SBI Card has partnered with Etihad Guest, the loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, to introduce the Etihad Guest SBI Credit Cards in India. These cards are designed for frequent international travellers and affluent customers who value airline benefits and global travel perks.
The new offering includes two variants: the Etihad Guest SBI Card and the Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card. Both cards are issued on the Visa Signature network and feature a distinctive vertical card design.
Key context and market facts that underpin this partnership:
- SBI Card is India’s second-largest credit card issuer.
- Etihad Airways is among the top international carriers for outbound passenger traffic from India.
- The Global Loyalty Company (GLC), which manages Etihad Guest and other loyalty programmes, has collaborated with Visa since 2016.
- India is expected to become the third-largest aviation market by FY25.
- Passenger traffic in India has grown at about 12.7% annually over the last five years.
- 33% of overall card spends in the SBI Card portfolio are in the travel sector.
- Spends in the Middle East by SBI Card customers rose at a CAGR of 66% from FY14 to FY18, reflecting the region’s popularity among Indian travellers.
- India is a strategic market for Etihad, which currently operates 147 weekly flights across 10 Indian gateway cities.
- This marks SBI Card’s first international co-brand partnership.
The two variants target different segments: one aims at value-conscious travellers with a lower annual fee, while the other caters to premium customers willing to pay for elevated rewards and benefits. Below is a summary of each card.
Table of Contents
- #1 Etihad Guest SBI Card
- #2 Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card
- Bottomline
#1 Etihad Guest SBI Card
- Annual Fee: Rs. 1,499 + GST (waived from 2nd year onwards on annual spends of Rs. 3 lakh)
- Welcome Gift: Complimentary Etihad Guest Silver tier status and 2 free Wi‑Fi vouchers
- Rewards: 3 Miles per Rs. 100 on bookings at Etihad.com; 2 Miles per Rs. 100 on international spends; 1 Mile per Rs. 100 on other spends
- Milestone Benefits: 5,000 Etihad Guest miles on annual spend of Rs. 5 lakh and 1 companion voucher on annual spend of Rs. 10 lakh
- Lounge Access: Domestic only, 2 visits per quarter
- Instant Discounts: 3% off Economy and 10% off Business on direct Etihad bookings; up to 10% discount on travel rewards miles redemptions
This variant provides solid baseline value for regular Etihad flyers, particularly through the complimentary Silver tier, which delivers priority boarding and other modest benefits. The companion voucher and milestone miles add to its appeal for frequent travellers, though rewards on everyday spends remain modest beyond higher spend thresholds.
For many non-premium frequent flyers, this card may represent good upfront value given the tier status and travel-focused benefits. Cardholders should evaluate how the rewards and milestone thresholds align with their typical annual spend.
#2 Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card
- Annual Fee: Rs. 4,999 + GST (waived from 2nd year onwards on annual spends of Rs. 5 lakh)
- Welcome Gift: Complimentary Etihad Guest Gold tier status and 2 free Wi‑Fi vouchers
- Rewards: 6 Miles per Rs. 100 on Etihad.com bookings; 4 Miles per Rs. 100 on international spends; 2 Miles per Rs. 100 on other spends
- Milestone Benefits: 1,500 Etihad Guest miles on every Rs. 1.5 lakh spent quarterly and 1 companion voucher on annual spend of Rs. 8 lakh
- Lounge Access: Domestic – 2 visits per quarter via Visa; International – 4 visits per year via Priority Pass (maximum 2 per quarter)
- Instant Discounts: 3% off Economy and 10% off Business on direct Etihad bookings; up to 10% discount on travel rewards miles redemptions
The Premier variant targets higher spenders and frequent international flyers. When quarterly spend targets are met, effective returns on everyday spends can reach approximately 3% or higher, and redemptions on premium Etihad cabins can significantly increase overall value.
The complimentary Gold tier adds meaningful travel perks, such as fast-track immigration and enhanced lounge and priority services, which can be especially valuable for frequent international travellers.
Bottomline
The Etihad Guest cards from SBI Card are an interesting addition to India’s co-branded credit card landscape. The partnership between an Indian card issuer and an international airline is notable, and Visa’s existing collaboration with the Global Loyalty Company likely helped enable this offering.
Neither card stands out as an exceptional fit for everyone at first glance—earn rates on regular spends are moderate—but both are positioned as premium airline cards when redemption opportunities and tier benefits are taken into account. The true value for many cardholders will depend on how they redeem Etihad Guest miles and how much they leverage the tier privileges and companion vouchers.
Existing SBI Card customers, including holders of products like SBI Elite or SBI Prime, can apply for these Etihad Guest cards as an additional card in their portfolio.
A full review and deeper analysis is expected in a week or two. If you fly Etihad regularly, consider how the tier status and companion vouchers would fit your travel habits.