Sky-Smiles Credit

What is a credit card?

A credit card works in the same way as cash but is a safer alternative. You can use the card in lieu of cash; the bank pays the merchant and at the middle of each month the bank sends you a statement of all your purchases made during that period and the minimum amount you have to pay.

Who can apply for the Sky-Smiles Credit Card?

If you earn a net monthly salary of Rs 30,000 or more, you will be eligible to apply.

Can I apply for additional/supplementary credit cards?

Supplementary cards can be issued to close family members, that is spouse and children. The expenditure limit will be shared between primary and supplementary cardholder(s). However, the statement will list down each respective individual card expenditure.

How secure is a credit card?

SBM Credit Cards are chip-enabled which makes the card totally secure. Even if you lose your card all you need to do is to call us immediately on our cards hotline (230) 202 1256, available on a 24/7 basis, or (230) 207 0111 between 08h00 and 18h00 on weekdays and we will cancel your card.

Do I need to open/hold an account with SBM to have a credit card?

No need to have an account with us if you are applying for a Gold or Platinum card.

Will the credit card cost me anything?

You have to pay an annual fee. Any other charges are up to you. If you repay within the interest-free period and if you don’t withdraw cash there will be no extra fees or charges. All fees and charges are detailed in our tariff guide. Ask for your copy at any SBM Branch or contact your Private/Personal Banker.

Will the merchant charge me an additional fee for paying with my card?

No, the cost of an item is the same whether you pay by card or cash.

What is meant by the billing period and when is the payment due date?

Presently, the billing period for all your transactions starts from the 15th of the month until the 14th of the next month. The payment due date falls on the 30th/31st of the month after the last billing date. You have 15 days’ grace to repay your bill. All payments must be effected by the payment due date indicated on your bill. Overdue accounts are subject to late payment fees and finance charges.

What happens when I choose to pay less than the total amount charged?

As a credit cardholder, you have the flexibility to pay less than the total amount due on or before your due date. You must, however, pay at least 5% of your statement closing balance. If you pay less than 100% of the amount spent, you will need to pay finance charges (interest). The finance charge will be levied on your opening balance and on all new transactions posted to your credit card account within the statement period, accrued from the date of transaction until the end of the statement period.

What is a finance charge and how is it calculated?

A finance charge is the interest charged to your card account when you do not pay the total amount due. As such you will be charged interest (finance charge) if you only pay the minimum amount due or any amount between the total amount due and the minimum amount due, on or before the Payment Due Date. A finance charge is also levied on cash advance transactions from the date the cash advance is effected until it is fully paid irrespective of having chosen 100% repayment option.

What if I am not able to pay the minimum amount due by payment due date?

If you are unable to pay the minimum amount due by the payment due date, the current tariffs and charges will be applied, please refer to our tariff guide https://www.sbmgroup.mu/downloads/fees/BOM_Template.pdf

Can I use my credit card for online purchases?

Yes, you can. However, you first need to register your credit card for SBM eSecure at any SBM branch or contact your Personal/Private Banker.

What if I pay the total amount due in full?

If you pay the total amount due in full, on or before the payment due date, then no finance charges will be applied to your credit card account. This, however, does not apply if you performed cash advance, where interest accrues as from day one of the transaction. Quasi-cash transactions are considered as cash advance and will attract interest and cash advance fees. All forms of betting are quasi-cash transactions.

What to do if I lose my card?

You should immediately report the loss or theft of your credit card by calling our cards hotline (230) 202 1256, available on a 24/7 basis, or call centre on (230) 207 0111 between 08h00 and 18h00 on weekdays and we will cancel your card.

FAQ – Sky-Smiles Credit Card Insurance Cover

The set of ‘Questions & Answers’ below does not cover all the aspects of the Insurance Policy. Hence, you need to carefully read the Policy document for a more detailed picture of the Agreement.

Who provides the Insurance Cover?

State Insurance Company of Mauritius Ltd (SICOM) is the underwriter.

Is there any geographical restriction on the policy coverage?

No. The services & benefits are provided on a worldwide basis.

When is a customer eligible for cover under the policy?

When a Sky-Smiles Credit card is issued to a customer, he/she is automatically enrolled. The customer does not have to pay any premium to be eligible.

When is a cardholder covered during a trip?

Whilst travelling in a public transport by air or on land or on water and the fare or hire costs for travelling in or on the public conveyance have been charged in whole or in part to the Sky-Smiles Credit Card. The insured person needs to present the appropriate receipt or voucher that confirms payment was made with Sky-Smiles Credit Card.

What age limit does the policy cover up to?

The policy covers the cardholder as long as he/she holds a valid Sky-Smiles Credit Card.

