Typical Annual Fee Range

• Travel credit cards usually have annual fees between ₹500 and ₹5,000.

• Basic travel cards come with fees starting from ₹499 plus GST.

• Mid-tier cards often charge ₹1,000 to ₹2,500 annually.

• Premium travel cards may cost ₹5,000 or more per year.

• Fee varies based on features like lounge access and air miles.

Examples of Card Fee Structures

• HDFC Regalia First Card charges ₹1,000 as annual fee.

• Axis Bank Vistara Card has an annual fee of ₹1,500.

• SBI Elite Card charges ₹4,999 with welcome travel vouchers.

• Citi PremierMiles Card has a ₹3,000 annual fee.

• Amex Platinum Travel Card costs ₹5,000 annually from second year.

Fee Waiver and Reversal Options

• Many cards waive renewal fees on reaching annual spend milestones.

• Axis and HDFC cards offer fee waivers at ₹2–3 lakh annual spend.

• Some cards include fee offset through welcome benefits or rewards.

• Lifetime free variants may be offered during limited-time promotions.

• Cards may refund the fee as equivalent reward points or vouchers.

What the Fee Covers

• Access to domestic and international airport lounges.

• Air miles, bonus travel points, or companion flight tickets.

• Travel insurance, concierge services, and booking assistance.

• Foreign transaction fee discounts and exclusive travel deals.

• Premium features not found in standard credit cards.

Tips for Choosing a Card Based on Fees

• Compare fee against travel rewards, miles, and lounge benefits.

• Choose cards that offer fee waivers based on your spending pattern.

• Consider your travel frequency and card network partnerships.

• Look for bundled offers with hotels or airlines to add value.

• Select a card that provides more benefit than its annual cost.