Latest news with #BritishAirwaysExecutiveClub
Mint
22-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
IndusInd Bank Avios Credit Card fee revised downwards: Should you take this card?
In 2023, when IndusInd Bank launched the Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card, the joining fee was Rs. 40,000 + Taxes, and the annual renewal fee was Rs. 10,000 + Taxes. However, recently in April 2025, the bank has reduced the joining fee to Rs. 10,000 + Taxes and the annual renewal fee to Rs. 5,000 + Taxes. There are some changes in the reward structure also. In this article, we will understand all the changes in the card fees, features and benefits and whether you should take this card now. The IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card is a first-of-its-kind multi-branded credit card. IndusInd Bank has partnered with British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club for this premium metal card. These are the frequent flyer programs (FFPs) of British Airways and Qatar Airways. It is a travel credit card with the best-in-class rewards, specifically for international flights. The credit card awards the cardholders with Avios, the rewards currency for British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club. Some of the international travel benefits that the card offers include a lower forex markup at the selected preferred destination, complimentary meet-and-greet service at leading international airports, complimentary airport lounge access, etc. The IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card offers the following features and benefits. 1. Welcome benefit: The cardholder will get a welcome benefit of 20,000 bonus Avios. The Avios will be credited after 15 days of payment of joining fees. 2. Earning Avios: For every Rs. 200 spent using the card, you earn Avios as follows. Spends category Avios Spends in the selected preferred international destination for Point of Sale (POS) transactions 6 Online spends on selected preferred international destination 3 Spends in domestic and international destinations 3 Spends on Qatar Airways & British Airways website and App 5 Spends on utilities, Government services, education and insurance 1 All other spends 3 Source: IndusInd Bank website For points 1 and 2 above, the preferred international destination must be selected at the time of card application. The choices for the selection of the preferred international destination include: Americas (North and South America) Europe and North Asia Middle East and South Asia Africa Australia, New Zealand, Far East and others The request for change in the preferred international destination can be placed after a card anniversary year is completed. The applicant has to select the preferred airline loyalty program between Qatar Airways Privilege Club and British Airways Executive Club at the time of card application. Accordingly, the 5 Avios for every Rs. 200 spent will be given for spends on the selected preferred airline website and App. The Avios will be credited to your account post 10 days of monthly credit card statement generation. Fuel spends will not earn any Avios. i) Low forex markup: The cardholder can enjoy a low forex markup of 1.5% for spends at the preferred international destination. ii) Milestone benefits: The credit card has two spend-based milestones as follows: 18,000 bonus Avios on spending Rs. 8 lakhs in a year Additional 18,000 bonus Avios on spending the next Rs. 8 lakhs in a year Thus, a cardholder can earn 36,000 bonus Avios on spending Rs. 16 lakhs in a year. On achieving the spending milestone(s), the bonus Avios will be credited 10 days post statement generation. Complimentary meet and greet service: The cardholder can enjoy two complimentary meet and greet services per year at leading international airports. The service includes assistance for smooth check-in, security, immigration and some other services. It ensures a seamless and stress-free travel experience. Complimentary lounge access: The cardholder can get complimentary access to international airport lounges across the world, twice per calendar quarter through Priority Pass. The cardholder can get complimentary access to domestic airport lounges, twice per calendar quarter. 10% discount on flight tickets: If the cardholder chooses Qatar Airways Privilege Club as the preferred airline loyalty program, they will get a 10% discount on flight tickets. The discount will be applicable for flight bookings made on the Qatar Airways website or mobile App on all flights originating from India. As mentioned earlier, the card gives rewards for all eligible spends in the form of Avios. So, let us now understand where and how you can use the Avios. The Avios can be used on the British Airways and Qatar Airways websites and respective Apps. On the British Airways website and App, you can use Avios for: Booking reward flights Paying for upgrading a regular cash booking to the next cabin Booking holiday packages Paying for baggage and reserving seats Booking hotels Booking car rentals Booking memorable tours and experiences across the globe If you don't have sufficient Avios, you can make a partial payment with Avios and the remaining with other payment modes (for example, credit or debit cards, internet banking, etc.). On the Qatar Airways website and App, you can use Avios for: Booking award flights Paying for seat selection Purchasing extra baggage Paying for seat upgrade Paying for shopping and dining at Qatar Duty Free Bidding for exclusive tailored packages for exceptional experiences Booking vacation packages offered by Qatar Airways Holidays Transferring them to your loved ones Transferring them to other partner loyalty programs like Accor Live Limitless, Mariott Bonvoy, British Airways Executive Club, Meera Rewards, etc., in a specified transfer ratio. If you don't have sufficient Avios, you can part-pay with Avios and the remaining with cash. British Airways and Qatar Airways are members of the Oneworld alliance. So, you can use Avios to book flights of airlines that are members of the Oneworld alliance. Thus, your Avios can take you to any destination where the Oneworld partners fly to. The card has a joining fee of Rs. 