Vistara Credit Cardholders Alert: SBI, Axis, IDFC First To Modify Benefits From April 2025

Starting April 2025, Vistara co-branded credit cards will undergo a massive transformation as SBI, Axis Bank, and IDFC First Bank have announced major changes in the benefits and rewards structure.

These modifications come in the wake of Vistara's merger with Air India in November 2024, which led to a restructuring of loyalty programs across both airlines. As a result, Air India's Maharaja Club has absorbed the Flying Returns program, while the Club Vistara program has been incorporated into the newly reorganized system.

With these changes, cardholders can expect significant alterations in reward structures, milestone benefits, and renewal perks across all three banks. While some benefits are being removed, banks are also introducing revised policies, such as waived renewal fees for select cards. Let us take a detailed look at the major changes introduced by each bank.

Key Changes For SBI Card Customers

Effective April 1, 2025, SBI Card will implement several modifications to the benefits associated with its Club Vistara SBI Credit Cards and Club Vistara SBI PRIME Credit Cards:

• Removal of economy and premium economy ticket vouchers as renewal benefits.
• Discontinuation of milestone benefits, which previously offered ticket vouchers upon reaching spending thresholds of Rs 1.25 lakh, Rs 2.5 lakh, and Rs 5 lakh.
• Renewal fees waived: Cardholders will no longer be required to pay the renewal fee (Rs 1,499 for the base card and Rs 2,999 for the PRIME card).
• The ability to accumulate and redeem Maharaja points under the revised loyalty system.

Key Changes For IDFC First Bank Customers

Club Vistara Silver membership will no longer be available to cardholders.

• Complimentary vouchers discontinued, including one premium economy ticket voucher and a one-class upgrade voucher.
• Milestone vouchers discontinued for premium economy tickets, reducing the incentives for high-spending customers.
• Annual fee waived for all card renewals after March 31, 2025.
• The card product will be fully discontinued by March 31, 2026.
• Until the phase-out, cardholders can continue to earn Maharaja points based on their spending.

Key Changes For Axis Bank Customers

The revised benefits and policy changes will apply to all Axis Bank Vistara Credit Cards that are due for renewal starting April 18, 2025.

Customers whose cards are up for renewal on or after April 18, 2025, will not be charged an annual fee. However, users renewing before this date will still be subject to the existing annual fee.

The following privileges will be discontinued after renewal:

• Complimentary Maharaja Club Memberships, which previously provided elite-tier membership with Air India.
• Renewal benefit of complimentary ticket vouchers, impacting customers who relied on free tickets as part of their yearly renewal perks.
• Milestone spends benefit of complimentary tickets/vouchers, reducing the rewards for frequent flyers and high-spending customers.

Impact On Cardholders

These changes mark a significant shift in the rewards structure of Vistara co-branded credit cards, reducing some of the most attractive travel benefits. While the discontinuation of ticket vouchers and elite memberships may disappoint frequent travellers, the waived renewal fees provide some relief.