Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card – Benefits, Fees & Eligibility

Introduction

The Air India SBI Platinum Card, issued by SBI Card, is positioned as a mid-level co-branded travel credit card, primarily designed for individuals who frequently travel with Air India. Its key differentiating benefits include an accelerated reward rate on Air India ticket bookings, complimentary domestic airport lounge access, and a generous welcome bonus of 5,000 reward points upon payment of the joining fee.

Welcome Benefits

• Receive 5,000 reward points upon payment of the joining fee. These points will be credited within 15 days from the date of annual fee payment posting.
• Enjoy complimentary membership of Air India Maharaja Club.
• To redeem Maharaja Points for self, at least one flight accrual activity must be registered after enrolling as a Maharaja Club member.
• To redeem Maharaja Points for family or friends, at least 5 flight accrual activities must be registered after enrollment.
• As an anniversary gift, receive 2,000 reward points every year upon card membership renewal.

Fees

• Joining Fee: Rs. 1,499 + taxes/GST
• Renewal Fee (per annum): Rs. 1,499 + taxes/GST
• Add-on Fee (per annum): Nil
• Foreign Currency Markup: 3.5% + GST
• Interest Rates: 3.75% per month (45% per annum)
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Enjoy a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on every transaction between Rs. 500 and Rs. 4,000 at all petrol pumps across India. The maximum waiver is Rs. 250 per statement cycle, per credit card account.
• Cash Advance Charges: 2.5% of the advanced amount or Rs. 500, whichever is higher.
• For information regarding other applicable charges, refer to the Most Important Terms & Conditions.
• All taxes would be charged as applicable on all fees, interest, and charges.

Rewards

• General Spends: Earn 2 Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spent on all retail categories.
• Air India Spends: Earn 5 Reward Points per Rs. 100 spent on Air India tickets booked via website, app, booking offices, or call centers (including Super Saver tickets for self and others).
• Milestone Benefits:
  • Earn 5,000 bonus Reward Points on annual spends of Rs. 2 lakhs.
  • Earn an additional 10,000 bonus Reward Points on annual spends of Rs. 3 lakhs, totaling up to 15,000 bonus Reward Points annually.
  • Milestones are calculated annually from the account creation date.
• Lounge Benefits: Receive 8 complimentary access to domestic airport lounges annually (maximum 2 per quarter) under the Visa lounge access program.
• Insurance Benefits: Enjoy complimentary lost card liability cover of Rs. 1 lakh. This cover is applicable from 48 hours prior to reporting of loss till 7 days post the reporting of loss.

Rewards Redemption Guide

• Reward Points are converted into Air India Maharaja Points.
• 1 Reward Point is equivalent to 1 Air India Maharaja Point.
• Reward Points are converted to Air India Maharaja Points within 7 working days of the request receipt.
• Redemption is allowed for a minimum of 5,000 points, in multiples of 5,000.
• Once converted to Maharaja Points, Reward Points cannot be reversed.
• Up to 5 Reward Points will be credited within 60 days from the date of transaction posting.

Card Review

The Air India SBI Platinum Card is considered a decent mid-level travel credit card, particularly well-suited for individuals who frequently fly with Air India for domestic destinations. It offers an accelerated reward rate on Air India bookings and complimentary domestic airport lounge access, which is a notable benefit for a card in its segment.

• Pros:
  • Most suited for those who often travel with Air India.
  • Offers complimentary domestic airport lounge access.
• Cons:
  • Does not offer specific dining or movie benefits.
• Overall Verdict: While a good option for Air India loyalists, very frequent travelers might consider the more premium Air India SBI Signature Credit Card for enhanced benefits.
• Important Note: New applications for this credit card are no longer being entertained as SBI Card has discontinued it.

Important Product Details

• Welcome benefit of 5,000 Maharaja Points on paying the joining fee.
• Annual anniversary gift of 2,000 Maharaja Points upon card renewal.
• Earn up to 15,000 bonus Reward Points annually on reaching specified spend milestones (5,000 RPs on Rs. 2 lakhs spend, 10,000 RPs on Rs. 3 lakhs spend).
• Accelerated rewards of 5 Maharaja Points per Rs. 100 on Air India ticket bookings.
• Standard reward rate of 2 Maharaja Points for every Rs. 100 spent on other categories.
• Provides 8 complimentary access to domestic airport lounges annually (maximum 2 per quarter).
• Includes complimentary lost card liability protection worth Rs. 1 lakh.
• Offers a 1% waiver on fuel surcharge for transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 4,000 (capped at Rs. 250).
• The card does not offer specific benefits for dining or movies.
• This credit card has been discontinued for new applications.

Other Details

• Global Acceptance: The card is accepted at over 2 million Visa outlets worldwide and over 2,85,000 outlets in India.
• Cash Access Across the World: Withdraw cash from over 1 million Visa ATMs worldwide, including over 18,000 Visa ATMs in India and 10,000 State Bank of India ATMs across 100 cities in India.
• Flexipay EMI: Convert eligible purchases of Rs. 2,500 or more into easy monthly EMIs.
• Add-on Cards: Empower your family members (parents, spouse, children, or siblings above the age of 18) with add-on cards.
• Easy Bill Pay Facility: Pay your electricity, telephone, mobile, and other utility bills conveniently.
• Balance Transfer on EMI: Transfer outstanding balances from other banks’ credit cards to your Air India SBI Platinum Card at a lower interest rate and repay in easy EMIs.
• Lost Card Liability Cover: The complimentary cover of Rs. 1 lakh is applicable from 48 hours prior to reporting the loss until 7 days post the reporting of loss.
• General Terms & Conditions: Continued use of the card implies acceptance of amendments in all Terms and Conditions. Disputes arising from offers are subject to arbitration. SBI Card may engage third parties for marketing or related services.