BOBCARD ETERNA: Honest Review from Real Users

ETERNA by Bank of Baroda is trending these days due to the recent LTD offer from the bank. So, why not look at the card in depth and see if it is really worth it? 

I searched online forums, chats, and discussions online about the Eterna experience and added my observations and findings in this blog. Let’s see what real users in India have actually said about it, good and bad, so you can decide if it fits your wallet and your lifestyle.

Why I Decided to Look Closely at the BOB ETERNA?

A few months ago, I noticed more people talking about the ETERNA on r/CreditCardsIndia. It’s marketed as a premium lifestyle card: high on perks, but also heavy on requirements. Since I also got asked, "Bro, is ETERNA really worth it?" I decided to dig deeper into what actual cardholders have said recently.

Quick background: BOBCARD ETERNA is positioned as Bank of Baroda’s flagship credit card. It comes with perks like unlimited domestic airport lounge access (after hitting the spend threshold), 5× reward points on travel/dining/international spends, and relatively lower forex markup (~2%).

More recently, a promotional offer is doing rounds, making me more curious about this card. 

What Real Users Are Saying about BOB Eterna? 

The Perks That Impress

Across multiple threads, the most appreciated feature of the ETERNA is the unlimited domestic airport lounge access, but with one catch: you first need to spend around ₹40,000 in the previous quarter to unlock it (source). 

For frequent flyers or professionals who travel often within India, that’s an easy target. For occasional travelers, it’s one more hoop to jump through.

Another consistent thumbs‑up came from users who liked the reward multiplier, especially the 5× points on categories like dining, travel, and international spends (official details). 

Some pointed out that the 2% forex markup makes foreign transactions a bit less painful, an under-the-radar advantage for people who buy software tools, domain renewals, or book hotels abroad.

 “For travelers who actually hit that quarterly ₹40k spend, the ETERNA punches above its weight, unlimited domestic lounge visits are gold.”  — r/CreditCardsIndia user

The Fine Print That Bites

But not everything shines. Multiple posts highlighted that perks tend to shrink behind spend thresholds and redemption quirks. 

For instance, in July 2025, BOBCARD changed its reward redemption policy: you now need at least 1,000 points to redeem anything. Many existing users called this a “mini devaluation,” especially those with mid-level spending habits.

Another recurring complaint was around the annual fee structure: the card’s fee waiver kicks in only if you spend ₹2.5 lakh per year (source). So, if you’re not a high-volume spender, you might end up paying for benefits you can’t fully use.

 “I barely hit ₹40k a quarter, just to keep the lounge access alive. Thinking of cancelling it—it’s not worth maintaining if you don’t travel much.”  — Eterna Credit Card user

Redemption Changes Stirred Mixed Feelings

When the new redemption rules came in, discussions on r/IndiaFinance and r/CreditCardsIndia saw users voicing frustration over the removal of auto-redemption and the 1000-point minimum. 

While it might seem like a small tweak, for users who liked “set it and forget it” functionality, it added one more step to keep track of.

What Kind of User Actually Benefits?

The ETERNA is not a card for everyone, and online discussions made that clear. Here’s how I’d summarize the type of user it fits best:

• Frequent domestic traveler who easily clears ₹40,000 per quarter spends.

• Loyal spender who stays above ₹2.5 lakh a year to waive fees.

• Someone who values comfort over cashback complexity—the lounge access and premium feel matter more than squeezing every rupee of reward value.

If that sounds like you, the ETERNA can make sense. But for the average cardholder who loves simplicity: think Amazon ICICI or similar cashback-driven cards, this might feel too high‑maintenance.

My Take on BOB Eterna Card: Is It Worth It?

Personally, I think the BOBCARD ETERNA sits awkwardly between premium and practical. It wants to play in the “luxury” arena, but its spend-linked conditions make it more like a loyalty test. 

Unless you travel often, hit those spending marks, and don’t mind managing redemption timelines, it’s not a set‑and‑forget card.

But I also empathize with the folks who do love it. If you’re someone who already spends well above the waiver threshold, ETERNA could quietly return decent value without needing fancy tracking tools or third‑party apps.

Lessons You Can Take Even if You Don’t Get the ETERNA

Here’s what I learned reading through dozens of comments and stories:

• Always check spend thresholds before applying. Half the frustrations come from hidden conditions, not bad rewards.

• Cards with “unlimited” perks usually mean “unlimited, after limits.”

• Premium doesn’t automatically mean better—it means the card expects more back from you.

Friendly tip: Don’t chase a card because it feels premium. Chase the one that fits your life best. If you’re spending ₹20,000–₹40,000 monthly, there are easier and more transparent cards out there.

So, finally, I’d say…

The BOBCARD ETERNA is a strong card trapped inside a slightly complex structure. It rewards discipline and steady spenders but punishes irregular usage. Those who meet criteria love it; the rest quietly move on. 

Whatever you choose, read the fine print yourself and treat every perk as temporary, not eternal, because in the credit card world, terms change faster than cashback notifications.