Compare India’s best co-branded travel credit cards: Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip vs. Yatra SBI vs. MakeMyTrip ICICI vs. ixigo AU. Find the top card for flight discounts, hotel deals, reward points & travel benefits. Maximize savings on your next trip—read now!
Traveling is a passion for many Indians, and with the rise of co-branded travel credit cards, saving on flights, hotels, and other travel expenses has become easier than ever. In 2025, several co-branded travel credit cards stand out in India, offering discounts, rewards, and exclusive perks for frequent travelers. Among the top contenders are the Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card, Yatra SBI Credit Card, MakeMyTrip ICICI Credit Card, and ixigo AU Credit Card. But which one is the best travel credit card in India for your needs? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare these cards based on their features, benefits, fees, and suitability for different types of travelers, using the latest data to help you make an informed decision.
Why Choose a Co-branded Travel Credit Card?
Co-branded travel credit cards are designed in partnership with travel portals or airlines, offering tailored benefits for users loyal to specific brands. These cards provide instant discounts, accelerated rewards, lounge access, and low forex markup fees, making them ideal for frequent travelers. With India’s credit card market projected to reach 200 million cards by 2028-29, growing at 15% annually, travel credit cards are leading the charge due to their popularity among millennials and Gen Z travelers.
When choosing the best co-branded travel credit card, consider:
- Travel preferences: Do you book through specific portals like EaseMyTrip, Yatra, MakeMyTrip, or ixigo?
- Spending habits: Are you a heavy spender on hotels, flights, or trains?
- Annual fees: Do the benefits justify the cost?
- Additional perks: Lounge access, low forex fees, or reward redemption flexibility.
Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of the Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip, Yatra SBI, MakeMyTrip ICICI, and ixigo AU credit cards to determine which one ranks as the best travel credit card in India for 2025.
1. Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
Overview
The Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card is a low-cost, entry-level card designed for travelers who frequently book through EaseMyTrip. With a modest annual fee and high discounts, it’s a strong contender for domestic and international travelers.
Key Features
- Joining/Annual Fee: ₹350 (waived on spending ₹50,000 annually)
- Welcome Benefits: None, but offers instant discounts on EaseMyTrip bookings.
- Discounts:
- 20% off on domestic/international hotel bookings (up to ₹5,000/₹10,000).
- 10% off on domestic/international flight bookings (up to ₹1,000/₹5,000).
- ₹125 off on bus bookings.
- Rewards:
- 10x reward points per ₹100 on standalone airline/hotel websites/apps.
- 2x reward points per ₹100 on other retail spends.
- Lounge Access: 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year; international lounge access discontinued as of October 2024.
- Forex Markup Fee: 3.5% (standard rate, not concessional).
- Other Perks: No minimum transaction limit for discounts, making it ideal for small bookings.
Pros
- Lowest annual fee among co-branded travel cards (₹350).
- High discounts on EaseMyTrip bookings with no minimum spend requirement.
- Accelerated rewards on non-EaseMyTrip travel spends, offering flexibility.
- Both primary and add-on cardholders can avail monthly discounts separately.
Cons
- No welcome benefits, unlike competitors.
- Limited lounge access (only domestic).
- High forex markup fee (3.5%), less suitable for international travelers.
Best For
- Budget-conscious travelers who prefer EaseMyTrip.
- Domestic travelers seeking instant discounts without minimum spend thresholds.
2. Yatra SBI Credit Card
Overview
The Yatra SBI Credit Card is another low-cost option, catering to Yatra.com loyalists. It offers significant welcome benefits and discounts but has limitations for international travelers.
Key Features
- Joining/Annual Fee: ₹499 (waived on ₹1,00,000 annual spends).
- Welcome Benefits: Yatra.com vouchers worth ₹8,250 for flights, hotels, and holiday packages.
- Discounts:
- ₹1,000 off on domestic flights (min. ₹5,000).
- ₹4,000 off on international flights (min. ₹40,000).
- 20% off on domestic hotels (up to ₹2,000, min. ₹3,000).
- Rewards:
- 6 reward points per ₹100 on groceries, dining, movies, entertainment, and international spends.
- 1 reward point per ₹100 on other spends.
- Lounge Access: None.
- Forex Markup Fee: 3.5% (standard rate).
- Other Perks: 1% fuel surcharge waiver (up to ₹100/month), ₹50 lakh air accident cover.
