Key takeaways

  • SBI Cashback pays 5% on online travel bookings, within its ₹2,000 monthly online cap.
  • SBI SimplyCLICK earns 10X points (about 2.5%) on partners including Cleartrip and Yatra.
  • Axis Atlas earns 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on travel for frequent flyers.
  • For regular train travel, IRCTC co-branded cards are designed for railway bookings. Check current benefits.

For most Indians, travel means a quick flight to another metro or a Rajdhani ticket home. Here are the cards that earn the most on everyday domestic travel.

Best cards for domestic flights

SBI Card Cashback

₹999 + GST · Waived on ₹2,00,000 yearly spend · Forex 3.5%

  • 5% cashback on almost all online spends, with no merchant restrictions
  • 1% cashback on offline spends
  • Cashback is auto-credited to your statement

Watch out: Online cashback cap cut from ₹5,000 to ₹2,000 a month in 2026

SBI Card Cashback pays 5% cashback on online spends, including flights booked on airline websites and travel portals, with no merchant restrictions. It's capped at ₹2,000 of online cashback per statement since April 2026, which covers about ₹40,000 of online spending a month.

SBI Card SimplyCLICK

₹499 + GST · Waived on ₹1,00,000 yearly spend · Forex 3.5%

  • 10X reward points on partners: BookMyShow, Myntra, Apollo 24|7, Netmeds, Swiggy, Cleartrip and Yatra
  • 5X reward points on other online spends (capped at 10,000 points a month)
  • Annual e-voucher milestones on ₹1 lakh and ₹2 lakh spends

Watch out: Amazon is no longer a 10X partner

SBI Card SimplyCLICK earns 10X reward points (about 2.5% at ₹0.25 a point) on partner merchants, which include Cleartrip and Yatra, and 5X on other online spends. The fee is low and waived at ₹1 lakh a year.

For frequent flyers, Axis Bank Atlas earns 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on travel bookings. It's worth it if you fly often enough to justify its ₹5,000 fee.

What about HDFC Millennia?

HDFC Bank Millennia pays 5% only on its 10 listed merchants: Amazon, BookMyShow, Cult.fit, Flipkart, Myntra, Sony LIV, Swiggy, Tata CLiQ, Uber and Zomato. Travel portals and airlines aren't on the list, so flights usually earn 1%. That's fine for Uber rides to the airport, but not the best card for the ticket itself.

Estimated value for a regular domestic traveller

Spending patternSBI CashbackSBI SimplyCLICKAxis AtlasHDFC Millennia
₹8,000 travel + everyday online spends
₹36,000/month
₹13,320 ★₹5,670₹6,920₹11,920

Train bookings on IRCTC

Railway tickets are a special case. Some cards give reduced or no rewards on railway bookings, and payment gateway charges can apply on IRCTC. Check your card's terms before assuming you'll earn the usual rate.

If you travel by train often, look at an IRCTC co-branded card such as the IRCTC SBI Card, which is designed for railway bookings, with rewards and charge benefits on tickets booked via IRCTC. Benefits change, so check the current terms on SBI Card's website before applying.

Stacking offers

  • Travel portals often run bank-specific instant discounts. Use the eligible card for the discount and check whether its regular rewards also apply.
  • During festive sales, Amazon has advertised flight and hotel discounts for Prime members paying with Amazon Pay ICICI.
  • Compare the final price with the airline's own website. Direct bookings can be easier to change or refund.

Lounge access for domestic flyers

Most cards now unlock domestic lounge visits only after a spend threshold. See our 2026 lounge guide before counting on a free visit.

Tips for cheaper domestic travel

  • Book on the card that earns most for that site. Use a broad online cashback card for airline websites and SimplyCLICK for Cleartrip or Yatra. The wallet optimiser shows which of your cards wins.
  • Watch cashback caps in heavy travel months, and switch cards once one is maxed out.
  • Use the interest-free period. Booking right after your statement date gives you the longest time to pay. See the interest-free period calculator.
  • Keep booking confirmations and invoices in case you need to dispute a cancelled-flight refund. See our dispute guide.

FAQs

Do credit cards give reward points on IRCTC bookings?

It depends on the card. Some reduce or exclude railway rewards. Check your card's terms, or consider an IRCTC co-branded card if you travel by train often.

Is it better to book directly with the airline or a travel portal?

Direct bookings are often easier for changes and refunds. Portals sometimes offer bank discounts that make them cheaper. Compare the final price.

Which card is best for MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip or Yatra?

SBI Cashback earns 5% on online travel bookings within its cap. SBI SimplyCLICK earns 10X points on Cleartrip and Yatra as partners.

Can I get a refund on my card for a cancelled flight?

Yes. Refunds go back to the original card. If a refund doesn't arrive within the promised time, raise it with the airline or portal, then with your bank as a dispute.

Do I get lounge access with these cards?

SBI Cashback has none. Others offer spend-based domestic visits. Check each card page and our lounge guide.

Is SBI SimplyCLICK good for flights?

Yes, on its partner sites like Cleartrip and Yatra, where it earns 10X points (about 2.5%). Elsewhere online it earns 5X, about 1.25%.

Sources

About the author

Deepak

Founder & Editor, CardPicker

Deepak founded CardPicker and writes and fact-checks its credit card guides, comparisons and news.

✓ Fact-checked 26 September 2026Prices, dates and card terms in this article were checked against issuer websites, official pages and news reports listed under Sources. Card figures come from our database, which is re-verified regularly. Offers change often, so confirm on the issuer's site before you buy or apply. Spotted an error? Tell us.