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Federal BankSBI Card has recently launched three credit cards specifically designed for the travel category. These credit cards, known as “Miles” credit cards, offer generous rewards on travel-related purchases. Travel Credits earned with these cards can be redeemed for various travel-related expenses, such as Airmiles, Hotel Points, and even travel bookings. Out of the three SBI Miles Cards, the Miles Elite Credit Card is the most premium option and is available at a joining fee of Rs. 4,999. Although the fee may seem high, the card offers a joining bonus of 5,000 Travel Credit upon spending Rs. 1 lakh within 60 days of card issuance. These Travel Credits can be redeemed up to a ratio of 1:1 against partner airlines and hotels.
With the Miles Elite Credit Card, you can enjoy up to 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits across airports in India. Furthermore, this card offers many benefits for international travelers, such as a low forex charge of 1.99%, Priority Pass membership, and worldwide international lounge access. Since this is a travel-centric card, it also offers many useful insurances, such as Air Accident Cover and Loss of Baggage. Keep reading to learn about all the features of this card.
SBI Card Miles Elite
Fees
Joining Fee
Renewal Fee
Best Suited For
Travel |
Reward Type
Reward Points |
Welcome Benefits
Movie & Dining
N/A
Rewards Rate
6 Travel Credits for Every ₹200 Spent on Travel. 2 Travel Credits/₹200 Spent on All Other Purchases
Reward Redemption
Travel Credits Can be Converted into Air Miles/Hotel Points, Travel Bookings or Redeemed for Catalogue Products
Travel
Complimentary Priority Pass Membership
Golf
N/A
Domestic Lounge Access
8 Visits Each Year (Maximum 2 Per Quarter)
International Lounge Access
6 Free Visits Each Year (Maximum 2 Per Quarter)
Insurance Benefits
Travel Insurance is Provided (Flight Cancellations, Lost Baggage, Air Accident Cover, etc)
Zero Liability Protection
Cardholder Will Not Be Liable for Any Fraudulent Transaction if the Card is Reported Lost or Stolen to the Bank in a Timely Manner
Spend Based Waiver
Annual Fee is Reversed on Spending ₹15 Lakh in a Year
Rewards Redemption Fee
₹99
Rewards Redemption Fee
₹99
Foreign Currency Markup
1.99%
Interest Rates
3.50% Per Month (42% Per Annum)
Fuel Surcharge
1% Waiver (Maximum of ₹500 Per Month)
Cash Advance Charges
2.5% or ₹500 (Whichever is Higher)
Add-on Card Fee
Nil
- Earn 6 Travel Credits for every ₹200 spent on travel.
- Earn 2 Travel Credits for every ₹200 spent on other eligible purchases.
- 5,000 Travel Credits as a joining benefit on spending Rs. 1 lakh within the first 60 days of card issuance.
- Free Priority Pass membership is offered.
- The SBI Card Miles Elite comes with travel insurance.
Pros
- For Travel Credit redemption there are many popular airlines and hotel partners. This card also offers a good conversion ratio.
Cons
- Although this card offers many benefits for travelers, the reward-earning rate is quite inadequate. With this card, you can earn only 6 Travel Credits on each spend of ₹200.
- Many other cards offer more accelerated rewards.
- There are no additional benefits for movies or dining.
Welcome Gift
A joining bonus of 5,000 Travel Credits is offered with this card upon spending ₹1 lakh within 60 days of card issuance. As a welcome benefit, these bonus Travel Credits are extremely useful since they can be redeemed for up to ₹5,000 towards any stay or travel bookings. Once you have reached the spend threshold you shall receive these bonus Travel Credits within 15 days.
Miles Reward Program
The SBI Card Miles Elite has a simple and straightway reward program. With this card, you can earn 6 Travel Credits for every ₹200 spent on travel. All other purchases shall be awarded 2 Travel Credits for every ₹200 spent. These Travel Credits are valid for a period of two years.
No Travel Credits shall be earned for transactions on the following-
- E-Wallet Loading
- Rent/Property Management
- Utility
- Insurance
- Quasi Cash
Where Can I Redeem My Travel Credits?
| Travel Credit | Value |
| 1 Travel Credit | ₹1 for Air Mile/Hotel Point |
| 1 Travel Credit | ₹0.50 for Travel Bookings |
| 1 Travel Credit | ₹0.25 for Shop & Smile Product Catalogue |
There is no maximum limit for Travel Credit redemption, but you need to have a minimum of 2,000 Travel Credits for redemption against various options.
Which Airlines/Hotels are available for Travel Credit Conversion?
