Air India and SBI card to launch co-branded credit card soon

Air India, SBI Card, and Visa have announced a partnership to launch a new co-branded Visa credit card program for members of Air India's Maharaja Club loyalty program.

Key highlights
- The card will be co-developed by Air India and SBI Card, and will run on the Visa payment network.
- It is intended to provide travel and lifestyle rewards, allowing customers to earn benefits through both everyday spending and travel purchases.
- The partnership brings together:
- Air India's airline and loyalty ecosystem
- SBI Card's credit card expertise and customer base
- Visa's global payments network and co-brand card experience

What executives said
- Nipun Aggarwal (Air India) said the goal is to create India's most compelling travel credit card program and strengthen Maharaja Club as a preferred loyalty currency for Indian consumers.
- Salila Pande (SBI Card) emphasized the growing demand for value-driven travel experiences and said the partnership will deliver a differentiated travel-focused credit card proposition.
- Suresh Sethi (Visa) highlighted the aim of enhancing payment experiences where everyday transactions contribute meaningful value to customers' travel journeys.

Maharaja Club growth
- Since its redesign in 2024, Maharaja Club has added more than five million new members.
- Members can earn and redeem Maharaja Points on:
- Air India flights
- Air India Express flights
- Flights operated by 25 Star Alliance airlines
- The program also has partnerships with 100+ brands across hospitality, retail, lifestyle, and financial services, allowing members to earn points on a wide range of purchases.

Why this matters
The partnership signals Air India's effort to expand Maharaja Club beyond a traditional airline loyalty scheme into a broader rewards ecosystem. A co-branded credit card could accelerate point earning on daily spending and potentially make Maharaja Points more valuable and accessible to frequent travelers and consumers alike.