Once you start earning between ₹80,000 and ₹1 lakh a month, you’re not just managing your expenses—you’re building a lifestyle. This is the stage where travel becomes more frequent, whether for work or leisure. However, travel fares are not that cheap – it might end up eating 20-30% of your salary! Yes, Let’s get real — travelling, especially by air, has gotten expensive. But swipe with the right card and suddenly, things change. You get free lounge access, hotel discounts, bonus air miles, and in many cases, even free flight tickets. The more you spend (wisely, of course), the more the rewards start paying you back. But not every card is worth it. And certainly not every card fits everyone. So if you’re earning between ₹80,000 to ₹1,00,000 per month, here are the travel credit cards that offer real value — and not just on paper.
Why Travel Credit Cards Make Sense in This Income Range
For someone in this salary bracket, day-to-day needs are usually taken care of. But travel, especially quality travel, still comes at a price. Here’s where credit cards step in — not to add debt, but to save money and upgrade your experience.
- Earn reward points that actually convert into something useful — like flight bookings or hotel stays
- Get free access to airport lounges — that’s food, Wi-Fi, and a comfy seat before your flight
- Use welcome vouchers and milestone bonuses that often exceed the annual fee
- Some even give you concierge support, travel insurance, or foreign exchange perks
Best Travel Credit Cards for ₹80K–₹1L Salary
1. HDFC Diners Club Privilege Card
- Income Requirement: ₹70,000+
- Annual Fee: ₹2,500 (waived on high spends, particularly above 3,00,000/year)
- Highlights:
- 12 complimentary lounge visits (domestic & international)
- Free memberships: Amazon Prime, Zomato Pro, etc.
- Why it works: Excellent for people who travel frequently and enjoy dining out. Lounge access + bonus memberships make it worth it from month one.
2. Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
- Income Requirement: ₹1 lakh/month or ₹12L ITR
- Annual Fee: ₹5,000+Taxes
- Highlights:
- 12 international and 20 domestic lounge visits
- Edge Miles convertible to air miles (multiple airlines)
- Bonus vouchers from MakeMyTrip and Yatra on big spends
- Why it works: It’s a card built for travellers. Whether it’s air miles, hotel stays, or foreign currency use — it covers all bases.
3. SBI Card ELITE
- Income Requirement: ₹60,000+/month
- Annual Fee: ₹4,999
- Highlights:
- Priority Pass for global lounges + domestic lounge access
- Free movie tickets (₹500/month)
- 50,000 reward points on hitting annual spends
- Why it works: One of the more rounded cards — travel, entertainment, and lifestyle all rolled into one.
4. Amex Membership Rewards Card
- Income Requirement: ₹85,000–₹90,000/month
- Annual Fee: ₹1,500 (first year) and ₹4,500 plus applicable taxes (second year onwards)
- Highlights:
- 4,000 bonus points per month on regular spends
- Reward points never expire
- Special travel offers and Amex concierge services
- Why it works: Ideal for people who don’t fly every week but want to collect points and use them smartly — especially on flights or holidays.
Also read: Is HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition the Best Premium Credit Card in India? Find Out Now!
5. IDFC First Wealth Credit Card
- Income Requirement: ₹3,00,000/month
- Annual Fee: Zero (lifetime free)
- Highlights:
- Unlimited domestic lounge visits, 4 international per year
- 1.5% forex markup — much cheaper than others
- High reward rates (up to 10X) on travel, shopping
- Why it works: For someone who doesn’t like paying card fees but still wants lounge comfort and smart rewards, this is a great option.
6. Kotak White Credit Card
- Income Requirement: ₹2L/month+
- Annual Fee: ₹3,000+GST
- Highlights:
- White Pass system — spend more, earn more
- Lounge access across India and abroad
- Flexibility to redeem for travel, gadgets, vouchers
- Why it works: For people who like control over their rewards — and don’t want to be forced into airline redemptions only.
7. ICICI Sapphiro Card (Visa/Mastercard)
- Income Requirement: ₹85,000–₹1L
- Annual Fee: ₹6,500 +GST
- Highlights:
- Complimentary lounge visits via DreamFolks
- Welcome gift worth 20,000+ reward points
- Global assistance & concierge
- Why it works: It’s designed for frequent fliers who want premium service, both on ground and in the air.
8. YES Bank First Exclusive Card
- Income Requirement: ₹90K+
- Annual Fee: ₹1,999 (usually offered lifetime free)
- Highlights:
- Unlimited lounge access on some variants
- Forex fee (1.75%)
- 3 reward points per ₹100 on all spends
- Why it works: Quietly powerful. No flashy marketing, but solid international perks and great for global travellers.
The Bottom Line
When you’re earning well, your money should do more. A well-picked travel credit card isn’t just about getting freebies — it’s about making your money work smarter. If you’re already spending on flights, hotels, or even just business travel, these cards make sure you get something back every time you swipe. Pick a card that fits your lifestyle — not just one with the most benefits on paper. If you’re a frequent flyer, go for lounge-heavy, mile-based cards. If you’re a mix of home and abroad, look for forex benefits and concierge. Either way, don’t let your money fly economy when it could be travelling business.
Written by Roshni Mohinani
