The SBI Air India Signature Credit Card is the premium variant of Air India Credit Cards issued by SBI Card. Although it’s a rewarding card, it wasn’t very popular in the past due to the poor service that the airline used to offer.
However, as Air India’s service and overall experience improve, the SBI Air India Signature Credit Card is expected to gain traction in the coming months.
With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about the SBI Air India Signature Credit Card:
Table of Contents
Overview
| Type | Airline Credit Card |
| Reward Rate | ~4.5% |
| Best for | Redemptions on Air India |
| USP | Milestone benefits |
The USP of the SBI Air India Credit Card is its milestone benefit, which offers a substantial number of air miles upon reaching specific spending thresholds.
This makes the card appealing in 2024, especially when there are many restrictions on spend categories.
*** Best Air India Credit Card ***
To apply, You’ll need to open the link on desktop (not mobile), click on “start apply journey” and click on “change card” and choose “Air India SBI Signature Card”.
Fees
| Joining Fee | 4,999 INR+GST |
| Welcome Benefit | 20,000 Reward points (~10,000 INR Value) |
| Renewal Fee / Annual Fee | 4,999 INR+GST |
| Renewal Benefit | 5,000 Reward points |
| Renewal Fee waiver | Nil |
While the welcome benefit is quite attractive, the renewal benefit, like most other SBI Credit Cards, is a bit low and may not encourage cardholders to renew the card.
Design
The design of Air India SBI Signature Credit Card still looks pretty good even in 2024.
Rewards
| SPEND TYPE | Reward POINTS | REWARD RATE |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Spends | 4 RP / 100 INR | 2% |
| Air India Spends (Self) | 30 RP / 100 INR | 15% |
| Air India Spends (Others) | 10 RP / 100 INR | 5% |
- 1 Air India Flying Return Point = ~0.50 INR (approx)
- Category exclusions apply, just like most other SBI Cards
The earn rate on Air India spends is excellent, and it’s decent for regular spends as well. However, it’s important to note that there have been complaints about the fulfillment of points on Air India spends.
Milestone Rewards
| SPEND | MILESTONE BENEFIT | SAVINGS (CUMULATIVE) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Lakhs | 20,000 Points | ~2% |
| 10 Lakhs | 30,000 Points | ~2.5% |
| 20 Lakhs | 50,000 Points | ~2.5% |
The spend-linked milestone benefit is the key feature of the SBI Air India Signature Credit Card, as this alone can offer an approximate 2.5% value (excluding regular points), depending on the spend.
If you combine the milestone benefits with regular points earnings, it adds up to a solid ~4.5% return on spend. In rare cases, the reward rate could even be double that.
Redemptions
- Points transfer ratio from Card to Air India: 1:1
- Min flights to take for redemptions (self): 1
- Min. flights to take for redemptions (others): 5
With the SBI Air India Signature Credit Card, points accumulate on the card, and you can choose to transfer them to Air India at a 1:1 ratio when you wish.
You can redeem your points on Air India or Star Alliance flights, but generally speaking, it’s more beneficial to redeem them on Air India, given that there are numerous non-stop flights from India to the rest of the world.
Sample domestic redemptions:
- Bangalore to Mumbai (eco): 4000 Points+1.2K taxes
- Bangalore to Mumbai (biz): 21,000 Points+3.5K taxes
Sample international redemptions on AI & Star Alliance network:
- Mumbai to London (AI-biz): 125K points+17K INR
- Mumbai to London (AI-eco): 38K points+4K INR
- Bangalore to Singapore (AI/SQ – biz): 50K+9000 INR
- Bangalore to Singapore (AI – eco): 13K+3500 INR
- Bangalore to Singapore (SQ – eco): 25K+4000 INR
For Star Alliance redemptions, you could consider Air Canada’s Aeroplan or even LifeMiles. That said, even redemptions on Air India via Star Alliance is better.
However, I know a few frequent flyers who have been using the Air India Frequent Flyer program for many years, both for domestic and international business class redemptions.
This is because not only the “availability is better,” but you can also get “more than one business class seat at a time,” which isn’t always possible through Star Alliance redemptions.
I’ve personally used it to redeem for multiple domestic economy tickets and even on star alliance network once to fly Thai Airways Business Class back in time.
