Many readers have asked for reviews of RBL cards, so I’m starting with the RBL Bank Platinum Delight credit card. This is an entry-level card from RBL Bank. Although RBL is not a major player in the credit card market, it offers cards with reasonable rewards. I’m not a fan of paying a joining fee just to earn points, but with a disciplined spending strategy this card can still deliver value.
RBL Bank Platinum Delight Credit Card
Table of Contents
- Joining Fees
- Reward Points
- Features & Benefits
Joining Fees
- Joining Fee: Rs. 1,000 + GST
- Welcome Bonus: 4,000 points
- Annual Fee Waiver: Waived if you spend Rs. 1.5 lakh or more in the previous year
The welcome bonus approximately offsets the joining fee, so the initial cost is effectively returned as points if you redeem them.
Reward Points
- Earn 2 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent
- Earn 1,000 bonus reward points each month if you complete five transactions of Rs. 1,000 or more in that calendar month
- Estimated value: 1 reward point = Rs. 0.23–0.25
This card makes the most sense for someone who spends around Rs. 5,000 per month (about Rs. 60,000 annually). Here’s an illustrative calculation for that level of spending:
- Monthly bonus: Five transactions of Rs. 1,000 or more each month = 1,000 bonus points × 12 = 12,000 points per year
- Base points on Rs. 60,000 annual spend at 2 points/100 = 1,200 points per year
- Total points per year ≈ 13,200 points, valued at roughly Rs. 3,000
- Effective reward yield in this scenario: around 5%
So, even as a basic card it can offer surprisingly strong value for the right user. Don’t dismiss it solely because of the joining fee.
Features & Benefits
- Editor rating: 3.5/5
- Reward potential: Up to about 5% for targeted use
- Complementary airport lounge access: None
- Fuel surcharge waiver: Capped at Rs. 150 per billing cycle (service tax applicable)
- Foreign exchange markup fee: 3.5% (plus applicable taxes)
- Renewal fee waiver: Waived if you spend Rs. 1.5 lakh in a year
- Special features: Monthly bonus for meeting transaction criteria, and 2× points on weekend spends
This card is best suited to light-to-moderate spenders who can consistently meet the monthly transaction requirement. The monthly bonus structure is an effective way to boost earnings for disciplined users.
Redemption options are somewhat limited, but points can be redeemed for mobile recharges and similar small-value redemptions, which works well at this reward level. If you’re comparing starter cards, other options in this segment include cards like the Standard Chartered Manhattan and various moneyback cards. If you prefer straightforward cashback rather than points, consider cards that offer direct cashback on spending.