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Overview: What Are the Indigo SBI Cards?
In a recent strategic move, SBI Card (a leading credit card issuer in India) has joined hands with IndiGo (one of India’s largest domestic airlines) to launch a new co-branded credit card offering. This card, called the IndiGo SBI Card, is part of IndiGo’s BluChip loyalty programme.
The idea behind such Indigo SBI cards is to merge the strengths of a popular airline loyalty scheme with the credit infrastructure and reach of a major bank. For customers, this co-branded credit card brings a range of special benefits, especially for those who fly often on IndiGo or want to save more on travel and everyday spends.
There are two variants of the card: a standard version and a premium “ELITE” version.
In the sections below, we explore the main features and advantages—i.e. the benefits of using Indigo SBI cards—and also point out things to watch out for.
Why SBI and IndiGo Are Partnering
Before we dive into benefits, it helps to see the “why” behind this tie-up.
- Strengthening loyalty: IndiGo already has its BluChip program (or evolving from its older 6E Rewards) to keep frequent flyers loyal. A co-branded card gives users a deeper reason to stick with the airline.
- New revenue stream for SBI: For SBI Card, airline co-branding is a chance to capture high-value customers who travel often, and to get transaction volume from airfare, add-ons, and ancillary spends.
- Better user experience: By combining flight rewards, lounge access, and banking features, customers enjoy a more seamless experience.
- Competitive edge: Credit card and travel markets in India are competitive. This offering helps SBI differentiate itself with a travel-focused product.
With the rationale in place, now let us see what actual benefits a user can enjoy with Indigo SBI cards.
Key Benefits of Using Indigo SBI Cards
Here are the main advantages that these new co-branded cards bring:
1. Higher Reward Rates / Earn Up to 7%
One of the headline benefits: cardholders can earn up to 7% rewards on their eligible spends.
This higher reward rate is particularly useful for those who already spend meaningful amounts on the card—every extra percentage point helps. For example:
- When booking flights or add-ons via IndiGo’s official channels (app or website), you may receive bonus rewards.
- On day-to-day purchases (shopping, dining, etc.), the reward rate may be somewhat lower, but still competitive.
Because of this, using Indigo SBI cards allows you to convert regular spending more efficiently into airline credits or vouchers.
2. Airport Lounge Access
One of the big perks of travel credit cards is lounge access. The Indigo SBI cards offer privileged lounge benefits (especially in the premium ELITE version) as part of the travel experience.
Having lounge access means:
- You get a comfortable space to wait before your flight, often with amenities like snacks, drinks, WiFi, and quiet seating.
- It reduces the stress and discomfort of busy terminals.
- Even domestic lounge access can make a difference for regular flyers.
Note: The exact number of complimentary passes, and which lounges are included, depends on the card variant and terms.
3. Bonus Miles / BluChips / Travel Credits
With Indigo SBI cards, you get bonus credits or miles tied to IndiGo’s loyalty program (BluChip).
These bonus credits let you:
- Earn extra points for airline bookings—getting closer to free or heavily discounted flights.
- Use the credits for seat upgrades, add-ons (meals, priority boarding), or discounts on IndiGo services.
- Convert everyday spending into airline benefits more smoothly.
This feature transforms your regular spending (shopping, utilities, etc.) into travel benefit, not just reward points.
4. Welcome Bonuses and Activation Rewards
To make the card more attractive, Indigo SBI cards often come with welcome bonuses or activation rewards if you spend a certain amount in the first 60–90 days. SBI Card
For instance:
- Spend ₹X within the first 90 days → earn Y bonus credits or miles.
- Some time-limited vouchers or special add-ons may also be offered at onboarding.
These upfront bonuses help you see immediate value in the card rather than waiting for small rewards over long periods.
5. Milestone Benefits
Many premium or co-branded cards include milestone benefits—i.e. extra rewards on crossing a certain spend threshold in the year. While the precise terms for Indigo SBI cards are still being announced, the trend is common in travel cards.
So, for example: spend ₹3 lakh or ₹5 lakh in a year, and you might unlock bonus credits or extra lounge passes.
6. Better Foreign Exchange / Travel Charges
Because Indigo SBI cards are travel-oriented, there is likely to be preferential treatment for foreign transactions:
- Lower forex markup (i.e. reduced extra percentage on foreign currency spend).
- More lenient treatment of travel-related fees (e.g. waiver or reduction of certain travel ancillary charges).
This is an important advantage when you travel abroad.
(Note: For SBI’s travel cards in general, they often advertise low markup and travel-friendly terms.)
7. Seamless Redemption & Usage
A major benefit of co-branded cards is that your rewards / credits can often be directly redeemed or applied within the airline’s own ecosystem (rather than an external reward portal). This means:
- No complex conversion steps — credits go straight into your IndiGo account.
- You can apply credits or vouchers while booking flights or add-ons.
- Fewer hurdles or “points expiration” issues.
This makes Indigo SBI cards more intuitive, especially for travelers.
8. Enhanced Travel Protections (Insurance, etc.)
Many premium travel cards offer extras like:
- Travel insurance covering delays, cancellations, baggage loss, etc.
- Air accident or air travel insurance (though note that some of these benefits are being revised across SBI’s card portfolio).
- Lost card protection, emergency card replacement, etc.
These protections can add real value and peace of mind.
9. Convenience & Prestige
Using a co-branded travel credit card provides intangible perks:
- Branding gives you status among frequent flyers.
