RBL World Safari Credit Card Review

Card Features and Benefits

The RBL World Safari Credit Card is designed with a keen focus on enhancing the travel experience of its cardholders. Below, we delve into the key features and benefits that define this credit card:

Welcome Benefits

• MakeMyTrip Voucher: As a gesture to welcome new cardholders, the RBL World Safari Credit Card offers a MakeMyTrip voucher worth INR 3,000. This initial boon sets a positive tone for the cardholder's journey, aligning with the card's travel-centric ethos.

0% Markup Fee on Foreign Transactions

• A standout feature of this card is the 0% markup on foreign currency transactions. This is a significant benefit for international travelers, as it can lead to substantial savings compared to the standard 3.5% + GST markup charged by most other credit cards.

Reward Points and Milestones

• Travel Points on Spendings: Cardholders earn 2 travel points for every INR 100 spent on all purchases and an elevated rate of 5 travel points per INR 100 on travel expenditures. However, it's noteworthy that international purchases do not accrue any reward points.
• Miles and Milestones: The card rewards spending milestones with bonus travel points: 10,000 points for annual spending of INR 2.5 lakhs, an additional 15,000 points for INR 5 lakhs, and a premium brand gift card worth INR 10,000 for spending INR 7.5 lakhs within a year.

Complimentary Lounge Access

• The card offers 2 complimentary lounge visits per quarter at major airports across India. Furthermore, cardholders receive a complimentary Priority Pass membership, granting access to over 1,400 international airport lounges, with 2 free visits outside India annually. Additional visits and usage within India come with a charge.

Travel Insurance

• To ensure peace of mind during travel, the card includes complimentary travel insurance covering personal liability, trip delays, baggage loss, loss of passport, and dental treatment.

24*7 Concierge Desk

• The dedicated concierge service provides assistance with golf course reservations, hotel bookings, dining reservations, and more, enhancing the cardholder's lifestyle and travel experience.

Golf Privileges

• Cardholders enjoy access to prestigious golf courses, complimentary rounds, and free golf lessons, although these perks are exclusively available to MasterCard holders.

Fuel Surcharge Waiver

• The card offers a waiver on fuel surcharge for transactions between INR 500 and INR 4,000, with a maximum waiver of INR 250 per month, catering to the needs of those who frequently travel by road.

Fees and Charges

• The annual membership fee for the card is INR 3,000 plus GST. It's also important to note the reward redemption fee of INR 99 + GST applicable from August 15, 2022, for redeeming the earned rewards.

User Experience

The user experience of a credit card encompasses everything from the application process to customer service, mobile app functionality, and the ease of accessing and redeeming rewards. For the RBL World Safari Credit Card, several aspects contribute to the overall user experience:

Application Process

The process of applying for the RBL World Safari Credit Card is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly. Potential cardholders can apply online through the RBL Bank website or by visiting a branch. The bank may require standard documentation, including identity proof, address proof, and income statements, to evaluate the applicant's eligibility.

Online Banking and Mobile App

RBL Bank offers a comprehensive online banking platform and a mobile app that allow cardholders to manage their accounts, view statements, pay bills, and redeem rewards with ease. The functionality and user interface of these platforms are crucial for a seamless user experience. The app's design, responsiveness, and features like instant notifications on transactions, security management options, and the ability to temporarily block or unblock the card enhance user engagement and satisfaction.

Customer Service

Effective customer support is a cornerstone of positive user experience. RBL Bank provides customer service through multiple channels, including a 24/7 helpline, email support, and in-branch assistance. The efficiency, responsiveness, and helpfulness of the customer service team play a significant role in resolving issues and answering queries, contributing to the overall satisfaction of the cardholder.

Rewards Redemption

The ease of redeeming rewards is a critical aspect of user experience. The RBL World Safari Credit Card offers a rewards program where points can be redeemed for travel bookings, gift vouchers, and other products through RBL Bank's rewards portal. The process should be straightforward, with clear instructions and minimal hassle, to ensure cardholders can effortlessly enjoy the benefits they've earned.

Concierge Service

The 24*7 concierge service provided with the card adds a layer of convenience and exclusivity to the user experience. The quality of this service, including the range of assistance offered and the efficiency in fulfilling requests, significantly enhances the cardholder's experience, particularly for those who frequently avail of lifestyle and travel-related services.

Additional Perks and Benefits

Beyond the primary travel and spending benefits of the RBL World Safari Credit Card, there are several additional perks that make the card particularly appealing:

1. 24*7 Concierge Desk: A standout feature is the round-the-clock concierge service, which offers personalized assistance for various activities and bookings. Whether it's securing reservations at exclusive hotels, booking golf rounds, or arranging special dining experiences, the concierge service adds a layer of convenience and exclusivity to the cardholder's experience.
2. Golf Privileges: Golf enthusiasts will find the card's golf privileges especially attractive. With access to prestigious golf courses across the nation, complimentary rounds, and no-cost golf lessons, the card extends its appeal beyond just travel to cater to lifestyle experiences as well.
3. Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Recognizing the diverse needs of travelers, the card also offers a practical benefit in the form of a fuel surcharge waiver. This waiver is applicable across all fuel stations for transactions between INR 500 and INR 4,000, capping at a maximum waiver of INR 250 per month. This benefit is particularly useful for those who prefer road trips or often find themselves on the go within the country.
4. Travel Insurance: The inclusion of comprehensive travel insurance covers various unexpected events, from trip delays and baggage loss to dental treatments. This not only adds a layer of financial safety but also ensures peace of mind for cardholders while traveling.
5. Reward Redemption Fee: It's important to note the reward redemption fee of INR 99 + GST, applicable from August 15, 2022. While this fee may seem nominal, it's a factor that reward-savvy cardholders might consider when calculating the net value of their rewards.

