The New Map of Indian Luxury: Powered by Visa, Driven by Aspirations
Step into a rooftop café in Indore or cruise through Coimbatore's villa-lined enclaves, and you'll notice a quiet transformation taking place. Affluence in India is no longer tethered to its traditional metro strongholds. Visa's recent whitepaper, Bridging the Gap: Payments in India Beyond Metros, brings this evolution into sharp focus. Credit card spending in non-metro cities has surged 4X between 2019 and 2024—outpacing metro growth and signaling a rising tide of premium consumption.
In fact, users in Tier 2 and 3 cities are now spending over ₹ 2 lakh per card annually—more than three times the metro average. This isn't just economic expansion—it's a recalibration of where, and how, luxury is defined in India. Today, the new luxury story is being written in non-metro India — by a generation that's ambitious, digitally fluent, and seeking more than just status. They're after curated privileges, intuitive access, and security. And Visa is empowering them with personalised offerings that match their pace and priorities —not just by offering access, but by elevating each experience.
Visa Infinite: Luxury Tailored for India's New Affluent
As affluence grows beyond metros, consumer expectations are evolving. Today's premium customer is not only looking for elevated products but also for experiences that are seamless, secure, and deeply personal. For this rising class of affluent Indians, Visa Infinite is more than a payment card—it's a gateway to a lifestyle where convenience meets exclusivity.
Visa Infinite brings together a global ecosystem of premium services designed for those who value thoughtful luxury and effortless living. Whether it's 24/7 concierge services or Visa's Meet and Greet service—offering travelers a smooth, queue-free airport journey from arrival to boarding—Visa Infinite is built to anticipate and respond to the needs of high-frequency travelers.
Cardholders can access curated menus and exclusive dining privileges through the Dine with Visa program, which offers gastronomic experiences at select fine-dining restaurants. Those looking to unwind enjoy extended-stay offers and bespoke hospitality experiences across multiple ITC Hotels properties and ELIVAAS-managed premium stays, ensuring every stay feels like a retreat designed just for them.
Security That Matches the Stakes
Unrestricted access only matters when backed by uncompromising trust. As high-value transactions grow—across luxury travel, fine dining, and premium retail—the need for invisible, intelligent security has never been greater.
Visa's cybersecurity infrastructure works quietly behind the scenes, protecting every transaction without disrupting the experience. From tokenized payments mandated by the Reserve Bank of India, which mask sensitive data, to AI-powered tools that detect and stop fraud in milliseconds, Visa's layers of security are engineered to match the expectations of a high-trust environment.
Over the last five years, Visa has invested more than $12 billion in technology to ensure payments remain not just fast and convenient, but safe and resilient. This includes the formalisation of a dedicated Scam Disruption Practice, which alone helped prevent over $350 million in losses globally last year. That's in addition to the $40 billion in fraud attempts blocked by Visa's Payment Ecosystem Risk and Control framework.
A Global Network That Moves With You
Spending by India's upwardly mobile consumers now extends far beyond national borders. At the recent Coldplay concert in the UAE, in-person spending by Indian Visa cardholders jumped by 70%—a clear signal that global experiences are no longer rare indulgences; they're a growing part of India's luxury vocabulary.
Visa's network spans more than 200 countries and territories, and its four-decade presence in India allows it to tailor global innovation for local relevance. From contactless payments to co-branded cards crafted for the Indian premium consumer, Visa continues to fuel this outward lifestyle with seamless, secure, and scalable experiences.
In this new landscape, luxury is no longer about accumulation — it's about freedom and access. Whether that means a Visa Infinite cardholder enjoying bespoke concierge support and global privileges, or a Visa Signature user unlocking domestic travel benefits, extended warranties, and exclusive offers — the idea is simple: luxury should meet you where you are and grow with you.
According to the Knight Frank Wealth Report 2025, India is home to 85,698 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), making it the fourth-largest HNWI population globally— and this number is only expected to grow. But the real momentum lies in the rise of aspirational affluents from cities once considered peripheral. They're no longer waiting for luxury to find them—they're defining it on their own terms.
And Visa, with its global expertise and local understanding, is enabling them to do just that — one seamless, secure, and elevated experience at a time.
