PNB Launches LUXURA Metal Credit Card on VISA Infinite: Premium Banking Redefined

Punjab National Bank (PNB), one of India’s oldest and largest public sector banks, has announced the launch of the PNB LUXURA Metal Credit Card on the VISA Infinite platform. This strategic addition to PNB’s premium card portfolio represents the bank’s commitment to meeting the evolving financial and lifestyle needs of affluent customers seeking a seamless blend of global acceptance, exclusive benefits, and personalized experiences.

The launch event took place at PNB’s Corporate Office in Dwarka, with prominent attendance from Ashok Chandra (MD & CEO, PNB) and Anand Vijay Jha (Vice President, Visa – India & South Asia), along with senior leadership from both organizations. This high-profile launch underscores the strategic importance of this new offering in PNB’s digital and premium banking initiatives.

The LUXURA Card Evolution: From Single Platform to Dual Acceptance

Strategic Expansion

With the launch of the LUXURA Metal Credit Card on VISA Infinite, the LUXURA brand now enjoys unprecedented reach and flexibility. Previously available on the RuPay platform, LUXURA now offers customers the choice between two of the world’s most respected payment networks—RuPay and Visa. This dual-platform availability significantly enhances the card’s utility and appeal, particularly for customers with international travel requirements and global lifestyle aspirations.

Why Dual Platform Matters

The expansion to VISA Infinite represents a strategic response to customer needs:

Global Acceptance: While RuPay has made substantial progress in international acceptance, VISA Infinite remains one of the world’s most widely accepted premium card networks. Offering both platforms gives customers maximum flexibility in choosing based on their spending patterns and travel destinations.

Enhanced Value Proposition: Dual-platform availability allows PNB to serve different customer segments with a single brand identity while maintaining the premium positioning and lifestyle benefits that define LUXURA.

Competitive Positioning: In India’s premium credit card market, offering multiple platform choices demonstrates commitment to customer choice and sets LUXURA apart from single-platform competitors.

Future-Proofing: As digital payments evolve and different regions develop preferences, dual-platform presence ensures the card remains relevant and useful across diverse scenarios.

Target Customer Profile: Lifestyle Aspirations and Affluence

Who is LUXURA For?

The LUXURA Metal Credit Card on VISA Infinite is thoughtfully designed for a specific customer profile:

High-Income Earners: The card targets customers with substantial annual incomes who seek premium financial solutions matching their lifestyle expectations.

Evolving Lifestyle Aspirations: Rather than targeting only the ultra-wealthy, LUXURA addresses customers with aspiring lifestyles—those who value premium experiences, travel, and cultural engagement and are willing to invest in cards that facilitate these activities.

Global Citizens: The card appeals to customers who travel internationally for business and leisure, value seamless global payment acceptance, and seek exclusive benefits in major destinations worldwide.

Experience Collectors: Modern affluent customers increasingly value experiences over material possessions. LUXURA’s emphasis on travel privileges, dining benefits, and lifestyle services appeals to this mindset.

Convenience Seekers: Beyond benefits, the card serves customers seeking streamlined, sophisticated financial management that integrates premium services into daily life.

Market Context

As Ashok Chandra, MD & CEO of PNB, noted in his statement: “As customer expectations continue to evolve, there is a growing demand for financial solutions that seamlessly combine global acceptance, premium experiences, and everyday convenience. The LUXURA Metal Credit Card has been thoughtfully designed to address these aspirations, offering a refined blend of exclusivity, flexibility, and lifestyle privileges.”

This observation reflects broader trends in Indian premium banking where customers increasingly demand integrated solutions that combine practical utility with aspirational benefits.

Card Features and Specifications

Physical Design and Prestige

The LUXURA Metal Credit Card is manufactured from metal, a symbolic and practical choice that:

Conveys Prestige: The weight and feel of a metal card communicate exclusivity and premium status, enhancing the customer’s sense of belonging to an elite circle.

