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 officially relaunched its credit card in March 2025. 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.
Now available to Federal Bank’s existing customers
In the initial days, it seems there was some trouble if you were already a Federal Bank Credit Card customer. However, that has been resolved, and now, everyone eligible is able to get the card. So, if you have been eyeing the card and unable to get it earlier, because you did already have a card from Federal Bank, you should try now.
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. Now even those who are existing customers of Federal Bank are able to get the card. 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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Hey Ajay !
Had a couple of questions.
1. In the case of Connecting flights, would i be eligible for 1000+1000 in a day ?
2. If i Buy anything at a Foreign airport, would i still be eligible for a 1000 cashback ?
Cheers for all the info !
@Msj, one airport departure only once in 24 hours basically. So transfer airport also counts, as long as you have a new boarding pass to scan. only works for domestic travel, not for international. You can go through 5 different airports in a day and you get points worth INR 1000 for each.
Does this mean international departures from Indian airports would be disallowed?
They are still not giving to existing Federal Bank customers. I just tried.
@Hrish, is it possible that you are not the customer they want because of other qualifying criteria and hence you got denied? Because many people have had their cards approved.