BOBCARD Eterna Credit Card Review 2026 — Get It Lifetime Free Before 30 June
BOBCARD Eterna review 2026: 3.75% rewards on online and travel, unlimited domestic lounge access, and a lifetime free offer ending 30 June 2026. Full honest ...
A credit card that earns 3.75% on online shopping, dining, travel, and international transactions — with unlimited domestic lounge access for the cardholder and add-on members — while being completely free to hold? That sounds too good, and for most credit cards, it is. But the BOBCARD Eterna is currently offering exactly this through a lifetime-free promotional window that ends 30 June 2026.
After that date, the standard fee of Rs 2,499 per year applies. This review gives you everything you need to decide whether to apply before the deadline — and whether the card is worth holding long-term even after the free window ends.
Time-sensitive: The BOBCARD Eterna Lifetime Free offer is valid for applications submitted on or before 30 June 2026. After this date, the card carries a Rs 2,499 + GST annual fee (waivable at Rs 2.5 lakh annual spend). Apply now if you want this card fee-free for life.
BOBCARD Eterna — Complete Card Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuer | BOBCARD (Bank of Baroda's credit card subsidiary) |
| Annual Fee | Rs 2,499 + GST — but Lifetime Free for applications before 30 Jun 2026 |
| Network | Visa Infinite / Mastercard World / RuPay (variant-dependent) |
| Minimum Income | Rs 12 lakh annual income (for LTF eligibility) |
| Reward Currency | Reward Points (1 RP = Re 0.25) |
| Reward on Online/Dining/Travel/International | 15 RP per Rs 100 = 3.75% effective return |
| Reward on Other Eligible Spends | 3 RP per Rs 100 = 0.75% effective return |
| Accelerated Reward Cap | 5,000 RP per statement cycle on the 15X category (~Rs 33,333 of spend at 15X) |
| Forex Markup | 2% |
| Air Accident Cover | Rs 1 crore (air) + Rs 10 lakh (non-air) |
The 3.75% Reward Rate — What It Actually Covers
The headline 15 RP per Rs 100 (3.75% return) applies to a broad set of categories:
Related reading: Reward Points vs Cashback.
Online shopping: Any online retail transaction — Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Nykaa, Meesho, Tata Cliq, and most e-commerce platforms
Dining: Restaurant payments, food delivery (Swiggy, Zomato), cafes — at point-of-sale and online
Travel: Flight bookings, hotel bookings, travel aggregators (MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, Yatra), cab bookings
International spends: All transactions made in a foreign currency, whether abroad or on international websites
What does NOT earn 15X rewards (significant exclusion list):
Fuel and gas stations
Agricultural transactions
Rental and real estate payments
Cleaning services
Insurance premium payments
Government, tax, and utility payments
Educational institution payments
Hospital and healthcare payments
Wallet loads
Supermarkets and grocery stores
Fast food restaurants (MCC 5814 — quick service restaurants like McDonald's, KFC)
The exclusion of supermarkets and fast-food restaurants is significant. Your Swiggy order from a restaurant earns 3.75% — but a BigBasket grocery order (supermarket category) earns only 0.75%. Similarly, a Zomato restaurant order earns 3.75%, but a 'Zomato Market' grocery order may earn only 0.75%. Check the MCC of your specific transactions.
Unlimited Domestic Lounge Access — With a Condition
The Eterna card offers unlimited complimentary domestic airport lounge access — for the primary cardholder and all add-on cardholders. Access is available at 60+ lounges across Indian airports including Encalm (Delhi and Hyderabad), 080 Lounge (Bengaluru), and Adani lounges.
Related reading: Airport Lounge Access with Credit Cards.
The condition: You must have spent Rs 40,000 in the previous calendar quarter to unlock lounge access for the current quarter. In the quarter when your card is first issued, lounge access is granted without the spend condition.
