SBI Card SBI Card MILES Review
PremiumSBI Card
Quick Facts
Joining Fee₹1,499
Renewal Fee₹1,499
Best ForTravel
Forex Markup3.00%
30-Second Verdict
Expert VerdictThe MILES is a powerful travel companion, prioritizing unlimited lounge access and airport privileges for frequent flyers.
Luxury & Lifestyle•International Travel
Who Should Apply
- You spend at least ₹6,00,000 annually to waive fees.
- You value airport lounge access and travel perks.
- You want a steady return rate of 0.5% on standard spends.
Who Should Skip
- Your average monthly card spends are less than ₹25,000.
- You prefer cash statement credits over travel reward point transfers.
Key Numbers
Base Reward Rate
1 RP / ₹200
Accelerated Rate
2X
Forex Markup
3.00%
Joining Fee
₹1,499
Annual Fee
₹1,499
Eligibility
Age: 21 - 65 Years
Requires stable income and good credit score.
Domestic Lounge
4
Primary: Yes • Add-on: No • Guest: No
International Lounge
Priority Pass
Capped Access
Primary: Yes • Add-on: No • Guest: No
Reward Point Mechanics
Understanding how your spends translate into real-world value is key. Here is how you earn, translate, and redeem your reward points.
Earning Blueprint
Accrual & MultipliersBase Earn Rate:1 RP / ₹200
Multipliers & Milestones:
Accelerated 2x1% yield
Earn 2 Travel Credits per ₹200 spent on Travel (airlines, hotels, travel agents).Milestone 1x0.5% yield
Earn 1 additional domestic lounge visit for every ₹1 Lakh spent (max 8 additional visits per year).Point Translation
Value depends on how you redeemStandard Currency Point Value
1 Travel Credits = ₹1
when redeemed for flights/travelRedemption Values:
Airlines/Hotel Miles:0.6 - 4 per pt
Airlines/Hotel Miles:0.6 - 4 per pt
Flights:₹1 per pt
Statement Credit:₹0.25 per pt
Partner Transfers
Miles conversion ratiosAir Arabia AA RewardsRatio 2:1
AirAsia RewardsRatio 1:1
Air Canada AeroplanRatio 1:1
Flying BlueRatio 1:1
Air India Maharaja ClubRatio 1:1
British Airways Executive ClubRatio 1:1
Cathay Pacific Asia MilesRatio 1:1
Etihad GuestRatio 1:1
Emirates SkywardsRatio 2:1
Ethiopian ShebaMilesRatio 2:1
JAL Mileage BankRatio 2:1
Saudia AlFursanRatio 2:1
SpiceClubRatio 1:1
Royal Orchid PlusRatio 1:1
Turkish Miles &SmilesRatio 2:1
United MileagePlusRatio 2:1
Qantas Frequent FlyerRatio 1:1
Vietnam Airlines LotusmilesRatio 1:1
ALL - Accor Live LimitlessRatio 2:1
IHG One RewardsRatio 1:1
Club ITCRatio 2:1
Jumeirah OneRatio 2:1
Orchid RewardsRatio 1:1
Wyndham RewardsRatio 1:1
Shangri-La CircleRatio 6:1
Radisson RewardsRatio 1:1
1. Fees & Charges
- Joining Fee: ₹1,499 + GST
- Annual Fee: ₹1,499 + GST
- Renewal Fee Waiver: The annual fee is waived if you spend ₹600,000 or more in the preceding card anniversary year. Annual fee waived on spending ₹6,00,000 or more in the previous membership year.
2. Airport Lounge Access
For frequent flyers, lounge privileges provide significant comfort and savings:
- Domestic Lounges: Eligible: True (Mastercard/RuPay Lounge Program). Complimentary Visits: 4 per year. Spend threshold: None.
- International Lounges: Eligible: True (Priority Pass). Complimentary Visits: No complimentary access. Spend threshold: None.
3. Rewards Rate & Value
Optimize your spending with the card's rewards structure:
- Base Reward Rate: Earn an effective 0.5% back on general purchases.
- Point Valuation: 1 Travel Credits = ₹1.0 value.
- Important Exclusions: Spends on Fuel do not earn standard reward points.
4. Verdict: Should You Apply?
Get it if...
- ✓ You value having lounge access on network programs.
- ✓ Your primary spending categories align with this card's reward structure.
Skip it if...
- ✗ You prefer direct cash-back over reward points or travel miles.
- ✗ Your major spending is on excluded categories like rent or utilities (Fuel).
Exclusions & Caps Warning
- Spends on Rent, Government transactions, and Wallet Loads are excluded from the annual waiver threshold of ₹6,00,000.
- Fuel transactions do not earn standard reward points, but are eligible for a 1% surcharge waiver up to ₹500/month.
- Cashback is capped at ₹5,000 per billing cycle.
- Cash advances, balance transfers, and EMI conversions do not earn reward points.
Pros & Cons
Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
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Rewards Point Calculator
Estimate your annual rewards based on your customized spending profile. Slide the bars to adjust your spends and see the total reward points earned.
Total Reward Points Earned
7,250
Points / Year
Premium Dining & Lifestyle Benefits
| Category | Privileges & Details |
|---|---|
| Travel & Lounges | Complimentary international airport lounge access (Unlimited lounges) |
| Insurance Coverages | Card Fraud Liability Cover: Up to ₹0.5 Lakh |
Redemption Sweet Spots
Best Value Redemption Strategy: Redeeming points for statement credits yields poor value. Instead, transfer points to airline/hotel loyalty programs (like Marriott Bonvoy or airline miles) to secure maximum value per point.
Cardswise Score
8.0
Rewards6/10
Travel Perks7/10
Lifestyle6/10
Value for Money9/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the annual fee and waiver limit of SBI Card SBI Card MILES?
The annual fee is ₹1,499 + GST. The fee is waived if you spend ₹600,000 in the previous card year.
Does SBI Card SBI Card MILES offer complimentary lounge access?
Domestic lounge: 4 per year (Spend requirement: None). International lounge: No complimentary access.
What is the foreign exchange markup fee?
The card has a foreign exchange markup of 3.00%.
What is the spending limit on the card?
The card limit is determined based on your credit score, ITR/salary documents, and existing credit relationship with the issuing bank.
How do you apply for this card?
You can apply online via the issuer's portal, netbanking, or by visiting a local branch with income proof documents.
Do reward points expire?
The reward points are typically valid for 36 months.
MILES
₹1,499 Joining Fee