rupee you spend on travel.

• Use SavePlus codes on platforms like Agoda, MMT, or Goibibo for instant discounts.
  
  
• Add your card’s specific deal—such as SBI, HDFC, or ICICI—to save even more.
  
  
• Pay via PhonePe or Paytm linked to your card to claim extra cashback benefits.

Pro Tip: Always apply coupon codes first before selecting card payment or wallet.

Look for Tier-Based Credit Card Travel Perks

Credit cards in India often come with tier-based reward structures linked to spending. As you cross annual spend thresholds, you unlock milestone benefits. These include bonus travel points, Taj or flight vouchers, and lounge upgrades. Cards like Axis Magnus or SBI Elite lead in this category. These perks reward loyal users and encourage frequent travel spending. Monitor your annual statements to track eligibility.

• SBI Card Elite provides vouchers for hotels, flights, and movie tickets upon reaching milestones.
  
  
• Axis Magnus offers Taj Hotel vouchers and airline miles once you cross spending slabs.
  
  
• HDFC Regalia bestows extra reward points and travel bonuses for high-spend users.

Pro Tip: Max out benefits before your card anniversary to avoid expiration of milestones.

Check for Instant Discounts on OTA Platforms

Online travel aggregators (OTAs) like Cleartrip, MMT, and Ixigo often partner with banks. These collaborations give instant discounts during checkout using eligible cards. Look for pop-up banners or coupon fields showing partner card names. These offers usually stack with site discounts and limited-time flash sales. It’s a great way to save without waiting for cashback or rewards. Use these on flight, hotel, and holiday package bookings.

• HDFC Cards offer up to 15% instant discounts on bookings made via Cleartrip or Yatra.
  
  
• Axis Bank users can avail flat discounts when using their cards on Ixigo and Goibibo.
  
  
• ICICI Amazon Pay card also includes discounts for flights booked via Amazon Travel.

Pro Tip: Use credit cards with LTF (lifetime free) status to enjoy discounts without annual fees.

Earn Bonus Points for Travel Spends

Most travel-focused cards give accelerated points on flight, hotel, and travel portal spends. These bonus points can later be redeemed for discounts, vouchers, or even tickets. Cards from Axis, SBI, and HDFC offer up to 5X or 10X rewards on specific merchants. Check your card’s reward catalog to see where your points can be used. Accumulate points strategically during sales or holidays for faster gains. Track expiry dates to ensure your points don’t go to waste.

• Axis Vistara Cards give 3 CV points per ₹200 spent on Vistara bookings or partner merchants.
  
  
• HDFC Diners ClubMiles provides 4 points per ₹150 spent on travel portals and airline sites.
  
  
• SBI Card Prime rewards users for airline, fuel, and hotel expenses in India and abroad.

Pro Tip: Use reward tracking apps or bank tools to monitor accumulation and expiry timelines.

Track All Offers on SavePlus India Regularly

The travel deal landscape is dynamic, with new credit card offers emerging every week. SavePlus India aggregates these bank-specific deals in one easy dashboard. You can search by bank, platform, or travel category to find the best current deals. Set up alerts for Diwali, Holi, and Republic Day to catch sale-linked card offers. SavePlus ensures you never miss out on exclusive codes or limited-time cashback. Bookmark the site to plan better and spend less on travel.

• Discover ongoing travel promotions by card issuer—SBI, ICICI, HDFC, Axis, etc.—on SavePlus India.
  
  
• SavePlus pages feature updated promo codes for flights, trains, buses, and hotels year-round.
  
  
• Get email alerts or push notifications during peak seasons for real-time savings.

Pro Tip: Subscribe to SavePlus India’s newsletter to receive insider travel hacks every month.

Conclusion

Travel doesn’t have to be expensive when you know how to make your credit card work for you. From lounge access to festival discounts, every swipe can bring you closer to big savings. Use these 15 travel hacks curated by SavePlus India and transform the way you plan your journeys — with more value, less spend.

FAQ

Which Indian credit card offers the best travel benefits?
Cards like HDFC Regalia, Axis Vistara Infinite, and SBI Elite offer superior travel perks, including lounge access, flight discounts, and concierge services.

Can I get travel insurance with my credit card?
Yes, most mid- to premium-tier cards in India come with free travel insurance covering trip delays, accidents, and lost baggage.

Are credit card lounge visits really free in India?
Yes, cards like Visa Signature, Mastercard World, and Diners Club offer 2–6 free domestic or international lounge visits annually.

Can I book IRCTC train tickets using credit card offers?
Absolutely! SBI IRCTC Card, ICICI, and HDFC co-branded cards provide discounts, cashback, or reward points on IRCTC bookings.

Where can I find updated credit card travel offers?
You can track the latest offers and promo codes for all major banks on SavePlus India, updated regularly with festive and seasonal deals.