Airport Lounge Access
| ACCESS TYPE | VIA | LIMIT |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Lounge Access | Visa (Infinite) | 2/Qtr |
While Air India Signature Credit Card doesn’t provide complimentary International lounge access, I think it’s fair enough, given that the card is well loaded with rewards.
Other Benefits
- Forex Markup fee: 3.5% + Service Tax
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver (spends between Rs.500 and Rs.4,000)
Should you apply?
If you spend 20 Lakhs on this card, this is what you get:
= 20,000+30,000+50,000+80,000(Regular earn rate)
= 1,80,000 Reward points
So you get 1.8L Air India Flying Returns Points on 20L Spend (regular spends). That gives at-least ~4.5% reward rate when you redeem points in most sectors as seen above in the examples.
And just incase if you fly AI business out of Bangalore – domestic, you also get access to one of the most beautiful Air India Lounge at BLR T2. So overall, it’s worth it.
To apply, You’ll need to open the link on desktop (not mobile), click on “start apply journey” and click on “change card” and choose “Air India SBI Signature Card”.
Bottomline
- Cardexpert Rating: 4.2/5
The SBI Air India Signature Credit Card has been noteworthy for a small segment of cardholders over the years, but going forward it would cater to a larger audience as Vistara merges with Air India.
However, Air India Credit Cards have never been as lucrative as Vistara Credit Cards like the Axis Vistara Infinite Card and it might not be in the future either, as it’s difficult for the airline to provide a higher reward rate with a larger customer base.
This is already evident with Vistara to Air India points transfer planned at 1:1, which itself is a devaluation. But it would be good to see if Air India chooses to keep their credit card loyalists happy in the coming months.
SBI Air India Signature Credit Card looks decent even after a decade of it’s launch. What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
I wont be spending 20L on my credit card. My typical spend would be around 6L/annum. My interest is to use the points from my card to fund my travel cost. With this in mind, which card would you suggest? Is it better to go with SBI Air India Signature Credit Card or the AMEX platinum travel card?
Sreeram,
Amex plat travel is a must if you travel in domestic sectors 🙂
Go for HDFC Diners card. Amex Travel card will get u Rs. 5000 indigo voucher as welcome gift +Rs. 7000 indigo voucher on reaching 1.9 lakh , Rs. 10000 indigo voucher on reaching 4 lakh + taj voucher worth Rs. 10000. But u r locked with indigo and Taj vouchers and u have to redeem them atleast 15 days prior to ur journey. If u want to redeem those points elsewhere, u ll earn only 25-30 praise per membership reward point and thereby d evaluating ur earnings to less than 2%. With Diners card, u ll get atleast 20% value back for sure when u spend with Flipkart.com, snapdeal, goibibo, yatra, clear trip, BookMyShow and pothys over and above the existing discounts.
Can reward points on air india signature card be redeemed against credit card bill or through scbicards app products? Are these points usefull only in air india tickets?
You can’t reddem for Cash credit, but you can redeem for any products in Rewards catalog.
You can redeem for cash credit 4 pts/Re
Hi does the card give preferred acces at air india checkin counters both domestic and international
AFAIK, it doesn’t have this feature.
No it doesn’t.
If i take a supplementary card, will the spend on the supp card be added to the main card spends for calculating the reward points eligibility? My wife and I spend ~5L individually annually so we may be able to hit the 10L annual number if the spends are combined.
Yes Karan. Spends on add-on cards are considered for milestones.
Yes karan certainly.
I have recently got my Air India Signature Card but I am a member of Air India Flying Returns Programme since a long time. Will my accumulated FF miles be added to the new ones accrued through Signature card ?
You should be able to merge the accounts as it works with Jet Airways / Jet privilege. Please check with Air India.
Yes, Kapil.
While you fill the application for the SBI Air India Signature card you’d be asked for your current frequently flyer number. That would them be embossed on the card, below your name.
If you happen to skip or forget it, they would create a new FFP number for you. But you could always call up the SBI CC helpline and ask them to change the FFP number linked with your card. They would do it for a fee (deduction of around 2000 FF returns points).
Also, your reward points aren’t transferred to Air India account automatically. You’d have to call up SBI and ask them to do it.
I know this because this is the exact process I followed.
We get a bonus of 20000 miles in SBI Signature card but Air India miles from Hyderabad to delhi is showing to be 10000 in Air india but actually in air miles calculator it is 1000. Isin’t it useless as you can get tickets to Delhi at approx same rate or less or am I missing something here
@ Roopaj The miles calculator shows you the miles you could earn whereas, the 10k miles you talking about is redeeming for your travel. Miles standalone are useless unless you club them with some co-branded credit cards or equivalent.
