Travel has become a significant expense for many Indian households, especially with the resurgence of leisure and business travel. From flight bookings to hotel stays, every aspect of a vacation can be optimized for savings with the right credit card. Did you know that smart use of a credit card can help you save up to 15-20% on your travel costs through cashback, rewards, and exclusive discounts?
Two standout travel credit cards in India—the HDFC Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card and the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card—offer compelling benefits for frequent travelers. But which one is right for you? Let’s dive into their features to help you make an informed choice.
The Benefits of Spending Smartly on Travel
Planning a vacation involves multiple components, from booking flights and hotels to dining and entertainment. By strategically using credit cards that offer accelerated rewards, discounts, and flexible redemption options, you can significantly cut costs:
- Save on Hotel Stays: Use points to redeem free nights or get discounts at partner properties.
- Flight Savings: Offset airfare with reward points or travel vouchers.
- Dining Discounts: Enjoy special deals and extra rewards at restaurants.
- Redeem Flexibly: Convert points to miles, buy gift vouchers, or offset vacation expenses.
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card
Why It’s Great for Marriott Loyalists
This co-branded credit card is a perfect fit for those who frequently stay at Marriott properties. It rewards spending at Marriott hotels with up to 40 reward points per ₹150 spent (during festive offers) and offers complimentary Silver Elite Status, ensuring perks like priority late checkout and bonus points.
Key Features:
- Accelerated Rewards:
- 8 points per ₹150 on spends at Marriott Bonvoy hotels (standard).
- 40 points per ₹150 during festive periods on Marriott spends.
- Complimentary Silver Elite Status: Earn benefits like late checkouts and exclusive discounts.
- Flexibility in Points Redemption: Redeem points for hotel stays, room upgrades, and exclusive dining experiences.
Less-Talked-About Features:
- Exclusions: No rewards on fuel, wallet loads, and insurance payments.
- Limited Use for Non-Hotel Stays: While excellent for Marriott properties, the card offers limited flexibility for non-Marriott travel spends.
American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card
Why It’s a Flexible Option
The Amex Platinum Travel Card stands out for its flexibility. You can redeem points for air miles, convert them to other hotel loyalty programs, or purchase gift vouchers for platforms like MakeMyTrip.
Key Features:
- Milestone Benefits:
- Spend ₹4,00,000 annually and receive rewards worth ₹19,500, including Taj vouchers.
- Additional travel vouchers and benefits upon hitting spending thresholds.
- Flexible Redemption Options: Convert reward points to travel vouchers, air miles, or gift cards for travel platforms (e.g., MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip). The ratio for converting points to Mariott Bonvoy points is 1:1
- Complimentary Lounge Access: Unlimited access to domestic airport lounges across India.
Less-Talked-About Features:
- Exclusions: No rewards on fuel, insurance, utilities, or cash transactions.
- Accelerated Rewards: Earn 3-5X reward points on dining and travel bookings via specific platforms.
Choosing the Right Card for Your Travel Style
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Feature | HDFC Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card | Amex Platinum Travel Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | ₹3,000 + taxes | ₹5,000 + taxes |
| Best For | Marriott loyalists and hotel stays | Flexible travel redemptions, air miles, and gift vouchers |
| Welcome Benefits | 10,000 bonus Marriott points | ₹4,000 travel vouchers |
| Rewards Rate | 8 points/₹150 at Marriott hotels (up to 40 points during offers) | 1 point/₹50 (3-5X on select spends) |
| Milestone Rewards | None | Travel vouchers worth ₹19,500 for ₹4L annual spends |
| Flexibility | Redeemable only at Marriott properties | Convert points to miles, hotel programs, or gift vouchers |
| Lounge Access | None | Unlimited domestic lounges |
| Exclusions | Fuel, wallet loads, insurance | Fuel, insurance, utilities, and cash transactions |
Conclusion
If you’re a frequent guest at Marriott properties, the HDFC Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card is a clear winner, offering high rewards and complimentary Silver Elite Status. On the other hand, the Amex Platinum Travel Credit Card provides unmatched flexibility in redeeming points for flights, hotel programs, and gift vouchers, making it ideal for diversified travelers.
Whichever card you choose, remember that being a smart spender—optimizing points, leveraging milestones, and redeeming benefits strategically—can help you maximize your travel savings and make your vacations even more rewarding!
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