For high-income individuals who frequently fly, stay at luxury hotels, or shop globally, elite-tier travel credit cards are a must.
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Elite credit cards unlock unlimited lounge access, global concierge services, accelerated air miles, premium hotel memberships, and even complimentary business class tickets.
Yes, they come with a hefty annual fee, often starting at ₹10,000, but for the right user, the perks far outweigh the cost—especially when used strategically.
Using 1 Finance Credit Card Scoring and Ranking Model, we have shortlisted the 5 best credit cards in India for elite travel in 2025—not just for their luxury appeal, but based on practical metrics like reward rates, lounge access (domestic and international), milestone benefits, travel insurance, and global acceptance.
Here’s top five elite credit cards in India for international travel in 2025.
1. HDFC Infinia Metal Card
The HDFC Infinia Metal Card is as premium as it gets—invite-only, packed with benefits, and tailored for those who travel frequently and spend heavily.
You earn a 3.3% reward rate on almost all spends, with up to 10x rewards via SmartBuy on hotels, shopping, and flights. Travel benefits include unlimited domestic and international lounge access, complimentary Club Marriott membership, and ₹12,500 worth of reward points on activation. Additional perks include unlimited golf rounds, air accident insurance of ₹3 crore, and overseas health coverage of ₹50 lakh.
Annual fee: ₹12,500 + GST, waived on spends above ₹10 lakh.
1 Finance Rank:
Our scoring and ranking model has ranked HDFC Infinia metal card 1st out of 20 cards in its fee segment with the score of 86/100.
Best For: High net-worth individuals who maximise travel and lifestyle spends and want premium insurance protection.
2. ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Card
Positioned as a rival to Infinia, this invite-only card delivers top-tier benefits with a strong lifestyle focus.
You can enjoy up to 18% reward rate on groceries and up to 12x on hotel bookings via ICICI iShop. Welcome perks include Taj Epicure Preferred membership, 12,500 reward points, and EazyDiner Prime. The card offers unlimited domestic and international lounge access, along with extensive travel insurance including coverage for flight delays, lost luggage, and missed connections.
Annual fee: ₹12,499 + GST.
Best For: Jet-setters and luxury travellers who value elite dining, hotel experiences, and detailed travel protection.
1 Finance Rank:
Our scoring and ranking model has ranked ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Card 2nd out of 20 cards in its fee segment with the score of 86/100.
3. HDFC Diners Club Black Card
This card offers a compelling mix of luxury and reward acceleration—especially valuable for those who use the HDFC SmartBuy portal.
Earn 3.3% base rewards, with 5x on flights, 10x on hotels, and 4x on dining via SmartBuy. Unlock unlimited lounge access worldwide, and memberships to Amazon Prime, Club Marriott, Swiggy One, and more with ₹1.5 lakh spend in the first 90 days. Get monthly lifestyle vouchers worth ₹500 on spending ₹80,000, and the annual fee of ₹10,000 + GST is waived on ₹5 lakh annual spends.
Best For: Frequent online shoppers and travellers who want maximum returns on structured spending.
1 Finance Rank:
Our scoring and ranking model has rankedHDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition 3rd out of 20 cards in its fee segment with the score of 85/100.
4. HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition
A metal variant of the Diners Club Black Card, this version caters to high spenders who consistently hit quarterly milestones.
All core benefits mirror the Diners Black Card, including 3.3% rewards and 10x SmartBuy boosts on travel and shopping. However, it stands out with quarterly bonuses of 10,000 points on spending ₹4 lakh per quarter, and an annual fee waiver on ₹8 lakh annual spends. Added travel and health insurance benefits enhance its premium appeal. Annual fee: ₹10,000 + GST.
Best For: Structured, high-volume spenders looking for consistent reward boosts every quarter.
1 Finance Rank:
Our scoring and ranking model has ranked HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition 4th out of 20 cards in its fee segment with the score of 85/100.
