| Overview: The Airtel Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card enables you to book flight tickets with flexible EMI options across major travel platforms. This guide covers the booking process, calculations, partner websites and charges for convenient travel payments. |
Understanding Flight Booking with EMI Cards
Air travel costs in India have surged, with domestic round-trip fares between major cities averaging ₹12,000 to ₹25,000 during peak seasons. The IATA forecasts nearly 200 million domestic passengers by 2026, creating demand for affordable payment solutions. Many travellers struggle with upfront payments, especially for family trips or business travel.
The Airtel Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card addresses this challenge by allowing you to convert flight ticket prices into manageable monthly instalments without requiring a traditional credit card.
How Does an EMI Card Work for Flight Bookings?
An EMI card functions as a pre-qualified loan facility, offering up to ₹3,00,000 for eligible customers. Unlike credit cards, it focuses specifically on EMI conversions, making it ideal for planned purchases, like flight bookings, to make your journey memorable.
Basic Functionality
When booking flight tickets with the Bajaj EMI Card, you select the EMI payment option at checkout, choose your preferred tenure, and complete the transaction with OTP verification.
The card offers two primary EMI structures:
- Easy EMI: The merchant absorbs interest charges, and you repay only the principal amount in equal instalments
- Standard EMI: Interest rates range from 13-16% per annum on a reducing balance basis
Eligibility Requirements
To use the Insta EMI Card for flight bookings, you must meet specific criteria:
| Requirement | Details |
| Age | 21-65 years |
| CIBIL Score | 720 or above |
| Income Proof | Salary slips or ITR |
| Employment | Minimum 2 years experience |
| KYC | Complete digital verification |
Step-by-Step Booking Process
The approval process takes approximately 2 minutes with instant digital KYC verification.
- Choose Partner Platform: Visit MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, or other supported travel websites.
- Flight Search: Enter your route, travel dates, and passenger details.
- Fare Selection: Look for flights displaying EMI eligibility badges.
- EMI Option Selection: Choose ‘Bajaj Finserv EMI Card’ as the payment method.
- Tenure Selection: Pick from available options (3, 6, 9, 12, 24, or 60 months).
- Card Details: Enter your EMI card number and registered mobile number.
- OTP Verification: Complete authentication with the received OTP.
- Booking Confirmation: Receive ticket confirmation and EMI schedule via email/SMS.
EMI Calculation and Selection
When booking flight tickets with the Insta EMI Card, the platform displays EMI options before payment confirmation. Here’s how the calculations work:
Easy EMI Formula:
Monthly EMI = Total Fare Amount ÷ Number of Months
Example: ₹24,000 ticket for 12 months = ₹2,000 per month
Standard EMI Formula:
EMI = [P × r × (1+r)^n] ÷ [(1+r)^n – 1]
Where:
- P = Principal amount (ticket fare)
- r = Monthly interest rate (annual rate ÷ 12)
- n = Number of months
Example: ₹24,000 at 13% annual interest for 12 months
- Monthly interest rate = 0.13 ÷ 12 = 0.0108
- EMI = ₹2,150 (approximately)
- Total repayment = ₹25,800
Partner Platforms and Booking Options
The following platforms support flight tickets with the Bajaj Insta EMI Card bookings:
- MakeMyTrip: Offers easy EMI on select domestic and international routes.
- Goibibo: Provides flexible tenure options from 3-24 months.
- IRCTC Air: Supports government employee quota bookings on EMI.
- Akbar Travels: Specialises in group bookings and corporate travel.
- Alternative Airlines: Focuses on international route bookings.
Minimum Transaction Limits
Most platforms require minimum booking values between ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 for EMI eligibility. International flights have higher minimum amounts due to fare structures.
| Pro Tip: Book during platform sales or promotional periods to access easy EMI offers on more routes and airlines. |
Cost Analysis and Hidden Charges
Before choosing an EMI card, evaluate annual fees, late payment charges, foreign transaction fees, and other hidden costs that impact long-term expenses.
Fee Structure Breakdown
Airtel Finance helps users manage charges better with transparent pricing and smart bill reminders.
| Charge Type | Easy EMI | Standard EMI |
| Processing Fee | ₹0-₹199 | ₹0-₹199 |
| Interest | ₹0 (merchant absorbed) | 13-16% p.a. |
| GST on Interest | Not applicable | 18% on interest portion |
| Down Payment | Usually waived | Usually waived |
| Pre-closure Penalty | ₹0 after first EMI | ₹0 after first EMI |
Real-World Cost Comparison
Consider a family booking Mumbai to Goa flights worth ₹40,000:
Scenario 1 – Easy EMI (6 months):
- Monthly EMI: ₹6,667
- Total repayment: ₹40,000
- Additional cost: ₹0
Scenario 2 – Standard EMI (6 months at 13% p.a.):
- Monthly EMI: ₹6,900 (approximately)
- Total repayment: ₹41,400
- Additional cost: ₹1,400
Cancellation and Refund Procedures
When you need to cancel flight tickets with the Bajaj EMI card, follow these steps:
- Airline Cancellation: Cancel through the original booking platform.
- EMI Cancellation: Contact Bajaj Finserv customer care separately.
- Documentation: Provide cancellation confirmation from airline/OTA.
- Processing Time: Refunds are processed within 7-15 business days.
- EMI Adjustment: Outstanding EMIs are cancelled, and refunds adjusted accordingly.
| Mistakes to Avoid: Never assume automatic EMI cancellation when tickets are cancelled. Always inform the EMI provider separately to avoid continued deductions. |
Impact on Credit Score
Regular EMI payments for flight tickets with the Bajaj EMI card positively impact your CIBIL score. Conversely, missed payments are reported to credit bureaus and can reduce your score by 50-100 points per default.
Smart Usage Tips and Best Practices
Understanding the calculation methods, partner platforms, and fee structures helps you make informed decisions.
Optimal Booking Strategies
Remember to factor in cancellation procedures and credit score impacts when planning your bookings.
- Advance Booking: Book flights 45-60 days ahead for better Easy EMI availability.
- Platform Comparison: Compare EMI offers across different travel sites.
- Tenure Selection: Choose shorter tenures for Easy EMI to minimise total outlay.
- Credit Utilisation: Keep EMI card utilisation below 70% for better credit scores.
In a Nutshell
Create a monthly travel budget that accounts for EMI commitments:
Available EMI Budget = Monthly Income × 0.15 – Existing EMI Commitments
This ensures you don’t overcommit and maintain healthy financial ratios. Flight booking with EMI cards revolutionises travel affordability for Indian families and professionals. The Airtel Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card offers many benefits at reasonable rates.
For enhanced features and better integration with your financial ecosystem, apply through the Airtel Thanks App, which combines travel convenience with comprehensive financial solutions tailored for modern Indian travellers.
FAQs
1. Can I book international flight tickets with the Bajaj EMI Card?
Yes, most partner platforms allow international flight bookings with EMI cards. Check individual airline and route eligibility during the checkout process.
2. What happens if my flight gets cancelled by the airline after EMI booking?
Contact the travel platform and Bajaj Finserv separately for refund processing. EMI agreements are cancelled upon airline confirmation.
3. Is there a limit on the number of flight bookings per month using EMI card?
No specific booking frequency limits exist, but total utilisation cannot exceed your approved loan amount across all transactions.
4. Can I prepay my flight ticket EMI without penalties?
Yes, RBI guidelines mandate zero pre-closure charges after paying the first EMI instalment for all consumer lending products.
5. Do flight ticket EMI payments affect my credit score differently than other loans?
No, all EMI payments are reported equally to credit bureaus. Timely payments improve scores regardless of purchase type.
