ONE problem frequent flyers often face is limited choice – while spends on airline tickets earn them loyalty points, they do not have the freedom to redeem them against their choice of airline tickets.
To cater to this segment of flyers, Citibank has come up with PremierMiles credit card that helps them accumulate reward points – in the form of 'PremierMiles' – and redeem the same against flight tickets of close to 50 domestic and international carriers. In that sense, the loyalty scheme is airline-neutral. Deutsche Bank and American Express also offer similar programmes linked to their specialised credit cards. Such programmes help those who opt for low-cost carriers, which mostly do not offer such schemes, to earn frequent flyer points.
Under the program, card members earn 10 premier miles for every 100 spent on airline ticket bookings made at airline-owned websites, airline booking counters or through the PremierMiles portal. For each non-airline spend worth 100, the card holder can earn 2.5 miles. Upon activation, the card account is credited with 5,000 premier miles. If you incur expenses of 4 lakh using this card in a year, you will be entitled to a bonus of 2,500 premier miles. The points so earned cannot be clubbed with the frequent flyer points you may have earned.
The card membership also entitles the holder access to VIP lounges at airports across the world and offers on accommodation at hotels in the network. The card comes with a built-in overseas medical insurance and fraud protection plan.
Those wishing to obtain the card will have to shell out an annual fee of 5,000, which could be seen by some, particularly those looking for a diverse rewards program, as trifle expensive for a primarily airline focused card.
To redeem the points collected, card holders will have to visit the bank's designated portal. They can also make their flight ticket bookings through the site.
Why go for it:
The rewards program is not restricted to any particular airline. Miles accumulated can be redeemed for tickets of several international and domestic airlines, including low-cost carriers.
Why not:
While the choice is not limited in terms of airlines, the travel-focus of the card means that points earned can be redeemed only against airline tickets and hotel accommodation – something that may not appeal to those keen on variety.
