In 2023, Scapia launched its credit cards focused on the travel space. Scapia was unique because their card products and the whole app and experience are concentrated on travel. For instance, the company has an app that accompanies the card, where one can book flights and stays and even 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 got my cards approved, and they instantly made it to the cards in my wallet list. Since then, I’ve received a few queries about why this card is getting spends 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 ability to spend money on specific airport outlets (up to INR 1,000) and then reimburses you for these in the form of Scapia Coins (1 Coin worth INR 0.2).
• Scapia Coins Rewards Programme: The card gives back 10% Scapia Coins on every transaction. On Travel Spends through the app, Scapia is currently offering 20% Scapia Coins. With the current conversion of 5 Scapia coins = 1 Rupee, that converts to 2% on regular spends and 4% on travel spends. 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 get activated when you spend at least INR 10,000 before statement generation, for the following statement cycle. In the first month, you get it activated the minute you have done 10,000 INR spends. 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 the six major metros in India (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad) at an airport outlet on their list 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 the six major metros in India (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad) at an airport outlet on their list 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 on the app. At last count, 25 cities in India had lounges accessible through Scapia.
• Spa. At some airports, Scapia will also enable Spa privileges, which will allow you to have a quick treatment before you board 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 heading 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 as 5,000 coins to me. For the return from Mumbai, I picked up some books, and I got 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.

You can apply for the card here. This is a referral link, which will earn you 1000 coins on successful application. Just remember to claim the coins from the app under the “Welcome to the Tribe” section once you are approved.

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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