Best Credit Cards for Booking IndiGo Flights in 2025 – HDFC 6E Rewards XL vs Kotak 6E Rewards XL

Introduction: Why You Need an IndiGo Credit Card

IndiGo stands as the largest airline in India, transporting millions of passengers annually. For those who travel often—be it for business, weekend escapes, or family holidays—flight expenses can significantly impact your finances.

This is where co-branded credit cards, such as the 6E Rewards XL IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Card and the Kotak IndiGo 6E Rewards XL Credit Card, truly shine. These cards are specifically designed for IndiGo Flyers, providing enhanced rewards on flight reservations, lifestyle spending like dining and groceries, along with exclusive benefits such as access to airport lounges.

In this article, we will conduct a thorough review of these two credit cards, compare them directly, outline their advantages, and assist you in determining which one is the best credit card for booking IndiGo flights in 2025.

Why Choose a Co-Branded IndiGo Credit Card?

Before we delve into the specifics of the two cards, it's important to grasp the significance of co-branded cards.

• Maximize Travel Savings – While standard credit cards typically offer 1–2% rewards, co-branded IndiGo cards can provide as much as 5% rewards on flight reservations.

• Exclusive Airline Benefits – Enjoy perks such as priority check-ins and lounge access, which are unique to airline partnerships.

• Simple Redemption – You can easily redeem your rewards for IndiGo flight bookings, add-ons, or services without any complex conversion process.

• Lifestyle Coverage – In addition to flights, these cards also cater to everyday expenses like dining, groceries, and entertainment, delivering value throughout the year.

6E Rewards XL IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Card – Detailed Review

The HDFC Bank 6E Rewards XL IndiGo Credit Card stands out as one of the most sought-after co-branded cards with IndiGo. Supported by India’s largest private bank, it provides excellent rewards, travel benefits, and straightforward redemption methods.

Key Features

• Welcome Benefit: 1 complimentary flight ticket worth Rs. 3000.

  1 Complimentary 6E Prime Add-On worth INR 1,099 - Priority check-in, choice of seat, a complimentary meal. (1 6E Reward is equal to 1 Rs)

• Rewards on Spending:

  1. 5% 6E Rewards on IndiGo flight reservations made through the IndiGo website/app

2. 3% 6E Rewards on dining, groceries, and entertainment.

3. 2% 6E Rewards on all other purchases.

• Lounge Access: Enjoy 8 complimentary IndiGo Lounge access every year.

• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Up to ₹250 monthly.

• Annual Fee: ₹1,500 + GST.

  
  

Rewards Example

• Flight Booking of ₹10,000 → Earn ₹500 rewards (5%).

• Dining expenses of ₹5,000 → Gain ₹150 rewards (3%).

• Groceries totaling ₹10,000 → Accumulate ₹300 rewards (3%).

This totals to ₹950 rewards in a single billing cycle when you combine travel and lifestyle expenses.

If you are a frequent traveller, then this is the best credit card you can apply for in 2025. Click here to check eligibility & apply now

Kotak IndiGo 6E Rewards XL Credit Card – Detailed Review

Kotak Mahindra Bank provides a co-branded IndiGo card that offers very similar advantages. This card is tailored for Kotak account holders and IndiGo enthusiasts who aim to enhance their travel rewards.

Key Features

• Welcome Benefit: Customers get a welcome flight ticket worth Rs 3,000.

• Rewards on Spending:

o 6% 6E Rewards on IndiGo flight reservations.

o 3% 6E Rewards on dining, groceries, and entertainment.

o 2% 6E Rewards on all other purchases.

• Lounge Access: Customers also get 8 lounge accesses per year(2 per quarter)

• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Up to ₹250 monthly.

• Annual Fee: ₹1,500 + GST.

Rewards Example

• Flight Booking of ₹8,000 → ₹480 rewards.

• Dining expenses of ₹3,000 → ₹90 rewards.

• Grocery expenses of ₹7,000 → ₹210 rewards.

Total ₹780 rewards from an average month’s spending.

If you are a frequent traveller, then this is the best credit card you can apply for in 2025. Click here to check eligibility & apply now 