This condition is significant. If you travel in a specific quarter but spent less than Rs 40,000 in the prior quarter, lounge access is not available. Plan spending accordingly — or use the card for all your online shopping and dining to naturally hit the quarterly threshold.
| Quarterly Spend in Previous Quarter | Lounge Access in Current Quarter |
|---|---|
| Rs 40,000 or more | Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder + add-on holders |
| Less than Rs 40,000 | No complimentary access (pay at door or use other method) |
| Quarter of card issuance | Access granted without spend condition |
Welcome Benefits
For applications submitted and approved during the LTF promotional period, welcome benefits include:
Complimentary 6-month FITPASS Pro membership: Access to gyms, yoga studios, and fitness centres across India — worth approximately Rs 15,000 in actual membership value.
10,000 bonus reward points: On spending Rs 50,000 within the first 60 days of card issuance (worth Rs 2,500).
Milestone bonus: 20,000 bonus RP on completing Rs 5 lakh annual spend on the card.
Add-On Cards — A Genuine Differentiator
The Eterna card allows up to 3 add-on cards for family members — and crucially, each add-on cardholder also gets complimentary domestic lounge access (subject to the same Rs 40,000 quarterly spend condition on the primary account).
For a family of 3 to 4 people who travel together, the combined lounge access value is substantial. Most cards restrict lounge access to the primary cardholder or charge for guests.
Real Maths — What Does the Eterna Deliver Annually?
| Monthly Spend Profile | Annual Return |
|---|---|
| Rs 20,000 online/dining/travel (15X) + Rs 10,000 other (3X) | (Rs 2.4L × 3.75%) + (Rs 1.2L × 0.75%) = Rs 9,000 + Rs 900 = Rs 9,900 rewards + lounge value |
| Rs 40,000 online/dining/travel + Rs 20,000 other | (Rs 4.8L × 3.75%) + (Rs 2.4L × 0.75%) = Rs 18,000 + Rs 1,800 = Rs 19,800 rewards. Capped at 5,000 RP/cycle on 15X = Rs 15,000 from capped category + Rs 1,800 base = Rs 16,800 rewards |
| Lounge value (unlimited, 2x per month estimate) | ~Rs 1,000 per visit × 24 visits = Rs 24,000 additional value |
The 5,000 RP per statement cycle cap on the 15X category limits high spenders. At Rs 33,333+ of 15X-eligible monthly spend, you have maxed out the accelerated rewards. Above this, additional online/dining/travel spend earns only 3X (0.75%) like everything else.
Is the BOBCARD Eterna Worth It After the LTF Window Closes?
After 30 June 2026, the card carries a Rs 2,499 fee (waivable at Rs 2.5 lakh annual spend). At Rs 2.5 lakh annual spend, the waiver threshold is easily met if you use the card actively — roughly Rs 20,833 per month across eligible categories.
At Rs 2.5 lakh annual spend in the 15X categories: rewards earned = approximately Rs 9,375 minus Rs 2,499 fee = Rs 6,876 net annual value, plus lounge savings. Still positive. The card pays for itself with moderate usage.
Who Should Apply Before 30 June 2026?
Definitely apply if: You spend Rs 20,000+ monthly on online shopping, dining, or travel — the 3.75% return is excellent.
Definitely apply if: You travel domestically 4+ times per year and want lounge access for yourself and family without a high annual fee.
Definitely apply if: You want 3 add-on cards for family members who also get lounge benefits.
Consider but review if: Your primary spend is groceries, utilities, or insurance — these are excluded from 15X and earn only 0.75%.
Skip if: Your annual income is below Rs 12 lakh — the income eligibility threshold may prevent approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the BOBCARD Eterna truly lifetime free after 30 June 2026?
No — only for new applications approved before 30 June 2026. Applications after that date carry the standard Rs 2,499 annual fee (waivable at Rs 2.5L annual spend).
Related reading: IndusInd Tiger Review.
Q: Does the 3.75% reward apply to Amazon Fresh and BigBasket?
Amazon Fresh is typically classified under Amazon (online shopping — 3.75%). BigBasket as a standalone platform is classified as a grocery/supermarket — which is excluded from the 15X category. BigBasket earns only 0.75%.
Q: How do I access lounges with the Eterna card?
Present your BOBCARD Eterna at the lounge entrance along with your boarding pass. No app or separate membership required.
Q: Can I apply for the BOBCARD Eterna online?
Yes — applications are available on the BOBCARD website (bobcard.life) and through Bank of Baroda's net banking for existing customers.