5. IndusInd Club Vistara Explorer Card
For loyal Vistara flyers, this card converts your annual spends into business class tickets and elite status upgrades.
Key Highlights
Earn up to 4% Club Vistara Points on Vistara bookings, and receive Club Vistara Gold membership, a business class ticket, and ₹25,000+ in luxury brand vouchers as a welcome benefit. It includes 4 domestic and 16 international lounge accesses, plus up to five business class vouchers per year on crossing spend thresholds. Annual fee: ₹10,000 + GST.
Best For: Frequent Vistara flyers seeking guaranteed flight upgrades and elite airline benefits.
1 Finance Rank:
Our scoring and ranking model has ranked IndusInd Club Vistara Explorer Card 5th out of 20 cards in its fee segment with the score of 73/100.
Best Credit Cards in India for International Travel in 2025
| Feature | HDFC Infinia Metal | ICICI Emeralde Private | HDFC Diners Black | Diners Black Metal | Vistara Explorer |
| Annual Fee | ₹12,500 + GST | ₹12,499 + GST | ₹10,000 + GST | ₹10,000 + GST | ₹10,000 + GST |
| Base Reward Rate | 3.3% | 3%–18% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 1%–4% (CV points) |
| Boosted Rewards | Up to 10x via SmartBuy | 12x hotels, 6x flights | 10x SmartBuy travel | 10x SmartBuy + 10K bonus | 4% on Vistara site/app |
| Lounge Access (Domestic/Intl) | Unlimited / Unlimited | Unlimited / Unlimited | Unlimited / Unlimited | Unlimited / Unlimited | 4 / 16 |
| Golf Privileges | Unlimited | Unlimited | 24 rounds | 24 rounds | Not available |
| Travel Insurance | Basic | Comprehensive | Moderate | Moderate | Airline-related only |
| Welcome Benefits | Club Marriott + 12,500 pts | Taj + EazyDiner + 12,500 pts | Club Marriott, Swiggy, Amazon | Club Marriott, Amazon | CV Gold + Biz Class Ticket |
| Milestone Rewards | 12,500 pts + fee waiver | EaseMyTrip vouchers | Monthly lifestyle vouchers | Quarterly bonus + fee waiver | Up to 5 Biz Class Tickets |
Source: 1 Finance Credit Card Scoring and Ranking
Last updated on March 31, 2025
Which Travel Credit Card Should You Choose in 2025?
- Go for the HDFC Infinia Metal Card if you want a no-compromise, all-in-one travel and lifestyle card with premium insurance, luxury stays, and unmatched lounge access. Best for high net-worth individuals with annual spends over ₹10L.
- Choose the ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Card if you’re a luxury traveller who values hotel memberships, dining privileges, and extensive travel insurance coverage. A strong lifestyle-oriented option.
- Pick the HDFC Diners Club Black Card if you shop and book online often—especially through HDFC SmartBuy. Great for those who want to extract max value through accelerated rewards and bundled memberships.
- Go with the Diners Club Black Metal Edition if you’re a consistent high spender who wants quarterly rewards and a sleek metal card feel, plus all the Diners Black perks.
- Opt for the IndusInd Club Vistara Explorer if you’re loyal to Vistara and want guaranteed business class tickets and elite airline benefits in return for your annual spends.
If you are spending upwards of ₹5–10 lakh a year, the value you unlock with these cards far outweighs the annual fee—provided you align your card with your lifestyle and travel preferences.
Still unsure? Use the 1 Finance Credit Card Evaluation Guide to dig deeper into how we score cards and make objective recommendations based on actual value.
Please note –
1 Finance Pvt. Ltd. operates independently and does not issue/provide credit cards. The information presented herein is intended solely for educational and informational purposes and should not be construed as financial advice. Before making any financial decisions, it’s essential to undertake your own thorough research and analysis. If you are uncertain about any financial matters, we strongly recommend seeking guidance from an impartial financial advisor.
