IndusInd Bank Avios Credit Card: For International Travel Benefits

Based on your choice of airlines between Qatar Airways and British Airways, you earn varying welcome and renewal benefits, as listed below:

Our verdict on welcome & renewal benefits:

In comparison to other airline credit cards, the benefit offered here involves an added hassle of redeeming the Avios points. For instance, at a similar fee, Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card, offers a direct business class ticket on card activation instead of CV points. Even lower fee airline credit cards such as Kotak IndiGo Ka-ching 6E Rewards XL Credit Card offer ticket vouchers that are easy to avail, instead of airline points.

Additionally, equivalent points or memberships worth the same value across both Airlines, could have made it easier for users to choose a preferred airline as per brand preferences.

You can earn up to 50,000 bonus rewards on achieving the spending milestone as follows:

• 25,000 bonus Avios after your first spend of Rs. 8 lakh in a year
• 25,000 bonus Avios after your second spend of Rs. 8 lakh in a year

Is milestone benefit easy to meet?

To avail the above benefits you need to spend a minimum of Rs. 67,000 per month. Keeping in view the reward benefits on this card, the amount seems higher, specially for those who own multiple credit cards. However, it could still be realistic if your are a frequent traveler or a high spender owning a single card.

The reward benefits .i.e. Avios points offered on the card are:

• 5 Avios for every Rs. 200 spent at select preferred international destinations for PoS transactions. Click here for the list of eligible destinations.
• 2 Avios for every Rs. 200 spent on Qatar Airways & British Airways website and app*
• 1 Avios per Rs. 200 spent on online spends on select preferred international destinations, domestic & other international destinations and other categories
• 2* Avios for every Rs. 200 spent on Qatar and British Airways

*1 Avios will be credited to your card account and other 1 Avios will be credited in your Qatar Airways Privilege Club membership account /British Airways Executive Club account.

Who can be benefited with accelerated rewards on international travel?

The card comes with a unique international travel benefit, of accelerated rewards on preferred international destination.

While making a choice of location in advance could be a drawback for explorers, it could be a  great advantage for those traveling specifically for business trips, or for students traveling for education purposes. But since you can change your location once every year, you can be benefited if you are someone who likes exploring various places and prefers planning your travel in advance.

Some travel benefits offered on this card are as follow:

• 10% discount on flight bookings through Qatar Airways website or mobile app, on choosing Qatar Airways Privilege Club as the preferred airline loyalty programme
• 10% additional discount for Privilege Club members on all flights originating from India, if booked via Qatar Airways platforms
• Complimentary Priority Pass membership with 2 international lounge visits per calendar quarter
• 2 complimentary visits per calendar quarter in any of the participating domestic lounges
• Low forex markup fee of 1.5%
• Travel Insurance Benefits of Lost Baggage: Rs. 1 Lakh, Delayed Baggage: Rs. 25,000, Loss of Passport: Rs. 50,000, Loss of Ticket: Rs. 25,000 and Missed Flight Connection: Rs. 25,000
• 2 complimentary meet-and-greet services per year at leading international airports for smooth check-in, security, immigration and much more

Travel Features Comparison: IndusInd Bank Avios vs. Axis Bank Vistara Infinite

Which card is better?

IndusInd Bank Avios Credit Card is a definitely a better choice for international travelers. In comparison to the Vistara card, the Avios card offers access to international airport lounges via the Priority Pass Membership, and a comparatively low forex markup fee of 1.5%. Besides one can earn accelerated rewards on travel by planning their trips in advance to preferred locations.

You also get international meet & greet service at the airport, that could be a really helpful factor for those traveling to a new country or are traveling for the first time. In comparison to Vistara that allows redemption of CV points across flight ticket bookings, Avios points can be utilized for not just flight bookings, but for hotel and car rentals as well, and that too across multiple partners.

You can consider getting IndusInd Avios Credit Card, if:

• You frequently travel to the State of Qatar or to Europe
• Qatar Airways or British Airways is your preferred choice of Airlines
• You don’t mind sticking to an airline partner between Qatar Airways & British Airways
• You want an airline credit card with a low forex markup fee
• You prefer planning your vacations in advance, thus, choosing the preferred location is not a concern for you
• Your choice of preferred travel location aligns with the partnered locations eligible for accelerated rewards
• You can afford to pay an annual fee of Rs. 10,000

You can consider other airline credit cards if:

• Your prefer some other airline than Qatar Airways or British Airways
• You are looking for domestic travel benefits
• You mostly have last-minute travel plans
• You don’t have specific back-and-forth visits to any location
• You like exploring new places
• You want to avail unlimited lounge access
• You are looking for a slightly low annual fee card