Travel credit cards for conference and research trips.
Use this as a researcher-focused travel-card shortlist, then verify every current benefit on the issuer website.
Scapia Credit Card
Federal Bank / BOBCARD / Scapia
TravelForexConference travel Nil LTF: Yes Scapia Coins / travel rewards
0% forex fee as per reviewed Scapia page; Conditional: verify latest issuer terms.
Details
Scapia Credit Card
Federal Bank / BOBCARD / Scapia
Joining fee
Nil
Renewal fee
Nil
Fee waiver
No joining or annual fee shown on reviewed Scapia page; verify at application.
Eligibility
Salary: Not officially specified. CIBIL: Not officially specified.
Forex
0% forex fee as per reviewed Scapia page
Lounge access
Conditional: verify latest issuer terms.
Caps / limits
Travel rewards depend on Scapia app booking and redemption rules. Availability, age and eligibility can change.
Last verified
2026-05-18
Pros
- • Highest priority for researcher travel because zero forex + no fee is powerful.
- • Good fit for international conference payments if approved.
Cons
- • Eligibility and availability need careful confirmation.
- • Lounge access is conditional.
IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
BeginnerSecured/FD-backedForex Verify current IDFC FIRST Bank variant; public pages have shown variant-specific fees. LTF: Yes Reward points
0% forex conversion fee as per reviewed IDFC FIRST Bank page; verify current terms.; Verify current IDFC terms...
Details
IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Joining fee
Verify current IDFC FIRST Bank variant; public pages have shown variant-specific fees.
Renewal fee
Verify current IDFC FIRST Bank variant; public pages have shown variant-specific fees.
Fee waiver
Secured card against fixed deposit; verify current FD and fee rules.
Eligibility
Salary: Official page states no income proof is needed for FIRST WOW; issuer checks still apply.. CIBIL: Official page states no credit history is needed; issuer checks still apply..
Forex
0% forex conversion fee as per reviewed IDFC FIRST Bank page; verify current terms.
Lounge access
Verify current IDFC terms.
Caps / limits
Requires fixed deposit lien. Credit limit depends on FD and bank policy.
Last verified
2026-05-18
Pros
- • Strong fit to compare for PhD/JRF users who need a secured starter route.
- • Practical first-card route.
Cons
- • Requires FD.
- • Not the highest rewards card.
Indian Scientist
Axis MyZone RuPay Credit Card
Axis Bank
Axis MyZone RuPay Credit Card
Axis Bank
BeginnerDiningLounge ₹500 + GST LTF: No EDGE reward points plus lifestyle offers
Not officially specified; Conditional domestic lounge access in reference, spend-based.
Details
Indian Scientist
Axis MyZone RuPay Credit Card
Axis Bank
Axis MyZone RuPay Credit Card
Axis Bank
Joining fee
₹500 + GST
Renewal fee
₹500 + GST
Fee waiver
Reference note: waived at ₹1.5 lakh annual spend.
Eligibility
Salary: Not officially specified. CIBIL: Not officially specified.
Forex
Not officially specified
Lounge access
Conditional domestic lounge access in reference, spend-based.
Caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Last verified
2026-05-18
Pros
- • Useful to compare for the stated category.
Cons
- • Eligibility, approval and benefits are subject to issuer policy.
Indian Scientist
Axis Privilege Credit Card
Axis Bank
Axis Privilege Credit Card
Axis Bank
TravelLoungePremium ₹1,500 + GST LTF: No EDGE rewards and lifestyle offers
Not officially specified; Conditional domestic lounge visits in reference.
Details
Indian Scientist
Axis Privilege Credit Card
Axis Bank
Axis Privilege Credit Card
Axis Bank
Joining fee
₹1,500 + GST
Renewal fee
₹1,500 + GST
Fee waiver
Reviewed reference mentions annual fee waiver and milestone benefits; verify Axis terms.
Eligibility
Salary: Not officially specified. CIBIL: Not officially specified.
Forex
Not officially specified
Lounge access
Conditional domestic lounge visits in reference.
Caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Last verified
2026-05-18
Pros
- • Useful to compare for the stated category.
Cons
- • Eligibility, approval and benefits are subject to issuer policy.
