Using An SBI Or IDFC Credit Card? Big Changes In Fees & Rewards You Can’t Ignore From April 2025

From April 1, 2025, significant changes will be implemented across various credit card benefits and rewards programs, affecting a wide range of cardholders. SBI Card, a prominent player in the financial services sector, has made several adjustments to its offerings, including the reduction of reward points on specific transactions and the discontinuation of complimentary insurance covers. These modifications will impact users of popular SBI credit cards such as SimplyCLICK, Air India SBI Platinum, and Air India SBI Signature Credit Cards.

One of the major revisions by SBI Card involves the slashing of reward points earned on Swiggy transactions made with the SimplyCLICK SBI credit card, reducing them from 10X to 5X. Despite this cutback, cardholders will still be able to accumulate 10X reward points on online purchases made through platforms like Myntra, Netmeds, Cleartrip, Dominos, Yatra, BookMyShow, and Apollo 24x7. This adjustment in the rewards structure is part of a broader strategy to revise benefits in line with new financial strategies.

Shifts In SBI Credit Card Benefits

For those frequently flying with Air India, SBI Card has revised the accelerated reward benefits for ticket bookings made via the airline's mobile app and online portal. This change, effective March 31, 2025, will see a significant alteration in how rewards are accumulated on these transactions. Furthermore, the reward points for every ₹100 spent using the SBI Platinum Credit Card will be reduced from 15 to 5. Similarly, spending through Air India SBI Signature Credit Card will now accrue fewer points, dropping from 30 to 10 per ₹100 spent. Such adjustments indicate a recalibration of value provided to customers against their spending patterns.

Complementary insurance coverage, which added a layer of security and peace of mind for cardholders, will also be discontinued. Starting July 26, 2025, SBI Card will cease to provide complimentary air accident insurance coverage worth ₹50 lakh and rail accident insurance worth ₹10 lakh. This represents a significant shift away from bundled insurance benefits, which were previously a notable feature of SBI's credit card offerings.

Changes To Club Vistara And IDFC First Bank Cards

The Club Vistara IDFC First Bank credit card will also see a removal of milestone benefits from April 1. Nonetheless, cardholders can continue accruing Maharaja Points until the end of March 2026. Similarly, IDFC First Bank credit cards will no longer offer Club Vistara Silver Memberships and complimentary vouchers, such as those for a premium economy ticket and one-class upgrade voucher. Additionally, milestone vouchers for premium economy tickets will not be available, though Maharaja Points can still be utilized until March 31, 2026.

Likewise, the Club Vistara SBI Card will withdraw the economy ticket voucher and milestone benefits for annual spends surpassing specific thresholds, including ₹1.25 lakh, ₹2.5 lakh, and ₹5 lakh. The Club Vistara SBI Prime Card will also stop offering the premium economy ticket voucher, marking a significant change in the rewards landscape for these cardholders.

The evolving credit card benefits landscape reflects the dynamic nature of financial services, where adjustments are made to align with changing market conditions and consumer behavior. As these changes come into effect, cardholders are encouraged to review the new terms and conditions to optimize the use of their credit cards effectively.