Who is covered under the policy?

The cardholder and his/her immediate family who are travelling together on a trip which has been charged to his/her Sky-Smiles. The family comprises the Cardholder, Spouse and Dependent Children. Spouse means the legal spouse.

What’s the meaning of dependent children and how are they covered?

• Dependent children include unmarried children, step children or legally adopted children.
• Dependent children should be under 23 years of age.
• The death benefit for a dependent child is limited to USD 2,500.

Is the Insurance cover valid only when the cardholder is abroad?

No. It’s valid anywhere in the world including Mauritius.

A cardholder rents a car from a licensed car rental company in Mauritius and charges the bill to his Sky-Smiles Credit Card. He suffers an accident while driving in Mauritius. Is he covered?

Yes.

A cardholder is in the U.K. He has paid for his trip abroad with his Sky-Smiles Credit Card. While walking on the road, a car hits him. Is he covered?

No. The cardholder will only be covered whilst he is travelling in a mode of transport (public) for which he has paid with his Sky-Smiles Credit Card.

A cardholder is abroad and falls sick. He stays in a hospital. Will he be covered under this policy?

No. The policy covers only bodily injuries sustained in an accident.

What are the different means of travel/common carrier under the policy?

Any public transport by Road, Rail, Sea or Air.

If an accident occurs to a cardholder/family whilst staying in an airport, seaport, railway station or road station for the purpose of boarding a public transport, is the cardholder/family covered?

Yes, provided the trip has been wholly/partly charged to the Sky-Smiles Credit Card.

I have paid for my spouse’s travel trip with my Sky-Smiles Credit Card but I am not travelling with him/her. Is he/she eligible for cover?

No. The Cardholder needs to travel with the spouse for the latter to be eligible for the insurance cover.

I have availed my spouse with a supplementary Sky-Smiles Credit Card. S/He pays her/his journey with her/his card. Is s/he covered?

Yes.

I have paid for the trip of a friend with my Sky-Smiles Credit Card and we are both travelling together. Is my friend covered under the policy?

No. Only the cardholder, spouse and dependent children are covered.

Will a supplementary card holder have the same privilege as a principal cardholder when he/she pays for a trip with the supplementary card?

Yes.

What is the written notice period to be given to underwriters in case of an accident or any other events which may give rise to a claim?

The notice should be given as soon as possible or as soon as reasonably practical and furnish to the insurers without expense to them all such information and evidence required.

When will cardholder eligibility for the Benefits and Services under the insurance policy stop?

• When he/she no longer holds the Sky-Smiles Credit Card. The card has been cancelled and card account has been closed.
• When the bank terminates the Agreement with the Insurance company.

What happens in the event that the cost of travel has been partially charged to the credit card?

If the insured cardholder provides documentary evidence that at the time of the purchase of the tickets, the balance available on the credit card account was insufficient, then the cardholder will get the full claim upon an accident.

Otherwise, the claim payable will be based on a pro rata basis (% of amount charged to card/total ticket costs)

Before making a claim what does a cardholder need to do?

He/She must read the Policy and the relevant sections, terms, conditions and exclusions to ensure that he/she is covered. Documentary evidence such as receipts, tickets, credit card slips or other evidence to support a claim needs to be submitted.

How does a cardholder make a claim?

The cardholder or his/her representative should contact SICOM at their head office in Port Louis along with all supporting documents. Claimants need to keep a copy of their documents for their own reference.

Does the customer need to be aware of the Insurance Policy cover before undertaking to travel?

Absolutely. The customer should be informed:

• that he/she needs to pay the journey with the Sky-Smiles Credit Card
• he/she and immediate family travelling together will be covered
• he/she does not need to pay any insurance premium … it’s free.
• he/she needs to go through the policy to know more about the coverage details.

Precautions:

• Sign your card as soon as you receive it.
• Keep a note of your card number and file it in a safe place separate from the card.
• Keep your card in a secure place, and treat it as if it was cash.
• Do not forget to take your card from an ATM or POS merchant after completing your transactions.
• Watch and make sure only one sales slip is printed for each transaction at a merchant’s point of sale.
• Keep the customer copy of your sales slips and check them against your monthly/quarterly statements.
• Destroy the PIN advice after memorising it. For extra security, change your PIN regularly at any of our ATMs.
• Do not let anyone else use your card and PIN.
• Never keep any written record of your PIN close to your card.
• Do not choose obvious numbers for your PIN such as your ID Card Number or date of birth.
• When writing down or recording your PIN, do it in a safe place.
• Make sure your PIN is protected from view when you use the ATM or any other electronic payment terminal. If you think someone has seen it, change it.