Ensures Durability: Metal construction provides superior durability compared to traditional plastic cards, ensuring the card remains functional and aesthetically pleasing throughout its lifetime.

Facilitates Recognition: The distinctive appearance of a metal card makes it instantly recognizable, creating a subtle status symbol when used for transactions.

Reflects Quality: The quality of the card’s construction mirrors the quality of the benefits and services provided, creating a cohesive premium experience.

Credit Limits and Financial Flexibility

The LUXURA Metal Credit Card on VISA Infinite offers high credit limits tailored to affluent customers, enabling them to:

• Execute substantial transactions without hitting card limits
• Consolidate multiple payments onto a single premium account
• Maintain financial flexibility for unexpected opportunities or needs
• Enjoy accelerated rewards on larger spends

Rewards and Incentives Structure

Welcome Benefits

The card offers an attractive welcome incentive designed to encourage adoption and demonstrate the rewards potential:

Welcome Offer: 20,000 reward points, equivalent to ₹5,000, on spending ₹50,000 within the first 90 days

This welcome benefit is strategically structured to: – Encourage customers to activate and use the card immediately – Demonstrate concrete value early in the customer relationship – Help offset the joining fee – Build loyalty by providing immediate tangible benefits

Ongoing Rewards Accumulation

Base Reward Rate: 4 reward points for every ₹100 spent

This 4% reward rate ensures that even routine everyday spending generates meaningful rewards, encouraging cardholders to consolidate their spending on LUXURA.

Accelerated Rewards on Lifestyle Categories:

• 3X Reward Points on Travel: Whether booking flights, hotels, or travel packages, customers earn accelerated rewards, recognizing that travel represents a significant spending category for this customer segment
• 3X Reward Points on Dining: With India’s growing dining culture and international restaurant expansion, dining benefits acknowledge the importance of culinary experiences to affluent customers

Annual Spend Bonus: 10,000 bonus reward points on annual spends of ₹5 lakh

This milestone bonus incentivizes sustained engagement and rewards customers who make LUXURA their primary card, recognizing loyalty and long-term relationships.

Reward Value and Redemption

The rewards structure is designed to provide meaningful value:

• Welcome benefit of ₹5,000 helps offset the ₹4,999 joining fee
• Base earning of 4 points per ₹100 means a customer spending ₹1 lakh annually earns ₹4,000 in rewards (before category bonuses)
• Combined with dining and travel accelerators, a customer with moderate lifestyle spending can easily exceed ₹10,000 in annual rewards value

Premium Privileges and Lifestyle Benefits

International Travel Benefits

Zero Forex Markup on International Transactions:

One of the most valuable benefits for international travelers, zero forex markup means customers pay no additional fee beyond the actual exchange rate when making purchases abroad. This benefit:

• Saves significant amounts on international travel spending
• Eliminates hidden costs that plague many international transactions
• Provides transparency and predictability in budgeting
• Removes incentive to use local currency or alternative payment methods while abroad

Unlimited Complimentary Airport Lounge Access:

• Access to both domestic and international airport lounges
• Unlimited frequency—no caps on number of visits
• Complimentary nature means no per-visit charges
• Particularly valuable for frequent travelers who spend significant time in airports

Airport lounge benefits deliver multiple advantages: – Access to comfortable, quiet spaces for work or relaxation – Food and beverage service, reducing airport food expenses – Business facilities enabling work during layovers – Quality time management during travel – Relief from crowded airport terminals

Luxury Hotel Collection Benefits

The card unlocks access to the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection, a curated network of premium hospitality properties offering:

Daily Breakfast for Two: Rather than a one-time welcome benefit, ongoing breakfast inclusions for room occupants represent substantial value, particularly at premium properties where breakfast can cost ₹3,000-5,000 per person.

Food and Beverage Credits: Additional dining credits beyond meals, applicable to spa services, room service, or restaurant dining within the property.

