SBI Card Miles Elite
Last Updated : June 25, 2025, 5:52 p.m.
In the dynamic world of travel credit cards , the SBI Card Miles Elite can be easily seen as a premier option for frequent travelers who wish to travel with comfort and value. Launched by SBI Card, this premium credit card is tailored for globetrotters. It provides the user with a robust suite of benefits that elevate every journey. From high reward rates on travel spends to exclusive lounge access and low foreign transaction fees, the SBI Card Miles Elite is positioned as one of the best credit cards for travel in 2025. Whether you're a frequent flyer or an occasional adventurer, this card promises to enhance your travel experience with unmatched flexibility and rewards.
Key Features and Benefits of SBI Miles Elite Credit Card
The SBI Card Miles Elite is designed to cater to the needs of discerning travelers, offering a range of features that make it a standout among top credit cards for travel:
Rewards Structure:
- Travel Purchases: Earn 6 travel credits for every ₹200 spent on flights, hotels, and travel agencies.
- Regular Purchases: Earn 2 travel credits per ₹200 on all other spends (excluding fuel, EMI payments, utilities, wallet uploads, insurance, and rentals).
Redemption Flexibility:
- Travel credits can be redeemed at a 1:1 ratio for air miles with partners like Air Canada, Air France-KLM, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific.
- Travel credits can be waived for hotel points with hotel chains like:
- Accor (2:1)
- Shangri-La (6:1).
- Alternatively, credits can be used for travel bookings at
- ₹0.50 per credit or
- For the Shop & Smile catalogue at Rs. 0.25 for each credit.
Lounge Access & Privileges:
- Domestic Lounges: 8 free accesses every year (2 visits every quarter).
- International Lounges: 6 free visits annually through Priority Pass (Membership free for the first two years).
- Additional domestic lounge visits: Earn 1 extra visit for every Rs.1 lakh spent, up to 15 extra yearly (Totally up to 23 visits for huge spenders).
Milestone Rewards & Benefits
- 20,000 bonus travel credits on yearly spends of Rs. 12 lakhs.
- Waiver of annual renewal fee (₹4,999) upon spending ₹15 lakh annually.
Low Foreign Exchange Markup
- Enjoy international transactions at a low 1.99% forex markup, ideal for global travelers.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance Coverage
- Lost card liability cover: ₹1 lakh
- Flight cancellations: Up to 6 claims per year, ₹3,500 per claim
- Loss of check-in baggage: ₹72,000
- Delay in baggage arrival: ₹7,500
- Loss of travel documents: ₹12,500
- Damage to baggage: ₹5,000
Reward Earning Potential
To illustrate the card’s value, consider a traveler spending ₹12 lakh annually, with 50% on travel-related categories:
- Travel Spends (₹6 lakh) : 6,00,000 / 200 * 6 = 18,000 Travel Credits
- Other Spends (₹6 lakh) : 6,00,000 / 200 * 2 = 6,000 Travel Credits
- Milestone Bonus : 20,000 Travel Credits for ₹12 lakh spend
- Total : 18,000 + 6,000 + 20,000 = 44,000 Travel Credits
These credits can be converted to 44,000 air miles with select partners, potentially covering a round-trip economy flight to Southeast Asia or significant hotel stays, making the card highly rewarding for frequent travelers.
SBI Card Miles Elite Eligibility
The basic eligibility criteria to apply for the SBI Card Miles Elite.
- Age: Between 18 to 70 years.
- Nationality: Indian citizens.
- Income Proof: Bank statements, salary slips, or audited income tax returns.
- Identification Documents: Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID.
Competitive Comparison: SBI Miles Elite vs Competitors
| Features | SBI Miles Elite | Axis Atlas | HDFC Infinia Metal |
|---|---|---|---|
Annual Fee | ₹4,999 (waived on ₹15 lakh spend) | Rs. 5,000 (No waiver mentioned) | Invite-only, typically high spending criteria |
Travel Reward Rate | Up to 4.7% | 5% - 5 EDGE miles per ₹100 spent | 3.5%, consistent reward structure |
Domestic Lounge Access | Up to 23 visits/year (8 fixed, 15 extra) | Varies based on spend tiers | Unlimited access |
International Lounge Access | 6 visits per year via priority pass | Limited or spend-based access | Unlimited access via priority pass membership |
Forex Markup | Very competitive 1.99% | Higher at 3.5% | Competitive at 2% |
Milestone Benefits | 20,000 bonus credits on ₹12 lakhs annual spend | 2,500 EDGE miles at ₹3 lakh annual spend | Various spend-based rewards & benefits |
Redemption Flexibility | High flexibility (Miles, hotels, bookings, shopping) | Moderate (EDGE miles platform) | High flexibility (miles, hotels, direct bookings) |
Eligibility | Accessible with income documents | Accessible with income documents | Exclusive, invitation-only criteria |
Easy SBI Credit Card Bill Payments
Managing your credit card bill payment is seamless for the SBI Card Miles Elite. You can make SBI credit card payments through the following ways:
- Netbanking: Quickly pay your SBI credit card bill securely through your bank's online netbanking portal.
- Mobile Banking: Use the SBI mobile banking app to conveniently manage and pay your credit card bills on-the-go.
- UPI: Instantly settle your SBI credit card payments using any UPI-enabled app for fast and secure transactions.
- ATM: Easily pay your SBI credit card bill at any nearby SBI ATM using your debit card.
- NEFT: Transmit funds easily from any bank account directly to your SBI credit card through NEFT.
Conclusion
The SBI Card Miles Elite is a top-tier travel credit card, offering exceptional value for frequent travelers in 2025. Its high reward rates, ample lounge access, and varied redemption options make it one of the best credit cards for travel. While the high annual fee and upcoming discontinuation of air accident insurance (July 15, 2025) are considerations, the card’s milestone benefits and low forex markup ensure it remains a strong contender among top credit cards for travel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
