Travel Credit Cards have contributed towards a more sustainable way of keeping a check on travel expenses. People across the country who want to avail travelling at a certain time have various credit cards to select from – because travel credit cards offer several services such as extra air miles owing to the different collaborations with other known airlines. Among the services offered by travel credit cards, discounts on hotel stays, dining, and easy transactions in foreign countries are also included. Travel credit cards help to earn specific amounts of points and miles to put towards flights, hotel accommodation, and other types of travel-related expenses. 

This specific type of credit card is best suited for those who need to travel frequently for business or leisure. However, with the upgrades in the policies of travel credit cards, even if the cardholder isn’t a business elite, a budget backpacker or general travellers can avail of the same offers that range from hotel and flight credits to luxurious benefits like upgrades, generous sign-up bonuses and additional travel perks such as like airport lounge access and travel insurance. 2021 is an era of cashback and as much extra profit as possible; travel credit cards have become a common name because of the redeemable vouchers that can be disbursed from the travel perks offered. 

 If someone who doesn’t hold back when it comes to expenditures happens to be looking for a policy that allows travel promotions, a travel credit card is the most suitable option. The average reward rate is 0.88%, and it is a rather generous deal which makes it one of the best cards that avail the policy of reward points. The main key points regarding travel credit cards are reward rates, cashback rates, annual fee, earn rate, estimated point value, credit card interest rate, purchase APR, Sign-up Bonus, Renewal Benefit, et cetera. These key perks are different for cards from different financial organizations. T

he top-rated travel credit cards as of May 2021 are- 

  • HDFC Bank Superia Credit Card(best suited for overseas and international travel) 
  • JetPrivilege HDFC Diners Club Credit Card- (exclusive elite dining and travel perks) 
  • JetPrivilege HDFC Bank World Credit Card
  • HDFC Bank AllMiles Credit Card
  • British Airways Premium Credit Card Account

Citi PremierMiles Credit Card

  • American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
  • Air India SBI Signature Credit Card
  • Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card
  • SBI Card ELITE
  • Standard Chartered Emirates World Credit Card
  • HDFC Regalia Credit Card
  • MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card
  • YES FIRST Preferred Credit Card
  • IndusInd Bank Platinum Aura Credit Card

The policies offered by all these cards are different, and it is advised to have clear and thorough communication with the bank that offers them regarding the details, policies offered, eligibility criteria, and other important details. Now, why should you apply for a credit card now?

The best time to apply for a credit card depends on the current social, economic, and other such scenarios of the country or the society in general. During normal years, the demands of the customers remain high throughout because the spree of travelling never ceases- be it to visit a relative, or for vacation, or business purposes, et cetera. 

After the global pandemic hit us in 2020, the world has come to a sudden halt. Situations started to get better, but it was not long before the horrifying second wave hit us in April 2021. Due to the immense surge in COVID cases in India- several countries banned Indian tourists for safety concerns. So, why apply for a credit card in these tumultuous times whose functioning is entirely dependant on travelling? It is advised to avail of a travel credit card so that it can be capitalized over the welcome offers the moment the travel bans are revoked. 

When a user applied for a new credit card, the time frame given to hit the spending requirement to earn the welcome bonus is 3 months. This condition is dependant on several factors- there are many travel credit cards with a larger spend requirement limit that has a chance to extend the time frame to four or six months or more, depending on the requirement and policy quota, whereas there are some cards that come with smaller requirements may shorten the time frame to a period of two months. In general, three months is the average time limit given.

As of May 2021, Citi PremierMiles Credit Card is the best travel credit card to opt for, owing to its easily flexible options for earning and redeeming rewards and the low annual fee and 4.5% rupee value back on every airline transaction. So, if you wanna get a travel credit card in May 2021, apply away and welcome on board.