How to pay for a vacation with credit card reward points

Planning a vacation is always exciting, but flights, hotels, and other travel expenses can stretch your budget. The good news? You can turn your everyday spending into travel rewards by using credit card rewards - helping you fund your next holiday without dipping into your savings .

Premium metal cards like the Ashva or Mayura Credit Cards from IDFC FIRST Bank go the extra mile to reduce your travel costs. Let’s explore how your vacation could be paid for with reward points and how to plan ahead to maximise your benefits.

Slash the biggest costs of your vacation with credit card rewards

Flights and hotel stays often make up the biggest chunk of your travel expenses. These two alone can account for over 70% of your holiday budget, especially during peak season. But if you own a credit card with a strong reward programme, you may already have a way to bring those costs down without cutting back on comfort.

Using reward points reduces your travel costs and frees your budget for expenses you really want. That means your money can go towards enjoying your vacation, not just reaching it.

How to earn more reward points before your vacation
 

Your vacation planning doesn’t have to start with booking tickets - it can start with how you spend the weeks before. When you use your Ashva or Mayura Credit Card for everyday purchases, you steadily collect credit card rewards that can help reduce your travel expenses later.

Here’s how the reward structure works:

1X = 1 reward point per ₹150.

The key is to channel all eligible expenses through your credit card in the weeks leading up to your trip. Doing this transforms daily spending into travel rewards, helping you fly farther, stay longer, or upgrade your experience without overspending.

Earn bonus reward points when you spend on your vacation
 

With the Ashva and Mayura Credit Cards, your vacation can give you even more. Flights and hotels booked via the IDFC FIRST Bank Mobile Banking App unlock bonus reward points over and above your base rewards.

Here’s what that looks like:

These bonus points alone can cover part of your next trip or upgrade your current one. So, every rupee spent on flights and hotels brings you closer to a more luxurious, affordable vacation.

Redeem points smartly around your holiday
 

Once you’ve built up a substantial balance of reward points, it’s time to use them to lower the cost of your next vacation. With the Ashva and Mayura Credit Cards, redemption is simple. The way it works is straightforward: each reward point carries a specific value, depending on where and how you redeem it.

Here’s a quick look at how much your points are worth:

Travel benefits that go beyond rewards
 

When planning a vacation, the right credit card can do more than just help you earn rewards. Here’s a closer look at the key perks offered by the Ashva and Mayura Credit Cards that can make your travel smoother and more enjoyable:

1. Low or zero forex markup on international spends

When travelling abroad, card fees on international purchases can quietly add up. These cards reduce or eliminate that cost.

2. Complimentary airport and railway lounge access

Airports and railway stations are especially crowded during peak holiday seasons. Railway and airport lounge access gives you a quiet space to recharge and grab a snack - whether you're early for your flight or dealing with a delay.

Going on a family trip? Mayura Credit Card even lets you bring a guest into the lounge - ideal for couples or parents travelling with a child.

3. Free trip cancellation cover

Travel can be unpredictable at times. If your plans suddenly change due to weather, visa delays, or personal reasons, you won’t lose money on flights or hotel bookings.

If your   plans take a sudden turn, this benefit softens the financial blow.

4. Comprehensive travel insurance cover

Your Ashva and Mayura Credit Cards include complimentary travel insurance to protect against disruptions:

1. Loss of checked-in baggage: USD 500

2. Delay of checked-in baggage: USD 100

3. Loss of passport and documents: USD 300

4. Flight delay: USD 300

This coverage helps reduce out-of-pocket expenses during unexpected incidents abroad.

Why plan your vacation with Ashva and Mayura credit cards?
 

A vacation should be memorable for the right reasons. With the Ashva and Mayura Credit Cards, your everyday spending can reduce your expenses for flights, hotels, and more, making your trip extra-rewarding.

Here’s why these cards stand out:

1. Up to 60X reward points on hotel stays and up to 40X reward points on flights when you book through the Travel & Shop section of the mobile app
2. Earn credit card rewards that are redeemed at ₹0.40 per point on hotel and flight bookings via the app for the Ashva Credit Card and at ₹0.50 per point for the Mayura Credit Card
3. Enjoy four domestic and two international lounge visits each quarter with the Ashva Credit Card and four domestic (including one guest) and four international lounge visits per quarter with the Mayura Credit Card
4. Get access to four railway lounge visits per quarter with both metal credit cards
5. Enjoy zero forex markup with the Mayura Credit Card and a low 1% fee with the Ashva Credit Card - much less than the industry standard of 3-3.5%
6. Global recognition - IDFC FIRST Bank has been ranked among the World’s Best Banks 2025 by Forbes and Statista

Make your next vacation work harder for you. Apply for the Ashva Credit Card or the Mayura Credit Card today and travel smart.