Pros
- High-value welcome vouchers (₹8,250), best among competitors.
- Decent discounts on Yatra.com bookings.
- Low annual fee with waiver option.
- Rewards on everyday spends like groceries and dining.
Cons
- Minimum transaction limits for discounts reduce flexibility.
- No lounge access, a major drawback for frequent flyers.
- No discounts on international hotel bookings.
- High forex markup fee, limiting international appeal.
Best For
- Yatra.com loyalists seeking high welcome benefits.
- Domestic travelers who don’t prioritize lounge access.
3. MakeMyTrip ICICI Credit Card
Overview
The MakeMyTrip ICICI Credit Card is a premium co-branded card with a higher annual fee but robust rewards and international benefits. It’s ideal for MakeMyTrip loyalists and frequent international travelers.
Key Features
- Joining/Annual Fee: ₹999 (waived on ₹3,00,000 annual spends).
- Welcome Benefits: ₹1,000 MMT voucher and complimentary MMTBLACK Gold membership (12 months).
- Rewards (myCash):
- 6% myCash (12 myCash per ₹200) on hotel bookings via MakeMyTrip.
- 3% myCash (6 myCash per ₹200) on flights, holiday packages, cabs, and bus bookings.
- 25 myCash per train booking.
- 1% myCash on other spends.
- Lounge Access: 8 domestic lounge visits/year (2/quarter), 1 international lounge visit/year.
- Forex Markup Fee: 0.99% (lowest among competitors).
- Other Perks: Unlimited rewards with no expiry, buy-one-get-one movie ticket offers via BookMyShow/INOX.
Pros
- Highest reward rate (up to 6% myCash) with no capping, ideal for heavy spenders.
- Low forex markup fee (0.99%), perfect for international travelers.
- Complimentary MMTBLACK Gold membership offers additional discounts and privileges.
- Non-spend-based lounge access (domestic and international).
Cons
- Higher annual fee (₹999) compared to competitors.
- Rewards limited to MakeMyTrip bookings, reducing flexibility.
- No milestone rewards or holiday vouchers unlike previous variants.
Best For
- MakeMyTrip loyalists who spend heavily on travel.
- International travelers seeking low forex fees and lounge access.
4. ixigo AU Credit Card
Overview
The ixigo AU Credit Card targets train and bus travelers, a unique niche among co-branded cards. With zero forex markup and extensive lounge access, it’s a strong contender for domestic travelers.
Key Features
- Joining/Annual Fee: ₹350 (waived on ₹50,000 annual spends).
- Welcome Benefits: 1,000 reward points and ₹1,000 ixigo money vouchers.
- Discounts:
- 10% off on flights, hotels, and bus bookings via ixigo (up to ₹1,000/month).
- Rewards:
- 10 reward points per ₹200 on online spends.
- 4x reward points on train bookings via ixigo.
- Lounge Access: 16 complimentary domestic airport and railway lounge visits/year (from April 2025, requires ₹20,000/quarter spend).
- Forex Markup Fee: 0% (best among competitors).
- Other Perks: 1% fuel surcharge waiver (up to ₹250/month), rewards valid for 2 years.
Pros
- Zero forex markup fee, unmatched in this segment.
- Extensive lounge access (16 visits/year), including railway lounges.
- Benefits on train and bus bookings, unique among competitors.
- Low annual fee with waiver option.
Cons
- Discounts capped at ₹1,000/month, lower than competitors.
- Limited international travel benefits beyond forex fee.
- Reward points expire after 2 years, unlike MMT ICICI’s unlimited rewards.
Best For
- Frequent train and bus travelers who use ixigo.
- Domestic travelers prioritizing lounge access and zero forex fees.
Comparison Table: Key Metrics
| Feature | Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip | Yatra SBI | MakeMyTrip ICICI | ixigo AU |
| Annual Fee | ₹350 (waived on ₹50,000) | ₹499 (waived on ₹1,00,000) | ₹999 (waived on ₹3,00,000) | ₹350 (waived on ₹50,000) |
| Welcome Benefits | None | ₹8,250 Yatra vouchers | ₹1,000 MMT voucher + MMTBLACK | 1,000 points + ₹1,000 ixigo money |
| Discounts (Max) | ₹5,000 (domestic), ₹10,000 (int’l) | ₹1,000 (domestic), ₹4,000 (int’l) | 6% myCash (uncapped) | ₹1,000/month |
| Rewards | 10x on travel, 2x on retail | 6x on select spends, 1x others | 6% on hotels, 3% on flights | 10x on online, 4x on trains |
| Lounge Access | 2 domestic visits/year | None | 8 domestic, 1 international | 16 domestic (airport + railway) |
| Forex Markup Fee | 3.5% | 3.5% | 0.99% | 0% |
| Best For | Budget travelers, EaseMyTrip users | Yatra loyalists, domestic travelers | MMT users, international travelers | Train/bus travelers, lounge access |
Which is the Best Co-branded Travel Credit Card in India?