@Siddharth. I am planning to get this card and I have talked with you on phone as well regarding other cards few months back. Currently I have Diners Club Miles and my dad and mom has Regalia first Visa and Master respectively. I couldn’t manage to get the Diners Black for now but should have it by next FY. However, the reward programs have terminated I think only smart buy offers are ongoing. Anyways, my query here is status miles and bonus miles earned through the credit card are same? Like what would you suggest for getting ‘The Maharaja’ membership?
Hey sid by any chance do you have any idea about how to get annual fees waived off in this card. I hold this card for 3 years and have achieved the 1 mile stone last year but then also upon request they don not entertained for fees waiver. This year also I have crossed their 1st milestone spend. They have even withdrawn the silver /gold membership tier upgrade based on spend 🙁 .
How do you earn Re 1/ mile, as mentioned in your sbicard airindia card review?
On the route I travel a ticket costing Rs 7000 needs 9,500 points for redemption. However on a route like Mumbai – Delhi or Bangalore – Delhi you only need around 4000-5000 points in general, if you book in advance. That is an almost Rs 1 per point return.
I have Air India Signature card and have earned enough reward points, although I am a very high spender, above 5 lacs type, but the visa card does not give me international lounge access which is very disturbing, twice we have been denied access to international lounges like in Dubai as well as Bombay. Please clarify and recommend how can we get the access to international lounges , need to be upgraded further or should we change the card.
Did you use your priority pass which comes with the card when you were in Dubai? Visa lounge access through swiping the card itself works only in India. And lounges like GVK in Mumbai are only for business class tickets now. Could be that reason for denial.
Priority Pass membership is free with this card. But the lounge access is chargeable at USD 27 per visit. Please be careful.
I AM PLANNI TO TAKE SBI SIGNATURE AIR INDIA CARD. IT HELPS TO COLLECT 180000 MILES FOR THE SPEND OF 20 LAKHS. I HAVE A DOUBT CAN I USE THIS MILES IN OTHER STAR ALLIANCE FLIGHT FOR UPGRADE AND REDEMPTION OR THEY HAVE ANY RESTRICTION TO USE ONLY WITH AIR INDIA. SOME SAYS MILE STONE POINTS CAN NOT BE USED EVERY WHERE.
I have recently got my SBI AirIndia Signature Card but after using 1 month I didn’t got AirIndia FF membership credentials and Joining or Welcome Rewards Points Of 20k , I called AirIndia Call Centre with the membership number printed on the card , they ask me to escalate query with sbi callcentre ultimately they shifting my query to one another , So Anyone here pls guide me how to figure out from all this. Thank You !
You’ll get the 20k points after payment of the joining fees. Probably wishing 2 weeks.
you need to call SBI to activate your frequent flyer account, then call up Air India to send you temporary password for the account, followed by updating your KYC details in the frequent flyer account.
I have earned and burnt more than 210K bonus air India miles on domestic and international routes, flying air India and star alliance members as well. Even domestic travel in USA on United airlines at great 5-10K miles redemption. You can use all those bonus points.
Haven’t transferred the remaining 50k miles from Card as I’m not traveling in the coming months, awaiting whether Air India will shut down now or be sold off.
I have earned and burnt more than 210K bonus air India miles on domestic and international routes, flying air India and star alliance members as well. Even domestic travel in USA on United airlines at great 5-10K miles redemption. Got more than Rs 1 per mile value out of them. You can use all those bonus points.
Haven’t transferred the remaining 50k miles from Card as I’m not traveling in the coming months, awaiting whether Air India will shut down now or be sold off.
Yes Ankur I don’t how people are considering amex platinum travel better than this card. The points needed for redeeming domestic tickets is too low and can give you more than Rs1/ FR points for many sectors.
Friends, I need your views.
