Are you someone who loves to travel, or someone who is planning their dream vacation with iconic Singapore Airlines? If the answer is yes, the SBI KrisFlyer Credit Card and SBI KrisFlyer APEX Credit Card might just be your new travel companions. If you don’t already know about it, SBI has these two Co-Branded travel credit cards, in partnership with Singapore Airlines – KrisFlyer.
Both cards are designed in a way which helps you to earn miles faster and enjoy premium travel perks. The biggest benefit? You can accumulate KrisFlyer miles not only by booking Singapore Airlines, but also for your everyday spends like buying groceries, dining out, or even booking a holiday; each spend will help you to get closer to enjoying luxury travel benefits.
Not only that, you will also get perks like global lounge access, priority check-in, travel insurance and even extra baggage allowances.
Let’s understand how the SBI KrisFlyer Credit Card and SBI KrisFlyer APEX Credit Card can help you save up the most when it comes to getting on to the next trip!
Key Features and Benefits
Welcome Benefits:
| Card Type | Welcome Bonus | Requirement |
| KrisFlyer SBI Card | 3,000 KrisFlyer miles | First spend within 60 days of issuance |
| KrisFlyer SBI Apex Card | 10,000 KrisFlyer miles | First spend within 60 days of issuance |
Rewards Program:
Earning Rate:
| Card Type | Singapore Airlines | International Spends | Other Eligible Spends |
| KrisFlyer SBI Card | 5 miles per ₹200 | 5 miles per ₹200 | 2 miles per ₹200 |
| KrisFlyer SBI Apex Card | 10 miles per ₹200 | 8 miles per ₹200 | 6 miles per ₹200 |
| Spending Amount | Benefits |
| ₹5,00,000 | – 10,000 additional KrisFlyer miles- Extra baggage allowance |
| ₹7,50,000 | – Elite Gold membership tier upgrade |
| ₹10,00,000 | – 3,000 extra bonus miles |
Redemption Options:
The KrisFlyer SBI Card and KrisFlyer SBI Card Apex allow you to earn KrisFlyer miles directly through your spending. These accumulated miles can be redeemed for various travel-related benefits, including award flights and class upgrades with Singapore Airlines and its partners.
Accumulated KrisFlyer miles can be redeemed for:
- Award Flights: Book flights with Singapore Airlines or partner airlines. For example, a one-way ticket from Delhi to Singapore requires:
- 20,000 miles for Economy Class.
- 34,500 miles for Premium Economy.
- 43,000 miles for Business Class.
- 58,500 miles for Suite/First Class.
Class Upgrades: You can use miles to upgrade to a higher class on eligible flights.
Star Alliance Partner Flights: You can redeem miles for flights with Star Alliance member airlines.
Travel Benefits:
- Lounge Access
KrisFlyer SBI Card Lounge Access:
4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year (1 per quarter).
KrisFlyer SBI Card Apex Lounge Access:
8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year (2 per quarter).
Insurance Benefits:
| Feature | KrisFlyer SBI Card | KrisFlyer SBI Card Apex |
| Air Accident Cover | ₹1 crore | ₹3.5 crores |
| Baggage Loss/Delay Cover | Up to ₹1 lakh | Up to ₹1 lakh |
| Fraud Liability Cover | Up to ₹1 lakh | Up to ₹10 lakhs |
Fees and Charges
| Feature | KrisFlyer SBI Card | KrisFlyer SBI Card (Premium) |
| Annual Fee | ₹2,999 + GST | ₹9,999 + GST |
| Interest Rate (APR) | 3.5% per month | 42% APR |
| Forex Markup Fee | 3.5% | 3.5% |
The Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Ideal for frequent travelers flying with Singapore Airlines | High annual fee of ₹2,999 + GST with Krissflyer and 9999 + GST with SBI KrisFlyer Apex, with no full waiver |
| Earn up to 10 KrisFlyer miles per ₹200 on Singapore Airlines and international spends | Reward program limited to singapore airlines |
| Complimentary airport lounge access (domestic & international) | Forex markup fee of 3.5%, higher than some premium competitors |
| Flexible KrisFlyer mile redemptions for flights, upgrades, and Star Alliance partners | Mainly Beneficial for frequent travelers |
(SBI – Kris Flyer) Comparison of Premium Travel Credit Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Lounge Access | Forex Markup Fee |
| SBI KrisFlyer | ₹2,999 | 5 KrisFlyer miles per ₹200 on Singapore Airlines; 1 mile per ₹200 on others | 1 domestic and 1 international lounge visit per quarter | 3.5% |
| SBI KrisFlyer APEX | ₹10,000 | 10 KrisFlyer miles per ₹200 on Singapore Airlines; 2 miles per ₹200 on others | 2 domestic and 2 international lounge visits per quarter | 3.5% |
| Axis Atlas | ₹5,000 | 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on travel; 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on other spends | Up to 12 international and 18 domestic lounge visits annually | 3.5% |
| HDFC Infinia | ₹12,500 | 5 reward points per ₹150 on retail spends | Unlimited domestic and international lounge access via Priority Pass | 2% |
| American Express Platinum Travel | ₹5,000 | 1 Membership Reward point per ₹50 spent | 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits annually | 3.5% |
Who Should Get the SBI KrisFlyer or KrisFlyer APEX Credit Card?