Indian Scientist
Axis Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank
Axis Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank
PremiumTravelLounge ₹12,500 + GST LTF: No EDGE rewards / travel transfer value
Not officially specified; Premium domestic/international lounge benefits in reference; verify spend and guest...
Details
Indian Scientist
Axis Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank
Axis Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank
Joining fee
₹12,500 + GST
Renewal fee
₹12,500 + GST
Fee waiver
Reference note: waived at ₹25 lakh annual spend; verify current Axis terms.
Eligibility
Salary: Not officially specified. CIBIL: Not officially specified.
Forex
Not officially specified
Lounge access
Premium domestic/international lounge benefits in reference; verify spend and guest rules.
Caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Last verified
2026-05-18
Pros
- • Useful to compare for the stated category.
Cons
- • Eligibility, approval and benefits are subject to issuer policy.
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
PremiumTravelForex ₹5,999 + GST LTF: No Reward points and travel benefits
Zero forex markup in reviewed reference; verify official terms.; Premium domestic/international lounge benefit...
Details
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Joining fee
₹5,999 + GST
Renewal fee
₹5,999 + GST
Fee waiver
Reference note: waived at ₹15 lakh spend.
Eligibility
Salary: Not officially specified. CIBIL: Not officially specified.
Forex
Zero forex markup in reviewed reference; verify official terms.
Lounge access
Premium domestic/international lounge benefits in reference.
Caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Last verified
2026-05-18
Pros
- • Useful to compare for the stated category.
Cons
- • Eligibility, approval and benefits are subject to issuer policy.
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST SWYP Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST SWYP Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
BeginnerShoppingTravel ₹499 from second year onwards LTF: No Discounts, coupons and reward points
Not officially specified; Railway lounge visits in reviewed reference.
Details
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST SWYP Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST SWYP Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Joining fee
₹499 + GST
Renewal fee
₹499 from second year onwards
Fee waiver
Not officially specified
Eligibility
Salary: Not officially specified. CIBIL: Not officially specified.
Forex
Not officially specified
Lounge access
Railway lounge visits in reviewed reference.
Caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Last verified
2026-05-18
Pros
- • Useful to compare for the stated category.
Cons
- • Eligibility, approval and benefits are subject to issuer policy.
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST Select / Wealth Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Select / Wealth Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Lifetime-freeTravelLounge Nil LTF: Yes Never-expiring reward points
Not officially specified; Variant-dependent railway/domestic/international lounge access in reference.
Details
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST Select / Wealth Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Select / Wealth Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Joining fee
Nil
Renewal fee
Nil
Fee waiver
Lifetime-free in reviewed reference; verify official variant.
Eligibility
Salary: Not officially specified. CIBIL: Not officially specified.
Forex
Not officially specified
Lounge access
Variant-dependent railway/domestic/international lounge access in reference.
Caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Last verified
2026-05-18
Pros
- • Useful to compare for the stated category.
Cons
- • Eligibility, approval and benefits are subject to issuer policy.
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
TravelLoungePremium ₹2,999 + GST LTF: No Reward points and travel/lifestyle benefits
Not officially specified; Domestic/international lounge and golf benefits in reviewed reference.
Details
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Joining fee
₹2,999 + GST
Renewal fee
₹2,999 + GST
Fee waiver
Not officially specified
Eligibility
Salary: Not officially specified. CIBIL: Not officially specified.
Forex
Not officially specified
Lounge access
Domestic/international lounge and golf benefits in reviewed reference.
Caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Last verified
2026-05-18
Pros
- • Useful to compare for the stated category.
Cons
- • Eligibility, approval and benefits are subject to issuer policy.
IndusInd Tiger Credit Card
IndusInd Bank
TravelLoungeLifetime-free Nil LTF: Yes Reward points and airmile conversion
1.5% forex markup in reviewed reference; verify official fee schedule.; Domestic and international lounge acce...
Details
IndusInd Tiger Credit Card
IndusInd Bank
Joining fee
Nil
Renewal fee
Nil
Fee waiver
Lifetime-free in reviewed reference; verify official terms.
Eligibility
Salary: Not officially specified. CIBIL: Not officially specified.
Forex
1.5% forex markup in reviewed reference; verify official fee schedule.
Lounge access
Domestic and international lounge access in reviewed reference.
Caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Last verified
2026-05-18
Pros
- • Useful to compare for the stated category.
