BOBCARD, the credit card business of Bank of Baroda, is currently the second-largest public sector issuer of credit cards in India and ranks eighth among all banks in card issuance at the time of writing.
BOBCARD is targeting a spot in the top five issuers by 2027 and is preparing for a public listing. To reach those goals the company is launching new in-house and co-branded cards and updating existing products aggressively.
If you haven’t considered BOB cards recently, now is a good time to revisit them. Below are the best BOBCARD options worth considering today.
Table of Contents
- BOB Cashback Card
- BOB Eterna
- BOB Etihad Premium
- Other BOB Cards
- Things to note
- Bottomline
BOB Cashback Card
- Best for: 5% cashback on online spends
- Apply Now
The BOBCARD Cashback Credit Card is a straightforward cashback product with no points to manage or redeem; cashback posts directly to the statement. It was launched to compete with other pure cashback cards and is simple to use.
One condition: you must complete at least four transactions in a billing cycle for cashback to apply.
If your online spends total around Rs.30,000 per month within eligible categories, this card delivers one of the simplest and clearest cashback propositions available.
If you hold older, low-tier BOBCARD products, consider switching to this cashback card for a cleaner value proposition.
*** Best BOBCARD for Beginners ***
BOB Eterna
- Best for: Online spends up to about Rs.40,000 per month
- Read Review or Apply Now [Limited period lifetime free offer]
Eterna is BOBCARD’s flagship premium card and its most rewarding product in practice. Although marketed as a lifestyle card, it effectively works like a cashback card because reward points can be converted to statement credit.
If you can secure the lifetime free offer, Eterna is a strong choice. Even at the regular annual fee of Rs.2,499, the effective return on online and travel spends (around 3.75% after conversion) is competitive for a public sector bank card.
*** Best Lifetime Free Premium Card ***
BOB Etihad Premium
- Best for: Etihad flyers and 0% forex transactions
- Read Review or Apply Now [Limited period bonus points offer]
This is BOBCARD’s first major airline co-branded card, launched in early 2026 with Etihad Guest. After other issuers reduced or stopped Etihad partnerships, this card has become the primary option for Etihad loyalists in India.
A standout feature is the fast-track to Etihad Guest Gold tier. Gold status brings benefits such as chauffeur service, business lounge access on Etihad flights, and priority services that enhance the travel experience.
If you fly Etihad or its partner airlines occasionally—or value airline status—the combination of 0% forex charges and fast-track Gold benefits can easily justify the card’s fee for international travelers.
*** Best Airline Credit Card ***
Other BOB Cards
In addition to the three highlighted cards, BOBCARD offers a broader portfolio. Notable alternatives include:
BOBCARD TIARA: A women-only premium card that awards higher rewards on dining, travel and international spends and includes unlimited domestic lounge access and complimentary subscriptions such as Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar and Swiggy One. The base reward rate is modest, however, which makes the Rs.2,500 fee harder to justify for some users.
HPCL BOBCARD: A fuel-oriented card that provides up to 5% savings on fuel and LPG at HPCL outlets. It is useful for cardholders who want focused savings on fuel purchases.
IRCTC BOBCARD: A co-branded card for frequent train travelers that offers benefits on IRCTC bookings, including up to 10% savings and complimentary railway lounge access. Its value is concentrated primarily on IRCTC spends.
Older BOBCARD products such as BOB Premier and BOB Select are legacy offerings; cardholders may find it beneficial to migrate to one of the newer cards listed above.
Things to note
Keep the following points in mind before applying for a BOBCARD product:
- Long MCC exclusion list: Many BOBCARDs exclude rewards for several merchant categories (MCCs), including rent, wallets, fuel, insurance, government payments, education, supermarkets, fast food, telecom and hospitals. Check exclusions carefully before applying.
- Reward conversion: Most BOBCARDs use a redemption ratio where 1 reward point equals Rs.0.25 (4:1). For example, a rate that advertises 15 points per Rs.100 translates to about 3.75% effective cashback, not 15%.
- Service quality: Customer service can be inconsistent; keep records of terms and communications for escalation if needed.
- Lounge access conditions: Lounge access on cards such as Eterna and TIARA may require a minimum spend in the prior quarter (for example, Rs.40,000) and is not always unconditional.
- Multiple cards: You may hold up to two BOBCARD products simultaneously. Some applicants experience delays or initial rejections when applying for a second card but receive approval on reapplication or after a short wait.
Bottomline
BOBCARD is actively expanding its presence with refreshed and new card offerings. Three cards stand out at the moment:
- For online cashback: BOBCARD Cashback — low fee and direct statement cashback without points.
- For everyday spends: BOBCARD Eterna — strong value, especially if you secure a lifetime free offer.
- For travel and Etihad flyers: BOBCARD Etihad Guest Premium — a compelling co-branded launch with valuable travel benefits.
BOBCARD still needs to address its long MCC exclusion list and improve customer service, but with an active product roadmap and IPO plans, the lineup is becoming more competitive.
Already holding a BOBCARD or planning to apply? Share your experiences in the comments below.