Travelling has become an important part of modern life — whether for work, vacations, or quick weekend trips. And with rising fuel and ticket prices, having the right credit card can help you save big on travel expenses.
State Bank of India (SBI), through its SBI Card division, offers a range of credit cards that provide travel rewards, lounge access, and fuel savings, making your journeys smoother and more affordable.
In this blog, we’ll explore the best SBI Credit Cards for travel and fuel benefits in 2025, their features, and why they’re worth considering.
Why Choose an SBI Travel or Fuel Credit Card?
SBI has built strong partnerships with airlines, fuel companies, and travel platforms to help users earn rewards and enjoy exclusive privileges.
Here’s what makes SBI Cards ideal for travel and fuel users:
- Save on every flight or hotel booking through cashback or reward points.
- Access airport lounges for free — both domestic and international.
- Get fuel surcharge waivers and extra points on fuel purchases.
- Enjoy complimentary insurance coverage during your journeys.
- Redeem points easily for travel vouchers or statement credit.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a daily commuter, there’s an SBI Card that fits your lifestyle and travel pattern.
Best for: Domestic flyers who prefer Vistara Airlines
Annual Fee: ₹1,499
If you often travel by air within India, this card gives you Vistara reward points (CV Points) for every spend, helping you earn free flights faster.
Key Features:
- Welcome bonus of 1,000 Club Vistara Points on joining.
- 3 CV Points per ₹200 spent on all transactions.
- Complimentary Vistara Economy Class ticket on milestone spends.
- Airport lounge access at domestic terminals.
- Complimentary air accident insurance up to ₹50 lakh.
Why it’s great for travel:
It rewards you every time you swipe, turning your shopping and travel spends into flight tickets and upgrades.
Best for: Frequent flyers on Air India
Annual Fee: ₹4,999
This premium co-branded card is ideal for those who travel internationally or often fly with Air India.
Key Features:
- Welcome gift of 20,000 reward points (convertible to Air India miles).
- 4 reward points per ₹100 spent on Air India bookings.
- 2 reward points per ₹100 on other spends.
- Complimentary lounge access (2 per quarter in India and abroad).
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver across petrol pumps.
- Air accident coverage up to ₹1 crore.
Why it’s great for travel:
It gives high value on Air India bookings and premium travel privileges for global flyers.
Best for: Domestic and international holiday travellers
Annual Fee: ₹499
The Yatra SBI Card offers great value for users who often book through the Yatra travel platform.
Key Features:
- Welcome gift of ₹8,250 Yatra vouchers on joining.
- 20% off on domestic hotels and 10% off on international hotels booked via Yatra.
- 1 Reward Point per ₹100 spent on retail purchases.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on all fuel transactions between ₹500 and ₹3,000.
- Complimentary travel insurance coverage.
Why it’s great for travel:
It’s a low-cost travel card that offers direct value through Yatra discounts and fuel savings.
Best for: Daily commuters and car owners
Annual Fee: ₹1,499
This fuel-focused credit card helps you earn fuel points and cashback every time you refill your vehicle.
Key Features:
- 7.25% value back on BPCL fuel spends (13X reward points).
- 1 reward point per ₹100 on other categories.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all petrol pumps.
- Annual fee reversal on ₹2 lakh annual spends.
Why it’s great for fuel users:
It’s one of the best cards for fuel savings, especially for people who frequently drive or own multiple vehicles.
Best for: Train travellers and regular commuters
Annual Fee: ₹1,499
For those who travel by train often, this card gives you exclusive rewards on IRCTC ticket bookings and travel-related spends.
Key Features:
- Welcome bonus of 1,500 reward points on joining.
- 10% value back on train ticket bookings via IRCTC website.
- 4 Reward Points per ₹125 spent on IRCTC.
- 1.8% transaction charge waiver on train ticket payments.
- Complimentary railway lounge access.
Why it’s great for travel:
It offers great value for frequent train travellers and gives rewards even on regular shopping spends.
Best for: Luxury travellers who want all-round benefits
Annual Fee: ₹4,999
This is a premium lifestyle card that covers travel, shopping, and entertainment in one package.
Key Features:
- Welcome e-gift vouchers worth ₹5,000 from brands like Yatra, Hush Puppies, and Pantaloons.
- Complimentary Club Vistara membership.
- 6 domestic and 2 international lounge visits per year.
- 10X reward points on dining, department stores, and international spends.
- Annual fee waiver on ₹10 lakh annual spends.
Why it’s great for travel:
The lounge access and bonus rewards make it ideal for frequent flyers who prefer comfort and convenience.
Best for: Fuel savings with a low annual fee
Annual Fee: ₹499
A simpler version of the Octane card, this one offers consistent fuel savings and is easy to maintain.
Key Features:
- 4.25% value back on BPCL fuel spends.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver.
- 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on all other purchases.
- Annual fee waiver on ₹50,000 annual spends.
Why it’s great for fuel users:
It gives value back even on small fuel refills, making it ideal for daily riders and local commuters.
Comparison Table
How to Apply for an SBI Travel or Fuel Card
- Visit the official SBI Card website (sbicard.com).
- Explore the available travel and fuel cards.
- Click on “Apply Now.”
- Fill out your basic details (name, PAN, income, mobile).
- Upload your documents (Aadhaar, PAN, income proof).
- Wait for approval and card delivery within 7–10 days.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Card
- Book through partner travel sites (IRCTC, Yatra, MakeMyTrip) to earn maximum points.
- Always redeem your points for travel vouchers or air miles to get better value.
- Use your lounge visits before they expire every quarter.
- Pay fuel bills using BPCL or IndianOil partner stations for bonus points.
- Pay bills on time to avoid losing rewards and cashback eligibility.
Conclusion
SBI offers some of the best travel and fuel credit cards in India, catering to different lifestyles and spending patterns.
If you’re a regular flyer, the Club Vistara SBI Card or Air India Signature Card gives premium travel rewards. For daily drivers, the BPCL SBI Cards deliver consistent fuel savings. And for train travellers, IRCTC SBI Premier ensures smooth and affordable bookings.
With flexible redemption, exclusive partnerships, and great travel perks, SBI Cards help you travel smarter, save on fuel, and enjoy every journey — whether on the road, rail, or in the air.