Introduction:
Man has always loved to Travel right from the dawn of human civilization. In fact the Travel spirit of our ancestors was pivotal in laying the bricks of our civilization. Currently the global village in which we live is interconnected like a web, and the key job component, the corporate one, relies heavily on Travel. Not only Travel and corporate life, our times, the times of the global village depends heavily on another tool in its day to day activities- a small pocket size rectangular plastic card. This rectangular plastic card, or the credit card, not only changed our world, but it also opened a whole new world of opportunities in front of us.
Before the advent of credit card, the withdrawal of money from bank was nothing short of an all day toil. It began with a long and boring queue, and had everything within from spending the entire day waiting to a very complex chain of paper works. This banking day had everything in it to ruin our day. But fortunately we don't have to suffer now as we have the credit card at our ready disposal.
Classification of Credit Cards:
Now all the credit cards are not the same. Just like anything else, a credit card is also categorized into a lot of fields. Starting from a normal ordinary to not so ordinary silver one to a lavish and glittering platinum credit card, this classification has everything in it. However, apart from this classification based on ornamental metals, there is another type of credit card, the most versatile, which can be used anyplace around the globe- the Visa credit card. Now what is a Visa credit card? We all know what a Visa is. A Visa is a provincial license that we need to have from the authorities of a country before we step into that land. On a similar note, a Visa credit card can be used to buy commodities from anywhere across the globe without any hassle. For example, a Traveler from India can use his Visa credit card to buy from a departmental store in Rome. Currently all the key banking players issue Visa Travel creditcards for their customers.
Visa Credit Cards, an Overview:
The Visa credit card boom is the result of the growing globalization of our wide world. The facilities that a Visa credit card holder enjoys are available due to this global network. For example a bank beforehand aligns with a whole bunch of restaurants, e-commerce sites, Travel websites, transport tycoons, Travel destinations and so on. And this tie-up ensures that when a customer of the bank avails any of those locations or sites, and transacts with the credit card, he gets a lot of benefit, especially in the form of discounts and cashbacks. The owner of a Visa credit card enjoys more such benefit than the person owning a regular or a silver ranged credit card. This process not only revolutionized the banking system, but also helped economies grow, especially that of the low or middle developed nations. In the Indian sector the leaders of Visa credit cards are the State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, and HDFC bank and so on, each offering unique benefits and discounts to their customers. The Visa Travel credit cards have helped the end users to utilize all the nuances of ever growing and glowing urban life, as well as coming handy during Travel. In a fast growing nation such as India, the credit cards initiated a digitalization boom which directly helped in the economic and financial growth of the nation in a very short and limited span of time.
Apply for best Visa Travel credit cards with great offers
| Different Types of Credit Cards and Types | Joining Fee | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| SimplySAVE SBI Card | 499 | 499.00 |
| FBB SBI STYLEUP Contactless Card | 499 | 499.00 |
| IRCTC SBI Platinum Card | 500 | 300.00 |
| MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank™ Platinum Credit Card | 500 | 0.00 |
| HDFC Bank Jetprivilege Platinum Credit Card | 1000 | 1000.00 |
| Air India SBI Platinum Card | 1499 | 1499.00 |
| Doctor’s SBI Card (in association with IMA) | 1499 | 1499.00 |
| IRCTC SBI Card Premier | 1499 | 1499.00 |
| HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card | 2500 | 0.00 |
| MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank™ Signature Credit Card | 2500 | 0.00 |
| HDFC Bank Jetprivilege Signature Credit Card | 2500 | 2500.00 |
| Air India SBI Signature Credit Card | 4999 | 4999.00 |
| SBI Card ELITE | 4999 | 4999.00 |
Chqbook Review
Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card is the best option for frequent international commuters as it is globally accepted and does not exorbitant fees as overseas charges. Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card is an immensely rewarding card that enhances the shopping experience of customer. The bounty of additional features makes this card profitable for transactions and the distribution of points makes your shopping experience a gratifying one. One can collect reward points so as to receive exciting gifts and products from upscale stores. The Emergency Card facility will lend you the security and ensure that you get a new card in case of a loss or theft of the original card
PROS
- When you sign up for Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card, you get a welcome freebie coupon for ₹3000
- You will gain reward points for spending in international travel, supermarkets, restaurants etc.
- You will gain reward points for spending in international travel, supermarkets, restaurants etc.