I have been holding SBI AI Signature and Amex travel platinum for some time now. Recently, I have acquired HDFC DCB (no joining fee) and Axis Vistara Infinia (with joining fee). Thinking of closing both amex and sbi and move all spends (Rs-12-16 lacs p.a) to DCB and Axis. Is it a good idea or should I spends a few lacs on SBI/Amex too? How much CIBIL damage is likely to happen (my score a few months ago was ~ 850)
By closing these cards I will also save about Rs. 12k on fees too. Not to mention I have the following other cards
1. Yes First (LTF)
2.Amex Rewards (free till the time I hold Platinum travel else Rs. 1500 or Rs. 4500; not sure)
3.ICICI Amazon pay
4. CITI PM (only recently closed)
5. RBL Loan pass card
Friends i need your views
I have been holding axis vistara infinite card witj an annual fees of 10000 + GST. Travelling frequently in domestic sector provides me a good value. But since my spends are on the gigher side(Rs 40-50 lacs per annum) I was planning to maximise the benefits. So please suggest the other card i should use. In the past i also had SBI ELITE CARD.
I want to know that whether the miles which I get due to the use of credit card, would they be used in tier status or would be just bonus miles?
Only bonus miles, no longer status miles.
“That’s 10% value back if you’re expert in redeeming the miles at value of Rs.1/mile or more.”
Does this hold true for FR points?
Even on partner airlines or international sectors it seems difficult to achieve Rs 1/mile as per their charts..add to it taxes extra and the value would go down even more.
or am i reading it wrong?
@Akshat I made redemptions flying USA domestic sector like Chicago to Cleveland 10k miles return flight plus $18 taxes on United Airlines when the price was around $200, similarly Chicago to San Francisco 20k return flight while getting more than than Rs 1/mile value. USA domestic sector was steal with United Airlines on air India miles.
Redeemed Copenhagen to Delhi one way Air India flight for two people for 90k miles while cash price was Rs 80k for two people. The worst value I got was flying Air India Paris to Delhi one way 45k miles plus Rs 3500 taxes while cash price was around Rs 25K.
In India domestically I redeemed Delhi Dharamshala route 14 times for 5.5k miles one way while the cash price varied Rs 6-10k. Doesn’t show up online but had to visit the Safdarjung air India office to get the tickets. They stopped redemption on this sector later.
So it depends where you fly and how you redeem them.
Flying returns miles is not good for star alliance partners on long distance flights.
Thanks for sharing this Ankur.
Thanks Siddharth.
Happy to share the experience.
Thanks for sharing Ankur
US leg seems interesting as per your experience and intra US travel providing good value. Care to share how United service was?
I have heard about American and Delta being the best in America
Other than that i would think FR points to be 50p or 60p at best as europe flights are usually 25-30k economy. BTW have you compared I or O award flights?
Delta has an overall more consistent onboard experience as compared to AA or United. Since I was based in Chicago for a month, it being United hub, it’s service was decent. I wouldn’t mind flying on it again. Much better than Air India though.
Yeah mostly India- Europe flights would get 50-60p value, I was lucky with the Copenhagen redemption.
I haven’t redeemed First or business class on Air India, it’s just not competitive on board product with other business class plus the amount of miles required varies from 90-200k but it would definitely give you more than Rs 1/mile value on redemption.
I had once upgraded to business at check in with cash but I will never repeat that mistake again.
You can even redeem London to Frankfurt and intra Europe on Lufthansa for 10k miles one way but the taxes would be around 60 euro.
Cheers mate
Thanks for the share..
Been looking at one world and Etihad charts.. do look them over if you haven’t already, seems like a good value
Thanks for the bit about the Delhi-Dharamshala route. No Alliance Air flight shows up for redemption. If one is outside Delhi, can one go to the local Air India office/counder, and is it possible to redeem miles via their call centre?
I visited the Air India office at Nehru Place, Jaipur, for redeeming on a flight from Delhi to Kullu. I was told that since it is a codeshare flight, I am not able to redeem my miles on the flight. This seems to directly contradict your experience.
So were the folks at the Delhi office just generous, or the ones in Jaipur are unhelpful, or Flying Returns has changed its policy?
I called up their call centre, they had no idea about it; they said they’d give me a callback, but they never did.
I have emailed flying returns with this query, let me see what happens; I will update the results here.
Codeshare flights can’t be redeemed on points as per air India flying returns. It’s mentioned in their redemption terms.
But the people in the Air India Office in Safdarjung Delhi were more than generous towards me.
Delhi to Dharamshala is also codeshare flight. And redemption is not available in their systems as well.
To help me, the person at the booking desk used to generate just the PNR for this flight for me. Then at a separate redemption desk, they used forward the mail with the PNR of the ticket and place a request for the approval of the redemption. Within 10-15 min the approval mail used come to them and then just by paying around 100 odd as taxes the ticket used to be issued.
