Key takeaways

  • Bank portals give a fixed value per point and are the simplest route.
  • Airline transfers can be worth much more, especially for business class, but need award availability.
  • Value per point = (cash price − cash you still pay) ÷ points used.
  • Book early for award seats, and never transfer points you don't have a specific use for.

Earning points is the easy part. Redeeming them well is where the value is. Here are the three routes to cheap flights with Indian credit card points, and how to tell which gives you the most.

Route 1: the bank portal (e.g., HDFC SmartBuy)

Search flights on your bank's travel portal and pay part of the fare with points at a fixed rate. Two examples from HDFC:

  • HDFC Bank Millennia: HDFC's February 2026 FAQ says points can pay for flights and hotels at 1 point = ₹1, for up to 50% of the booking value, with flight and hotel redemptions capped at 50,000 points a month.
  • HDFC Bank Infinia Metal: points are worth about ₹1 each on SmartBuy travel. Check the current share of a booking you can pay with points and any monthly caps.

Good for: anyone who wants predictable value with no airline accounts. Watch for: portal prices that are higher than booking direct.

Route 2: transfer to an airline (e.g., Axis EDGE Miles)

With Axis Bank Atlas, you can transfer EDGE Miles at 1:2 to core partners like Singapore KrisFlyer and Air India Maharaja Club, then book an award seat. Premium cabins are where transfers shine. Here's an illustration, not a quote: if a business-class seat costs ₹1,50,000 in cash, or 60,000 miles plus ₹8,000 in taxes, each mile is worth (1,50,000 − 8,000) ÷ 60,000 ≈ ₹2.4. That's far more than any fixed portal value. Award prices and availability vary widely, so always check the real numbers.

Route 3: travel credit apps (e.g., Scapia)

Scapia Federal Bank coins (5 coins = ₹1) are applied to travel booked in the Scapia app. There are no transfer ratios to learn, but the coins can't be used anywhere else.

Worked example: a ₹12,000 domestic return flight

  • HDFC Millennia via SmartBuy: up to 50% with points, so 6,000 points plus ₹6,000 on the card. If the same flight is ₹11,500 on the airline's site, your real value is (11,500 − 6,000) ÷ 6,000 ≈ ₹0.92 per point.
  • Scapia: 60,000 coins cover ₹12,000 of fare in the app, if you have them. Compare the app's price with booking direct.
  • Axis Atlas transfer: short domestic flights often need relatively many miles for a low cash fare, so transfers are usually better saved for long-haul or premium tickets.

Step-by-step checklist

  1. Price the exact flight in cash (airline site and portal).
  2. Check the points route: portal points needed, or award miles plus taxes.
  3. Calculate value per point, and compare with your card's statement-credit value.
  4. Check caps (portal share, monthly limits, annual transfer caps).
  5. For transfers: confirm award availability first, transfer only what you need, and book immediately.

Tips for better value

  • Book early. Award seats for holidays go months ahead.
  • Be flexible with dates. Award pricing can change a lot day to day.
  • Keep points in the bank until you're ready to book. Transfers are usually one-way.
  • Don't forget taxes and fees, which you usually pay in cash on award tickets.
  • Track expiry with our points expiry tracker, and value points with the points value calculator.

Common mistakes that waste points

  • Redeeming at catalogue rates (often ₹0.30 a point or less) when travel redemptions give ₹0.50–₹1.
  • Transferring before finding availability, then being stuck with airline miles you can't use.
  • Ignoring fuel surcharges on some international award tickets, which can be large.
  • Letting points expire. HDFC's Millennia FAQ, for example, says unredeemed points lapse within 2 years.

Which route should you use?

SituationBest route
Cheap domestic economy flightBank portal or travel app (fixed value)
Long-haul or business classAirline transfer, if award seats are available
Last-minute tripPortal (awards are often unavailable late)
Small points balancePortal, or combine with cash

FAQs

Do I still pay taxes on award flights?

Yes. Award tickets booked with airline miles usually require taxes and fees in cash.

Can I pool points from different credit cards?

Usually only within the same bank's programme, if it allows. Points from different banks can sometimes be transferred into the same airline account.

Is it better to redeem points on a portal or transfer them?

Portals are simpler with fixed value. Transfers can be worth more, especially for premium cabins, but need availability and planning.

How far ahead should I book award flights?

For popular routes and holiday dates, several months ahead gives the best chance of award seats.

Can I cancel a flight booked with points?

Usually, subject to the fare rules and the portal's or programme's policy. Points or miles may be redeposited, sometimes for a fee.

What is a good value per point for flights?

Around ₹1 per point on a portal is strong for most Indian cards. Transfers can beat that on premium awards. Below ₹0.50, consider statement credit instead if your card offers a similar rate.

Do points bookings earn frequent-flyer miles?

Portal bookings are usually regular fares, so you can add your frequent-flyer number and earn miles for flying. Award tickets booked with miles often earn nothing.

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.