- You can access entry to around 200 golf courses in the world as a complimentary gift
- Gets free access to airport lounge using Priority Pass Program for nominal fees
- Email alerts, SMS and monthly statements will ensure that you have the updates of your performance and transactions of your card
- If your expenditures exceed the limit five lakh rupees every year, you win a free domestic air ticket (one-way)
- Use your Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card for more than a year and kickstart the next year with an anniversary gift coupon worth ₹ 3000
- You can use your SBI Card account using net banking with ease
- Alerts to ensure that your utility bills are paid on time which will also gain more reward points.
- Alerts to ensure that your utility bills are paid on time which will also gain more reward points.
- The Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card has the Easy Money Facility
CONS
- The Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card doesn't offer complimentary golf games either in India or abroad. Therefore, people who prefer to get golf privileges along with their travel cards should consider some other card
- The Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card does not have any dining offers. Many other travel cards offer rebates as well as dining privileges at popular restaurants
- The rewards program and redeeming of points for miles is only applicable for Air India flights. It implies that you shall not be able to avail of any benefits through your Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card if you want to travel by any other airlines
- While the Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card offers fairly decent reward points but there are other cards also which proffer better reward points
Chqbook Review
Free annual membership fee to those registered with Air India Frequent Flyer Program with returns. If you are on lookout for a card abounding in discounts, multiple offers and exciting deals, Air India SBI Signature Credit Card is your perfect choice. It offers optimum reward ratio to its clients. The card is ideally designed for frequent commuters to make their domestic and international travels reasonable without compromising on the quality of travel.
PROS
- Enjoy cover on the lost card of ₹1 lakh. This cover is applicable from the period of 48 hours before reporting of loss till 7 days after intimating the concerned authorities with the loss
- Access cash from over 1 million Visa ATMs all over the world incorporating over 18,000 Visa ATMs in India. You can also withdraw cash from 10,000 State Bank of India ATMs in across 100 cities in India
- Get exemption on 1% fuel surcharge with your Air India SBI Signature Card, across all petrol pumps
- Purchase fuel worth ₹ 500 to ₹ 4,000, to avail this benefit. Get maximum surcharge waiver of ₹ 250 on each statement cycle. Taxes are applicable as per the regulations
- Acknowledged at over 2 million Visa centers worldwide and over 2,85,000 centers in India
- Avail for additional benefits by opting for add-on cards for your family members who are above the age of 18
- Your Air India SBI Signature Card is enabled with chip and pin security strengthening you with state-of-art security against fraudulence and scheming
- Easy Bill Pay facility on your AIR India SBI Signature Credit Card helps you to pay your telephone, electricity and other bills on time
- Make any purchase worth ₹ 2,500 with Flexipay or more and log on to the official website of SBI within 30 days to convert your purchase into Easy Monthly Installment
- Transferring the balance amount through EMI
- You can transfer the balance of other bank's credit cards to your Air India SBI Signature Card, to get a reduced rate of interest and pay back in EMIs
- You can get a draft or cheque with the Easy Money feature against your cash limit and have it delivered to your address
- You can book railway tickets online with your Air India SBI Signature Card without any hassle
- You can replace your Air India SBI Signature Card anywhere in the world
- You can choose from three different types of Insurance covers with your AIR India SBI Signature Credit Card which enables you to tackle accidents, health issues, card loss, loss of the card or theft and more
- With AIR India SBI Signature Credit Card, you can have steady inflow of cash and also encash up to or above your credit limit. Thus you are always geared up for any kind of emergency
CONS
- The AIR India SBI Signature Credit Card may not be the best option if you are not a regular passenger of Air India as this card doesn't offer benefits to the commuters through other airlines.
- A usage fee of up to ₹7 will be charged to your AIR India SBI Signature Card each time on visiting a Priority Pass member lounge.