It was their good will they helped in the process. But eventually after 2 yrs it was also stopped.
Just build a rapport with them if they can make some exceptions and send in an approval mail to flying returns team with just the PNR generated for you for the flight.
Yeah in one world American Airlines miles are great for Etihad redemption. My wife flew Chicago to Delhi in Etihad, 70k AA miles plus $ 7 taxes in business. Pretty sweet deal.
It’s always good to share. Lots more in store.
Thanks Akshat.
Travel safe whenever you do. Have a good one.
Apologies for the back and forth
Can i ask you how do you transfer to AA, i believe none of the cards in India allow that and Mariott 3:1 ratio doesnt seem to enticing
No issues at all.
Unfortunately for us in India, only Marriott is the way for AA.
I have both MRCC and Gold, so 2K points come every month plus made 8 referrals all in family. So got 96k MR points only from referral then transferred them to Marriott when the 1.5X transfer bonus came from Amex last year and had some Marriott points as well based on stays.
Although it’s not the best way but still one can save decent money. 180,000 bonvoy points are worth minimum $1600 converted to 75K AA miles. One way business is easily around $3K.
We didn’t have any upcoming stay so decided to just burn the bonvoy points this way and save cash.
Hi,
Im looking to buy a card but since I majorly prefer to pay cash, my card is used on lesser occasions mainly online. Im interested in this SBI Air India Signature card since I am an Air India frequent flyer and each year I fly it to the US and back so im expecting some returns and also availing lounge access.
Kindly give me a thumbs up if thus suits me or it’d be amazing if you could suggest me another one.
Thanks,
Ishaan
@Ishaan Aggarwal – I wouldn’t recommend SBI Air India Signature anymore. I’ll close my card when it’ll be up for renewal by year end. Firstly we don’t know the future of the airline. If you fly just once a year to the US it doesn’t make sense to get this. Lounge access on it is not free, it gives only priority pass membership but each visit is charged. So lounge access would better be taken care by another card.
I split my spends between Diners Black, Citi Prestige, Amex Gold/MRCC (loading wallet only for bonus 2K MR points monthly).
SBI has effectively refused to give me 30% miles for self bookings on Air India. They claim that they give 10% miles on booking (this they have given), and 20% 45 days after booking. In my case, nearly 1.5 years have passed in one case, and nearly 1 year has passed in another case. They keep giving bogus excuses like ‘it has been escalated to the concerned team’ and ‘it is being investigated by the backend team’, etc.
How does one compel them to give release the points that are due to me? There is a total of around 14,000 points pending.
Even escalating the issue on SBI has not worked. Should i go to consumer court, or take it up with the banking ombudsman? Short of these 2 measures, I don’t think there is any other way to make SBI give me the points I am owed.
Any help, guidance and pointers will be appreciated.
I downgraded my air India signature card to simply click card just to keep the line open for SBI offers.
Regarding your issue, You must have been provided a service request number for the complaint.
You need to mail them up higher to the nodal office with your service request number.
And also you can tweet them with your service request number through direct message explaining the situation. They are quite responsive through this social media as well.
Air India servers hacked, passengers’ credit card info, passport details accessed.
Hello Siddharth, after the acquisition of Air India by TATAs, what will happen to AIR INDIA miles and SBI AIR INDIA Card? Any thought?
Companion Scheme Ex-India on all International sectors on IATA Full Fare
(Except SAARC – Kathmandu / Dhaka / Colombo / Male / Kabul / Yangon)
Air India offers the following Companion Scheme on IATA full fare (Fare Basis: FIF- First Class, CIF- Business Class, YIF – Economy class) ex India on all International sectors (except SAARC) for sale and travel up to 31st December 2021 .
Rules & Conditions
The scheme is not valid for travel ex India to SAARC countries.
No further incentive will apply on the above mentioned schemes.
All taxes/fees/surcharges (including fuel surcharge) to be collected on Companion tickets.
Return travel of companion to be undertaken within the validity of the ticket.
Passengers availing of the scheme are required to travel on their outbound journey together and may undertake the return travel separately.
Frequent Flyer mileage will be accrued on the paid ticket only. No mileage accrual will be permissible on the Companion ticket.
When the paid ticket has an interline sector (Max of 1 interline sector permitted in each direction), the Companion Scheme will apply to the discretion of the airline.
