Best Hotel Credit Cards
- Updated On: 31 December, 2025
Credit cards have become everyone’s savior for savings. From young students to working individuals to people who are passing through their prime years, everyone uses credit cards to earn huge rewards, which can be later converted to or traded for the benefit they desire. Along with the rapid global growth, traveling became more than a hobby or once-in-a-while subject. Traveling became a therapy for some and an absolute necessity for many. While most of us are well aware and acquainted with AirMiles or things like the Star Alliance program, only a few of us are acquainted with some of the most popular hotel chains or even their membership programs. Hotels/stays are one of the most costly aspects of any vacation or trip, and in our article, you will learn how to save, earn, and much more with your best hotel credit card in India.
Whether it’s Club Marriott Membership, Taj Epicure, Club ITC Culinaire Membership, or Marriott Bonvoy, the following cards offer the most advantages for hotel spending.
- Table of Contents
- Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card
- HSBC Taj Credit Card
- HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card
- American Express Membership Rewards® Credit Card
- Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card
- HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition Credit Card
- American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card
- HDFC Bank INFINIA Metal Credit Card
List of Top Hotel Credit Cards in India
With so many platforms, credit card issuers, and even Fintech companies competing for your attention, it can be difficult to make the correct choice. Our list of the best hotel credit cards will help you narrow the best choice within your budget and match your needs. Various cards in our list have been carefully picked from multiple credit card issuers in India.
- Joining Fee₹3,000 + GST (~₹3,540)
- Annual Fee₹3,000 + GST (~₹3,540)
- Best Suited ForTravel | Shopping | Stays
- Rewards TypeReward Points
Rewards Rate
8 Marriott Bonvoy Points/₹150 for Spends at Marriott Hotels, 4 Marriott Bonvoy Points/₹150 for Travel, Dining, and Entertainment, and 2 Marriott Bonvoy Points/₹150 for Other Spends
Welcome Benefits
Silver Elite Status in the Marriott Bonvoy Program and One Free Night Award Worth 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points
Card Details +
The Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Credit Card is the first and only hotel co-branded credit card in India, with a joining and annual fee of ₹3,000. With this card, you can enjoy discounted stays, dining offers, and a free Silver Elite Status in the Bonvoy program. Additionally, the card offers free international/domestic lounge access and complimentary golf lessons. You will earn 8 reward points for every ₹150 spent on retail at participating hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 4 reward points for every ₹150 spent on travel, dining, and entertainment, and 2 reward points for every ₹150 spent on other eligible spending categories.
HSBC Taj Credit Card
(4.3/5)
Invite Only
- Joining Fee₹1,10,000 + GST
- Annual Fee₹1,10,000 + GST
- Best Suited ForTravel | Shopping | Stays
- Rewards TypeReward Points
Rewards Rate
5 RPs/₹100 Spent at Taj, SeleQtions, Gateway, Vivanta, Ginger Hotels and amã Stays & Trails Bungalows. 1.5 RPs/₹100 on All Other Eligible Purchases
Welcome Benefits
Two Breakfast-Inclusive Taj Hotel Stays + One Taj Palace Stay On Activation, Plus An Extra Palace Voucher (Valid Till 31 March 2026).
Card Details +
The HSBC Taj Credit Card is a premium offering tailored for luxury travelers and connoisseurs of fine living. A collaboration between HSBC Bank and the iconic Taj Hotels, this card redefines indulgence with exclusive privileges at Taj properties globally. From complimentary stays at Taj Grand Palaces to unlimited airport lounge access and bespoke dining discounts, the card is designed for those who demand the finest. With a high rewards rate on hotel spends and access to elite benefits like The Chambers Lounge, this card is a gateway to unparalleled luxury and convenience for discerning individuals.
- Joining Fee₹2,500 + GST
- Annual Fee₹2,500 + GST
- Best Suited ForTravel | Shopping
- Rewards TypeReward Points
Rewards Rate
5 Reward Points/₹200 on All Eligible Retail Spends, Including Utilities, Insurance, and Education. 25 Reward Points/₹200 for Myntra, Marks and Spencer, Nykaa, and Reliance Digital Spends
Welcome Benefits
Voucher Worth ₹2,500
Card Details +
The Regalia Gold Credit Card is one of HDFC Bank’s most premium and popular offerings. This card offers complimentary MMT Black Elite and Club Vistara Silver Tier membership as a welcome benefit. These would allow cardholders to earn discounts on stay bookings and be eligible for higher rewards and upgrades on flight bookings. Whether it’s discounts on food, lounge access, or a high reward rate on spends, this card has it all. Regalia Gold cardholders shall earn 4 Reward Points on every spend of ₹150.