Chqbook Review
Doctors are the most respected and esteemed people in our society, since it is their skills and deft expertise that helps to save thousands of lives every year as well as improve the lives of many people who might have been suffering from any kind of medical programs. As such, we are collectively grateful to the doctors who work tirelessly to make the quality of life for many people a better one. On State Bank of India’s part, this gratefulness is manifested through the Doctor’s IMA SBI Card, a credit card exclusively crafted for use by practitioners of medicine. Doctor’s IMA SBI Card has a bundle of features and benefits that has the potential to make any doctor owning this credit card content and convenience
PROS
- The most obvious advantage of owning this card lies in the fact that both its joining and renewal fees are very affordable, thus easily accessible
- Doctor's IMA SBI Card also offers a gift voucher of ₹5,000 in the event of the cardholder's annual spends going up to ₹5,00,000
- It also has an e-gift voucher of ₹1,500 rupees that is awarded on joining into the list of people using this credit card
- It also has an e-gift voucher of ₹1,500 rupees that is awarded on joining into the list of people using this credit card
- It offers an access to the Priority Pass Program worth ₹99 as a part of the benefits it offers when the card is used for spending on international travel
CONS
- An obvious drawback of Doctor's IMA SBI Credit Card is its narrow target audience: only doctors can get to apply for this particular card and all of its benefits and features have been so designed keeping in view the needs and requirements of doctors practicing in the country
- Further, as a credit card, the Doctor's IMA SBI Credit Card offers very little to its cardholders in terms of lifestyle benefits, except for certain travelling features that have been integrated into the card's structure from the very inception. In many cases, doctors and those practicing medicine can use this card to derive benefits and convenience now and then but in itself the credit card can said to be an entity that merely assists in making a doctor's work and travelling relatively easier and comfortable
Chqbook Review
One of its kinds, the FBB SBI STYLEUP CONTACTLESS CARD is the ultimatechoice for the metro crowd. It not only helps to avail all that a metro city offers, but at the same time never weights heavy on the wallet
PROS
- You can always have your hands on ash, with over 24million ATM kiosks falling under the grid
- The easy pay facility of the FBB SBI STYLEUP CONTACTLESS CARD makes sure that you never miss a payment of your utility bills such as insurance, internet, telephone and so on. Moreover you can pay all of them at zero additional charge
- The FBB SBI STYLEUP CONTACTLESS CARD comes with flexi pay option, which enables you toconvert all your transaction into easy monthly segments
- The balance transfer option of the FBB SBI STYLEUP CONTACTLESS CARDenables you to transfer any other outstanding creditcard balance to your sbi card. And then on you can repay them under easy installments and lower rate of interest
- With the easy money facility towed with the card, you can always have money when you need. This facility you can get a draft or cheque against your credit limit
- The FBB SBI STYLEUP CONTACTLESS CARD is undoubtedly a global creation. You can use this card anywhere across the world, with over 24million stores falling under the grid
- There are over 3.25 lakh stores in India, from where you an avail immense discounts and other facilities using this card
- You an avail add-on cards for member of your family, given the fact he or she is above 18 years of age
- The card comes with an impressive replacement facility. It means that even if you lose your card in a foreign country, you will get an easy replacement. The 24X7 helpline is always at your service for emergency card replacement
- The card awards you a 10X reward point on all spending at Big Bazaar, fbb and Food Bazaar, along with the dining spending as mentioned earlier
- With the card, you can avail an anniversary gift of 2000 bonus points every year, which is redeemable at the fbb, Big Bazaar and Food Bazaar stores
CONS
- As the FBB SBI STYLEUP CONTACTLESS CARD ispivoted more towards fashion spending and urban usage, it is a bit weak for heavy daily usage. Although it has got a global footmark, yet its features might seem limited to a seasoned traveler
- The card lacks even in the domestic cluster in features such as domestic travel, airfares and so on. Health facility is also not well covered
Chqbook Review
Fly FREE faster with the best airline co-brand card offering exclusive travel privileges
PROS
- You will get a complementary waiver on base fare on ticket booked through www.jetairways.com (On card fee realization)
- Get a discount voucher of ₹750 on booking a return ticket on www.jetairways.com
- You can redeem JPMiles on Amazon , Flipkart, Free Flights & Fuel at select IOCL outlets
- You can get 5% instant discount on domestic ticket bookings @ jetairways.com
- Enjoy 2 lounge accesses at domestic airpots per quarter via Visa lounge access program
CONS
- No discount on movie tickets - everybody loves to watch movies. A discount or free movie tickets would have made this credit card a complete package
- Per quarter 3 lounge access seems be less for frequent flyers
Chqbook Review
Fly FREE faster with the best airline co-brand card offering exclusive travel privileges
PROS
- You will get a complementary waiver on base fare on ticket booked through www.jetairways.com (On card fee realization)
- Get a discount voucher of ₹750 on booking a return ticket on www.jetairways.com
- You can redeem JPMiles on Amazon , Flipkart, Free Flights & Fuel at select IOCL outlets
- Get 5 international lounge access perquarter via Priroity Pass Membership
- Enjoy 4 times lounge access at domestic airpots per quarter via Visa lounge access program
- Earn 1 JP tier point on every ₹2,00,000 retail spend
CONS
- No discount on movie tickets - everybody loves to watch movies. A discount or free movie tickets would have made this credit card a complete package
Chqbook Review
Enjoy a host of special rewards, discounts and benefits with the complimentary Taj Epicure plus Membership Card.
PROS
- The HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card literally pays for itself – this is true Value for Money and it gives you something back on almost every transaction
- We love the 2 free domestic lounge visits a quarter – and the 6 free international lounge visits per year
- The Rewards story is very strong – and getting ₹0.60 for each Reward point is great
- Post GST – this card still gives the 1% fuel surcharge waiver. Go for it.