Comparative Analysis

In this section, we'll compare the RBL World Safari Credit Card with other notable Indian credit cards that are popular among travelers. This comparison will focus on key aspects such as welcome benefits, reward structures, foreign transaction fees, and travel-specific perks.

RBL World Safari Credit Card vs HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Card

• Welcome Benefits: Both cards offer attractive welcome benefits. The RBL World Safari Credit Card provides a MakeMyTrip voucher worth INR 3,000, whereas the HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Card typically includes membership benefits to various travel and lifestyle services.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: A standout feature of the RBL World Safari Credit Card is its 0% markup on foreign currency transactions, offering significant savings on international spending. In contrast, the HDFC Diners Club Black Card usually has a higher foreign transaction fee, making the RBL card more appealing for those who frequently travel abroad.
• Reward Points: The RBL card rewards users with 2 travel points per INR 100 spent on all purchases and 5 points per INR 100 on travel-related expenses. The HDFC Diners Club Black Card, known for its generous reward rate, may offer higher points on certain categories but doesn't specifically target travel spending as aggressively as the RBL card.
• Travel Perks: Both cards offer complimentary lounge access, but the RBL card's additional travel insurance and no-cost Priority Pass membership might edge out the HDFC card for some travelers, especially those looking for comprehensive travel coverage and international lounge access.

RBL World Safari Credit Card vs American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card

• Welcome Benefits: The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is known for its substantial welcome offers and travel vouchers. While the RBL card's INR 3,000 MakeMyTrip voucher is competitive, American Express often packages its welcome benefits with more extensive travel rewards and bonuses.
• Rewards and Milestones: The RBL World Safari Card incentivizes spending with additional travel points at various spending milestones. American Express also offers milestone benefits but tends to focus more on redeemable travel vouchers, which might be more straightforward for some users.
• Lounge Access: Both cards provide complimentary lounge access, but the American Express Platinum Travel Card might have a broader selection of lounges through its Global Lounge Collection.
• Foreign Transaction Fees and Additional Perks: The RBL World Safari Card's 0% foreign transaction fee is a significant advantage over the American Express card, which typically charges higher fees for international transactions. Additionally, the RBL card's golf privileges and concierge service are comparable to the lifestyle benefits offered by American Express.

Pros and Cons of the RBL World Safari Credit Card

Before we conclude the review, let's summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the RBL World Safari Credit Card to give you a clear picture of its overall value proposition.

Pros:

1. 0% Markup on Foreign Transactions: This is a standout feature, offering significant savings on international spending, making it ideal for frequent international travelers.
2. Attractive Welcome Benefits: The inclusion of a MakeMyTrip voucher worth INR 3,000 as a welcome gift, along with the requirement of just a single swipe within 30 days of issuance, makes the card's initial offering quite compelling.
3. Rewarding Milestones: The card rewards significant spending milestones with additional travel points and gift cards, enhancing the value proposition for high spenders.
4. Complimentary Lounge Access: With both domestic and international lounge access, including two free international lounge visits per year via Priority Pass, the card caters well to the needs of regular travelers.
5. Comprehensive Travel Insurance: The inclusion of travel insurance covering various contingencies adds an essential layer of security for overseas travelers.
6. Additional Lifestyle Perks: The 24*7 concierge service, golf privileges, and fuel surcharge waiver extend the card's benefits beyond travel, adding value to various aspects of the cardholder's lifestyle.

Cons:

1. Limited International Reward Points: The card does not offer reward points on international transactions, which could be a downside for users looking to maximize rewards on their overseas spending.
2. Annual Fee: The INR 3,000 annual membership fee, plus GST, might be a deterrent for some potential cardholders, especially those who may not spend enough to justify the fee through the card's benefits.
3. Reward Redemption Fee: The INR 99 + GST reward redemption fee, applicable from August 15, 2022, might slightly diminish the appeal of the rewards program for some users.
4. Golf Privileges Limited to MasterCard Holders: This limitation restricts the accessibility of the golf benefits, potentially diminishing the card's value for non-MasterCard holders interested in these perks.

Conclusion and Overall Rating

The RBL World Safari Credit Card is meticulously crafted to cater to the needs and aspirations of the modern traveler, offering a harmonious blend of travel benefits, lifestyle perks, and savings opportunities. Its standout feature, the 0% markup on foreign currency transactions, sets it apart in the realm of travel credit cards, providing tangible financial benefits to those who frequently find themselves abroad.

With a well-rounded suite of benefits including comprehensive travel insurance, complimentary lounge access, and rewarding spending milestones, the card holds substantial appeal for individuals seeking to enhance their travel experiences while also enjoying lifestyle privileges like golf access and a dedicated concierge service. The welcome benefit of a MakeMyTrip voucher further sweetens the deal, making the initial membership fee more palatable.

However, the card is not without its drawbacks. The absence of reward points on international purchases and the imposition of a reward redemption fee could dampen its allure for some potential cardholders. Additionally, the annual fee and specific perks being limited to MasterCard holders may restrict its appeal to a broader audience.