ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card – Your Ideal Travel Companion

Credit cards have come to represent much more than just a means of transaction. Today, they’re filled with perks and benefits and special treatment, all designed to make our lives better when we travel and go about our day-to-day life. There are many credit cards to choose from, and the ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card is one of the top credit cards one can get their hands on, particularly if you’re into travel rewards and exclusive perks.

This card is not just amazing for everyday earning, but it's also packed full of benefits for travellers, particularly those who fly a lot, especially for the British Airways loyal ones! So, whether you’re planning an international holiday or looking to enjoy the finest globe cuisine, the ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card is set to enrich all aspects of your lifestyle.

In this comprehensive review, we will delve into everything you need to know about the ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card – from its features and benefits, to how it stacks up against fellow premium offerings in the market.

Brief on ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card

Welcome to a world full of travel opportunities.

ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card Review

The ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Card, is a co-branded card which brings together the best of ICICI Bank’s high reward points earning potential with the high value travel privileges offered by British Airways(The largest flag carrier of the United Kingdom, and the second largest in the United Kingdom if measured by fleet size. As a top-tier travel credit card, it’s made for those who travel often, particularly on British Airways or one of its Oneworld alliance partners.

With bonuses galore, full travel benefits, a lounge at every major domestic airport and a stream of other travel goodies, this is the perfect card for someone who is dedicated to getting value with every rupee spent (at home and abroad). This is great fit for road warriors wanting to take their travel to the next level with features and benefits that come on top of the card level.

ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card Features Summarised

• CardExpert Rating: 4/5
  
  
• Reward Rate: 2%
  
  
• Complimentary airport lounge access: Yes (4 per quarter)
  
  
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Yes (On spends of 400 and above)
  
  
• Bottomline: A decent mid-level card targeted for premium flying and families which would love to have another Priority Pass membership.
  
  

Joining and Renewal Fees

ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card has a joining fee of ₹7,000 plus GST P.A. This may sound like a fat fee to fork over, but in the grand scheme of travel and lifestyle perks the card delivers, it’s downright modest. Besides the joining fee, the renewal fee is also ₹7,000 plus GST but it can waived off in certain instances.

• Joining Fee: ₹7,000 + GST
  
  
• Renewal Fee: ₹7,000 + GST (1st Year Fee is waived on spend of ₹1,50,000, 2nd Year Onwards Fee is waived on spend of ₹1,50,000)
  
  

This tier system ensures that, if you are a habitual spender and traveler, the burden of keeping up the card is almost nil.

Points and Avios Earn System

The Avios reward points system is the headline feature of this top credit card. British Airways and its Oneworld alliance partners earn you Avios, the currency you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, hotel stays and the like. This card gets you Avios on every purchase so if you are a frequent flyer, this is a good choice for you.

Earning Avios

• 8 Avios/₹100 used on British Airways flights and on-board purchases.
  
  
• 4 Avios/₹100 for all online and offline shopping.
  
  
• 2 Avios per 100 rupees on select categories (utilities including insurance, education and spend at 7 levy restaurants).
  
  
• Bonus Avios: You can earn bonus Avios for hitting monthly spend targets. For instance, spend ₹50,000 in a month, and you can become eligible for a higher rate of Avios on future spends.
  
  

The card provides a high rewards rate on purchases associated with British Airways, so it works well for the airline's regular customers.

Reward Redemption

• 1 Avios = ₹0.25 for flight and seat purchases on British Airways or Oneworld airlines.
  
  
• 1 Avios = ₹0.10 on Hotel, Car Rentals, and merchandise on Avios portal.
  
  

If you’re a frequent traveller, collecting and spending Avios points can lead to real savings on flights, hotels and more.

Primary Features of the ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card

Welcome Benefits

To get you up & running on your new ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card, you can enjoy a range of welcome benefits:

• 8,000 Avios after the first purchase on the card.
  
  
• 25,000 Avios when you book and fly a return ticket from India to London within three months of getting your card.
  
  

Those Avios are redeemable for numerous benefits – such as free flights, upgraded seats and beyond. What's more, they've got an added perk that makes the card very enticing for anyone planning to fly overseas, especially on British Airways.

Free British Airways Executive Club Membership

The free British Airways Executive Club membership is another highlight of paying the annual fees of the ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card. Benefits and privileges for this membership include:

• Access to tailor-made offers and promotions on British Airways flights.
  
  
• Priority check-in and boarding.
  
  
• Additional baggage allowance.
  
  
• Entry to select airport premium lounges.
  
  
• Partner Airline in Oneworld Avios redemption incentives.
  
  

Having a membership card to the Executive Club goes a long way to improve your travel experience — you get priority services and other benefits when flying with British Airways or any of its Oneworld allies.

Lounge Access

As a top-tier cardmember, you also receive access to dozens of exclusive airport lounges around the world:

• Domestic Lounges: 1 complimentary domestic lounge visit per quarter.
  
  
• Lounges: Enjoy complimentary access to over 1,000 airport lounges around the world with Priority Pass Membership. Card members are allowed 4 complimentary visits per annum and thereafter visits are charged at an industry low fee.
  
  

These lounge access privileges are the dream of any traveler.

Travel Benefits

The ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card also comes with an array of travel privileges suited to frequent flyers. You’ll find some of the best travel benefits:

• Avios Redeem: Redeem Avios for flights, upgrading flights or use for travel-related benefits with British Airways or Oneworld partner.
  
  
• Global concierge service: 24/7 access to personal concierge services such as booking flights, hotels, rental cars and more.
  
  
• Travel Insurance: You’ll have travel accident insurance (accidental death and dismemberment), and emergency medical assistance for emergency travel situations.
  
  

Fuel Surcharge Waiver

1% fuel surcharge can be waived off on fuel transactions of up to ₹4,000 at any petrol pump in India. This waiver is in the range of transactions between ₹500 and ₹5,000, and the maximum number of waived off transactions can be upto ₹500 per month. This is perfect for the person on-the-go that does a lot of driving and would like to cut down on fuel expenses.

Dining Privileges

The card also provides dining privilege from the Culinary Treats Program, including the following:

• 15% Off at more than 800 participating restaurants spread across India.
  
  
• Exculisve dining promotions and events at participating locations.
  
  

These dining benefits also make the card a great option for dining enthusiasts who want to get the most out of their dining experiences.

How It Compares to Other Premium Credit Cards

Among the other super-premium travel credit cards, the more comprehensive travel rewards programme, unique British Airways opportunities, and reasonable annual charges for the ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card make it special. Although premium cards such as the American Express Platinum Card and the HDFC Diners Club Black Card provide incredible perks, the ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card is designed in such a way that is best suited for British Airways and Oneworld alliance airlines fans.

But that's not all, this card gives bonus Avios for BA flights, lounge access, upgrades, you definitely get some real high luxury treatment that makes you enjoy every moment of your travel experience.

Conclusion

The ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card - The one for the discerning frequent traveller, provides you with premium rewards and exclusive travel benefits and lifestyle privileges. When you book a flights, dine out, or use an airport lounge, this card makes your travel and lifestyle that much more rewarding. It comes with a rich rewards program, welcome bonuses, free lounge access, and other travel perks that far exceeds the annual fees.

Whether you are frequent flyer of the British Airways or like the benefits of premium travel and lifestyle card, you can add ICICI Bank British Airways Premium Credit Card to your wallet.