Best Credit Card For Airline Rewards

Having a credit card that gives airline rewards can completely shift the game for regular fliers or avid travellers. The correct credit card can help you rack up miles or points toward free flights, better seats, and other perks throughout your travels.

Additionally, you can get more out of your trips, spend less on flights, and get access to premium amenities like lounges and early boarding by using the best credit card for airline rewards.

In this article, we will explore the best credit cards for airline rewards, including their rewards programs, fees, and additional perks.

5 Best Credit Cards For Hotel Rewards

Here are some of the best credit cards for airline rewards:

Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card

For individuals who love to fly business class and use Vistara Airlines, the Axis Vistara Infinite Credit Card is the best airline co-branded credit card in India. The card includes a very lucrative milestone program that entitles cardholders to up to four business-class tickets per year. Axis Vistara Infinite additionally offers free domestic lounge access and Vistara Gold Membership in addition to the prizes.

Airline Rewards:
  • Complimentary business class tickets as a welcome bonus
  • Complimentary Club Vistara membership which includes priority check-in, priority boarding, and additional baggage allowance, among other perks
  • Four complimentary business class tickets and bonus Club Vistara (CV) points on achieving milestone spends
  • Complimentary domestic airport lounge access
  • Air accident cover of up to Rs. 2.5 crore
Additional Features:
  • 6 CV points on every Rs. 200 spent
  • 6 complimentary golf rounds
  • 20% discount at select restaurants all across the country
Club Vistara SBI Prime Credit Card

In partnership with Vistara Airlines, the State Bank of India offers a premium credit card called the Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME Credit Card. This credit card has top-notch features and provides a variety of perks for travel as well as other areas like insurance and reward points. The monthly interest rate on the Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME is 2.5%.

Airline Rewards:
  • One premium Economy ticket payment on paying an annual or renewal fee
  • One premium economy ticket on spending more than Rs. 1.5 lakh
  • One hotel e-voucher from Yatra worth Rs. 10,000 on spending Rs. 8 lakhs
  • Eight complimentary visits to domestic airport lounges—two every quarter
Additional Features:
  • 4 CV points for every Rs. 200 in all categories
  • 3,000 bonus points on spending Rs. 75,000 within 90 days from when the card is issued
Air India SBI Signature Credit Card

With the Air India SBI Card, a mid-level travel credit card from SBI Card and Air India, you can earn four reward points for every rupee spent in addition to expedited reward points on Air India purchases. Being a travel credit card, it also provides free Priority Pass membership and two gratis domestic airport lounge visits every three months.

Airline Rewards:
  • Free access to the Air India Frequent Flyer Program
  • Up to 30 reward points when booking tickets through the Air India website or mobile app
  • Priority pass membership for international lounge access
  • Eight complimentary visits every year to domestic Visa Lounges—two visits every quarter
Additional Features:
  • Welcome Bonus of 20,000 reward points
  • Four reward Points for every Rs.100 spent
  • Up to 1,00,000 bonus reward points annually
  • 5,000 reward points on clearing the annual fee
Etihad Guest SBI Premier Credit Card

The Etihad Guest SBI Card, offered in collaboration with the UAE-based airline Etihad Airways, is the less expensive version of the more premium Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card. The card allows you to earn AirMiles at a high rate on Etihad Airways bookings, as well as bonus reward points on other purchases.

Airline Rewards:
  • Four complimentary international airport lounge visits per year—two every quarter
  • Eight complimentary domestic Visa Lounge visits—two every quarter
Additional Features:
  • 5000 Etihad Guest (EG) Miles as a welcome gift
  • Etihad Gold membership after the first card transaction
  • Six EG Miles on every Rs. 100 spent on Etihad.com
  • Four EG Miles on every Rs. 100 spent on international expenses
  • Two EG Miles on every Rs. 100 spent on all other categories excluding gas
  • 1,500 EG Miles on spends of Rs. 1,50,000 in one calendar quarter
HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Card

The Diners Club Black credit card is one of India's most premium credit cards, noted for its excellent features and benefits. The card is tailored to the demands of people who value the finer things in life, and it offers a variety of benefits and offers in a variety of categories such as dining, shopping, travel, and golf.

Airline Rewards:
  • Unlimited airport lounge access to 1000+ lounges worldwide for primary and add-on card members
  • Air accident coverage worth up to Rs 2 crores
  • Travel insurance coverage for baggage delay worth up to Rs 55,000
Additional Features:
  • Six free golf games per quarter across the world's finest golf courses
  • Complimentary annual memberships—Club Marriott, Double Black, MakeMyTrip, Zomato Gold, Forbes, Amazon Prime & Times Prime
  • Get five reward points for every 150 spent
  • Discounts at select salons, spas, and gyms among others
  • A low forex markup of 1.99% monthly

Credit Card Charges

Here are the charges associated with all the credit cards mentioned above**:

Credit Card For Small Business Annual Charges
Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card Rs. 10,000 plus applicable taxes
Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME Rs.2,999 plus applicable taxes
Air India SBI Signature Credit Card Rs. 4,999 plus applicable taxes
Etihad Guest SBI Premier Credit Card Rs.4,999 plus applicable taxes
HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Card Rs. 10,000 plus applicable taxes

Summing Up

With the proper credit card, you may take advantage of special travel benefits, collect worthwhile airline miles, and make your subsequent trip even more memorable. However, you should select a card based on how often you travel, which airlines you like to fly with, and your overall financial objectives.

Additionally, you can use your credit card on the BharatNXT app to avail a whole lot of exciting rewards. The app allows you to pay a variety of bills, including rent, salary, taxes, and other utility bills, with a credit card in a streamlined and convenient manner.

**Please note that the interest rates and card charges mentioned above are subject to change at the credit card company’s sole discretion.