SBI Card MILES – Benefits, Fees & Eligibility

SBI Card MILES

Introduction

The SBI Card MILES is a credit card specifically designed for frequent travelers, offering a range of exclusive travel privileges. With a nominal joining and renewal fee of ₹1,499 plus GST, this card aims to make every journey more rewarding through its unique Travel Credits reward program. Cardholders are welcomed with bonus Travel Credits and can earn more on travel-related and other expenses, which can then be converted into air miles, hotel points, or used for travel bookings and catalogue products. Additionally, it provides complimentary domestic lounge access, a complimentary Priority Pass membership for international lounge access, and a fuel surcharge waiver, positioning it as a straightforward and beneficial option for those who travel frequently.

Welcome Benefits

• Get 1,500 Travel Credits as a Welcome Gift.
• These Travel Credits will be credited upon spending ₹30,000 within 60 days of card issuance.
• The Travel Credits are also credited upon payment of the joining fee.

Fees

• Annual Fee (one-time): ₹1,499 + GST / Taxes
• Renewal Fee (per annum): ₹1,499 + GST / Taxes
• Spend-Based Waiver:
  • Annual Fee reversal on annual spends of ₹6 Lakh in a membership year. This reversal is preconditioned on the fee being levied during the renewal cycle.
• Add-on Fee (per annum): Nil
• Rewards Redemption Fee: ₹99
• Foreign Currency Markup: 3.00% of the transacted amount on international usage.
• Interest Rates: 3.75% Per Month (45% Per Annum)
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver:
  • 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver on transactions between ₹500 and ₹4,000 across all petrol pumps.
  • Maximum Surcharge Waiver of ₹250 per month, per statement cycle.
• Cash Advance Charges: 2.5% or ₹500, whichever is higher.
• All taxes would be charged as applicable on all fees, interest, and charges.

Rewards

• Travel Credits Earning:
  • Earn 2 Travel Credits for every ₹200 spent on travel.
  • Earn 1 Travel Credit for every ₹200 on all other spends.
  • Exclusions for Travel Credits Accrual: Fuel, EMI transactions, Wallet Uploads, Property Rental, Utilities, and Insurance categories.
• Milestone Benefits:
  • Earn 5,000 Bonus Travel Credits on annual spends of ₹5 Lakh.
  • Get additional Domestic Lounge visits with every spend of ₹1 Lakh.
    • For every spend of ₹1 Lakh, the cardholder gets 1 complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge visit over and above the standard complimentary visits.
    • Additional lounge visits, based on spend milestones, are capped at 8 visits in a membership year.
    • This additional Domestic Airport Lounge visit is applicable to both the Primary Cardholder and a Guest.
    • Voucher codes for these visits will be sent via SMS and E-mail within 120 days of eligibility and can be redeemed via the Lounge Key link.
• Domestic Lounge Access:
  • Get 4 complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge visits every year (maximum 2 visits per quarter).
• International Travel Privileges:
  • Receive a complimentary Priority Pass Membership (valued at $99) for the first two cardholder membership years for the primary cardholder.
  • While the membership is complimentary, there are no complimentary visits for SBI Card MILES under this program. All visits beyond any complimentary limits (if applicable through other programs) are chargeable at a usage fee of $27 + applicable taxes.
  • This membership provides access to 1000+ International Airport Lounges worldwide.
  • To receive your Priority Pass, call helpline numbers: 18605001290 or 39020202 (prefix local STD code).
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver:
  • Enjoy a 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver for each transaction between ₹500 and ₹4,000, with a maximum waiver of ₹250 per statement cycle, per credit card account.

Rewards Redemption Guide

• Travel Credits earned can be converted into Air Miles, Hotel Points, Travel Bookings, or chosen from a wide array of Catalogue Products.
• Redemption Value:
  • 1 Travel Credit = ₹1 for Air Mile / Hotel Point
  • 1 Travel Credit = ₹0.50 for Travel Bookings
  • 1 Travel Credit = ₹0.25 for Shop & Smile Product Catalogue
• Travel Credits are valid for two years from the date of accrual.

Card Review

The SBI Card MILES is an excellent credit card for individuals who travel frequently and seek to maximize rewards on their travel-related expenses. Its joining and renewal fee of ₹1,499 plus GST is justified by the welcome benefits of 1,500 Travel Credits upon meeting the initial spend threshold and its ongoing rewards structure. Cardholders earn accelerated Travel Credits on travel spends, which can be flexibly redeemed for flights, hotels, or other products. Key advantages include complimentary domestic lounge access and a complimentary Priority Pass membership, although international lounge visits via Priority Pass are chargeable. The card also offers a beneficial 3% foreign currency markup and a fuel surcharge waiver. However, a notable drawback is the lack of specific benefits for movies, dining, or insurance, which might make it less appealing for those looking for a comprehensive lifestyle card. Overall, it serves as a strong travel companion, ensuring rewarding experiences on journeys.

Important Product Details

• Get 1,500 Travel Credits as a welcome gift on spending ₹30,000 within the first 60 days of card issuance.
• Earn 2 Travel Credits for every ₹200 spent on travel and 1 Travel Credit for every ₹200 on all other expenses.
• Access 1000+ airport lounges worldwide with the complimentary Priority Pass Membership for the primary cardholder (membership fee waived for the first two years). Note that visits via Priority Pass are chargeable at $27 + taxes.
• Receive 4 complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge visits annually (max 2 per quarter).
• Get one additional complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge visit for every ₹1 Lakh spent, capped at 8 additional visits in a membership year.
• Earn 5,000 bonus Travel Credits on reaching annual spends of ₹5 Lakh.
• Annual Fee reversal is available on annual spends of ₹6 Lakh or more.
• Enjoy a low Foreign Currency Mark-up Charge of 3.00% on international usage.
• Benefit from a 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver on transactions between ₹500 and ₹4,000, up to ₹250 per month.
• Travel Credits cannot be earned on Fuel, EMI, Wallet Upload, Property Rental, Utilities, and Insurance categories.
• The card does not offer specific benefits for movies, dining, or insurance.

Other Details

• Add-on Cards: Empower family members (parents, spouse, children, or siblings above 18 years) with add-on cards at no additional annual fee.
• Cash Access: Withdraw cash from over 1 million ATMs across the globe.
• Flexipay: Convert transactions of ₹2,500 or more into easy monthly installments (EMIs) by logging onto sbicard.com within 30 days of purchase.
• Easy Bill Pay Facility: Pay electricity, telephone, mobile, and other utility bills conveniently.
• Safe and Secure: The card is chip and PIN enabled, offering enhanced security against counterfeiting and skimming.
• Contactless Advantage: Facilitates fast, convenient, and secure daily purchases by simply tapping the card at a secure reader. Transactions are processed securely, even if the card is tapped multiple times.
• Worldwide Acceptance: The SBI Card MILES is accepted at over 24 million outlets globally, including 3,25,000 outlets in India, wherever MasterCard/RuPay is accepted.
• Balance Transfer on EMI: Transfer outstanding balances from other banks’ credit cards to the SBI Card MILES to avail a lower rate of interest and pay back in EMIs. This service can be accessed via sbicard.com.
• Payment Settlement Order: Details regarding the order of payment settlement for a cardholder account are available on the SBI Card website.
• Helpline Numbers for Assistance:
  • From BSNL/MTNL numbers: 1800 180 1295
  • From all other numbers: 39 02 12 12 (prefix your STD code if using a mobile phone).
• The value proposition of this co-brand product may be jointly funded by SBI Card and its co-brand partner, involving fee and revenue sharing between them.
• Continued use of the card implies acceptance of any amendments to its terms and conditions.