Is SBI Vistara prime worth it anymore?

[maynigam]

Hello guys

I was wondering if SBI Vistara prime card is even worth it anymore?
Read in multiple places that it is becoming very difficult to book flights using the "free ticket vouchers" and you need to book months in advance. Is it the same case with utilising CV points? Can the CV points be used to book all regular flights tickets on their website or only for specific seats (award seats)?
Do they consider rent payments via Redgiraffe for milestones and rewards?
I was considering applying for this card for rent payments!

Thanks in advance!

 

[NABNAB is verified member.]

Booking through voucher/CV points are the same. They both work on Awards Seats only.

 

[maynigam]

Booking through voucher/CV points are the same. They both work on Awards Seats only.

How difficult is it to get these award flights?

 

[PM1]

How difficult is it to get these award flights?

Depends on the route, most busy routes will have to be booked at least 2-3 weeks in advance.

 

[maynigam]

Depends on the route, most busy routes will have to be booked at least 2-3 weeks in advance.

It's not that bad!

 

[PM1]

It's not that bad!

Yes, few sectors you can find even 2-3 days apart. Availability is lower mainly during festive months

 

[maynigam]

Yes, few sectors you can find even 2-3 days apart. Availability is lower mainly during festive months

I just found another post where the person wants to downgrade from Vistara prime to normal Vistara card bcz he is unable to find premium economy seats! In some cases the condition seems to be pretty bad! What's the point of accuring rewards and not being able to redeem!

 

[PM1]

I just found another post where the person wants to downgrade from Vistara prime to normal Vistara card bcz he is unable to find premium economy seats! In some cases the condition seems to be pretty bad! What's the point of accuring rewards and not being able to redeem!

This is true, the issue is because vistara has a fixed amount of seats released in each class. These are shared for cv points, cv+cash booking, voucher booking and even partner award booking (For example Aircanada aeroplan miles can be used to book vistara tickets).
Again it is not predictable. On time I was able to book my required route just 1 day before flying so its more of luck too

 

[PM1]

I just found another post where the person wants to downgrade from Vistara prime to normal Vistara card bcz he is unable to find premium economy seats! In some cases the condition seems to be pretty bad! What's the point of accuring rewards and not being able to redeem!

Vistara Ceo in an interview few weeks back said they are working on improving award availability, lets see where it goes

 

[maynigam]

Vistara Ceo in an interview few weeks back said they are working on improving award availability, lets see where it goes

That means I can wait and watch. Maybe apply for this card after 6 months!

 

[PM1]

That means I can wait and watch. Maybe apply for this card after 6 months!

Yes, but again Vistara has hardly any time left before its merger with Airindia. It was supposed to happen before May 24, but delayed by at least 1 by year.

 

[SSV]

Vistara Ceo in an interview few weeks back said they are working on improving award availability, lets see where it goes

The same words will be spoken next year also..you will.keep on waiting

 

[SSV]

That means I can wait and watch. Maybe apply for this card after 6 months!

Yes or get some other cards which gives same or more return % wise

 

[SSV]

In my view , get some cards which gives more rate of return in the form of cash back / amzon gv etc. thus is much better than award flights
Then you can book flights cheaply else where

 

[trewqa]

If premium economy is unavailable - customer care can book economy ticket

 

[mkbhd]

I have this card. Whenever I have wanted to book something, tickets are unavailable for that date. One needs to make a compromise in terms of dates. Holidays, weekends are mostly unavailable for key routes if the booking is done for plans within a month.

 

[Arosaurabh]

Never booked revenue ticket with Vistara, how does the CV silver status points 9/Rs 100 play out if you book through SBI Vistara Prime card which offers 4 CV points/ Rs 200, Do you get both or only 4 points/Rs 200 with CV Silver status. Or what is the best approach to buy Vistara Revenue tickets, if you have multiple cards like HDFC DCB/Infinia and also SBI Vistara Prime card.

 

[msk1437]

Never booked revenue ticket with Vistara, how does the CV silver status points 9/Rs 100 play out if you book through SBI Vistara Prime card which offers 4 CV points/ Rs 200, Do you get both or only 4 points/Rs 200 with CV Silver status. Or what is the best approach to buy Vistara Revenue tickets, if you have multiple cards like HDFC DCB/Infinia and also SBI Vistara Prime card.

Best way would be to redeem your hdfc rps (or) pay via dcb/infinia for revenue flight (if fares are similar). Then, you'd get rps on hdfc + 9-11CV points/100 base fare based on your tier once you link the pnr with your CV id and complete the trip.

These 9 CV points are credited irrespective of where you book from only condition being it's not an award ticket (both voucher/ points redemption)

 

[Arosaurabh]

Best way would be to redeem your hdfc rps (or) pay via dcb/infinia for revenue flight (if fares are similar). Then, you'd get rps on hdfc + 9-11CV points/100 base fare based on your tier once you link the pnr with your CV id and complete the trip.

These 9 CV points are credited irrespective of where you book from only condition being it's not an award ticket (both voucher/ points redemption)

Thanks for the response, so ideally best approach is stick to HDFC DCB/Infinia for revenue ticket and use SBI Vistara prime for other spends.

 

[TestMyPatience]

SBI vistara prime isn’t allowing payment through payzapp (RG). Any other working solution?