- Joining Fee₹1,000 + GST
- Annual Fee₹4,500 + GST
- Best Suited ForShopping
- Rewards TypeReward Points
Rewards Rate
1 Membership Rewards Point/₹50 Spent, Excluding Fuel, Utility, and Insurance. Earn Up to 2,000 Bonus MR Points on Achieving Monthly Milestone Spends
Welcome Benefits
4,000 Bonus Membership Reward Points on Spending of ₹15,000 Within the First 90 Days of Card Issuance
Card Details +
This card is an ideal choice for individuals looking to make the most out of their everyday spending. With a modest joining fee of ₹1,000 and a renewal fee of ₹4,500 (waived upon meeting annual spending thresholds), this card provides excellent value through its Membership Rewards program. Cardholders can earn 1 reward point for every ₹50 spent (excluding certain categories) and enjoy attractive milestone bonuses, such as 1,000 reward points for completing four transactions of ₹1,500 or more in a calendar month. Additionally, its redemption options under the 18 and 24 Karat Gold Collections make it a rewarding option for shoppers. With exclusive dining discounts, spend-based benefits, and zero liability protection, the MRCC stands out as a versatile and rewarding choice for beginners and experienced card users alike.
Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card
(4.7/5)
- Joining Fee₹3,000 + GST
- Annual Fee₹3,000 + GST
- Best Suited ForTravel
- Rewards TypeReward Points
Rewards Rate
5 EDGE Miles on Axis Travel Edge and Airline Spends. 2 EDGE Reward Points on all Other Eligible Spends
Welcome Benefits
5000 EDGE Miles on Spends of ₹1,000 Within the First 30 Days of Card Issuance
Card Details +
The Axis Horizon Credit Card is a straightforward lifestyle credit card from Axis Bank, designed for everyday spending. It offers basic reward points on regular purchases along with benefits like fuel surcharge waiver and occasional dining or shopping offers. With a moderate annual fee and easy-to-understand features, this card is suitable for users who want a simple credit card without too many complex reward conditions.
- Joining Fee₹10,000 + GST
- Annual Fee₹10,000 + GST
- Best Suited ForTravel | Dining | Shopping
- Rewards TypeReward Points
Rewards Rate
5 Reward Points/₹150 on Regular Spends (3.33%) | Up To 10x Reward Points On SmartBuy (Up To 33.33%) | 2x Reward Points (10/₹150) On Weekend Dining (6.67%)
Welcome Benefits
Complimentary Membership of Club Marriott, Swiggy One and Amazon Prime (On Spends of Rs. 1.5 Lakh Within 90 Days of Card Issuance)
Card Details +
This metal card is designed to outshine the HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card and compete with the INFINIA Credit Card. The Diners Club Black Metal Credit Card is loaded with features and is a premium credit card offering. From golfing benefits for the sports enthusiast to a comfortable experience at airports with unlimited lounge access, there are numerous advantages attached to this credit card, including a complimentary membership of Club Marriott. Whether it’s dining, travel, or shopping, you can earn a good number of benefits with the Diners Club Black Metal Card.
- Joining Fee₹10,000 + GST
- Annual Fee₹10,000 + GST
- Best Suited ForTravel | Dining | Shopping
- Rewards TypeReward Points
Rewards Rate
1 Membership Reward Point for every Rs. 50 spent with the card except for spends on fuel, utilities, insurance, cash transactions, and EMI conversion at Point of Sale.
Welcome Benefits
11,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points on Spending ₹30,000 Within 90 Days of Card Issuance
Card Details +
Earn 1 Membership Reward Point for each ₹50 spent with this premium AmEx Credit Card. These Membership Reward Points can later be converted to partners like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. With a high conversion ratio, you can easily redeem these points and save money on your vacation and stay expenses. Not only this in terms of benefits on hotels, this card provides a complimentary Accor Plus Traveller Membership and Taj Epicure Membership. For a smooth and comfortable experience, this card offers both international and domestic lounge access. You can also get Taj Stay vouchers worth ₹10,000 on spending ₹5 lakh in a year.
