SBICard has introduced a new invite-only super-premium metal credit card for high-net-worth individuals called AURUM. The card had been anticipated, and its launch fills a gap in SBICard’s product lineup aimed at affluent customers.
The AURUM card went live on 3rd February 2021. It is a black metal card with a matte finish and gold accents, presenting a premium look and feel. SBICard has positioned it as a top-tier offering with a suite of lifestyle and travel benefits designed to match its target audience.
Below is a concise overview of the principal benefits and features of the AURUM card.
AURUM – Benefits Overview
- Annual Fee: Rs. 10,000 + GST (renewal fee waived on annual spends of Rs. 12 lakh)
- Rewards: Base rewards of 1% with the potential to reach up to 4.7% when milestone and partner benefits are maximized
- Airport Benefits: Unlimited international airport lounge access, four domestic lounge visits per quarter, and one complimentary spa visit per quarter
- Memberships: Complimentary dining and lifestyle memberships including Zomato Pro, EazyDiner Prime, Amazon Prime, Discovery Plus, Lenskart Gold, and BBStar (six-month access)
- Monthly movie benefits worth approximately Rs. 1,000
- Secretarial support and concierge services
- Dedicated redemption portal for rewards
If a cardholder fully leverages all included benefits, the effective rewards rate can approach 4.7%, though that figure depends on specific spending patterns and achieving milestone thresholds. A thorough review will break down the exact economics and assumptions behind that calculation.
How to obtain the card: AURUM is invite-only for now. Invitations began going out in late January 2021 to selected, eligible customers. Cardholders should check their net-banking messages or account notifications to see if they have been targeted for an upgrade.
I received an upgrade invitation from an SBI Prime card and completed the upgrade; the new card appeared in my online portal within a day. Delivery is expected within the week. Eligible customers typically see an upgrade prompt in their account when selected.
I called AURUM support and experienced personalized service—representatives addressed me by name and provided details about the welcome kit. The card reportedly arrives in a wooden presentation box and includes a certificate confirming the purity of the 22K gold used in its design.
The service team appears trained to handle high-touch, premium-card expectations. I was informed that, in many cases, the card may be delivered personally by an SBICards team member, adding an exclusive touch to the onboarding experience.
Final Thoughts
The AURUM card offers a thoughtful combination of rewards, lifestyle memberships, airport access, and personalized service that aligns with its positioning for affluent customers. While rewards are solid, the overall launch demonstrates strong attention to presentation and customer experience.
One area where the product could be enhanced is airport concierge services—options such as meet-and-greet or dedicated airport transfers would strengthen its travel proposition. That could be a logical addition for future variants or a potential “AURUM Travel” offering.
A detailed review breaking down benefits, reward math, and the card’s value proposition will follow soon after the card is delivered and fully tested.