Bank of Baroda, which manages its credit card business through BOBCard Limited (formerly BOB Financial Solutions Limited), issues the BOB Eterna Credit Card as part of its premium lineup.
The card offers competitive rewards on accelerated categories such as online spending, travel, dining and international transactions. Below is a clear, concise guide to the BOB Eterna Credit Card and what to expect.
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Joining Fees
- Rewards
- Ongoing Rewards
- Milestone Rewards
- Design
- Lounge Access
- Other Benefits
- Maximising Eterna
- My Experience
- Should you apply?
- Bottom Line
Overview
| Type | Premium Credit Card |
| Reward Rate | 0.75% – 3.75% |
| Annual Fee | INR 2,499 + GST |
| Best for | Online Spends |
| USP | Points redeemable as statement credit |
Although positioned as a premium card, the BOB Eterna functions effectively as a high-reward cashback option because points can be converted into statement credit. Its value depends on your spending mix and ability to target the accelerated categories.
Joining Fees
| Joining Fee | INR 2,499 + GST |
| Joining Fee Waiver | Spend INR 25,000 within 60 days |
| Welcome Benefit | 10,000 reward points (approx. INR 2,500 equivalent) for spending INR 50,000 within 60 days |
| Renewal Fee | INR 2,499 + GST |
| Renewal Fee Waiver | Spend INR 2.5 lakh in 1 year |
| Eligibility | INR 12 lakh income p.a. |
The joining fee waiver is a useful feature and less common among premium cards. Note the lifetime free offer currently available for applications submitted by 31st Dec 2025.
*** Best Lifetime Free Credit Card ***
Rewards
Ongoing Rewards
| Spend Type | Reward Rate | Max. Cap (monthly) |
| Online / Travel / Dining / International | 3.75% | 5,000 points |
| Special MCCs | 0.375% | – |
| Regular spends | 0.75% | Nil |
- Point Value: 0.25 INR per point (25 paise/point)
- There is a published list of Special MCCs that attract lower rewards.
A 3.75% effective return on online and other accelerated spends is attractive compared with many premium cards, but the introduction of special MCC exclusions reduces value on some merchant categories. The monthly cap of 5,000 bonus points is reasonable relative to other BOB cards, though high spenders may find it limiting.
Milestone Rewards
- 20,000 reward points on spending INR 5,00,000 in a year
- Milestone return: 1% on the milestone spend
Reaching the INR 5 lakh annual spend threshold yields an extra 1% return via milestone points, which stack with ongoing rewards. Points can be converted to statement credit, making them effectively cashback.
Design
The card design is understated and professional but does not have a striking aesthetic. A different color combination might have improved its visual appeal.
Lounge Access
- Domestic: Unlimited access (via Mastercard network)
- International: None
- Spend requirement: INR 40,000 in the previous calendar quarter
Unlimited domestic airport lounge access, including for add-on cardholders, is a significant benefit and a core selling point of the Eterna card. There is no international lounge access, which may be acceptable for those focused on domestic travel.
Verified on 27th Dec 2025: the card provided access to the VIP section of the BLR Lounge, T2 domestic departures.
Other Benefits
- Paytm Movie: BOGO offer, up to INR 250, once per month
- FitPass Pro: Six months complimentary membership
- Golf: Mastercard golf benefits
- Forex markup fee: 2% + GST
- Merchant offers: Periodic instant discounts on major e-commerce platforms
Lower forex markup and periodic merchant discounts add practical value. Some listed benefits, like Paytm movie offers, may appeal to a narrower audience.
Maximising Eterna
To maximize value, aim for roughly INR 41,667 in monthly spending (INR 5 lakh annually) concentrated in eligible online categories. Achieving this can yield:
- Approximately 95,000 reward points (75,000 ongoing + 20,000 milestone), equivalent to about INR 23,750 in statement credit
- First-year fee waiver
- Annual renewal fee waiver for meeting spend criteria
When optimized, the card can produce an effective net reward rate near 4.75% on INR 5 lakh annual spend. However, exclusions for special MCCs and the monthly cap mean this outcome requires careful category management.
My Experience
I applied for the BOB Eterna when it launched to try Bank of Baroda’s card services. I continue to hold the card and have observed two consistent issues:
- Customer support has been underwhelming even for premium cardholders.
- Offer fulfilment has been inconsistent; some promotions have not been credited reliably.
Given these support and fulfilment concerns, the Eterna may not suit users who expect premium service quality, despite its attractive rewards.
Should you apply?
The card remains a solid cashback-oriented premium card if you can avoid special MCCs and stay within the rewarded categories. However, several competing cards now offer higher straightforward cashback rates on online spends, so you might prefer alternatives depending on your spending habits and need for reliable support.
Alternatives to consider include other cashback-focused cards that offer high rates on online spends and simpler reward structures.
*** Best Credit Card for Cashback & Lounge access ***
Bottom Line
- Cardexpert Rating: 4.2/5
The BOB Eterna Credit Card offers compelling rewards on online and other accelerated categories and the ability to redeem points as statement credit makes it flexible. However, the special MCC exclusions, monthly caps, and inconsistent customer support reduce its appeal for many users. If you prioritize high online rewards and lounge access and can manage category exclusions, Eterna remains a worthwhile option.
What are your thoughts on the Bank of Baroda Eterna Credit Card in 2025? Share your experience in the comments below.