Invite Only
- Joining Fee₹12,500 + GST
- Annual Fee₹12,500 + GST
- Best Suited ForTravel | Dining | Shopping
- Rewards TypeReward Points
Rewards Rate
5 Reward Points/₹150 Spent (3.33% Reward Rate)
Welcome Benefits
12,500 Bonus Reward Points and Complimentary Club Marriott Membership
Card Details +
HDFC Infinia is considered the most exclusive and premium card in our country. It is invitation-only, so one cannot apply for it. Those with the Infinia Credit Card can take advantage of its hotel benefits, such as a free Club Marriott Membership or access to ITC Hotels Complimentary Stay Benefits. With unlimited domestic and international lounge access and premium golfing benefits, Infinia is the best card out there. You can earn 5 Reward Points on each spend of ₹50 made with this card.
Benefits of a Specific Credit Card for Hotel Spends
- Higher Reward Rate on Travel – Many of these hotel credit cards offer a higher reward rate on spends made at partner hotels. Not only these, but some of these cards also offer accelerated reward rates for the whole travel category. One of the most appropriate examples of this would be the Axis Atlas Credit Card which offers a great reward rate for spends made on flight and hotel bookings.
- Take Advantage of Complimentary Memberships – Whether it is elite membership for travel booking platforms or free complimentary memberships to popular hotel programs, these credit cards offer them all like the Mariott Bonvoy HDFC Credit Card offers free Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite Status, which would fast-track customers to the Gold Tier.
- Room and Other Upgrades – Many of these cards offer periodic upgrades and other offers that would simply be missed with generic or co-branded non-hotel content.
- Travel Insurance – Insurance is very necessary for many fields of life, so why should travel be any different? With the range of Best Hotel Credit Card, you can travel and stay in peace knowing that your travel insurance is concerned.
- Easy Conversions to EMIs – There could be high expenditure on hotel, stay, and food. With the feature of easy EMIs, one can easily turn their large spends into smaller, more affordable arrangements.
Compare Top Hotel Credit Cards in India
It’s always best to compare similar credit cards before applying for one. Below are some of the most popular cards in the hotel category. Comparing them will make it easier to select the right one.
| Features | Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Credit Card | HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal | American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card |
| Joining/Annual Fee | ₹3,000 + GST | ₹10,000 + GST | ₹10,000 + GST |
| Welcome Benefits | 1 Free Night Award | Complimentary Membership of Club Marriott, Swiggy One, and Amazon Prime | 11,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points |
| Reward Rate | 8 RPs/₹150 Spent at Participating Hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy Program | 5 Reward Points/₹150 Spent | 1 Membership Rewards Point/₹50 |
| Lounge Access | 12 Complimentary Domestic and International Lounge Visits | Unlimited Lounge Access Across the Globe | 12 Free Domestic and 2 International Lounge Visits |
Our Methodology
While Hotel Credit Cards are quite popular in North America, the trend of travel, staycation, and even working while on vacation is catching on in India, and there is still a lot of ground to cover. While Accor, Taj, and Marriott are quite popular here, there aren’t as many co-branded cards with them, unlike abroad, except for the only two co-branded hotel credit cards in India (as of December 2024), the Marriott Bonvoy HDFC and HSBC Taj Credit Card. This prompted CardInsider to work on a topic that would allow consumers to save not only on their travel expenses but also on hotels. While most people are focused on travel, it’s best not to forget that where you stay matters the most.
Bottom Line
Whenever we think about traveling, whether for work or vacation, we often consider using credit cards to save money, earn reward points, and, most importantly, gain access to free airport lounges. However, we often overlook the reward point programs offered by hotels and miss out on potential savings and benefits.
With the list provided, you can save significantly on your hotel bookings and even earn complimentary award nights with the Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Card, the only co-branded hotel card in India. This card offers exceptional rewards for frequent travelers who prefer staying at Marriott properties. Others with different preferences should compare the features of these cards to make the best choice.
FAQs:
Which is the best hotel credit card in India?
The Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card is considered one of the best hotel credit cards in India, especially for deals related to stays and hotels.
Are there any hotel credit cards that come without any charges?
Since hotel credit cards usually fall in the premium or super premium credit card range, they come with a joining and annual fee. Most hotel credit cards have spend-based annual fee waiver criteria, which allows you to avoid paying the card charges if you meet the required spending.