Choosing the best travel credit card depends on your travel habits, spending patterns, and brand loyalty. Here’s a breakdown based on different traveler profiles:
1. Best for Budget-Conscious Domestic Travelers
- Winner: Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card
- Why: With the lowest annual fee (₹350) and high discounts (up to ₹5,000 on domestic hotels/flights), it’s ideal for occasional travelers who book via EaseMyTrip. The lack of minimum transaction limits adds flexibility, and 2 domestic lounge visits sweeten the deal.
2. Best for Welcome Benefits
- Winner: Yatra SBI Credit Card
- Why: The ₹8,250 Yatra.com vouchers are unmatched in value, making it perfect for new cardholders looking to maximize savings on their first bookings. However, minimum transaction limits and no lounge access limit its long-term appeal.
3. Best for International Travelers
- Winner: MakeMyTrip ICICI Credit Card
- Why: The 0.99% forex markup fee, 8 domestic and 1 international lounge visit, and uncapped 6% myCash rewards make it a top choice for frequent international travelers who prefer MakeMyTrip. The MMTBLACK Gold membership adds premium perks.
4. Best for Train and Bus Travelers
- Winner: ixigo AU Credit Card
- Why: Its focus on train and bus bookings, zero forex markup fee, and 16 lounge visits (including railway lounges) make it unique. It’s perfect for domestic travelers who prioritize rail travel and lounge access.
Overall Winner
- MakeMyTrip ICICI Credit Card
- Why: This card strikes the best balance for frequent travelers with its high reward rate (up to 6% myCash), low forex markup fee (0.99%), and lounge access (domestic and international). While the ₹999 annual fee is higher, the uncapped rewards and MMTBLACK membership justify the cost for MakeMyTrip loyalists. Its versatility for both domestic and international travel makes it the best co-branded travel credit card in India for 2025.
Tips to Maximize Your Travel Credit Card Benefits
- Choose Based on Brand Loyalty: Stick to the card aligned with your preferred travel portal (EaseMyTrip, Yatra, MakeMyTrip, or ixigo) to maximize discounts and rewards.
- Meet Fee Waiver Thresholds: Spend enough to waive annual fees (e.g., ₹50,000 for EaseMyTrip/ixigo, ₹3,00,000 for MMT ICICI).
- Use for International Travel: Opt for MMT ICICI or ixigo AU for low/no forex fees if you travel abroad frequently.
- Leverage Lounge Access: Use ixigo AU or MMT ICICI for complimentary lounge visits, especially for long layovers.
- Combine with Offers: Check for portal-specific offers (e.g., ICICI Bank offers on EaseMyTrip or Yatra) to stack discounts.
Evaluate Your Travel Habits
In 2025, the MakeMyTrip ICICI Credit Card emerges as the best co-branded travel credit card in India due to its high rewards, low forex fees, and lounge access, catering to both domestic and international travelers. However, the Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card is ideal for budget travelers, the Yatra SBI Credit Card excels for welcome benefits, and the ixigo AU Credit Card is perfect for train and bus travelers. Evaluate your travel habits and spending patterns to choose the card that aligns with your lifestyle.
For more details or to apply:
- Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip: Visit sc.com
- Yatra SBI: Visit sbicard.com
- MakeMyTrip ICICI: Visit icicibank.com
- ixigo AU: Visit aubank.in
Start saving on your travel adventures today with the right co-branded travel credit card!
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With over 15 years of experience in Banking, investment banking, personal finance, or financial planning, Dkush has a knack for breaking down complex financial concepts into actionable, easy-to-understand advice. A MBA finance and a lifelong learner, Dkush is committed to helping readers achieve financial independence through smart budgeting, investing, and wealth-building strategies, Follow Dailyfinancial.in for practical tips and a roadmap to financial success!
