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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Air India SBI Signature Card vs Apollo SBI Card

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

SBI Card

Air India SBI Signature Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

Apollo SBI Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkMastercard
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAir India SBI Signature CardApollo SBI Card
Annual Fee₹4,999₹499
Joining Fee₹4,999₹499
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%0.25%
Reward CurrencyReward Points / Maharaja PointsReward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating7.2/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Air India SBI Signature Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Apollo SBI Card

  • 0% on Apollo Services
  • 0% on Dining, Movies & Entertainment
  • 0% on Beauty & Wellness

Pros & Cons

Air India SBI Signature Card

Pros

  • High welcome bonus of 20,000 Reward Points worth up to ₹20,000 in Air India miles.
  • Accelerated 10 Reward Points per ₹100 spent on Air India ticket bookings.
  • Generous milestone benefits offering up to 1,00,000 bonus points annually.
  • 1:1 conversion ratio from Reward Points to Air India Maharaja Points (Air Miles).

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹4,999 with no standard spend-based waiver.
  • Reward rate on Air India tickets was recently reduced from 30 to 10 points per ₹100.
  • International lounge access via Priority Pass is not complimentary (usage fee applies).

Apollo SBI Card

Pros

  • 3% value back (3X points) on all Apollo services including pharmacy and clinics
  • 1:1 redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1 at Apollo POS
  • Complimentary OneApollo Gold Tier membership for the first year
  • Low annual fee of ₹499 with a reachable waiver threshold of ₹1 Lakh

Cons

  • No airport lounge access (available only on the Select variant)
  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on general spends
  • Rewards are primarily valuable only within the Apollo ecosystem

Our Verdict

Both Air India SBI Signature Card and Apollo SBI Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.

Choose Air India SBI Signature Card if

Best value for those who frequently book Air India flights and can maximize the 1:1 mile conversion.

Choose Apollo SBI Card if

Frequent users of Apollo Pharmacy and Apollo 24/7 app benefit from high reward rates and instant discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Air India SBI Signature Card or Apollo SBI Card?
Both Air India SBI Signature Card and Apollo SBI 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 Air India SBI Signature Card and Apollo SBI Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Air India SBI Signature Card or Apollo SBI Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25%. Apollo SBI Card offers 0.25% base rewards with bonuses on Apollo Services and Dining, Movies & Entertainment. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Air India SBI Signature Card and Apollo SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Air India SBI Signature Card and Apollo SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Air India SBI Signature Card or Apollo SBI Card?
For beginners, Apollo SBI Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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