Air mile credit cards are popular with frequent travelers looking to maximize their rewards. Whether they’re worth it depends on your individual spending habits, travel frequency, and the benefits offered. Let’s dive into what makes them valuable:
1. For Frequent Travelers : If you’re loyal to a particular airline, air mile cards can be a game-changer. They let you convert everyday spending into air miles, which can significantly reduce travel costs. But remember, air miles don’t equate directly to miles flown – their worth depends on the airline’s redemption policies and the card’s rewards structure.
2. Benefits of Air Mile Credit Cards
- Welcome Bonuses: Substantial bonuses that instantly boost your mileage balance.
- Travel Perks: Includes free checked luggage, priority boarding, and airport lounge access.
- Companion Tickets: Some cards offer companion ticket benefits, so you can bring a partner for just taxes and fees.
- Travel Savings: Savings from waived baggage fees and discounts can offset your card’s annual fee.
3. Top Air Mile Credit Cards to Consider
- KrisFlyer SBI Card
- 3,000 KrisFlyer Miles as a welcome gift.
- 5 KrisFlyer Miles per ₹200 spent on Singapore Airlines & international transactions.
- 2 KrisFlyer Miles per ₹200 on other eligible spending.
- 4 domestic lounge visits per year.
Apply Now : KrisFlyer SBI Card
- KrisFlyer SBI Card Apex
- 10,000 KrisFlyer Miles welcome gift.
- 10 KrisFlyer Miles per ₹200 spent on SIA group.
- 8 KrisFlyer Miles per ₹200 on international spending.
- 6 KrisFlyer Miles per ₹200 on other spending.
Apply Now : KrisFlyer SBI Card Apex
- Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card
- 5,000 Etihad Guest Miles as a welcome gift.
- Complimentary Etihad Guest Gold Tier Status after first transaction.
- Earn 3X Etihad Miles on all Etihad spends.
- Up to 6,000 Etihad Miles annually for spending ₹1.5 lakh/quarter.
Apply Now : Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card
- Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
- 5,000 Skywards Miles + complimentary Silver membership (1st year).
- Up to 2 Skywards Miles per ₹100 spent.
- 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits/quarter, 2 international/year.
- Retain Silver tier with milestone rewards.
Apply Now : Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
- Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
- 10,000 Skywards Miles + Silver membership (active card).
- Up to 2.5 Skywards Miles per ₹100 spent.
- Unlimited domestic & international lounge access.
- Upgrade to Gold membership with milestone rewards.
Apply Now : Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
4. Important Reminder : These benefits can change. Always check the official card website before applying.
5. Pro Tips for Choosing the Right Card : “Choose cards with generous sign-up bonuses and earning rates aligned with your spending. Dig into the fine print – assess annual fees, foreign transaction charges, and redemption policies to make sure the card matches your travel habits.” — Prashant Kumar, CEO & Founder, Kredit.pe
Final Thoughts : Air mile cards can be highly rewarding if you travel frequently and can leverage the perks effectively. Always weigh the pros and cons before committing!