Cons
- • Eligibility, approval and benefits are subject to issuer policy.
Scapia Credit Card
Federal Bank / BOBCARD / Scapia
TravelForexConference travelLifetime-free Annual fee: Nil · LTF: Yes
Rewards: Scapia Coins / travel rewards
Travel: 0% forex fee as per reviewed Scapia page; Conditional: verify latest issuer terms.
View full details
Scapia Credit Card
Federal Bank / BOBCARD / Scapia
Annual fee: Nil · LTF: Yes
Rewards: Scapia Coins / travel rewards
Travel: 0% forex fee as per reviewed Scapia page; Conditional: verify latest issuer terms.
Joining fee
Nil
Renewal fee
Nil
Fee waiver
No joining or annual fee shown on reviewed Scapia page; verify at application.
Salary requirement
Not officially specified
CIBIL requirement
Not officially specified
Reward caps / limits
Travel rewards depend on Scapia app booking and redemption rules. Availability, age and eligibility can change.
IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
BeginnerSecured/FD-backedForexConference travel Annual fee: Verify current IDFC FIRST Bank variant; public pages have shown variant-specific fees. · LTF: Yes
Rewards: Reward points
Travel: 0% forex conversion fee as per reviewed IDFC FIRST Bank page; verify current terms.; Verify current IDFC terms.
View full details
IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Annual fee: Verify current IDFC FIRST Bank variant; public pages have shown variant-specific fees. · LTF: Yes
Rewards: Reward points
Travel: 0% forex conversion fee as per reviewed IDFC FIRST Bank page; verify current terms.; Verify current IDFC terms.
Joining fee
Verify current IDFC FIRST Bank variant; public pages have shown variant-specific fees.
Renewal fee
Verify current IDFC FIRST Bank variant; public pages have shown variant-specific fees.
Fee waiver
Secured card against fixed deposit; verify current FD and fee rules.
Salary requirement
Official page states no income proof is needed for FIRST WOW; issuer checks still apply.
CIBIL requirement
Official page states no credit history is needed; issuer checks still apply.
Reward caps / limits
Requires fixed deposit lien. Credit limit depends on FD and bank policy.
Indian Scientist
Axis MyZone RuPay Credit Card
Axis Bank
Axis MyZone RuPay Credit Card
Axis Bank
BeginnerDiningLoungeShopping Annual fee: ₹500 + GST · LTF: No
Rewards: EDGE reward points plus lifestyle offers
Travel: Not officially specified; Conditional domestic lounge access in reference, spend-based.
View full details
Indian Scientist
Axis MyZone RuPay Credit Card
Axis Bank
Axis MyZone RuPay Credit Card
Axis Bank
Annual fee: ₹500 + GST · LTF: No
Rewards: EDGE reward points plus lifestyle offers
Travel: Not officially specified; Conditional domestic lounge access in reference, spend-based.
Joining fee
₹500 + GST
Renewal fee
₹500 + GST
Fee waiver
Reference note: waived at ₹1.5 lakh annual spend.
Salary requirement
Not officially specified
CIBIL requirement
Not officially specified
Reward caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Indian Scientist
Axis Privilege Credit Card
Axis Bank
Axis Privilege Credit Card
Axis Bank
TravelLoungePremium Annual fee: ₹1,500 + GST · LTF: No
Rewards: EDGE rewards and lifestyle offers
Travel: Not officially specified; Conditional domestic lounge visits in reference.
View full details
Indian Scientist
Axis Privilege Credit Card
Axis Bank
Axis Privilege Credit Card
Axis Bank
Annual fee: ₹1,500 + GST · LTF: No
Rewards: EDGE rewards and lifestyle offers
Travel: Not officially specified; Conditional domestic lounge visits in reference.
Joining fee
₹1,500 + GST
Renewal fee
₹1,500 + GST
Fee waiver
Reviewed reference mentions annual fee waiver and milestone benefits; verify Axis terms.
Salary requirement
Not officially specified
CIBIL requirement
Not officially specified
Reward caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Indian Scientist
Axis Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank
Axis Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank
PremiumTravelLounge Annual fee: ₹12,500 + GST · LTF: No
Rewards: EDGE rewards / travel transfer value
Travel: Not officially specified; Premium domestic/international lounge benefits in reference; verify spend and guest rules.
