In a significant move to elevate its customer loyalty program and compete directly with its biggest rival, Amazon, e-commerce giant Flipkart has launched a new premium subscription service called ‘Flipkart Black’. The service replaces the company’s previous ‘Flipkart VIP’ tier and offers a comprehensive bundle of benefits across shopping, entertainment, and travel for an annual fee, presenting a compelling value proposition to customers.
The headline feature of the ‘Flipkart Black’ membership is a complimentary one-year subscription to YouTube Premium, a perk valued at ₹1,490, which nearly covers the annual membership cost of ₹1,499 (currently available at an introductory price of ₹990). The YouTube Premium subscription provides users with ad-free video content, offline downloads, background play, and access to the entire YouTube Music library.
Beyond entertainment, the premium service is packed with exclusive perks for shoppers:
- Shopping Rewards: Members receive a guaranteed 5% SuperCoins cashback on every purchase, with a cap of ₹100 per order, accelerating their rewards earnings.
- Exclusive Access: ‘Flipkart Black’ subscribers get early access to all of the company’s major sales, including the Big Billion Days, allowing them to grab the best deals and premium products before anyone else.
- Priority Support: The service promises 24/7 priority customer support with no waiting time and no bots, ensuring a seamless and premium shopping experience.
The benefits extend to travel through Flipkart’s partnership with Cleartrip. Members can now avail re-scheduling and cancellation benefits for select domestic flights for a nominal fee of just ₹1, a crucial feature for frequent travelers seeking flexibility.
The launch of ‘Flipkart Black’ is a clear strategic play to deepen customer engagement and loyalty, mirroring the successful model of Amazon Prime. By bundling a suite of services, Flipkart aims to become an indispensable part of its customers’ digital lives, solidifying its position in India’s highly competitive e-commerce landscape.
Key Highlights:
- Flipkart has launched a new premium subscription, ‘Flipkart Black’, priced at ₹1,499 per year (introductory offer of ₹990).
- The membership’s main highlight is a complimentary one-year YouTube Premium subscription, which includes ad-free viewing and access to YouTube Music.
- Subscribers also get exclusive shopping benefits, including a 5% SuperCoins cashback, early access to sales, and priority customer support.
- The new service also provides travel perks, such as flight re-scheduling and cancellation for just ₹1 on select bookings.