Austrian Airlines and its frequent flyer program Miles & More will undergo a complete change of credit card partner in Austria at the end of 2025. From December 29th, Erste Bank und Sparkasse will take over the issuance of the cards from the current card complete Service Bank AG.
The online banking platform George serves as the technical backbone of the cooperation, handling new applications and card management. Despite the close integration with Erste Bank's system, a current account with this institution is not required to use the credit card. Mastercard remains the global payment provider for all new card models.
The transition process for existing customers was designed so that their existing credit limits can be transferred by uploading their latest statements. Once the application is approved, Premiumcard holders immediately have access to a digital version that offers insurance coverage from day one. This is particularly relevant for travelers whose existing policies might be affected by switching providers. The new product portfolio is divided into three categories: the Premiumcard for private individuals, and the Business Premiumcard and Business Smartcard for business customers. Monthly fees vary between €7,50 and €19,80, depending on the scope of services.
Key features of the new premium cards include enhanced privileges at Vienna Airport, such as access to business class check-in and Fast Track security. Depending on the card type, multiple complimentary accesses to lounges worldwide via Priority Pass are also included. Financially, the cards offer automatic reimbursement of foreign transaction fees for business cards and a flexible installment payment option for personal cards. Earning frequent flyer miles remains a core component: with the Business Premium Card, every euro spent earns one mile, while personal cards earn one mile for every €1,50 spent.
The change of provider takes place in a market environment where co-branded credit cards are increasingly used as a customer loyalty tool in the aviation industry. By integrating into the George platform, Erste Bank aims to improve the user experience through modern digital interfaces and real-time features. At the same time, Austrian Airlines, through its collaboration with one of Austria's largest banks, ensures the stability and attractiveness of its loyalty program. Existing card complete cards will lose their validity for collecting miles in the Miles & More network upon complete migration to the new partner.