Complimentary Wi-Fi: Increasingly expected at premium properties but still a valuable inclusion, ensuring seamless connectivity for business travelers.

VIP Guest Status: Recognition and treatment as a valued guest, potentially including: – Room upgrades subject to availability – Priority service – Special attention from hospitality staff – Recognition in billing and communications

Room Upgrades: Subject to availability, properties offer upgrades to superior room categories, enhancing the travel experience without additional cost.

Late Check-out: Flexibility to depart later than standard checkout time, accommodating varying travel schedules and reducing need for additional hotel nights.

These benefits collectively transform hotel stays from transactional accommodations into premium experiences, adding substantial value to travel spending.

Dining and Entertainment Benefits

Visa Dine & Save Programme:

• Up to 20% savings at select restaurants
• Coverage across India and international markets
• Flexibility to use dining benefits at multiple establishments
• Recognition of dining as a key lifestyle category

For customers dining out regularly at premium establishments, 20% savings represent substantial cumulative value. A customer spending ₹10,000 monthly on dining saves ₹2,000 monthly or ₹24,000 annually.

Partnership Network: Benefits extend to India’s premier restaurant ecosystem and international dining destinations, ensuring relevance regardless of travel patterns.

Travel and Hospitality Partnerships

The card provides exclusive discounts and offers through partnerships with major travel and hospitality platforms:

Online Travel Platforms: – Ixigo: Indian travel platform offering flights, hotels, and packages – Agoda: Asia-focused hotel booking platform with extensive Asian coverage – Expedia: Global travel booking platform with worldwide coverage – Trip.com: Chinese travel platform with strong Asia-Pacific presence

Hospitality Brand Partnerships: – IHG Hotels: InterContinental Hotels Group properties across premium, upscale, and upper-midscale segments – ITC Hotels: India’s premier hotel chain with properties across major cities and leisure destinations – Elivaas Villas: Luxury villa experiences combining exclusivity with personalization

These partnerships provide: – Negotiated discounts unavailable to general customers – Exclusive offers sometimes available only through partner platforms – Consistency of benefits across a global network – Choice among diverse hospitality experiences from budget-conscious efficiency to ultra-luxury indulgence

Concierge Services

The card provides access to 24×7 Visa Concierge Services, offering personalized assistance across multiple lifestyle dimensions:

Travel Planning: Professional assistance in designing itineraries, identifying properties, managing logistics, and optimizing travel experiences.

Dining Reservations: Help securing reservations at sought-after restaurants, particularly valuable in competitive urban markets or luxury establishments with long wait lists.

Healthcare Support: Coordination of healthcare needs while traveling, including finding qualified providers, arranging appointments, and managing medical tourism.

Entertainment Bookings: Securing tickets to shows, concerts, sporting events, and cultural performances, particularly valuable for high-demand events.

Gifting Services: Assistance in selecting and arranging premium gifts, including sourcing, delivery, and personalization.

Shopping: Personal shopping assistance, including recommendations, sourcing, and coordination.

Lifestyle Needs: General concierge services addressing diverse personal and professional needs across major global destinations.

The 24×7 availability ensures support across time zones, critically important for global travelers dealing with jet lag and unfamiliar locations.

Fee Structure: Investment in Premium Status

Joining Fee

₹4,999 plus GST

This upfront investment signals commitment to the premium positioning and helps filter for customers genuinely seeking premium benefits rather than casually exploring the offering. The welcome benefit of ₹5,000 in reward points effectively offsets this cost for customers meeting spending thresholds.

