ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card – Benefits, Fees & Eligibility

Introduction

ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card is an international travel credit card launched in collaboration with British Airways. This card allows you to earn British Airways Avios Points, which can be redeemed for various travel expenses, class upgrades, and reward flights on British Airways and its Oneworld partner airlines. Beyond travel benefits, the card also provides complimentary movie tickets and dining discounts at partner restaurants.

Welcome Benefits

• Complimentary British Airways Executive Club membership.
• Bonus 8,000 Avios upon the first use of the American Express variant of the card.
• 25,000 Avios on booking the first return ticket from India to London within the first three months of card issuance.

Fees

• Joining Fee: Rs. 7,000 + GST
• Renewal Fee: Rs. 7,000 + GST
• Rewards Redemption Fee: Nil
• Foreign Currency Markup: 3.50% of the transaction amount
• Interest Rates: 3.40% per month (or 40.80% annually)
• Fuel Surcharge: 2.5% fuel surcharge waiver at all filling stations across India.
• Cash Advance Charges: 2.50% of the transaction amount (subject to a minimum charge of Rs. 300)
• Spend-Based Waiver: No information available.

Rewards

The card earns rewards as British Airways Avios, with varying rates based on the card variant and spend category.

Rewards Rate - American Express Variant

• On British Airways tickets and in-flight shopping (Avios per Rs. 100 spent):
  • 4 Avios for monthly spends less than Rs. 2.25 lakh.
  • 5 Avios for monthly spends between Rs. 2.5 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh.
  • 6 Avios for monthly spends greater than Rs. 5 lakh.
• On other everyday spends (Avios per Rs. 100 spent):
  • 6 Avios for monthly spends less than Rs. 2.25 lakh.
  • 7.5 Avios for monthly spends between Rs. 2.5 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh.
  • 9 Avios for monthly spends greater than Rs. 5 lakh.
• Accelerated Avios: Up to 9 Avios per Rs. 100 spent on achieving stipulated spend milestones.

Rewards Rate - MasterCard Variant

• 1 British Airways Avios per Rs. 100 spent.

Movie & Dining

• Up to 3 complimentary movie tickets per month from BookMyShow, based on spend milestones:
  • 1 BookMyShow voucher on making 5 transactions with the card in a month.
  • 3 BookMyShow vouchers on making 10 transactions with the card in a month.
• Minimum 15% discount on dining bills at partner restaurants under the ICICI Culinary Treats Program.

Travel

• Rewards are earned as British Airways Avios.
• Complimentary 24x7 concierge service for assistance with hotel reservations and flight bookings.

Lounge Access

• Domestic Lounge Access: Not available.
• International Lounge Access: Not available.

Golf

• Not available.

Insurance Benefits

• Not available.

Rewards Redemption Guide

• Avios earned on the British Airways Premium Credit Card can be redeemed for reward flights, class upgrades, etc., on British Airways or any of its Oneworld partner airlines.
• Avios is British Airways' AirMiles program.

Card Review

The ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card is a suitable option for frequent international travelers, offering a high reward rate in British Airways Avios Points. A significant drawback is the absence of complimentary airport lounge access, both domestic and international. However, as one of the few British Airways co-branded credit cards in India, it stands as a primary choice for individuals loyal to British Airways. A Classic variant of this card is also available for consideration as a toned-down alternative.

Important Product Details

• Cardholders receive two credit cards: one MasterCard variant and one American Express variant.
• The card earns rewards as Avios, which is British Airways' AirMiles program.
• Includes British Airways Executive Club membership and 8,000 Avios as a welcome benefit when the American Express variant is used for the first time.
• Earn 25,000 Avios upon booking the first return ticket from India to London within 3 months of card issuance.
• With the American Express variant, earn 4 Avios per Rs. 100 on everyday spends and 6 Avios per Rs. 100 on British Airways tickets and in-flight shopping.
• Achieve accelerated Avios earnings (up to 9 Avios per Rs. 100) on the American Express variant by meeting stipulated spend milestones.
• The MasterCard variant earns 1 Avios per Rs. 100 spent.
• Benefit from up to 3 movie tickets each month from BookMyShow by achieving stipulated spend-based milestones.
• Enjoy a minimum 15% discount on dining bills at partner restaurants through ICICI Bank’s Culinary Treats Program.

Other Details

• Best Suited For: Travel
• Reward Type: N/A (The card earns British Airways Avios, which are airline miles, not generic reward points).
• 24x7 Concierge Service: Available for assistance with hotel reservations, flight bookings, table reservations at restaurants, and gift/flower delivery.