Top airline credit cards for frequent flyers in 2025

If you are a frequent flyer or someone who simply loves to travel smart, the right credit card can unlock serious value—think free flights, airport lounge access, faster reward miles, and exclusive travel perks.

In this curated list of the Best Airline Credit Cards for May 2025, break down top offerings from banks like Axis, SBI, ICICI, Kotak, and Standard Chartered. From generous welcome bonuses and accelerated air mile earnings to Priority Pass lounge access and partner airline conversions—these cards are designed to give frequent flyers and holidaymakers a real edge.

Compare features like reward point systems, conversion options, annual fees, and travel perks to find the perfect travel companion in your wallet. (Data as on May 23, 2025 from Bank Bazaar.)

Axis Bank ATLAS Credit Card

• Earn 5 EDGE Miles per Rs 100 on direct airline bookings made through airline websites, counters, or helplines.
• Enjoy up to 18 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits on a minimum spend of Rs 50,000 in the preceding three months.
• Get unlimited international lounge visits and 8 additional guest visits per year through the Priority Pass program.
• Enjoy 2500 EDGE Miles as welcome benefit on the first transaction on your ATLAS credit card within 37 days from the date of card issuance.
• Convert your accumulated EDGE Miles into miles with various domestic and international airline partners.
• Joining/annual fee: Rs 5,000

Air India SBI Signature Credit Card
Enjoy 8 complimentary visits per year to domestic Visa lounges in India (maximum of 2 visits per quarter).
Earn 10 reward points per Rs 100 spent on Air India ticket purchases made through the Air India website, mobile app, booking offices, and call centers.
Welcome benefit includes 20,000 reward points. Additionally, enjoy an anniversary gift of 5,000 Reward Points every year on card renewal.
Earn up to 1,00,000 bonus reward points annually by achieving specified spending milestones.
Convert accumulated reward points into Air India Air Miles; minimum of 10,000 points required for conversion.
Annual/renewal fee: RS 4,999

MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card

• Enjoy 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses per quarter on minimum spends of ₹75,000 in the preceding calendar quarter.
• Enjoy 1 complimentary international airport lounge access per year.
• Enjoy MMTBLACK Platinum Membership and enjoy benefits like 0.75% off on flight bookings, free meals at select airports, discounted airport transfers, and free seat selection.
• Earn 3% myCash on flight bookings made through MakeMyTrip, over and above existing discounts.
• Get up to 10% instant discount on domestic flights and up to 8% on international flights when booking via MakeMyTrip using ICICI Bank Credit Cards on select days.
• Welcome benefits include a MakeMyTrip holiday voucher worth ₹2,500 and ₹1,500 myCash.
• Joining fee: Rs 2,500

Kotak IndiGo 6E Rewards XL Credit Card

• Welcome benefits include a complimentary IndiGo flight ticket worth Rs 3,000 and 6E Prime add-ons worth Rs 1,099, which include priority check-in, choice of seat, complimentary meal, and assistance.
• Earn unlimited 6% 6E Rewards on all IndiGo flight reservations made through the IndiGo website, app, or other direct channels; Rewards can be redeemed for future IndiGo flight bookings.
• Enjoy up to 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses annually; maximum of 2 accesses per quarter.
• Earn 3% 6E Rewards on dining, grocery, and entertainment spends, and 2% on all other eligible spends.
• Joining/Annual fee: Rs 1,500

Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card

• Earn 10x reward points per ₹100 spent on airline bookings made directly through airline websites, apps, or outlets.
• Enjoy a flat 10% instant discount on domestic and international flight bookings made via the EaseMyTrip website or app using the promo code “EMTSCB”; Maximum discount is ₹1,000 for domestic flights and Rs 5,000 for international flights.
• Enjoy 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses per calendar year.
• Enjoy annual fee waiver on spending Rs 50,000 or more in the previous year using the Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card.
• Get Rs 125 off on bus ticket bookings with a minimum ticket booking of Rs 500.
• Annual fee: Rs 350