The card will retain all the benefits of the domestic Citibank Gold card, and is to be made at no additional cost. Charges incurred on the calling card will be automatically billed in rupees on the credit card itself making it very convenient to settle.

The global card will operate on both MasterCard and Visa networks. It is also available in Silver. The photo card is optional. Customers can use the card in 16 million merchant outlets and in thousands of ATMs across the globe including those in India. Charges will be billed and are to payable in rupees. Customers will have the option of changing their present local usage card to this new card withoutpaying any additional charges.

"Citibank has been in the forefront of providing innovative and global financial products in our country for the past 97 years. Our country has seen a lot of liberalisation. There is clearly a need for such a product and wel believe this is the right time for it. This card packs in umatched value and financial flexibility," Citibank's head-global consumer bank Nanoo G Pammani said.

"Based on research, we have combined the best domestic and international benefits to make this card a really powerful proposition for the international business and leisure traveler. Nothing comes close to it. At no additional cost, customers get relevant additional international benefits without losing any of the existing benefits," Citibank's card-business manager MN Murali said.

Citibank's global cardholders will get a 7 per cent discount on international tickets and a 3 per cent one on domestic tickets purchased from Travel House, a member of the ITC Group. Rewards extended include: `FreeAsia Miles', a frequent flyer program of Cathay Pacific; `Priority Club Points' of the Holiday Inn group of hotels; Free `Global One Calling card' enabling cardholders to make international calls; emergency free calls to `CitiPhone India'; personal accident insurance upto Rs 15 lacs; world wide baggage insurance upto Rs 50,000 per year; household insurance up to Rs 75,000 per year; and purchase protection upto Rs 40,000 per year.