Why I’m spending on my Scapia Credit Card every month

In 2023, Scapia launched its credit cards focused on the travel space. Scapia was unique because its card products, as well as the entire app and experience, are centred on travel. For instance, the company offers an app that accompanies the card, allowing users to book flights and accommodations, as well as apply for visas.

In 2024, Scapia had to stop onboarding new customers because the regulator asked Federal Bank, their banking partner, to discontinue onboarding new co-brand credit card customers. But recently, they were back.

Scapia resumes issuance of credit cards.

Scapia has officially relaunched its credit card. Scapia’s core philosophy revolves around simplifying travel rewards. They shot a video, narrated by Naseeruddin Shah, to announce their comeback.

 

Once they were back in circulation, I had my cards approved, and they instantly appeared in the list of cards in my wallet. Since then, I’ve received a few queries about why this card is getting spent when I have access to almost all the top-tier cards. Here is why.

Instead of point systems and redemption processes, Scapia offers a different model: zero forex markup, unlimited domestic lounge access, and travel rewards through its “Scapia Coins” programme. Here is how the card works:

• Zero Forex Markup: Scapia eliminates forex markup, making it ideal for international travel and online purchases in foreign currencies. However, you don’t earn rewards on these purchases.
• Airport Privileges: When INR 10,000 is spent monthly, one can access unlimited domestic airport lounges across India. Scapia also offers the option to spend money at specific airport outlets (up to INR 1,000) and then reimburses you in the form of Scapia Coins (1 Coin is worth INR 0.2).
• Scapia Coins Rewards Programme: The card gives back 10% Scapia Coins on every transaction. Through the app, Scapia is currently offering 20% off Scapia Coins. With the current conversion rate of 5 Scapia coins = 1 Rupee, this translates to 2% on regular expenses and 4% on travel expenses. These coins can be redeemed for travel bookings, including flights and hotels, through the Scapia app.
• Lifetime Free Card: No joining fees, no annual fees.

The key draw for me is the Scapia Airport Privileges Programme.

Scapia Airport Privileges. How do they work?

Scapia Airport Privileges are activated when you spend at least INR 10,000 before the statement generation date for the current statement cycle. In the first month, it is activated the minute you have spent 10,000 INR. Once activated, you see that it is activated in your dashboard.

There are three parts to the Airport Privileges programme, and you can choose one when you are travelling domestically around the country:

• Dine at the Airport. You can dine at an airport outlet and pay with Scapia. They will return up to INR 1,000 worth of coins into your account if you dine at one of the six major metro airports in India (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad) at an outlet listed in the app. At other airports, they reimburse up to INR 500. You need to select the outlet and activate it before swiping the card.

• Buy something at the Airport. You can also use this card to go shopping at the airport. Pay with Scapia. They will return up to INR 1,000 worth of coins into your account if you shop at one of the six major metros in India (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad) at an airport outlet listed in the app. At other airports, they reimburse up to INR 500. Please select the outlet and activate it before swiping the card.

 

• Sign up for Lounge Access at the Airport. If you are not the shopping or eating at outlet kind, you can opt for old-school lounge access, which is available via a QR code generated in the app. At last count, 25 cities in India had lounges accessible through Scapia.
• Spa. At some airports, Scapia will also offer Spa privileges, allowing you to enjoy a quick treatment before boarding your flight. For instance, this is not available in Delhi but is available in Mumbai.

Remember, you can only claim one of the four perks in one airport departure, not all four.

I signed up for the card when it reopened for applications, and it was delivered with a fairly generous limit. I’ve heard that the card is also available to existing Federal Bank customers. I have no shortage of credit cards that offer lounge access, but I appreciate the feature that allows me to sit at a coffee shop and be reimbursed for it, rather than having to head to the lounge.

For instance, I was away for the Guns N’ Roses concert in Mumbai, and on the way out, I picked up some sweets, which were immediately reimbursed with 5,000 coins. For the return from Mumbai, I picked up some books and received 5,000 coins again. These coins are worth INR 0.2 each, so basically, I have coins worth INR 2,047 on a spend of INR 2,348, which is not bad at all.

Scapia International Spends: Zero Markup

Internationally, this card is for all the pocket change expenses where I don’t care so much about the points, but to keep it away from my high-value spend card, the Olympus—a soda here, a small snack there. For instance, here is a swipe I made recently at the Tokyo Haneda Airport.

Which was posted exactly as Visa would have wanted it to post.

You can go ahead with applying for the card here. You also receive 1000 coins, which are worth 200 INR. Please remember to collect those.

Apply Here

Bottomline

Scapia has started onboarding customers again. This travel-focused credit card offers unique perks, is free for life, and features zero markup on international spending. One of the unique ones is the ability to earn coins for airport spending, which bypasses the need for lounge access altogether. Apply here.

What are your thoughts and experiences with the Scapia Credit Card? Questions? Please put them in the comments below.

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