Annual Fee

₹1,999 plus GST

The annual fee is structured to: – Maintain exclusivity through a modest financial barrier – Generate recurring revenue for the bank – Ensure sustained engagement with cardholders – Support the cost of premium benefits and services offered

The annual fee is reasonable relative to the benefits provided, particularly for customers: – Taking advantage of travel benefits and lounge access – Using dining and entertainment privileges – Earning ₹10,000+ annually in rewards – Utilizing concierge services

Strategic Positioning in PNB’s Premium Portfolio

Market Differentiation

The LUXURA Metal Credit Card on VISA Infinite represents PNB’s sophisticated approach to premium banking:

Premium Tier Clarity: By offering a metal card with substantial benefits, PNB creates a clear premium positioning distinct from standard credit cards while remaining accessible to aspirational affluent customers.

Global Competitiveness: Offering benefits comparable to international premium cards (Amex Platinum, Citi Prestige) on VISA Infinite platform brings world-class premium banking to Indian customers.

Lifestyle Integration: The emphasis on travel, dining, and concierge services reflects modern understanding that premium banking is about lifestyle facilitation, not just financial transactions.

Inclusive Excellence: While premium, the card remains more accessible than ultra-luxury offerings, serving the broadening segment of affluent customers in India’s growing middle and upper-middle classes.

Alignment with Digital Banking Trends

PNB’s reference to “All Your Money, one Smart APP” indicates integration with digital banking platforms where customers can:

• Manage LUXURA along with other credit cards, savings, and loan accounts
• Track rewards and benefits in real time
• Access concierge services through mobile apps
• Manage spends and set budget alerts
• Receive personalized offers and notifications

This digital integration is critical for customers expecting seamless omnichannel banking experiences.

The Competitive Landscape

Premium Credit Card Market in India

The launch of LUXURA on VISA Infinite occurs in an increasingly competitive premium credit card market featuring:

Bank Premium Offerings: ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank all offer competitive premium cards with sophisticated benefit structures.

International Card Variants: Amex Platinum, Citi Prestige, and other international premium cards maintain strong positions among Indian affluent customers.

Emerging Luxury Cards: New entrants and partnerships continue expanding the premium card ecosystem.

LUXURA’s Competitive Advantages

Against this competitive backdrop, LUXURA on VISA Infinite offers:

• Dual platform availability (RuPay and Visa)
• Strong rewards structure with attractive accelerators
• Comprehensive travel and lifestyle benefits
• 24×7 concierge support
• Competitive fee structure
• Backing of a major public sector bank with extensive branch and service network

Customer Value Proposition Summary

For the Aspirational Affluent Customer

The LUXURA Metal Credit Card on VISA Infinite delivers:

1. Global Financial Flexibility: Zero forex markup and global VISA acceptance enable stress-free international spending
2. Lifestyle Enhancement: Lounge access, hotel benefits, dining privileges, and concierge services transform everyday activities into premium experiences
3. Tangible Rewards: 4% base rewards plus category accelerators generate meaningful value, particularly for lifestyle-oriented spending
4. Convenience and Simplicity: Unified card, app integration, and concierge services streamline financial management and lifestyle planning
5. Status and Recognition: Metal card design and exclusive benefits provide subtle status signaling and membership in an elite customer community
6. Flexibility and Choice: Dual platform availability, multiple partnership options, and diverse benefit categories ensure relevance across varied lifestyle patterns

The Broader Banking Evolution

Premium Banking as Lifestyle Facilitation

PNB’s launch of LUXURA on VISA Infinite reflects a broader evolution in premium banking where banks increasingly view premium products as lifestyle facilitators rather than merely financial instruments. This evolution recognizes that affluent customers value:

• Experiences and convenience more than wealth displays
• Integrated solutions addressing multiple life dimensions
• Personalized services understanding their specific needs
• Global accessibility and seamless experiences across markets

Public Sector Banking Modernization

As a leading public sector bank, PNB’s aggressive development of premium products signals broader modernization of public sector banking in India. Public sector banks are increasingly competitive with private sector peers in:

• Product innovation and sophistication
• Customer experience and service quality
• Digital capabilities and app functionality
• Premium positioning and lifestyle benefits

This strengthens India’s banking sector by ensuring competition across all segments and customer classes.