With Vistara merging into Air India on November 12, 2024, many cardholders of Vistara co-branded credit cards are uncertain about the future of their points and benefits. Here’s what you need to know:
Key Dates:
- November 11, 2024: Last day for Vistara flights.
- November 12, 2024: Air India takes over all Vistara operations.
- September 3, 2024: Vistara stops accepting bookings for travel beyond November 11.
Vistara offers seven co-branded credit cards through partnerships with four major banks: Axis Bank, SBI Card, IDFC FIRST Bank, and IndusInd Bank. These cards include:
- Club Vistara SBI Card
- Axis Vistara Platinum
- Club Vistara IDFC FIRST Credit Card
- Club Vistara SBI Card Prime
- Axis Vistara Signature
- Axis Vistara Infinite
- Club Vistara IndusInd Bank Explorer
These cards allow users to earn Club Vistara (CV) Points, redeemable for award flights or class upgrades. Cardholders also receive complimentary tickets upon reaching spending milestones.
What Happens to Your Points and Benefits?
As of now, Vistara has not provided specific details about what will happen to the points and benefits tied to these co-branded cards. However, some experts suggest that:
- Points and Benefits Migration: Points and benefits might be transferred to Air India’s Flying Returns program.
- Possible Reissuing: Cards could be reissued as Air India co-branded cards with similar or adjusted benefits.
Until an official announcement is made, these remain possibilities.
Current Benefits:
For the time being, Vistara co-branded credit cards continue to offer their usual benefits, such as:
- Welcome Benefits: Free economy or premium economy ticket vouchers and Club Vistara Base or Silver membership upon activation.
- Complimentary Club Vistara Membership: Available across all card variants, enhancing overall benefits.
Premium cards like the IndusInd Explorer offer even more, including luxury hotel or shopping vouchers and business class ticket vouchers with CV Gold membership.