86% of Indians focus on credit card travel benefits when organizing overseas trips: American Express

A significant portion of Indian consumers are leveraging credit card rewards to plan and finance their travel, as highlighted in the latest Global Travel Trends Report from American Express. The findings reveal that 86% of Indians find travel rewards essential when organizing their next getaway. Approximately 82% intend to utilize credit card points for travel-related expenses, while 77% accumulate these points throughout the year specifically for travel purposes.

Additionally, 81% of Indian respondents are utilizing credit card points for dining and local experiences. Nearly 84% expressed that using points to arrange travel feels like a reward in and of itself.

Many Indians are integrating various loyalty programs for enhanced benefits. Around 84% believe that combining card rewards with loyalty programs offers greater value for international travel. Two-thirds of Indians choose their travel destinations based on the optimal use of their points.

Booking intentions are also linked to point accumulation. About 64% plan to finalize their vacation bookings in 2025 only after acquiring a specific amount of loyalty or credit card points.

The report further reveals emerging trends. Approximately 65% of Indians transfer points among multiple cards to optimize their rewards. Nearly 50% connect their cards to dining services, while 35% link them to ride-sharing apps to enhance travel advantages.

Streaming services are also included in the rewards strategy, with 43% of Indians connecting their cards to platforms like Netflix to boost point accumulation.

Overall, 77% of Indians primarily use credit cards for everyday expenditures, reflecting a broader trend of reward-centric financial behaviors.