When travel is originating from Interior Indian Points, the Companion Free Scheme will be applicable only if the paid ticket is on a Through IATA fare. E.g. NAG BOM NYC (RT). The Companion Ticket can also be availed on the entire routing NAG BOM NYC (RT).
If the travel from Interior Indian Points is on sector (domestic) fares in combination with International IATA fares, the Companion Free Scheme will not apply on the Domestic Sector where the sector fare has been charged
The Companion travel is permitted only on AI operated sectors
The Companion scheme is not valid on code-share flights
Companion Ticket cannot be endorsed/rerouted to any other carrier even when involuntary.
Only the Paid ticket can be issued by the travel agent and the Companion ticket by the Air India office along with necessary safeguards, verifying original ticket, stamping CFS utilized, etc.
Ticketing to avail of this scheme cannot be done online through our website/Mobile.
Definition of Companion – Spouse, Child, Parent.
Immediate Blood relative – Brother/Sister may be included if the Passenger is Single or Childless. A Self declaration regarding the status has to be submitted by the Passenger availing the Scheme.
Received email stating flying returns
Further Extension of Validity of FR Points Tier, and Account Status
Validity of FR Points which was previously extended till31 Dec 2021has now been further extended til 31st March 2022.
Tiers – Our privilaged Tier members Viz – Maharaj Club(TMC) Gold Edge Club (GEC) and Silver Edge Club (SEC) shall retain their tier status and continue to avail the benefits and privilages (*Including Domestic Upgrade Vouchers) associated with these exclusive clubs till 31st March 2022
Even if their is no flight activity in your FR account, existing accountwil be maintained till 31 March 2022
*T&C apply Extra Baggage allowance and lounge access subject to change as per per Government directive.
ANy update on this card after Tata takeover ?
Also does insurance spends earn miles here ? Is there any limit or cap on it ?
THnaks
Has anyone faced an issue with conversion of reward points to Air India miles?
I converted 40,000 points on 10th June 2022, and have followed up multiple times with SBI and its still not done. I was finally told by SBI that they have processed it and that I should contact Air India. When I contacted Air India, they said to contact SBI (of course they did).
Does anyone have any experience on how to resolve this?
Hi PK,
I have faced the same issue with both SBI and Air India. I had requested them to transfer 100000 points to air india miles on the 4th of july, and now after 10 days of even escalating the issue, both the concerned parties are putting the blame on each other and not owning to the responsibility of solving the issue. i dont know whom to get in touch with to resolve the issue
There is no resolution, both blame each other. I had same issue and had over 2 Lac+ points. Struggled for more than 9 months. Finally i had no option but to take statement credit @ 0.25 per point and surrender card as no point in paying 5000+ GST renewal charges
Well the latest is I am told by the Nodal officer that there will be no conversions from 12th July to 15th August.
I wrote a stong email back stating that its pending since 12th June so these dates have no meaning to me. Now they have asked for time till 28th July to get back.
Hi Friends.
I wrote a mail to Nodal Office and got a response stating that since Air India’s portal in going through an internal migration, so these points would be reflecting in the account somewhere around 15th of August.
So till that time, none of them (Sbi/Airindia) will be able help us on this.
So it is a personal advise, we should not transfer any points to our Air India account till the complete migration process in Over.
Thanks for sharing an update on this Varun.
Just as an update, my points were credited to Air India on 2nd August.
I tried to transfer more points from the card to Air India today and I was told that it can only be requested for after August 15th.
Friends, have a slightly unrelated question. Has anybody used Flying Returns points to travel/upgrade on a start alliance flight, e.g. Thai Airways? What’s the procedure, and what’s the experience been like?
This article may help: Thai Airways Business Class Review
Is the 30X reward applicable for the Add on member also? Can my wife’s ticket be booked with the my card (if she is the add on card member) or she should take a separate card?
Do we earn rewards points on fuel transactions?
This card is a scam. They have stopped giving you the promised reward points against your Air India ticket purchases. They recently awarded me 10 reward miles for every Rs.100 spent instead of the promised 30 reward points on two AIR INDIA tickets bought directly from the AIR INDIA website for my travel.
I have contacted their customer care as well as nodal officer for redressal but they are not responding. Moreover, this card has stopped giving you tier promotions like Silver Club, Gold Club memberships based on your spending.