CONS
- If you use the HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card for Priority Pass™ access to International lounges more than 6 times a year – there's a ₹27 fee
- The Vistara Airlines™ Silver membership is valid for one year only – after that, its Upto Vistara™ to renew it based on your usage
Chqbook Review
The IRCTC SBI Card Premier is a steal for its annual fees as its benefits range from train tickets to airline tickets. This will bring in the rewards and benefits of travelling by both
PROS
- This card brings with the benefits of travelling by both trains and airline. It has reward points system allotted to both
- You can link your loyalty program of IRCTC with this card to use your reward points along with loyalty points easily
- Get 10% value back on AC 1, AC 2, AC 3, AC CC for your tickets booked through IRCTC website
CONS
- This is a good card if you travel by trains a lot. However, if you occasionally travel by trains and mostly take flights, this is not the card for you
Chqbook Review
The SBI IRCTC Platinum Credit Card has been expressly designed for users so as to address the specific needs and preferences in travel and lifestyle. The SBI IRCTC Platinum Credit Card adds an aesthetic touch to the users’ regular expenditure and travel bookings. The SBI IRCTC Platinum Credit Card brings the unique blend of conveniences and privileges which includes 100% value pack on the AC Ticket fare as railways points and complimentary membership to Shubh Yatra Scheme for regular traveler’s et al
PROS
- Facilities such as Flexipay help you with easy money and transfer of balance amount or automated payment of bills. Convert your transactions in monthly installments with Flexipay. Just transact for ₹ 2,500 or more and log on to the official website of SBI within 30 days of purchase to convert it into Flexipay
- The SBI IRCTC Platinum Credit Card has exemplary reward packages for its customers. Buy tickets through the official website of IRCTC for AC1, AC2. AC3 and AC CC and gain upto 10% Valueback as turbo points (1 Reward Point = ₹ 1). You can also gain 1 Reward point for every ₹ 125 expended on non-fuel retail purchases, including booking of railway ticket through the official website of IRCTC
- The SBI IRCTC Platinum Credit Card holders are exempted from paying the additional charge of on 1% fuel across all petrol pumps in India, on transactions of ₹ 500 - Rs. 3,000, exclusive of GST and other charges
- The SBI IRCTC Platinum Credit Card is exclusively a travel card and has worldwide acceptance. This travel card can be used in over 29 million outlets across the globe, including 3.25 lakh outlets in India. All users need to do is to look for the VISA sign with the merchant and present their card for payment. With global acceptance, users can travel anywhere and avail all the attractive benefits and offers provided by the card
- The SBI IRCTC Platinum Credit Card is exclusively a travel card and has worldwide acceptance. This travel card can be used in over 29 million outlets across the globe, including 3.25 lakh outlets in India. All users need to do is to look for the VISA sign with the merchant and present their card for payment. With global acceptance, users can travel anywhere and avail all the attractive benefits and offers provided by the card
- As the SBI Platinum IRCTC Credit Card has universal acceptance, the card holders can withdraw cash anytime from any Visa ATM. The users have the alternative to withdraw cash from over 1.2 million VISA ATMs across the world which includes 18,000 ATMs in India. You also get access to over 10,000 SBI ATMs across over 100 cities in India itself from where you can withdraw money anytime
CONS
- Interest rate charges of SBI IRCTC Platinum Credit Card are a tad bit high in comparison to its compeers. The rate of interest is 3.35% per month (40.20% per annum)
- While the SBI IRCTC Platinum Credit Card offer satisfactory rewards, there several other cards which give you better flexibility while booking flights from any airlines and yet gain reward points
Chqbook Review
The MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank™ Platinum Credit Card comes in cheap – at just a joining fee of ₹500, you can actually get this back in the first 2 months itself by going for the 1+1 movie offer from BookMyShow™. Not only that, this credit card comes with ₹500 My Cash (MakeMyTrip Wallet) and Lemon Tree Hotels voucher along with free access to domestic airport lounges. Go for this card if you like Movies or travel
PROS
- The MakeMyTrip™ ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card is a no aanual fee card.