- The card is optimized for travel and related spends, giving you more utility than a generic rewards card.
- The convenience of combining airline rewards + card benefits in one product saves you from managing multiple reward programs.
Things to Watch Out / Limitations
While the Indigo SBI cards bring strong advantages, it’s also wise to understand possible limitations.
Annual / Joining Fees
Premium co-branded cards often come with significant joining and annual renewal fees. The ELITE version is especially likely to have higher fees.
You must check whether the benefits you will realistically use outweigh these costs.
Terms and Conditions, Caps & Restrictions
Rewards, lounge benefits, and bonus credits often come with conditions such as:
- Caps or ceilings (e.g. maximum reward accrual per month).
- Specified categories excluded from accelerated rewards (e.g. fuel, utility, EMI, wallet top-ups).
- Validity periods for credits (e.g. 24 months).
- “Retro claim” window (claims for rewards on purchases made but not credited automatically). IndiGo
Read the fine print carefully.
Changing Benefits / Discontinuation
One risk in credit & co-brand programs is that issuers or partners may reduce or withdraw benefits later. Indeed, SBI has recently removed complimentary air accident insurance from many cards as of August 2025.
So even if certain protections are promised now, they might change in the future.
Usage Restrictions for Lounge / Priority Pass
While lounge access is a highlight, it often comes with rules:
- The card’s complementary visits may be limited (domestic or international, or both).
- Use of a Priority Pass may require that you hold a valid airline ticket on that same day. SBI Card
- Extra visits beyond the complimentary quota may incur additional costs.
Must Be an IndiGo Flyer for Full Value
If you seldom fly with IndiGo or use its services, many of the special perks (bonus credits, lounge benefits targeted at their routes) might go underutilized. In that case, a more general travel or rewards card may give better returns.
Foreign Transaction Fees & Card Acceptance
Although travel cards often offer lower forex markup, not all merchants may accept card variants (e.g. RuPay vs Mastercard vs Visa) especially abroad. And conversion or transaction fees may still apply.
Comparison With Other SBI Travel / Co-branded Cards
To understand the relative value, it’s useful to compare Indigo SBI cards with existing travel / co-brand SBI cards.
SBI Card MILES, MILES ELITE and Related
SBI already offers travel-themed cards such as SBI Card MILES and MILES ELITE. These cards come with:
- Complimentary domestic lounge access, priority pass access for international lounges, and milestone benefits. SBI Card
- Welcome travel credits and bonus credits on reaching spend thresholds.
- Premium features depending on variant.
Thus, the Indigo SBI cards will need to match or exceed what MILES offers in order to differentiate.
SBI’s Other Co-branded Cards (Air India, etc.)
SBI has also partnered with Air India for co-branded credit cards. For example, the SBI Air India Signature Card gives 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year and international lounge access via Priority Pass. Medium
Users who currently fly with Air India may find that Air India’s co-brand card gives more benefit on that airline, while the Indigo SBI card’s value is higher for frequent IndiGo flyers.
How to Choose If the Indigo SBI Card Is Right for You
To decide whether the Indigo SBI cards suit you, consider the following factors:
- Your travel frequency & airline loyalty
If you fly IndiGo frequently (say, a few times a year), you are more likely to extract value from the bonus credits, lounge access, and upgrades. - Your spend pattern
The more everyday and travel-related spending you do via the card, the more rewards you’ll accrue. If your spend is mostly in categories excluded from rewards (fuel, utilities, EMI), your yield drops. - Willingness to pay fees
You should calculate whether the benefits you will realistically use (e.g. lounge visits, bonus credits, discounts) offset the annual fee. - Compare alternative cards
Look at what other travel or rewards cards offer in terms of lounge access, forex benefits, reward rates. If another card gives similar or higher net returns with fewer limitations, that may be better. - Check terms carefully
Read the fine print for caps, blackout dates, exclusions, priority pass rules, reward expiry, etc.
Example: Estimate of Value (Hypothetical Scenario)
Let’s run a sample scenario to see how the benefits might compare.
- Suppose your annual spend on the Indigo SBI card (eligible categories) is ₹3,00,000.
- You fly IndiGo twice domestically in a year, and use airport lounge access twice (domestic).
- You cross one milestone threshold giving a bonus of e.g. ₹2,000 credit.
Let’s assume:
- You earn 5% reward rate effectively (average after mixing high and lower reward categories) → that gives you ₹15,000 in credits.
- You redeem two domestic lounge visits valued at ~₹500 each → ₹1,000 benefit.
- You unlock milestone bonus ₹2,000.
- You use bonus credits or vouchers worth ₹2,000 against flights or add-ons.
So total benefit = ₹15,000 + ₹1,000 + ₹2,000 + ₹2,000 = ₹20,000. If the annual fee is ₹4,999, your net gain is ₹15,001 (before tax) — which is solid, if you make all those assumptions true.
If you do fewer flights or fewer eligible spends, the return will be lower.
Conclusion
The Indigo SBI cards represent a promising option for frequent flyers of IndiGo and travelers who want to merge airline loyalty and credit card rewards. With features like up to 7% rewards, lounge access, bonus credits, activation bonuses, and enhanced travel benefits, these cards aim to deliver strong value—provided you use them well.
However, success depends on your spending behavior, travel frequency, and awareness of fine print. As with any co-branded product, you must weigh the fees and restrictions against the benefits. Before applying, compare with alternative travel and rewards cards, run some “what-if” math using your own spending, and read the terms.