Side-by-Side Comparison: HDFC vs Kotak IndiGo XL

Basis	6E Rewards XL – Indigo Kotak Bank Credit Card	6E Rewards XL – IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Card
Reward Rate	20% 6E rewards on Indigo’s partner brands. 6% 6E Rewards on Indigo bookings. 3% 6E Rewards for dining, movies, and grocery spending. 2% 6E Rewards on all retail transactions.	20% 6E rewards on Indigo’s partner brands. 5% 6E Rewards on Indigo bookings. 3% 6E Rewards for dining, movies, and grocery spending. 2% 6E Rewards on all retail transactions.
Reward Redemption	The points can be redeemed for bookings on the Indigo website. 1 6E reward = Rs. 1	The points can be redeemed for bookings on the Indigo website. 1 6E reward = Rs. 1
Welcome Benefits	Complimentary Indigo Air ticket worth Rs. 3,000. Complimentary 6E prime add-on worth Rs. 899.30% discount (up to Rs. 5,000) on your hotel stays with Accor hotel vouchers. 1,000 dining vouchers from Accor hotels.	Complimentary Indigo Air ticket worth Rs. 3,000.Budweiser vouchers worth Rs. 250. Complimentary 6E prime add-on worth Rs. 899.30% discount (up to Rs. 5,000) on your hotel stays with Accor hotel vouchers. 1,000 dining vouchers from Accor hotels.
Lounge access	8 complimentary domestic lounge access every year	8 complimentary domestic lounge access every year
Golf Games	Complimentary 12 golf lessons and 4 rounds of green fees annually.	NA
Joining Fee	Rs. 2,500 (Plus Applicable taxes)	Rs. 2,500 (Plus Applicable taxes)
Renewal Fee	Rs. 2,500 (Plus Applicable taxes)	Rs. 2,500 (Plus Applicable taxes)
Foreign markup fee	2.5% of the transaction amount	3.5% of the transaction amount.

Conclusion: The 6E Rewards XL Credit cards from HDFC Bank and Kotak Bank are quite alike. Both cards provide comparable privileges and travel perks. Nonetheless, there are a few distinctions that set the two apart. The HDFC Bank's 6E Rewards XL includes complimentary golf games and rounds each year, a feature absent in the 6E Rewards XL – Indigo Kotak Bank Credit Card.

Additionally, the forex markup fee for the HDFC version is significantly lower, which can be beneficial when traveling internationally. Even though both cards have the same annual fee, the 6E Rewards XL – IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Card is clearly the superior option.

Don't forget to check our Airline discount finder, which helps you find discounts on every credit card for flight bookings. Check here

Pros & Cons

HDFC 6E Rewards XL

Pros

• Foreign markup fee: 2.5% of the transaction amount

• Strong rewards on IndiGo and lifestyle spends.

• Lounge access benefits.

Cons:

• Annual fee of ₹1,500.

• Limited to IndiGo flyers (not useful for other airlines).

  
  

Kotak 6E Rewards XL

Pros:

• Good rewards on IndiGo + lifestyle categories.

• Easy redemption for IndiGo flights.

• Lounge access included.

Cons:

• High Foreign markup fee: 3.5% of the transaction amount

• Annual fee of ₹1,500

Who Should Choose Which Card?

• Choose HDFC 6E Rewards XL if you want:

  • Lower forex markup fee

  • HDFC Bank’s wider merchant network and rewards ecosystem.

• Choose Kotak 6E Rewards XL if you want:

  • To keep your finances within Kotak (if you already have a Kotak account).

  • Similar benefits but with Kotak’s customer service ecosystem.

    
    

Real-Life Use Case: How Much Can You Save?

Imagine yourself as a regular traveler who boards 6 IndiGo flights annually, with each ticket priced at approximately ₹8,000.

• Flight Reservations: 6 × ₹8,000 = ₹48,000 → ₹2,400 in rewards (5%).

• Dining Expenses (₹3,000/month): ₹36,000/year → ₹1,080 in rewards (3%).

• Grocery Shopping (₹7,000/month): ₹84,000/year → ₹2,520 in rewards (3%).

Total Yearly Rewards = around ₹6,000.

After deducting the yearly fee (₹1,500 + GST), you still end up saving about ₹4,000 each year while enjoying complimentary lounge access.

FAQs

Which is the best credit card for IndiGo flights in 2025?

The HDFC 6E Rewards XL IndiGo Credit Card is slightly better due to its Lower forex markup fee. However, Kotak’s variant offers nearly identical benefits.

Can I redeem 6E Rewards only for IndiGo flights?

Yes, 6E Rewards are redeemable for IndiGo flight bookings, add-ons (like meals, baggage, seats), and other IndiGo services.

Do these cards offer airport lounge access?

Yes, both cards offer 1 complimentary IndiGo lounge access per quarter.

What is the annual fee for these cards?

Both cards charge ₹1,500 + GST annually.

Are these cards good for non-travelers?

If you rarely fly IndiGo, these may not be the best fit. Instead, consider general cashback or lifestyle credit cards.

Final Verdict

In 2025, the top credit cards for IndiGo flights are the 6E Rewards XL IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Card and the Kotak IndiGo 6E Rewards XL Credit Card. Both cards offer:

• At least 5% rewards on IndiGo bookings

• 3% rewards on lifestyle categories

• 2% rewards on other expenditures

• Lounge access and waivers on fuel surcharges

If you're looking for a larger welcome bonus, opt for HDFC’s card.

If you lean towards Kotak’s ecosystem, then the Kotak card is your best bet.

Regardless of your choice, you’ll benefit from substantial savings, enhanced travel experiences, and exclusive perks with IndiGo.

If you are a frequent traveller, then these are the best credit cards you can apply for in 2025. Click here to check eligibility and unbiased AI score for the 6E Rewards XL IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Card, and click here to check eligibility and unbiased AI score for Kotak IndiGo 6E Rewards XL Credit Card.