RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card
The RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card is made for people in India who travel a lot and enjoy exploring new places. It has a joining fee of ₹3,000, but you get gift vouchers worth the same amount as a welcome gift. The card lets you earn up to 5 travel points per Rs. 100 spent, which can be redeemed for flight and hotel bookings through the RBL Rewards website. It also provides free access to airport lounges, complimentary golf rounds, and milestone rewards of up to 25,000 bonus travel points and a Rs. 10,000 gift voucher when you spend a certain amount.
One of the biggest advantages of this card is the 0% foreign currency markup fee, making it India’s first credit card to remove extra charges on international transactions. This means if you spend money abroad, you don’t have to pay the usual 3.5% extra charged by most other credit cards. Along with travel benefits, RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card also offers travel insurance and extra rewards, making it a smart choice for Indian travelers who frequently go abroad.
Rewards and Benefits
Fees & Charges
What should you consider before applying for a credit card in India?
Key Considerations Before Applying for a Credit Card in India:
- Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements, which typically include age, income, credit score, and employment status as defined by the issuing bank or financial institution.
- Credit Score: A strong credit score can significantly improve your chances of approval and result in more favorable terms, such as lower interest rates or higher credit limits. Verify that your credit score is healthy before applying.
- Interest Rates and Fees: Compare the annual percentage rates (APR), processing fees, late payment penalties, and foreign transaction charges associated with various cards. These costs can vary widely and impact the overall value of the card.
- Rewards and Benefits: Evaluate the rewards, cashback, discounts, or other perks offered by the card to ensure they align with your spending patterns. Some cards may provide better benefits in specific categories, such as travel, shopping, or dining.
- Credit Limit: Review the credit limit offered by the card to ensure it meets your financial needs. Avoid applying for cards with excessive limits if you are concerned about managing debt, as this can lead to higher interest charges.
- Repayment Terms: Understand the repayment structure, including the minimum payment amount, payment due dates, and any associated penalties. Being clear about these terms can help you manage payments effectively and avoid interest buildup.
- Card Type and Features: Choose a card type that matches your specific needs—whether standard, premium, or specialized cards like those offering travel rewards or dining privileges. Ensure the features of the card align with your lifestyle and spending habits.
- Bank’s Reputation: Opt for a financial institution with a proven reputation for customer service and transparency. Consider researching customer reviews and assessing their support channels to ensure reliable service.
- Hidden Charges: Be aware of any hidden fees, including annual fees, balance transfer charges, foreign transaction fees, or cash withdrawal charges. These can add up over time and affect the overall cost-effectiveness of the card.
- Credit Utilization: Maintain a balance within your credit limit to avoid high credit utilization ratios, which can negatively impact your credit score. Responsible use of credit is essential for maintaining financial health.
- Long-Term Financial Plans: Consider how the credit card fits into your overall financial strategy. Avoid accumulating unnecessary debt and choose a card that supports your long-term financial goals without adding financial strain.
RBL World Safari Credit Card Features and Benefits
The RBL World Safari Credit Card is a premium travel-focused credit card from RBL Bank, mainly designed for frequent international and domestic travellers. The card stands out for its cost-saving international features, strong travel rewards, and premium lifestyle benefits. Below, the features are shuffled and arranged based on user priority, starting with the most valuable benefits.
Welcome Benefit
New cardholders receive a welcome benefit in the form of a MakeMyTrip voucher worth ₹3,000. The voucher is delivered through SMS or email after the joining fee is paid. To qualify for this benefit, the card must be used at least once within 30 days of issuance.
Zero Forex Markup on International Transactions
The main highlight of the RBL World Safari Credit Card is that it does not charge any foreign exchange markup on international transactions. Most credit cards charge around 3.5 percent extra on international transactions, which significantly increases overseas spending costs. With this card, there is no markup fee, meaning you pay only the actual transaction value. This makes the card highly suitable for international travel, foreign online purchases, and overseas hotel and flight bookings.
