SBI Card MILES Elite Review
The SBI Card MILES Elite is the top card in SBI’s MILES travel family. It earns Travel Credits (TC) that transfer to 24 airline and hotel programmes, many at 1:1, and has a low 1.99% forex markup.
SBI removed Etihad Guest and Flying Blue as partners in 2026 and ended the card’s air accident cover in 2025, so the card’s value now rests on its transfer list and forex rate.
- 1.99% forex markup
- 24 transfer partners, 12 at 1:1
- 6 TC per ₹200 (3%) on travel at 1:1 value
- Priority Pass with 6 international visits
- Fee waived on ₹15 lakh
- 15,000 TC monthly cap
- Etihad and Flying Blue removed in 2026; several partners are 2:1
- Domestic lounge visits are spend-based
- Air accident cover discontinued (Jul 2025)
- TC worth only ₹0.25 in the catalogue
Fees and charges
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Joining / annual fee | ₹4,999 + GST, renewal waived on ₹15 lakh spend |
| Forex markup | 1.99% (also on dynamic currency conversion) |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% on ₹500–₹3,000, up to ₹500 a statement |
Rewards: how the card earns
| Card | Fee | Travel (per ₹200) | Other (per ₹200) | Forex | Priority Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MILES Elite | ₹4,999 | 6 TC | 2 TC | 1.99% | 6 a year |
| MILES Prime | ₹2,999 (waived at ₹10L) | 4 TC | 2 TC | 2.5% | 4 a year |
| MILES | ₹1,499 | 2 TC | 1 TC | 3% | — |
TC values: ₹1 on air-mile or hotel-point conversion, ₹0.50 on travel bookings, ₹0.25 in the catalogue. TC are valid for 24 months.
1:1 partners: Air Asia, Aeroplan, Air India, British Airways, Cathay, SpiceJet, Thai, Qantas, Vietnam Airlines, IHG, Wyndham, Radisson. 2:1: Air Arabia, Emirates, Ethiopian, JAL, Saudia, Turkish, United, Accor, Club ITC, Jumeirah. 6:1: Shangri-La.
SBI Card changes: from 1 April 2026, statement-credit redemption is capped at 60,000 points a month and allowed only in multiples of 4,000; since 1 November 2025 a 1% fee applies to wallet loads above ₹1,000 and to education payments through third-party apps.
MILES Elite Travel Credits calculator
6 TC per ₹200 on travel, 2 elsewhere, capped at 15,000 TC a month. ₹1 a TC assumes a 1:1 transfer partner; travel bookings give ₹0.50 and the catalogue ₹0.25. Milestone as reported (20,000 TC at ₹12 lakh).
What earns nothing
Fuel, wallet loads, rent, education, utilities, insurance, quasi-cash, EMI/Flexipay and cash advances earn no TC.
Other benefits
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Priority Pass | Complimentary, 6 international visits |
| Domestic lounges | Spend-based: one visit per ₹1 lakh spent, up to 15 a year |
| Travel covers | Lost card ₹1 lakh, baggage loss ₹72,000, baggage delay ₹7,500, travel documents ₹12,500, flight cancellation ₹3,500 (up to 6 a year) |
| Welcome | 5,000 TC on ₹1 lakh spend within 60 days (reported) |
Eligibility
Issuer
SBI Card
Family
MILES, MILES Prime, MILES Elite
Note
Etihad Guest Premier cards were migrated to MILES Elite from Dec 2025
Who this card is for
- Good fit: frequent international flyers who transfer to 1:1 partners and spend abroad.
- Skip if: you redeem points for vouchers — TC are worth only ₹0.25 there.
Alternatives worth comparing
Final verdict
A solid travel card for people who transfer to SBI’s 1:1 partners and spend abroad. The 2026 partner removals and the end of air accident cover make it less compelling than it was, but the 1.99% forex rate remains a real advantage.
Frequently asked questions
How many Travel Credits does MILES Elite earn?
6 TC per ₹200 on travel and 2 per ₹200 elsewhere, capped at 15,000 TC a month.
How much is a Travel Credit worth?
₹1 when transferred to a 1:1 partner, ₹0.50 on travel bookings and ₹0.25 in the catalogue.
Which partners were removed?
Etihad Guest and Air France-KLM Flying Blue were removed in 2026.
What is the forex markup?
1.99%.
Does it still include air accident insurance?
No. SBI discontinued it from 15 July 2025.
Last verified: October 2026, against SBI Card’s MILES rewards T&C, MILES Elite T&C booklet, MITC and customer notices. Card terms change often; confirm the current fees and reward rules on the issuer’s website before you apply. All fees are plus 18% GST.