- Free access to Domestic Airport lounges in India is a great benefit and these lounges are great to relax and unwind before a flight
- You can save upto ₹6,000 with the BookMyShow™ Buy 1 Get 1 offer, on first come, first-serve basis
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver can be availed on fuel transactions at HPCL pumps
- Save a minimum of 15% on your dining bill at participating restaurants through the ICICI Bank Culinary Treats programme
CONS
- The MakeMyTrip™ ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card does not provide much of reward points on shopping –Œ a feature we would have loved to see in this economical credit card
Chqbook Review
The MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank™ Signature Credit Card is a card to go for if you love movies and travel. You can save upto ₹7200 on your movie tickets annually. In addition, you receive ₹4 My cash for every ₹200 spent through this card, redeemable against flights and hotel bookings through MakeMyTrip™. Lounge access, spa session, free ola ride etc help you save upto ₹7200 annually. It's amazing
PROS
- The MakeMyTrip™ ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card comes with a no annual fee. It's amazing
- Free access to Domestic Airport lounges in India is a great benefit and these lounges are great to relax and unwind before a flight
- Get relaxed with free railway lounge access and energize before the start of your journey
- Now be in touch with your friends & family while you are travelling outside of India with a 10-day Airtel international roaming pack worth up to ₹3,999
- Enhance your travel experience with a complimentary airport lounge access outside of India per calendar year
- Love to have a spa session in domestic airports in India? Get 1 per calendar year in domestic airports.
- You can save upto ₹7,200 with the BookMyShow Buy 1 Get 1 offer, on first come, first-serve basis
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver can be availed on fuel transactions at HPCL pumps
- Save a minimum of 15% on your dining bill at participating restaurants through the ICICI Bank Culinary Treats programme.íë_
- Get a complimentary MMTDOUBLEBLACK membership worth ₹1,499 and enjoy free flights and no fees on hotel cancellations
- Get every sixth ride complimentary with Ola
CONS
- The MakeMyTrip™ ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card does not provide much of reward points on shopping – a feature we would have loved to see in this economical credit card
Chqbook Review
If you are looking for a credit card that fits right with your desire to shop and live up life the way you want to, SBI Card Elite is the perfect kind of credit card for you from State Bank of India. With this card in your possession, you can expect the best experience, unmatched convenience and exciting offers and benefits with its use on paying for all of your spends
PROS
- To begin with, it has a welcome e-gift voucher worth ₹5,000 from reputed brands such as Shopper's Stop, Yatra, Marks & Spencers, Bata / Hush Puppies and Pantaloons
- It has a scheme of awarding 50,000 bonus reward points on annual spends with this card. You can also earn five times the amount of reward points every time you utilize this card to pay for such services as dining and spends on purchasing items from departmental and grocery stores
- It also provides a benefit on international spends, by providing the lowest foreign currency mark-up change
CONS
- The only kind of con or disadvantage that could present itself to a prospective cardholder is the fact that both the annual fee and joining fee of SBI Card Elite cost around a rupee shy of 5,000 bucks. This one facet might singularly deter a large number of prospective card owners, lest they don't possess the requisite financial means to maintain this card in the first place
- Another disadvantage that can be attributed to the card is that it is mostly focussed on providing benefits and rewards only when it is utilized by the cardholder to serve their interests to upgrade their shopping and general lifestyle choices, even though SBI Card Elite has the ability to give the cardholder to have access to airport lounges and to spend money when it in India. Under such factors, this card's sole disadvantage might be in it not being used to its full potential and being more or less out of reach for people having limited fiscal means
- Another, albeit minor, con associated with the card is that a person below 21 years of age is not eligible to apply for this card
Chqbook Review
This SimplySave SBI card does justice to its name, offering the user thousand and one option of saving his bucks, while maintaining his standard way of life
PROS
- With the SimplySave SBI card, you have access to your money; anytime and anywhere. With the help of the card you can withdraw money from any one of the 1million master card kiosks globally
- You can avail the easy pay facility to pay your utility bills such as insurance premiums, telephone bills, and internet bills easily. And for that you don't have to pay any extra charge
- Flexible EMI option is available with the SimplySave SBI Card
- Easy application for add-on card is now possible with the SimplySave SBI Card
- You can actually choose your own gift against the point redemption scheme. Infact you earn a reward point per transaction of ₹100. Credit cards were never this easy before
- Another innovative feature of the SimplySave SBI Card is the option to payback your credited amount with the collected reward points.
- If your transaction volume is or over ₹90,000 with the SimplySave SBI Card, then you don't have to pay the renewal fees
- The SimplySave SBI Credit Card has immense global acceptance. So as to say nearly 24million stores are connected to it on the global scale. So now where ever you go from Japan to France, you can efficiently use the card to enjoy all the flavors of the new land
- Over 3.25 lakh Indian stores are also connected with the SimplySave SBI Credit Card
CONS
- As the SimplySave SBI Card is more focused to a large range of general utility tasks, they lack specialization in certain fields. Such as travel
