Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME – Benefits, Fees & Eligibility

Introduction

The Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME is a co-branded travel credit card launched by SBI Card in collaboration with Air Vistara. Positioned for frequent flyers and travel enthusiasts, this card offers a suite of benefits centered around the Vistara ecosystem. Key advantages include earning Club Vistara (CV) points on all spends, complimentary Premium Economy class tickets as welcome and milestone benefits, and extensive access to both domestic and international airport lounges. Additionally, it provides comprehensive travel insurance coverage, making it a robust option for those prioritizing air travel perks. However, it is important to note that this card has been discontinued.

Welcome Benefits

Upon payment of the annual or renewal fee, cardholders receive 1 complimentary Premium Economy class ticket as an e-gift voucher. Furthermore, new cardholders can earn 3,000 bonus Club Vistara points by spending ₹75,000 within the first 90 days of card activation. The gift voucher is typically sent via email within 15 working days from the fee payment.

Fees

• Joining Fee: ₹2,999 + GST
• Renewal Fee: Nil
• Spend-Based Waiver: There is no spend-based waiver for the joining or annual fee.
• Rewards Redemption Fee: Nil
• Foreign Currency Markup: A charge of 3.5% plus applicable taxes is levied on all international transactions.
• Interest Rates: The interest rate on revolving credit is 3.5% per month, equating to 42% per annum.
• Fuel Surcharge: A 1% fuel surcharge is applicable on fuel transactions, subject to a minimum amount of ₹10.
• Cash Advance Charges: Cash advances incur a fee of 2.5% of the withdrawn amount, with a minimum charge of ₹500.

Rewards

The Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME rewards cardholders with 4 Club Vistara (CV) points for every ₹200 spent across all retail categories, including fuel transactions.

Milestone Benefits:

• Earn 3,000 bonus CV points on spending ₹75,000 within the first 90 days of card issuance.
• Receive 1 Premium Economy Class ticket each on annual expenditures of ₹1.5 lakh, ₹3 lakh, ₹4.5 lakh, and ₹8 lakh. Please note that these milestone tickets will be discontinued for cards due for renewal after April 1, 2025.
• Get 1 hotel e-voucher from Yatra worth ₹10,000 on achieving annual spends of ₹8 lakh.

Rewards Redemption Guide

Club Vistara Points are redeemable for various travel-related expenses. Cardholders can use their CV points for booking award flights, upgrading their class of travel, or making seat reservations through the Vistara Cash + Points program. Each Club Vistara Point holds a value of ₹0.20. Points can also be redeemed on Air India and its partner airlines.

Card Eligibility Criteria

While SBI Cards does not define exact eligibility measures, applicants generally need to meet the following basic criteria:

• Minimum age of 18 years.
• Must be either self-employed or salaried with a stable income.
• Should maintain a decent credit history.

Documents Required:

• Identity Proof: PAN Card, Passport, Voter’s Id, Aadhar Card, Driving License.
• Address Proof: Latest utility bills, Passport, Aadhar Card, or any other government-approved address proof.
• Proof of Income: Latest months’ salary slips/bank statements, or latest audited Income Tax Returns (ITR).

Card Review

Pros:

• Generous Club Vistara points on all spends, including fuel, ideal for Vistara loyalists.
• Valuable welcome benefits including a Premium Economy ticket and bonus CV points.
• Extensive complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access.
• Comprehensive travel insurance covering flight cancellations, accidents, and baggage issues.
• Milestone benefits like additional Premium Economy tickets and a Yatra e-voucher on reaching spend thresholds.

Cons:

• The card has been discontinued, limiting new applications.
• Milestone benefits for Premium Economy tickets will be discontinued for cards renewing after April 1, 2025.
• High foreign currency markup of 3.5% plus taxes.
• No specific benefits or discounts for movie or dining categories.
• A 1% fuel surcharge is applicable, subject to a minimum amount.

Ideal User Profile: The Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME was ideally suited for individuals who frequently travel with Vistara airlines and seek to maximize their rewards through air miles and travel-specific benefits. It catered to those who value airport lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance, and milestone rewards tied to their annual spending.

Verdict: The Club Vistara SBI Card PRIME was a strong contender in the travel credit card segment, particularly for domestic flyers loyal to Vistara. Its robust rewards program, valuable welcome and milestone benefits, and extensive travel insurance made it attractive. However, its discontinuation and the upcoming changes to milestone benefits for existing cardholders significantly impact its long-term value and appeal.

Important Product Details

• Contactless Advantage: Enjoy fast and convenient payments by simply tapping your card on a secure reader.
• Global Acceptance: The card is accepted at over 24 million outlets worldwide, including 3,25,000 outlets in India.
• Cash Access Across the World: Withdraw cash from over 1 million MasterCard or Visa ATMs globally, including over 18,000 Visa ATMs and 10,000 State Bank of India ATMs in India.
• Flexipay EMI: Convert eligible purchases of ₹2,500 or more into easy monthly EMIs.
• Safe and Secure: The card is chip and PIN enabled, offering enhanced security against counterfeiting and skimming.
• Add-on Cards: Empower your family members (parents, spouse, children, or siblings above 18) with lifetime free add-on cards.
• Easy Bill Pay Facility: Conveniently pay your electricity, telephone, mobile