Note to the Reader: This article has been produced on behalf of the brand by HT Brand Studio and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Mint.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Industry calls for innovation to revive textile sector
Ludhiana: The textile industry of Ludhiana, a city long hailed as the powerhouse of India's hosiery and knitwear sector, is facing an urgent need for reinvention amid rising global competition, bureaucratic red tape, and lack of govt support. These concerns, alongside future opportunities, were the focus of an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) along with ITMA. Titled "Challenges and opportunities in the Ludhiana textile industry," the event saw key industry leaders, experts, and association heads, including representatives from the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA), and the Knitwear Club. Jagbir Singh Sokhi, president of the Ludhiana Sewing Machine Technology Park Association, said, "We are no longer those self-reliant Indians. We've become copycats, proud to own iPhones and imported brands, but where is the pride in our own innovations? Where is the spirit of 'vocal for local'?" A recurring theme throughout the conference was the alarming lack of innovation. Sokhi pointed out how Punjab once led the world in sewing machine production, but in just two decades, Chinese brands like Zach have taken over 75% of the Indian market share. "They've even handed over machines to local tailors, collecting only a share of their earnings. We are now OE (original equipment) manufacturers for foreign brands, but where is our own brand identity?" he asked. Vinod Thapar, chairman of the Knitwear Club, emphasised challenges in attracting women to the workforce. A survey conducted jointly by UNIDO and the Knitwear Club years ago found that women excelled in the hosiery sector across countries like China, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Yet, Ludhiana has only 10% female participation in the sector, leaving a 40% vacuum in workforce potential. Thapar also raised concerns about a lack of workplace infrastructure and facilities for women. Avtar Singh Bhogal, senior vice-president of UCPMA, was blunt in his comparison of Indian and Chinese industrial environments. "While we are stuck in red tape just to buy land or get clearances, Chinese companies are already producing and exporting finished goods at the price it costs us to manufacture just the components." He added that Indian bikes weigh 15 kg, while the demand in Europe is for 1.5 kg carbon fibre bikes, which India is ill-equipped to produce due to lack of infrastructure and technology. Rajesh Bansal, another industry figure, focused on the environmental compliance costs that have hamstrung local manufacturers. "We face serious pollution concerns, but where are the subsidies for effluent treatment equipment? Processing of fibre and fabric manufacturing is lagging due to poor support," he said. Chandrika Chatterjee, secretary general of CITI, provided some optimism by speaking about the PM MITRA scheme and the Free Trade Agreement with the UK. She emphasised the untapped potential for increasing Indo-UK textile trade, which currently stands at $10 billion but could expand by an additional $4–5 billion. "The world is looking beyond China and Bangladesh. India has a real opportunity here, if we can address the bottlenecks," she said. Highlighting the urgency to foster innovation and startups in the sector, Suraj Dhawan of ITMA suggested organising hackathons to crowdsource fresh ideas and solutions for industry pain points. Sidharth Khanna, chairman of NITMA, and other senior members pointed out the need for deeper collaboration between govt bodies and the private sector to overcome export barriers and technology gaps.
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Lost Your Passport Abroad? What Indians Must Do
Lost Your Passport Abroad? What Indians Must Do By: Kashmik Singh Chouhan Losing your passport abroad is stressful, but manageable. Follow these 7 clear steps tailored for Indian citizens to ensure your safety and a smooth return home. Go to the nearest police station and report the loss. Ask for a written complaint or police report—it's essential for embassy support and travel documents. 1. File a Local Police Report Immediately Visit or call the local Indian mission. Locate it via They'll guide you through the next steps. 2. Contact the Nearest Indian Embassy Fill the emergency document request form at or your embassy's site. Carry your FIR/police report and passport-sized photos. 3. Submit an Online Application Form An EC is a one-way travel document that allows you to return to India without your original passport. It's issued by the Indian mission after verifying your identity. 4. Apply for an Emergency Certificate You'll need ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, passport copy, flight ticket, visa). Always carry both digital and physical copies when traveling abroad. 5. Arrange Proof of Identity & Travel Inform your airline and local immigration authorities. They may ask for embassy-issued documents and EC approval before rebooking your return flight. 6. Inform Airline & Immigration A lost passport doesn't mean the end of your journey. With the right steps and embassy support, Indian travellers can navigate the crisis safely and confidently.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
There won't be shortage of work due to technological developments: Anand Deshpande
Anand Deshpande presented medals to eight rank holders and conferred degree certificates to 361 graduates. COIMBATORE: There might be a shortage of jobs due to technological developments, but there won't be a shortage of work, and 'we should have the ability to convert work into a job,' said Dr Anand Deshpande, founder, chairman and managing director of Persistent Systems. "Those who are able to adapt, find out new things as they come along and learn are the ones who succeed. No one would be aware of what more is awaiting in the next 10 or 15 years. Hence continuous learning is very important,' Deshpande said while speaking at an award ceremony for the science stream - class of 2025 at the PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore. He said being ambitious, dreaming big and learning continuously were key to success. 'Making mistakes is normal but repeated mistakes are definitely a flow to progress,' he said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai He said the ability to come back after every failure would make a difference within oneself and also with others. 'Mistakes are common but repetitive mistakes become a flaw for success. With every mistake one must improve and ensure a better performance in the same," he said. He said Indians find it hard to get along with people from other countries. "Indians perform exceptionally well when they are in homogeneous groups which is a setback for growth. The country has to adapt to team up with other countries," he said. He said holding to personal values was as important as being consistent in a career. He underscored that every individual should be clear about his or her needs, right, wrong and compromises to make a firm decision. Anand presented medals to eight rank holders and conferred degree certificates to 361 graduates.
