Why the Air India - SBI credit card could be the best one around

Image courtesy: The Hindu Business Line
I’ve written in the past about how under-matured the Indian market is, as regards loyalty programs. You can read more about that here, and as a friend of mine mentioned earlier today, the India scenario is probably 15-20 years behind most mature markets. I can’t disagree.

But here’s a little something to perk up your day, particularly if you fly Air India. Now, I used to detest flying AI (OK, detest is probably too strong, but you get the general drift, right?), but of late, I’ve found them to be pretty OK, considering that in the full-service airline market in India, their only competition is from Jet Airways, who are trying their best to compete with AI as to who’s worse! Plus, Jet's FFP - Jet Privilege - isn't exactly the greatest loyalty program around.

So when Air India and State Bank of India recently launched their co-branded credit card, the Air India – SBI Signature credit card, I was definitely interested. At the time it was announced, I didn’t manage to locate much info, but today I renewed my efforts, and here’s what I found.

The basics


First, the outgo: There appear to be Gold, Titanium and Platinum variants of the Visa card, and the annual charges could go up to Rs 5,000. The good thing is a cash advance of up to 80% of the credit limit (varies by type of card), which carries financing charges.

Now for the good bits: There’s quite a bit, so let me list them out:

  • To begin with, there’s 20,000 points on offer for signing up, and complimentary membership to the AI Flying Returns program (which, btw, can be signed up for free!). 
  • Spending Rs 500k or Rs 1 milion a year, could help push you up to Silver / Gold status within the Flying Returns program, which isn’t a bad deal. 
  • Rs 100 of spend earns 4 reward points (1 reward point = 1 Air mile on the FFP). 
  • Annual renewal carries 5k points
  • Cumulative bonus rewards of 20k, 40k and 90k points on annual spends of Rs 300k, Rs 500k and Rs 1 million respectively
  • Free membership to Priority Pass (access charges of $27 per visit still applies)


Example scenario

Now, if you’re someone who spends Rs 1 million or more in a year, this card could come in handy. That’s because you’d get Gold status (Golden Edge club, as it is called), which entitles you to 25% additional mileage points on AI flights, 15kgs / 1 pc additional baggage, 2 upgrade vouchers, priority check in and boarding, priority baggage delivery, etc. In addition, you would have at least 150k miles (20k signup + 40k spend based rewards points + 90k bonus rewards) for the first year, which is more than sufficient for a one-way first class ticket from BOM to NYC (112,500 miles). Now, that’s what I call NICE ! The miles can also be used for a one-class upgrade on paid tickets (appears to be irrespective of booking class of fare).


From the above scenario, the poster above doesn't seem way off mark...at least, that's what I make of it. Any confirmations will come in handy. Here's the link to the page for more info and sign up. There's also an AI - SBI Platinum credit card, but that's not a patch on this one.

So, subject to things working out to plan and expectations, this could well be the best mileage earning credit card around in India.

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Related posts on co-branded credit cards:


Also click here for all posts related to credit cards.

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