LUMIÈRE & NOVA: RBL Bank Super Premium Cards Launched

RBL Bank launched two new metal-credit cards, LUMIÈRE and NOVA, recently for high-net-worth individuals in India. LUMIÈRE is invitation-only with an annual fee of ₹50,000, and NOVA is priced at ₹12,500 per year. 

We found some details and are sharing all the interesting facts below. So, keep reading…

All We Know About These Cards

RBL Bank NOVA Credit Card: Key Features

According to RBL Bank’s official docket and website, here are the key features of Nova Credit Card: 

• Welcome gift: Gift card worth ₹12,500 from Taj Experiences or Luxe. (RBL Bank) 
• Quarterly milestone benefit: Spend ₹3 lakh in a calendar quarter and get a ₹10,000 gift card. (RBL Bank) 
• Complimentary lounge access:
• Golf privileges: 4 complimentary rounds + 12 lessons annually. 
• 10% discount at select fine-dining restaurants in India. 
• Reward points:
• Point value: 1 reward point = ₹1 on redemption. 
• Forex charges: Foreign transactions are charged at 2% markup. 
• Exclusions on rewards: Fuel & auto, utilities, insurance, quasi-cash, rent, wallets/service providers, government services, contracted services, cash, miscellaneous, Bills2Pay, EMI. 

Features of LUMIÈRE Credit Card

• Invitation-only, 18-gram metal card. 
• Annual fee: ₹50,000. 
• Unlimited airport lounge access. 
• Personalized concierge services, travel privileges, rare experiences, curated memberships, and sustainability-led benefits. 
• Reward points never expire. 

Who Should Consider These Premium Cards by RBL Bank?

These cards are best suited for frequent travelers who use lounge and concierge services and can leverage non-monetary privileges. Otherwise, mid-tier premium cards may offer more efficient value.

• NOVA: Travel enthusiasts and lifestyle spenders who spend large sums on flights, hotels, dining, and can trigger milestone rewards.
• LUMIÈRE: Ultra-HNW individuals who want top-tier exclusivity, unlimited lounge access, and bespoke lifestyle and travel curation.

What We Think About These New Credit Cards by RBL Bank?

These launches indicate RBL Bank is aiming to secure a stronger foothold in the premium credit card space. NOVA offers quantifiable returns for frequent travelers who can maximize travel, hotel, and dining spends, while LUMIÈRE is meant more for brand, exclusivity, and bespoke experiences.

For most users, even affluent ones, NOVA appears more likely to deliver value per rupee spent. LUMIÈRE’s high fee is only justifiable if the customer uses very high-end services, such as concierge, exclusive memberships, travel, etc. For many, this card may act more as a status signifier than a rewards workhorse.

• Both cards carry steep annual charges. For NOVA, ₹12,500; for LUMIÈRE, ₹50,000. These require heavy usage to justify. 
• Exclusions in reward earnings (e.g. utilities, fuel, insurance, rent) may reduce value for users who spend heavily in these categories. 
• LUMIÈRE’s benefits are not fully disclosed, making it harder to assess cost vs reward. 

For average users, these are unlikely to make sense. Still, for those with the income and the desire for exclusivity, they could become a powerful part of a luxury-financial toolkit.