10,000 + Taxes. The cardholder gets a welcome benefit of 20,000 Avios on payment of joining fees. The card has a renewal fee of Rs. 5,000 + Taxes. The cardholder gets a renewal benefit of 5,000 Avios on payment of renewal fees. To decide whether to take the IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card, consider the following factors. Do you travel frequently to international destinations? If yes, do you travel frequently through Qatar Airways, British Airways or Oneworld alliance members? If yes, consider taking the IndusInd Bank Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card. Along with earning Avios, you will get benefits, like a 1.5% low forex markup for spends at the preferred international destination, airport lounge access, meet and greet service, etc. The recent reduction in the joining and renewal fees improves the card value proposition. All these benefits make the travel experience seamless and stress-free, thus making the card worthy of consideration. Gopal Gidwani is a freelance personal finance content writer with 15+ years of experience. He can be reached at LinkedIn. First Published: 22 Apr 2025, 10:30 AM IST
Telegraph
14-03-2025
- Telegraph
The stress-free way to find the perfect Greek villa
Deciding on a particular villa in the location of your dreams can require hours of research and often results in a compromise booking. Does villa A offer luxurious accommodation suitable for your family? Is villa B close enough to stroll to the sea, a safe beach and a watersports centre? Will there be a variety of taverna and à la carte dining restaurants close to villa C? Will villa D be private enough to live each sun-kissed day to your own holiday rhythm? Will villa E be… well, just right? When it comes to picking a chic Greek villa in a pocket of paradise on the legendary Halkidiki coastline, look no further than a trip to Eagles Villas with British Airways Holidays. Here, the luxury you'd expect from a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection comes with direct access to a Blue Flag beach and a 100-year heritage of family-run hospitality. And with luxurious villas ranging in size from 65 to 165 square metres, each with its own pool, there's plenty of scope to find a space that meets your needs and has the glittering Aegean as backdrop. To add to this sense of bliss, all holidays with British Airways Holidays are Atol-protected, with the option of low deposits, flexible payment plans* and a generous baggage allowance included. Plus, if you're a British Airways Executive Club member, you can collect bonus Avios when booking flights, hotels and car hire together, and reduce the cost of your next holiday by paying with Avios next time you book. British Airways Holidays offers quality car hire, with 24-hour support and roadside assistance, too, should you want to travel to your hotel independently or explore what the destination can offer. Your stay in Halkidiki will get off to a dream start when you check in to your accommodation. The Ocean One-Bedroom Pool Villa with a pretty private garden, for instance, has a heated plunge pool with a terrace and an outside shower. Inside, it's quite the home away from home, decorated in blue and white with wicker and raffia touches, and comes fitted with a kitchenette featuring a Nespresso coffee machine. Step into the ensuite marble bathroom and you'll find a stash of Floris London bath products, bathrobes and slippers. Set on a landscaped hillside, the meticulously designed Eagles Villas enjoy mesmerising views of the storied coastline dominated by majestic Mount Athos, and many of the properties come with their own lush garden oasis. All villas, from the Junior Pool Villa up to the two-storey Residential Three-Bedroom Pool Villas with Private Garden, have versatile sleeping options for those who want to make themselves feel at home. Extra beds are available for up to three children under 15, or two cots for babies up to the age of two (both free). Some villas offer cleverly configured interconnected layouts, which are ideal for multi-generational families or larger groups. Once you've nested and established base-camp in your villa, it's time to explore and call on the lovely amenities of sister property Eagles Palace: think private beach with cabanas and sun loungers, a popular kids's club, the tranquil spa and lots of wining and dining options. All are just a short stroll down the hill towards the poetically green sea. Whether you're on a romantic getaway or a family holiday, all guests benefit from the best of both worlds, relishing the sanctuary of a private residence, with easy access to the Palace's mellow bars and restaurants, round-the-clock room service and exclusive club car provision. Staying on Athos, the easternmost leg of the Halkidiki peninsula, takes you into an ancient land crisscrossed with footpaths and dotted with secret waterfalls. The action-packed activities programme gives you the option to head out on foot or bike, or rent a motorboat or skippered yacht to venture out to the tiny islets in the Aegean. Back on the exquisite 400m beach, kayaking, paddle-boarding and other fun aquatic pursuits are operated by the Water Sports Centre, with tuition available if you fancy trying your hand at something new. A stay at Eagles Villas is all about the beach, the sea and – in the welcoming restaurants – the bounty of the Aegean. Think grilled octopus, fried calamari and mussels alongside fried courgette flowers, souvlaki and local feta-cheese pastries. No luxury getaway is complete without spa treatments, and guests can indulge themselves in time-old rituals administered with modern expertise. Don't miss the opportunity to have a signature massage, in which cleansing mineral salts and aromatic oil-blends transport you to utter relaxation. British Airways Holidays packages include a generous baggage allowance for each customer and come with full Atol protection for complete peace of mind. Secure your Halkidiki holiday to Eagles Villas with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly.* *Based on two sharing. Full balance due four weeks before departure for short haul holiday bookings. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