Also several domestic lounges don’t accept this card for free lounge access while they accept cards without annual fees (free cards). Overall this card is not worth retaining with a Rs.5000 annual fee.
My experience was that the 30% rewards was a hit & miss – sometimes it would come automatically, and sometimes it wouldn’t. My biggest case was a return ticket to London. I chased it, but eventually cancelled the ticket (flight cancelled because of covid).
Keep chasing up; you can take both Air India & SBI cards to consumer court.
Remember though that the miles are credited after 45 days.
Hi Everyone, I need suggestions here on the SBI AI Signature Credit Card and HDFC Indigo XL Credit Card. My spending is around 3L-5L per annum. I usually travel 6 round trips which makes 12 flights. Which one do you suggest would be good for me? I’m specifically avoiding HDFC Vistara because Vistara is not available in all parts of India.
Hi Siddharth
Question on Air India SBI Signature card : do we earn points on Insurance Spend/Govt payments/Utilities ?
Hi Sid
Hope you are keeping well.
When can we expect a detailed one from you on the newly launched Air India Flying Returns program? I already have a good idea about it, but until I read something in your column, I don’t feel my stomach is full.
I’m yet to explore in detail. It might take a while.
I would probably cover when CV points to Air India transfer ability kicks-in.
Hi Sid,
I have points in Infinia but there is no option to transfer to Air India. Should I transfer them to Vistara and then wait for auto transfer to Air India?
Vistara has to be the last option and so Air India, as Air India is likely pushing CV points value closer to 50ps/point like Air India and then they might do 1:1 transfer between them and that means 50% drop in value on Infinia points.
I agree with you that Air India SBI co-branded Signature card, which I have for many years, does not calculate the rewards points @30 per ₹100 spent on Air India tickets for self through Air India mobile App or website, leave alane from other sites like Balmer Lawrie or Ease My Trip etc.
They should show the rewards points for each transaction separately in the card statements, so that we know exactly how many points our spending on tickets earn
Yes, this is need of the hour. Every CC must state the rewardpoints for each transaction like Axis ace shows in statement.
what happens to axis club Vistara infinite card once the demerger happens…will Axis convert it to flying returns card?
Indeed. They would just rebrand it and modify the benefits a bit. Most likely Gold benefit will go away or if it stays, fee might go up.
New sourcing has already stopped completely from yesterday, at least via affiliate channels. Let’s see how it goes from here.
Been using this card for a couple of years and I would definitely value the miles at more than 0.5 INR per mile. At least 1 and for international business, upto 2.
I had faced teething issues for merging Flying return no. wrongly generated, to my older FR account and then wrt transfer of points from SBI to air india. But post that and especially after the revamped flying return program it’s a breeze to book with almost always available seats at competitive redemption value….I just booked a mum- del tkt 45 days in advance and got a 1 rs per point value….that’s superb.
Just waiting now to get my gold status on flying return post merger of CV & FR schemes and fingers crossed to see improvement in service standards post vistara merger.
Will miss Vistara and CV as well as the axis infinite customer cares….superb experience each and every time!
What is the best card to pay insurance premiums ( over 25L /Annually ) and Utility bills
This card has been discontinued as confirmed by Bank and apply now link is also not working on site
Hey, how did you confirm with them regarding this discontinuation? I tried reaching out to customer care but they couldn’t provide any meaningful info
SBI Card has now discontinued the issuance of new SBI Air India co-branded credit cards (Air India SBI Signature Credit Card and Air India SBI Platinum Credit Card) due to the merger of Air India and Vistara.
Please update the article with the rules/complexities regarding minimum paid bookings revenue with AI when booking for self and family using miles on this card .
What’s the Validity of 20000 reward points.
The option to apply seems no longer available. Even after selecting change card, this card is not available in the 19 options visible.
Yes, Air India has stopped onboarding all AI/Vistara cards as of now.
I’m using the Air India Signature version of the card. My points don’t convert to 15 per 100/- when I book The flights on the Air India Website and on the Air India app for myself. It either converts to 2 points per 100/- or 5 points per 100/-. My FF number and my SBI card are properly linked with each other. Even after complaining 100’s of times through call and mail this is not been resolved. If anyone else was in this situation and has got the solution to it then please reply to this comment because it’s getting awful now. I at least take 15 to 20 Air India flights in a year because I have the Air India card, but if it doesn’t give me the rewards then why should I even consider this. On paper it looks amazing but in reality it is a torture. Please help me out here.