- Perfect for Frequent Singapore Airlines Flyers:
- You can earn KrisFlyer miles faster with every spend.
- It is ideal for those who regularly fly with Singapore Airlines.
- You can earn KrisFlyer miles faster with every spend.
- Great for Luxury Travelers:
- If you want to enjoy priority check-in for a hassle-free airport experience.
- You can get access to premium airport lounges for added comfort.
- You can benefit from exclusive travel perks that upgrade every trip experience.
- Luxury options to travel in bedroom suits in the sky (Singapore a380)
- If you want to enjoy priority check-in for a hassle-free airport experience.
- Maximize Miles on Everyday Spends:
- You can earn miles when you dine out, shop globally, or book frequent travel.
- You can unlock free flights faster by accumulating miles efficiently.
- You can earn miles when you dine out, shop globally, or book frequent travel.
For travelers frequently flying with Singapore Airlines, the SBI KrisFlyer and KrisFlyer APEX Credit Cards offer tailored benefits to enhance your journey.
- SBI KrisFlyer Credit Card: This card is ideal for occasional travelers who wish to accumulate KrisFlyer miles efficiently and enjoy essential travel perks.
- SBI KrisFlyer APEX Credit Card: This card is best suited for frequent flyers seeking more mile earnings and premium benefits such as lounge access and priority services.
Maximizing Your SBI KrisFlyer Credit Card Benefits
To get the most value from your SBI KrisFlyer Credit Card, follow these key strategies:
- Strategic Spending: Use your card for everyday expenses and Singapore Airlines bookings to accelerate mile accumulation. Prioritize spending in categories that earn the highest rewards.
- Smart Redemptions: Redeem your miles for premium flights or upgrades to maximize their value, rather than using them for low-value options like merchandise or short-haul economy flights.
By aligning your spending with the card’s reward structure and planning redemptions wisely, you can unlock exclusive travel perks and elevate your journey with KrisFlyer miles.
Milesly’s Take
If you are a frequent flyer with Singapore Airlines, the KrisFlyer APEX SBI Card is a perfect fit for you. It ensures a seamless travel experience with premium perks like lounge access and priority check-in. However, if you travel occasionally but still want to make the most of your spending, the regular KrisFlyer SBI Card is an excellent choice.
On the other hand, if you prefer earning travel rewards across multiple airlines, exploring cards like Axis Atlas or HDFC Infinia might be more beneficial. Ultimately, for those loyal to Singapore Airlines and looking for hassle-free international travel, these SBI cards offer the perfect blend of luxury and rewards.
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FAQ+
Q. Do KrisFlyer SBI Cards offer complimentary lounge access?
Yes! The KrisFlyer SBI Card offers 4 international and 1 domestic lounge visits per quarter, while the Apex version offers 8 international and 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter.
Q. What happens if I lose my baggage while travelling?
Both cards provide baggage loss/delay coverage of up to ₹1 lakh, ensuring financial protection during travel mishaps
Q. How many KrisFlyer Miles do I earn as a welcome benefit?
You will get 3,000 KrisFlyer Miles with the standard card and 10,000 Miles with the Apex version upon joining.
Q. Is there a fuel surcharge waiver on these cards?
Yes, both the cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions up to ₹3,000 (max waiver ₹250 per statement cycle).
Q. What is the fraud liability cover for these cards?
The KrisFlyer SBI Card provides up to ₹1 lakh, while the Apex version offers up to ₹10 lakh in fraud liability coverage.