View full details
Indian Scientist
Axis Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank
Axis Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank
Annual fee: ₹12,500 + GST · LTF: No
Rewards: EDGE rewards / travel transfer value
Travel: Not officially specified; Premium domestic/international lounge benefits in reference; verify spend and guest rules.
Joining fee
₹12,500 + GST
Renewal fee
₹12,500 + GST
Fee waiver
Reference note: waived at ₹25 lakh annual spend; verify current Axis terms.
Salary requirement
Not officially specified
CIBIL requirement
Not officially specified
Reward caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
PremiumTravelForexLounge Annual fee: ₹5,999 + GST · LTF: No
Rewards: Reward points and travel benefits
Travel: Zero forex markup in reviewed reference; verify official terms.; Premium domestic/international lounge benefits in reference.
View full details
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Annual fee: ₹5,999 + GST · LTF: No
Rewards: Reward points and travel benefits
Travel: Zero forex markup in reviewed reference; verify official terms.; Premium domestic/international lounge benefits in reference.
Joining fee
₹5,999 + GST
Renewal fee
₹5,999 + GST
Fee waiver
Reference note: waived at ₹15 lakh spend.
Salary requirement
Not officially specified
CIBIL requirement
Not officially specified
Reward caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST SWYP Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST SWYP Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
BeginnerShoppingTravel Annual fee: ₹499 from second year onwards · LTF: No
Rewards: Discounts, coupons and reward points
Travel: Not officially specified; Railway lounge visits in reviewed reference.
View full details
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST SWYP Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST SWYP Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Annual fee: ₹499 from second year onwards · LTF: No
Rewards: Discounts, coupons and reward points
Travel: Not officially specified; Railway lounge visits in reviewed reference.
Joining fee
₹499 + GST
Renewal fee
₹499 from second year onwards
Fee waiver
Not officially specified
Salary requirement
Not officially specified
CIBIL requirement
Not officially specified
Reward caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST Select / Wealth Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Select / Wealth Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Lifetime-freeTravelLounge Annual fee: Nil · LTF: Yes
Rewards: Never-expiring reward points
Travel: Not officially specified; Variant-dependent railway/domestic/international lounge access in reference.
View full details
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST Select / Wealth Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Select / Wealth Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Annual fee: Nil · LTF: Yes
Rewards: Never-expiring reward points
Travel: Not officially specified; Variant-dependent railway/domestic/international lounge access in reference.
Joining fee
Nil
Renewal fee
Nil
Fee waiver
Lifetime-free in reviewed reference; verify official variant.
Salary requirement
Not officially specified
CIBIL requirement
Not officially specified
Reward caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
TravelLoungePremium Annual fee: ₹2,999 + GST · LTF: No
Rewards: Reward points and travel/lifestyle benefits
Travel: Not officially specified; Domestic/international lounge and golf benefits in reviewed reference.
View full details
Indian Scientist
IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Annual fee: ₹2,999 + GST · LTF: No
Rewards: Reward points and travel/lifestyle benefits
Travel: Not officially specified; Domestic/international lounge and golf benefits in reviewed reference.
Joining fee
₹2,999 + GST
Renewal fee
₹2,999 + GST
Fee waiver
Not officially specified
Salary requirement
Not officially specified
CIBIL requirement
Not officially specified
Reward caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.
IndusInd Tiger Credit Card
IndusInd Bank
TravelLoungeLifetime-freeForex Annual fee: Nil · LTF: Yes
Rewards: Reward points and airmile conversion
Travel: 1.5% forex markup in reviewed reference; verify official fee schedule.; Domestic and international lounge access in reviewed refer...
View full details
IndusInd Tiger Credit Card
IndusInd Bank
Annual fee: Nil · LTF: Yes
Rewards: Reward points and airmile conversion
Travel: 1.5% forex markup in reviewed reference; verify official fee schedule.; Domestic and international lounge access in reviewed refer...
Joining fee
Nil
Renewal fee
Nil
Fee waiver
Lifetime-free in reviewed reference; verify official terms.
Salary requirement
Not officially specified
CIBIL requirement
Not officially specified
Reward caps / limits
Caps, exclusions, merchant-category rules and programme terms can change.