Gurugram, 28 October 2026: Air India, the country’s flagship airline, and SBI Card, India’s leading credit card issuer, have announced a strategic partnership to introduce a new co-branded credit card. This Visa-powered card is set to offer an array of travel and lifestyle benefits, specifically tailored for members of Air India’s Maharaja Club loyalty programme.
The collaboration leverages the strengths of three industry leaders: Air India in aviation, SBI Card in credit card services, and Visa in payment networks. This initiative aims to provide a comprehensive value proposition for Air India’s expanding base of frequent flyers and loyalty members. Air India, renowned for its extensive global network, is currently undergoing a transformation to enhance customer experience, including fleet modernisation and an enriched loyalty ecosystem. The new credit card is expected to further solidify the Maharaja Club’s position as a preferred loyalty programme among Indian travellers.
Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the airline’s commitment to enhancing customer journeys, stating that the co-branded credit card will offer unparalleled rewards for both everyday spending and travel aspirations. Salila Pande, Managing Director & CEO of SBI Card, noted the evolving travel aspirations of customers and expressed confidence in the partnership’s ability to redefine credit card utility in travel experiences. Suresh Sethi, Visa’s Group Country Manager for India and South Asia, emphasised the shared vision of the partnership to create value-added payment experiences for customers globally.
The Maharaja Club, with its revamped structure and identity, has attracted over five million new members since its redesign in 2024. Members can earn and redeem points on flights operated by Air India and Air India Express, as well as on 25 other Star Alliance member airlines. Additionally, partnerships with over 100 brands across various sectors allow members to accumulate points on a wide range of purchases.
This collaboration is seen as a significant step in the evolving landscape of travel-focused financial products in India. Analysts suggest that such strategic partnerships could drive growth in the credit card sector by catering to the increasing demand for integrated travel and lifestyle solutions.
