BKB Visa Silver

Up to 1,000 bonus loyalty points every year, plus trip insurance. Basel's silver card with a retention twist.

The BKB Visa Silver adds something most cantonal bank silver cards lack: up to 1,000 loyalty points annually beyond your spending rewards. At CHF 100, the pricing is standard, but the ongoing bonus means long-term holders earn more than at competing banks. BKB also offers this on Mastercard with identical benefits, so your network choice is purely about preference. See also the BKB Mastercard Silver.

Is CHF 100 Worth It?

The 10,000 welcome Surprize points (worth CHF 50-100) effectively halve the first year's cost. Ongoing, you earn 1 point per CHF 1 spent. On CHF 20,000 annual spending, that's 20,000 points worth roughly CHF 100-200 at the best redemption rates.

The up to 1,000 loyalty points annually adds roughly CHF 5-10 each year. Sounds small, but over 10 years that's CHF 50-100 in bonus rewards that other cantonal bank silver cards don't provide. If you plan to keep the card long-term, this adds up.

What Actually Stands Out

The annual loyalty bonus is genuinely unusual at silver tier. Most cantonal banks offer welcome bonuses then baseline earning only. BKB rewards ongoing customers, acknowledging the relationship rather than just the transaction.

Trip insurance covers CHF 10,000 cancellation and CHF 7,500 interruption for trips up to 90 days. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Garmin Pay all work. The Surprize program is Switzerland's most widespread rewards ecosystem. German-speaking support matters for Basel residents. Our credit card insurance guide compares coverage across all Swiss cards.

What Most Reviews Miss

No medical coverage at the silver tier. If you need protection against medical emergencies abroad, the silver card doesn't provide it. You'd need BKB's gold card (CHF 250,000 coverage) or standalone travel insurance.

The loyalty points cap at 1,000. The exact amount depends on terms that may change. It's a nice differentiator, but don't overweight it in your decision. The core product (insurance, rewards, mobile payments) is what matters most day to day.

The Bottom Line

A reliable silver card for BKB customers that rewards staying. The loyalty bonus sets it apart from identical-looking silver cards at other cantonal banks. If you bank with BKB and plan to keep the card, this is the straightforward choice. Compare alternatives in our best credit cards in Switzerland guide.

Verdict: Good pick for long-term BKB customers. The loyalty bonus is a genuine differentiator at this tier.