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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated April 2026

SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card vs Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card

Detailed comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and value to help you choose the right credit card for your spending pattern.

SBI Card

SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card

6.8/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.4050000000000001%
NetworkVisa
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Axis Bank

Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card

6.5/10
Annual Fee₹1,500
Base Rewards0.8%
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum CardAxis Bank Vistara Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,499₹1,500
Joining Fee₹1,499₹1,500
Fee Waiver SpendN/AN/A
Base Reward Rate0.4050000000000001%0.8%
Reward CurrencyMaharaja PointsMaharaja Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating6.8/106.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card

  • 0% on Air India Bookings

Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card

Pros

  • 5,000 Maharaja Points as a welcome bonus upon joining fee payment.
  • Accelerated 5 Reward Points per Rs. 100 spent on Air India tickets (self-booking).
  • Up to 15,000 bonus Maharaja Points annually through milestone spends.
  • 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (capped at 2 per quarter).

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 2 points per Rs. 100 on non-airline spends.
  • No annual fee waiver regardless of annual spending.
  • International lounge visits are paid even with the provided Priority Pass.

Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card

Pros

  • Complimentary Economy Class ticket voucher on joining fee payment.
  • Earn 2 Maharaja Points for every ₹200 spent on all eligible categories.
  • Complimentary domestic lounge access (2 visits per quarter) at select airports.
  • Comprehensive insurance coverage including Air Accident Cover up to ₹2.5 Crore.

Cons

  • New applications are currently restricted due to the Vistara-Air India merger.
  • Renewal benefits and milestone tickets are discontinued for cycles after April 18, 2025.
  • Lounge access requires a minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the previous 3 months.

Our Verdict

Both SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.

Choose SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card if

Best value for those who frequently book Air India flights and want to earn miles directly.

Choose Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card if

Strong value for those who frequently fly Air India/Vistara routes and can utilize the free ticket vouchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card or Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
Both SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹1,500.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card or Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card offers a base reward rate of 0.4050000000000001% with accelerated rewards on Air India Bookings. Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card offers 0.8% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card or Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
For beginners, SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹1,499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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