
Air India SBI Credit Cards Rating |
Air Miles ★★★★ Ease of Redemption ★★★★ Lounge Access ★★ Annual Fee ★★★ Fuel Benefit ★★ |
Overall Rating ★★★ |
Air India has co-branded with SBI Card to offer credit cards in two variants- Air India SBI Card Platinum and Air India SBI Card Signature. Both the cards offer direct benefits to travelers who are loyal to Air India and also provide several other travel-centric privileges. While the benefits largely remain the same on both the cards, the only difference comes in terms of its extent, based on the annual fees you pay.
Let’s have a look at the detailed review of Air India SBI Credit Cards
Key Highlights of Air India SBI Credit Cards | ||
Parameters | Platinum Variant | Signature Variant |
Complimentary Membership | Air India Frequent Flyer Program – Flying Returns | Air India Frequent Flyer Program – Flying Returns |
Welcome Benefit | 5,000 bonus reward points | 20,000 bonus reward points |
Regular Rewards Rate | 2 points per Rs. 100 | 4 points per Rs. 100 |
Accelerated Reward Rate on Air India Transactions | For Self: 15 points per Rs. 100 For others: 5 Points per Rs. 100 | For Self: 30 points per Rs. 100 For others: 10 Points per Rs. 100 |
Complimentary Membership to Air India Flying Returns
With any of the two variants of Air India SBI Credit Cards, you will get a complimentary membership to Air India’s Frequent Flyer Membership- Flying Returns. If you are already an existing member of the program, your Frequent Flyer Program (FFP) number will be linked to the card. Otherwise, a new FFP number will be issued.
A membership to Flying Returns entitles you to the following privileges:
- FR Points earning on all Air India purchases
- Bonus FR Points earning based on the booking class
- Separate check-in counters at select airports in India
- FR Points can be redeemed for booking/upgrading Air India flight tickets or other partner flight tickets (T&C Apply)
What makes us wonder if this is actually a privilege is the fact that there is neither a membership fee nor strict eligibility criteria for becoming a Flying Returns member. Practically, anyone above the age of 12 can enroll for this program and, based on the miles travelled through Air India, the membership can get upgraded to Silver Edge, Golden Edge or Maharaja. Getting this membership through SBI Cards only saves you the trouble of creating a new FFP account and filling a lengthy enrollment form.