Airport Lounge Access
Comfortable travel is another major highlight of this credit card. Cardholders receive complimentary airport lounge access, both in India and abroad, helping reduce airport waiting stress.
- Complimentary domestic lounge access every quarter
- Complimentary international lounge access via Priority Pass
- Additional international lounge access on meeting quarterly spend conditions
Once the complimentary visits are exhausted, Priority Pass lounge visits are chargeable as per international norms.
Reward Points Structure
The RBL World Safari Credit Card offers a simple and travel-oriented reward system. You earn more points on travel spends while continuing to earn rewards on regular purchases.
- 5 travel points on every ₹100 spent on travel
- 2 travel points on every ₹100 spent on other eligible categories
- No reward points on international spends
- No points on fuel, insurance, utilities, education, rent, wallet reloads, railways, and government transactions
This structure makes the card best suited for domestic travel bookings and lifestyle spending.
Milestone Rewards
The card provides milestone-based benefits that reward higher annual spending. These benefits are useful for users who actively use the card throughout the year for travel and shopping.
Milestone benefits include bonus travel points on achieving specific annual spend levels and a high-value gift voucher when higher spend thresholds are met. These rewards help improve the overall value of the card for frequent users.
Travel Insurance Coverage
Another important feature is the international travel insurance coverage of up to USD 50,000. This coverage applies to international travel, including destinations like the USA and Canada, excluding the country of residence.
The insurance includes protection against emergency medical expenses, flight delays, loss of baggage, loss of passport, and personal liability. This benefit adds financial security during overseas trips.
Golf and Lifestyle Privileges
The RBL World Safari Credit Card also offers premium lifestyle benefits, especially for golf enthusiasts. Cardholders receive complimentary golf games and lessons every year, along with discounts on green fees after the free usage limit is crossed. Golf bookings can be made through the Mastercard World Card Golf helpline with advance notice.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
The card offers a 1 percent fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions across India. This benefit applies to fuel purchases within the specified transaction range and is capped at a monthly limit. While not the main feature, it provides small savings on regular fuel expenses.
Reward Redemption Options
Travel points earned through the card can be redeemed via the RBL Rewards platform. Redemption options include flight bookings, hotel stays, shopping, and gift vouchers.
- 1 travel point equals ₹0.25
This fixed value makes reward redemption simple and transparent.
Fees and Charges
The RBL World Safari Credit Card comes with a joining and annual fee of ₹3,000 plus applicable taxes. The interest rate is charged monthly as per RBL Bank’s policy. Cash withdrawals attract a cash advance fee along with interest from the transaction date. The zero-forex markup benefit often helps frequent international users recover the annual fee through savings.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the RBL World Safari Credit Card, applicants must be at least 21 years old, have a stable source of income, and maintain a good credit score. Both salaried and self-employed individuals are eligible, subject to bank approval.
RBL World Safari Credit Card Review
The RBL World Safari Credit Card is best suited for frequent travellers who want to save on international spending and enjoy premium travel benefits. With zero forex markup, airport lounge access, milestone rewards, travel insurance, and lifestyle privileges, the card offers strong overall value for users who travel often and spend regularly on travel-related categories.
Does the RBL World Safari Credit Card come with any welcome benefits or gifts?
Yes, you will receive a MakeMyTrip voucher worth Rs. 3,000 as a welcome benefit.
What is the validity period of the MakeMyTrip gift voucher?
The voucher remains valid for 12 months from the activation date.
What is the annual fee for this credit card?
The RBL World Safari Credit Card has an annual fee of Rs. 3,000 plus applicable taxes.
Are there any extra charges for airport lounge visits?
After using the complimentary visits, additional charges will apply for every lounge entry.
Do I need to pay for Priority Pass membership lounge access?
Yes, after using the free visits, you will need to pay an entry fee of USD 27 for international lounge access.
Is the fuel surcharge waiver available at all fuel stations?
Yes, you’ll get a fuel surcharge waiver of up to ₹250 per month at any fuel station.
What are the age requirements for travel insurance under this card?
The travel insurance covers cardholders between 18 to 75 years old.
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