Partnership Announcement
SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited (SBI Card) and Air India have entered into a partnership to develop a new co-branded credit card program powered by Visa. The card will offer travel and lifestyle benefits specifically targeted at members of Air India's Maharaja Club loyalty programme.
Strategic Rationale
The partnership combines complementary strengths across three organizations:
- Air India: India's leading global airline with extensive network
- SBI Card: India's largest pure-play credit card issuer with approximately 2.32 crore cards-in-force as of September 2026
- Visa: Global payment network with four decades of presence in India
Target Market
The co-branded card will target Air India's Maharaja Club loyalty programme, which has added over five million new members since its redesign in 2024. Maharaja Club members can currently earn and redeem points on:
- Flights operated by Air India and Air India Express to 104 destinations across North America, Europe, Australia, Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia
- 25 other Star Alliance member airlines
- Over 100 partner brands across hospitality, retail, lifestyle, and financial services categories
Executive Commentary
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India: "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. Our goal is to build India's most compelling travel credit card programme."
Salila Pande, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, SBI Card: "Through this strategic partnership, we aim to create a compelling travel-focussed credit card that delivers rewarding experiences to customers. This marks another significant step towards delivering innovative payment solutions."
Suresh Sethi, Group Country Manager, India and South Asia, Visa: "Our partnership reflects a shared ambition to shape the next generation of payment experiences where every transaction adds greater value to the journey."
Company Background
Air India Group: Comprises full-service global airline Air India and value carrier Air India Express. Employs over 30,000 people, operates 300+ aircraft, serves 60 domestic and 51 international destinations across five continents. Currently undergoing a five-year transformation program (Vihaan.AI) with orders for 600 new aircraft.
SBI Card: Non-banking financial company offering extensive credit card portfolio including lifestyle, rewards, travel & fuel, and corporate cards. Listed on NSE and BSE under symbol 'SBICARD'.
Press Contacts
- Air India: Ronit Baugh (ronit.baugh@airindia.com), Anuj Bakshi/Durishi Sood (airindia@adfactorspr.com)
- SBI Card: Vishal Tyagi (vishal.tyagi1@sbicard.com)