Summer vacation often comes with increased spending on travel, dining, and leisure. For credit card users, this can be an opportunity to unlock additional value through reward points, cashback, and travel-related perks—if cards are used strategically.
1 / 11Several credit cards come with features designed to enhance the travel experience and offer returns on seasonal expenses. From lounge access to accelerated rewards on hotel bookings, these benefits can help offset costs during the holiday period. Here are tips to make the most of credit card rewards during vacations.
2 / 11Choose the right card for travel benefits | Travel credit cards such as HDFC Bank Regalia, SBI Card Elite, and Axis Atlas offer higher reward points on flight and hotel bookings. These cards typically points for travel spends, which can later be redeemed for air miles or vouchers.
3 / 11Use bank travel portals for bonus points | Booking through issuer platforms can fetch rewards or additional discounts. For example, HDFC SmartBuy gives 5% cashback or accelerated points for booking flights and hotels.
4 / 11Check for lounge access at airports | Several credit cards offer complimentary access to domestic and international lounges. The benefit helps travellers save on food and relaxation during layovers.
5 / 11Leverage dining offers | Summer trips often involve eating out. Some cards offer up to 15–25% discount at partner restaurants. Some cards also feature dining festivals or monthly cashback deals.
6 / 11Go international with forex-friendly cards | For overseas trips, use cards with low foreign transaction charges. Niyo Global Card and IDFC Wealth Credit Card offer zero forex markup, while others like HDFC Infinia and Axis Reserve offer 1–2% cashback on international usage.
7 / 11Redeem accumulated points | Before booking, check your points balance. Most card reward portals allow redemption for flights, hotels, or gift vouchers.
8 / 11Meet spending milestones for extra perks | Many cards offer milestone benefits during high-spend periods. This can fetch complimentary international lounge access and bonus reward points.
9 / 11Use co-branded cards for flights and stays | Cards co-branded with airlines and hotels provide additional privileges. The Club Vistara SBI Card offers free upgrades and extra baggage. Similarly, Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Card offers free nights and Gold Elite status.
10 / 11Avoid carrying forward dues | Interest charges on outstanding balances can negate reward benefits. Experts advise paying bills in full to truly maximise card value.
11 / 11Track seasonal offers and flash sales | Some credit card issuers run limited-time promotions on travel platforms. Users may receive cashback, extra reward points, or EMI options during these events on portals like MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, or EaseMyTrip.
