1. Overview of the IndusInd Bajaj Tiger Credit Card
The IndusInd Bank Bajaj Tiger Credit Card is a lifestyle-oriented, co-branded credit card that combines strong travel and reward benefits without charging any annual, joining, or renewal fees. Jointly developed by IndusInd Bank and Tiger Fintech (a Bajaj Capital subsidiary), the card offers an impressive suite of privileges including complimentary airport lounge access, reward point acceleration, travel discounts, and luxury concierge support.
Launched in August 2023, this card positions itself as an excellent no-fee option for users seeking perks typically associated with premium cards—without the associated costs.
2. Background and Launch
The card was introduced through a collaboration between IndusInd Bank and Tiger Fintech, the digital wing of the Bajaj Capital Group. It’s co-branded with Visa, and issued as part of Visa’s Signature or Infinite tier depending on customer eligibility.
The objective behind the card was to create a lifetime-free product that blends lifestyle, leisure, and utility features for India’s growing base of urban, upwardly mobile consumers.
3. No-Fee Structure
One of the main attractions of the Tiger Credit Card is its zero-fee model:
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Joining Fee: ₹0
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Annual/Renewal Fee: ₹0
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Lifetime Validity: Yes, with no usage conditions
This pricing model makes it a top choice for people who want to enjoy benefits like lounge access and reward programs without worrying about annual costs.
4. Reward Point System
4.1 Dynamic Reward Tiers
The card offers a unique tier-based reward structure, where your reward points increase as your yearly spend grows:
| Yearly Spend | Reward Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹1,00,000 | 1 point per ₹100 spent |
| ₹1L – ₹2.5L | 2 points per ₹100 |
| ₹2.5L – ₹5L | 4 points per ₹100 |
| Above ₹5L | 6 points per ₹100 |
This structure encourages higher spending, rewarding customers with greater value as they cross key thresholds.
4.2 Redemption Options
Reward points can be used in several ways:
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Statement credit (₹0.40 per point)
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Air miles conversion (1 point = 1.2 miles with Club Vistara or InterMiles)
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Pay with Points at IndusMoments
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E-gift cards and other merchandise
There is a redemption cap of 5,000 points per month for cash redemptions starting from September 2024.
5. Travel and Lifestyle Benefits
5.1 Airport Lounge Access
The Tiger Card offers complimentary airport lounge access:
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Domestic: 2 free visits per quarter (total 8/year)
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International: 2 free visits per year through Priority Pass
This benefit is available without the need to reach spending milestones, making it accessible for light and moderate users alike.
5.2 Golf Benefits
Cardholders can enjoy one free game of golf or a professional lesson every quarter at select clubs. Some issuers may ask for a minimum spend of ₹25,000/month to avail of this, but many customers report no such condition applied.
5.3 Forex Markup Waiver
Foreign currency transactions typically incur a 3.5% charge. With this card, the forex markup is only 1.5%, making it ideal for international travel and online foreign purchases.
5.4 Movie Perks
The card includes two free BookMyShow movie tickets per year—one every six months—worth up to ₹500 each.
6. Other Features
6.1 Concierge Assistance
The 24/7 concierge service can assist with tasks like booking tickets, making travel arrangements, securing reservations at restaurants, or delivering gifts—available via a dedicated helpline.
6.2 Auto-Assist Services
The card also includes an Auto Assist benefit for vehicle owners, covering:
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Flat tyre service
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Emergency fuel delivery (up to 5 litres)
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Jump-start battery service
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Lockout support
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Roadside towing in emergencies
6.3 Complimentary Insurance
Cardholders are covered with:
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₹25 lakh in personal air accident insurance
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Purchase protection
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Fraud liability protection for unauthorized transactions
7. Additional Fees and Charges
While the card is free of joining and annual fees, some standard credit card charges apply:
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Interest Rate: ~3.5% monthly (~42% annually)
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Late Payment Fee: ₹500 to ₹2,500 depending on the outstanding balance
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Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver for transactions between ₹400–₹4,000
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Foreign Currency Markup: 1.5% + GST
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Cash Advance Charges: ~2.5%
8. Ideal Cardholder Profile
This card is best suited for:
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Individuals who travel frequently (airport lounge and low forex markup benefits)
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High spenders (to maximize the tiered reward system)
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Golf or movie enthusiasts
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Urban professionals looking for a no-fee lifestyle card
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Customers seeking flexibility in redeeming reward points
9. Real-User Feedback and Insights
9.1 Praises
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Airport Lounge Access: Widely appreciated as it doesn’t require hitting minimum spend levels
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Low Forex Charges: Many international users find it cost-effective
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Zero Fee: Lifetime-free status is a key advantage
9.2 Concerns
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Customer Service Delays: Many users report poor call center experiences, including slow responses and confusing IVR systems.
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Unsolicited Protection Plans: Customers have flagged upselling tactics where agents push chargeable insurance plans after card approval.
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Delayed Priority Pass Activation: Some users found it time-consuming to activate their Priority Pass membership.
10. Strengths and Weaknesses
✅ Pros
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No joining or annual fee
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Generous domestic and international lounge access
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Forex markup as low as 1.5%
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Tiered rewards up to 6 points per ₹100
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Concierge and golf access
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Useful redemption options (including air miles)
⚠️ Cons
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Weak customer service and long hold times
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Monthly cap on cash redemptions
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Points redemption process is manual and slow
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Unwanted calls for additional services (e.g., protection plans)
11. How It Compares with Similar Cards
When compared to other lifetime-free credit cards in the market:
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Vs. HDFC Millennia or SBI SimplyCLICK: Those cards focus more on cashback or e-commerce but lack international lounge and low forex markup benefits.
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Vs. ICICI Amazon Pay: Amazon Pay card offers better direct cashback but lacks travel perks.
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Vs. IndusInd Legend: The Legend card offers similar features but comes with a joining fee.
Tiger offers an excellent blend of features usually reserved for paid cards, making it unique in its segment.
12. Tips to Maximize Card Benefits
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Track Spending Tiers: Keep an eye on annual spend to reach the 6 RP/₹100 bracket.
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Redeem for Air Miles: Use points for Vistara or InterMiles to extract higher value.
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Use Lounge Access: Don’t let unused visits expire—keep track of quarterly limits.
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Ignore Protection Plan Calls: Politely decline if contacted for paid insurance services.
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Use Forex Markup Smartly: Book travel or make overseas payments using this card to benefit from the low markup.
13. Who Should Apply
You should consider applying if you:
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Want lounge benefits with no annual commitment
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Spend consistently over ₹2.5–5 lakh per year
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Travel internationally or make foreign currency purchases
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Value travel and lifestyle services such as golf, concierge, and entertainment
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Prefer a reliable LTF card for everyday and luxury use
14. Final Thoughts
The IndusInd Bajaj Tiger Credit Card represents exceptional value in the Indian credit card landscape. It offers several premium features like lounge access, reward acceleration, low forex fees, and lifestyle assistance without any recurring fees. While customer service can be a weak point, the benefits are rich enough to justify holding this card long-term.
If you’re seeking a lifestyle card that doesn’t eat into your budget yet offers enough to enhance your travel and leisure experiences, this is an excellent choice.