A quiet yet confident shift is reshaping India's luxury landscape. A 12% rise in the billionaire population in 2024 signals a new wave of wealth, fueled by innovation and entrepreneurship. For this affluent class, luxury is less about ownership and more about experience.
The Affluent Lifestyle Today
Today, luxury is defined by meaningful access - immersive travel, personalized services, and carefully curated moments reflecting individual tastes. This shift prioritizes experiences that enrich lives over those that simply impress.
Deloitte research corroborates this global trend, indicating a preference for bespoke experiences among wealthy luxury consumers. In India, this shift is particularly pronounced. Projections show over 100 million Indians earning over >$10,000 annually by 2027 - up from 60 million in 2023. As this demographic expands, so does the demand for unique, refined experiences, solidifying luxury as a reflection of sophisticated taste and personal identity.
The Art of Curated Experiences
Discerning consumers now seek more than premium services; they desire seamless, >personalized journeys that flawlessly complement their lifestyles. Private aviation illustrates this shift perfectly. As India's ultra-high-net-worth individual (UHNI) population is expected to grow by >50% by 2028, demand for private jets surges not just for comfort but for the entire ecosystem of thoughtful service it unlocks.
This extends to every detail - luxury ground transportation, effortless assistance with complex bookings, exceptional dining from personal chefs, and spa services. Each element is designed to make moments feel both effortless and extraordinary. Imagine landing in a new city and stepping into a world crafted around your preferences – where each detail flows naturally, blending comfort, convenience, and genuine personal connection. This is curated living—where luxury meets intention, elevating every moment without feeling forced or ostentatious."
The Power of Access through Visa
As curated experiences become central to modern luxury, financial products must evolve to support this sophisticated lifestyle. Visa's premium cards transcend simple transactions, genuinely enhance travel, convenience, and everyday living. As a global network of networks, Visa has been in India for 40 years, serving India’s aspirational consumers with tailored solutions – from lifestyle cards and exclusive rewards to premium travel experiences and personalized financial products.
Visa Signature offers thoughtful concierge support, extended warranties, expert travel assistance, and carefully selected exclusive offers. Visa Infinite acts as a gateway to premium experiences that elevate every moment with unparalleled convenience, security, and access. Benefits include complimentary stays at multiple premium properties managed by ITC hotels and ELIVAAS, Visa Meet & Assist service at major Indian airports, and access to curated chef menus via the Dine with Visa program.
True luxury today is defined by ease of access—whether securing impossible last-minute reservations, enjoying thoughtful complimentary upgrades, or tapping into partner privileges. Visa makes this effortless, providing seamless access to private art events, exclusive gallery previews, and intimate cultural gatherings that resonate perfectly with the sophisticated tastes of India's affluent community. These privileges bring unique, immersive experiences within reach, connecting Visa cardholders to life's finer things with unparalleled convenience and grace. Our recent campaign with Vicky Kaushal showcases how Visa Infinite unlocks timeless memories, bridging aspiration with extraordinary moments across travel, dining, and lifestyle for both established and emerging affluent consumers.
Visa also partners with ecosystem stakeholders to deliver unmatched rewards and experiences to discerning travelers. Collaborations, such as our partnership with Turespaña for Bicester Village, provide cardholders with niche cultural experiences and premium benefits.
Redefining Wealth: Experiences Over Possessions
A fundamental paradigm shift is unfolding in India. By 2046-47, an estimated >32.7 million super-rich households are expected to reshape our understanding of wealth. For younger generations especially, luxury is no longer about accumulating material possessions but about accessing experiences that reflect personal values and contribute to meaningful living.
Authenticity, purpose, and personal growth have become the new markers of true wealth. This evolution toward experience-driven value prioritizes privacy, exceptional service, and genuine emotional connection. As the modern affluent mindset evolves, it demands more than traditional luxury - it seeks meaningful, sustainable, and authentic experiences that resonate with one's deepest values.
To support this sophisticated lifestyle, Visa leverages cutting-edge technology, including AI-powered real-time monitoring to ensure seamless, secure transactions. We continuously explore innovations across global and Asia Pacific markets, working closely with regulators and partners to deliver the right product-market fit for tomorrow's luxury consumers.
True wealth today reveals itself not in what we own, but in the richness of our experiences. As luxury becomes increasingly personal and intentional, Visa's premium offerings provide the sophisticated infrastructure needed to support this evolution, helping discerning cardholders access a world designed around their refined tastes.