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ICICI Bank and Kingfisher Airlines launch co-branded credit card
BANGALORE: Kingfisher Airlines has entered into an agreement with ICICI Bank to create a co-branded credit card that will allow its members a host of privileges and would also serve as an incentive to become loyal travelers of Kingfisher Airlines.
The target consumer for Kingfisher Airlines is the frequent-flying corporate traveler who seeks delight out of his flying experience. The Airline’s offering is in line with the expectations of the globally aligned Indian who has high propensity to spend. This consumer is also the right potential target for ICICI Bank’s premium credit card offerings and hence the fit between the two brands is strategically sound, claims an official release.
The credit card is being launched on the VISA platform and in addition to the standard Gold credit card benefits, customized features will be available to every cardholder. The special features include privileged access to lounges & restaurants, with free refreshments, at domestic airports, access to almost 180 golf clubs in India through special tie-ups and special packages for Golf Holidays across the world.
Credit card holders will also be eligible for special invitations for premium lifestyle shows and events like fashion shows, movie premieres etc. Another feature that is available for the members of the ICICI Bank-Kingfisher Airlines credit card is a 24×7 Concierge service that gives the card holder personalized assistance across various cities in India with services ranging from car rentals to city guides and more, the release adds.
Kingfisher Airlines would also recognise and offer incentives to its loyal consumers through a variety of benefits on the same co-branded credit card.
MAM
Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia deepens philanthropic push in India ahead of retirement
Entrepreneur backs gurdwara project and education for slum children as he expands charitable footprint in the country
LONDON: Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia is ramping up his philanthropic footprint in India. On a recent visit to the country, the UK-based entrepreneur stepped up support for religious and educational causes, signalling a deeper long-term commitment as he prepares to spend more time in India ahead of retirement.
Ahluwalia reaffirmed support for key social initiatives, including a donation to Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Kalgidhar Sahib in Gurugram and continued backing for a school in Faridabad for which he had earlier purchased the land.
The donation will fund the construction of the gurdwara, expected to be completed by mid-2028. Run largely by volunteers, the site will serve as a community hub and continue the Sikh tradition of langar — a community kitchen that provides free meals to all, regardless of faith.
Parallelly, the Faridabad school continues to deliver free, multi-year education to children living in extreme poverty in surrounding slums. The institution is part of the 12 educational facilities run by the Jagriti Sewa Trust, where Ahluwalia serves as chairman. The trust provides underprivileged students with free education as well as skill-development opportunities.
The latest support adds to Ahluwalia’s long record of charitable giving in India. In recent years, it included a £100,000 donation to the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation’s Justice for Every Child campaign, which provides legal and psychological support to vulnerable children and their families.
Through the Ahluwalia Foundation, the businessman regularly backs charities and non-profits in both India and the United Kingdom. The foundation focuses on projects linked to education, migration and the rights of children and women.
Ahluwalia’s philanthropic drive is rooted in personal history. Having fled to the UK as a refugee at the age of 13, he has long supported migrant-focused organisations, including the London-based Migration Museum, while also funding educational initiatives in India such as free schooling programmes in Hyderabad.
Now, as he gradually shifts more of his time to India, Ahluwalia’s charitable ambitions are expanding. Future plans include launching a classic car rally across the country to raise funds for causes he supports.
“Education and faith are very close to my heart,” Ahluwalia said. “For so many Indians, whether they live in India or abroad, a gurdwara or any place of worship is more than somewhere to practise faith. They are places of community and identity.”
Reflecting on the Faridabad visit, Ahluwalia added: “It was very special seeing the work of the Jagriti Sewa Trust firsthand. Knowing that disadvantaged children are receiving a free education — and that I had a small part to play in that — is deeply meaningful. Social status and economic background should not determine a person’s chances of success.”
