Air India and SBI Card have officially announced a strategic partnership to introduce a new co-branded credit card, powered by Visa. The collaboration aims to provide enhanced travel and lifestyle rewards for Air India flyers, particularly members of the airline's Maharaja Club loyalty program.
While the partnership was revealed on October 28, 2026, specific details regarding the card's launch date, annual fees, joining fees, reward rates, and other benefits are yet to be disclosed. The initiative seeks to merge Air India's Maharaja Club loyalty program with SBI Card's extensive credit card network and Visa's global payment infrastructure.
Rewarding Everyday Spends and Travel Aspirations
The core focus of this new credit card will be to enable customers to earn rewards on both their daily expenditures and travel-related transactions. Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Air India, emphasized the airline's commitment to enhancing the customer journey across various touchpoints, including its growing global network and cabin products.
Aggarwal highlighted the significant potential within the Maharaja Club loyalty program, stating, “We see a tremendous opportunity to create a co-brand credit card that is unmatched in its ability to reward customers for both their everyday earning and their travel & lifestyle aspirations.” He added that the goal, alongside SBI Card and Visa, is to build India's most compelling travel credit card program and establish Maharaja Club as the preferred loyalty currency for millions of Indians.
Strengthening Loyalty and Customer Value
Salila Pande, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of SBI Card, echoed this sentiment, noting that customers are increasingly seeking greater value and convenience from their travel experiences. “At SBI Card, our focus remains on developing differentiated credit card propositions that are aligned with evolving customer preferences, unique spending needs, and lifestyle aspirations,” Pande said. She anticipates that this strategic partnership will create a compelling travel-focused credit card that delivers truly rewarding experiences.
Maharaja Club's Expanding Reach
The announcement comes as the Maharaja Club loyalty program continues its expansion, having added over five million new members since its redesign in 2024. Members of the program can earn and redeem Maharaja Points on Air India and Air India Express flights to 104 destinations across continents, as well as with 25 other Star Alliance member airlines. Furthermore, the program boasts partnerships with over 100 brands in hospitality, retail, lifestyle, and financial services, offering additional avenues for earning points on everyday spending. SBI Card reported approximately 2.32 crore cards-in-force as of September 2026, underscoring its significant market presence.