With the Miles Elite Credit Card, you can convert your Travel Credit against a range of popular airlines mentioned below.
| Partner | Conversion Ratio |
| Air Arabia | 2:1 |
| Air Asia | 1:1 |
| Air Canada | 1:1 |
| Air France-KLM | 1:1 |
| Air India | 1:1 |
| Air Vistara | 1:1 |
| Etihad Airways | 1:1 |
| Ethiopian Airlines | 2:1 |
| Japan Airlines | 2:1 |
| Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) | 2:1 |
| Thai Airways | 1:1 |
| Turkish Airlines | 2:1 |
| United Airlines | 2:1 |
| Qantas Airways | 1:1 |
| Qatar Airways | 2:1 |
| Spice Jet | 1:1 |
Given below are the partner hotels through which Travel Credits can be redeemed.
| Hotel Partners | Conversion Ratio |
| Accor | 2:1 |
| IHG® Hotels & Resorts | 1:1 |
| ITC Hotels | 2:1 |
| Orchid Hotels | 1:1 |
| Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | 1:1 |
| Shangri-La Group | 6:1 |
Please note that requests for transferring your travel credits will take up to 21 days to be processed. It is important to keep in mind that any points transfers are final and cannot be refunded or reversed. Once the transfer has been made, your points will be subject to the terms and conditions of the travel loyalty program you have chosen.
Spend Based Benefits
| Spending | Benefit |
| On Each Spend of ₹1 Lakh | One Additional Domestic Lounge Visit |
| Annual Spends of ₹12 Lakh | 20,000 Bonus Travel Credits |
| Annual Spends of ₹15 Lakh | Annual Fee Reversal |
Both the primary cardholder and a guest can avail of additional domestic airport lounge visits, capped at 15 visits per membership year based on spend milestones. Additional lounge visits can be redeemed here.
Free Domestic Airport Lounge Access
You are eligible to receive 8 free visits to domestic airport lounges every year, with a maximum of 2 visits allowed per quarter. Additional free domestic lounge visits can also be gained by achieving milestone spends. On spending ₹1 lakh customers shall be eligible for one free domestic lounge visit. The maximum limit for additional visits is set at 15. The list of airport lounges available with the SBI Miles Elite Rupay Credit Card is available here.
International Travel Benefits
The SBI Card Miles Elite has many attractive features, but one of the most beneficial is its international travel benefits. This card offers six complimentary international lounge visits each year, as well as a reduced foreign currency charge of 1.99%. Additionally, the card includes a complimentary Priority Pass membership worth $99, which provides access to over 1,000 international lounges. One of the unique conditions for the Priority Pass program is that it is applicable only to the primary card for a period of two years from card issuance after that it won’t be valid. All international lounge visits after the exhaustion of free visits shall be chargeable $27 + applicable taxes with the Priority Pass.
SBI Miles Elite on RuPay
The SBI Miles Elite Credit Card is also available on the RuPay network. This offers an edge above many other travel category credit cards as this card can be easily linked to UPI for making easy payments.
Insurance Cover
While traveling it’s good to have insurance which shall cover your expenses in any unforeseen circumstance. Flight cancellation cover offered with this card is extremely useful during any sickness, death, natural calamities, or any other unforeseeable circumstances. This is a premium cover usually offered with credit cards with a high joining charge. With the SBI Card Miles Elite you can stay free from any worries as it offers the following travel insurance.
| Insurance | Amount |
| 6 Flight Cancellations Per Year | ₹3,500 Per Cancellation |
| Air Accident Cover | Up to ₹1 Crore |
| Loss of Check-in Baggage | Up to ₹72,000 |
| Delay of Check-in Baggage | Up to ₹7,500 |
| Loss of Travel Documents | Up to ₹12,500 |
| Baggage Damage Cover | Up to ₹5,000 |
| Lost Card Liability | Up to ₹1Lakh |
Review of SBI Card Miles Elite
The SBI Card Miles Elite offers an array of travel benefits, including a generous welcome bonus, lounge access (both domestic and international), complimentary Priority Pass, and comprehensive travel insurance coverage. However, its rewards rate may feel lacking compared to some competitors. For example, the Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card is available at the same joining fee and offers a far more generous reward rate. Even the conversion ratio is quite good with the Atlas Card but the Miles Elite Card has far more partners available.
Overall, it’s a good choice for frequent travelers who prioritize lounge access and insurance protection. This card has been designed especially for those who frequently travel. By being on the RuPay network, this card can be easily linked to UPI applications in addition to offering accelerated rewards on travel. Share your views on this card in the comments below.
