New Year Special: Top 4 Travel And Shopping Credit Cards in India For 2026

Top 4 Credit Cards: Shopping sprees and leisure travel can turn more rewarding when planned smartly with the right credit cards. From cashback and exclusive deals to reward points and travel perks, mindful credit card usage can help consumers stretch their spending further while saving a few extra rupees along the way.

As we welcome the year 2026, for those who are planning to get a new credit card to earn rewards and cashbacks on their travel and shopping expenses.

HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card

HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card offers unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both primary and add-on users. A relatively low forex markup of 2% helps international spending. Cardholders receive complimentary Club Marriott membership and 24x7 concierge help for travel bookings and lifestyle support, reinforcing its premium travel positioning.

Reward earnings on HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card stand at 5 reward points per Rs 150 spent. When redeemed for flights or hotels, 1 reward point equals Re 1. Bookings made through SmartBuy earn accelerated 10X rewards on flights, hotels and some e-commerce spends, which can deliver high effective returns for frequent travellers.

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black also appears among the best travel credit cards in India for heavy travellers. The annual fee is Rs 10,000 plus GST, waived when yearly spending crosses Rs 5 lakh. Eligibility is based on higher incomes, with salaried individuals needing Rs 1.75 lakh monthly and self-employed applicants requiring Rs 21 lakh annual ITR.

Cardholders of HDFC Bank Diners Club Black receive unlimited access to domestic and international lounges. The card includes travel and medical emergency coverage and concierge services for booking flights, hotels and lifestyle experiences. This mix of benefits suits flyers who also value premium lifestyle privileges along with travel features.

Axis Magnus Credit Card

The Axis Magnus (Burgundy Private) Credit Card targets high spenders who use the Axis Travel EDGE portal. Travel EDGE bookings earn 60 reward points per Rs 200, while all other purchases collect 35 points per Rs 200. These points move to airline or hotel partners at a 5:4 rate. The card carries a Rs 30,000 joining fee and another Rs 30,000 annually, with unlimited worldwide lounge access and up to 30% savings at select restaurants.

Emirates Skywards ICICI Emeralde Card

The Emirates Skywards ICICI Emeralde card caters to frequent Emirates passengers. Users receive 2.5 Skywards Miles for every Rs 100 spent. Joining and renewal benefits add 20,000 Skywards Miles. Cardholders get Silver Tier membership when joining, with an option to upgrade to Gold Tier after spending Rs 15 lakh within a year. Unlimited airport lounge visits are included. The joining fee and yearly fee are both Rs 10,000.