Can Co-Branded Cards Add Colour to the Festive Season?

We are right at the peak of the festive season. Though we have just bid goodbye to Dasara until next time, we are all looking forward to the festival of lights. Diwali is the auspicious time where we exchange gifts, seek blessings from elders, and fall for the mouth-watering savouries leaving all the diet plans aside. 

Not just that, many people purchase things that are on their wishlist for a long time, such as vehicles, gadgets, and furniture. Gold is, of course, on the top of the list. The festive season marks a huge milestone for sellers and merchants as well since the sales over this small span can beat the whole year’s sales. 

Contrasting all the celebrations is the effect of the pandemic this year. Though the job insecurities have made consumers lose the excitement, brands and bank partners have come up with several arrangements to bring back the charm to the season in the form of co-branded cards.

Co-branded cards are credit and debit cards created based on a partnership between brands and banks. These cards offer unbelievable rewards and discounts when you purchase a product or avail a service offered by the specified brand and pay with the co-branded card. Such a card can be used for payments both at the point of sale (POS) as well as online.

Lately, we have seen a growing fondness towards co-branded cards from the customers. This is because such cards have increased the public’s interest in shopping, dining, and travel through their special and attractive offers. Customers can use such cards to pay for festive purchases to avail EMIs, cashbacks, rewards, discounts, and free goodies. 

Also Read: IRCTC and SBI Card Launch a Co-branded RuPay Credit Card

A few co-branded cards available in India are IndianOil Citi Platinum Card, FBB SBI StyleUp Card, ICICI Bank Amazon Pay Credit Card, Kotak PVR Platinum Credit Card, IRCTC SBI Platinum Card, HDFC Bank Diner’s Club Miles Card, and HDFC Bank Regalia First Card. 

Why You Should Have a Co-Branded Card?

• Worldwide Acceptance: Though it is not a common sight right now, one day we will all be free from COVID-19 and then travel to our heart’s content. Co-branded cards are internationally accepted in most cases and give you the freedom to spend even outside India.
  

• Loyalty Rewards: Co-branded cards reward your loyalty for using them frequently or when you make huge purchases. This is done through freebies and gifts. You will be rewarded with high cashback and reward points, whatever the card has got to offer when you make purchases at the partner brand stores.
  

• Fee Waivers: Many co-branded credit cards do not charge transaction fees and surcharge.

Are you ready with your wishlist for this festive season? Just keep your co-branded card ready and get started. Happy festival shopping!

For any clarifications/feedback on the topic, please contact the writer at apoorva.n@cleartax.in.