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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Air India SBI Signature Card vs Axis Bank ACE Credit 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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Axis Bank

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAir India SBI Signature CardAxis Bank ACE Credit Card
Annual Fee₹4,999₹499
Joining Fee₹4,999₹499
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%1%
Reward CurrencyReward Points / Maharaja PointsCashback
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

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).

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

Pros

  • 5% cashback on utility bills and recharges via Google Pay (Android only)
  • 4% cashback on Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola with no individual merchant capping
  • Flat 1.5% uncapped cashback on all other eligible spends
  • Complimentary domestic lounge access (4 visits per year)

Cons

  • Combined monthly capping of ₹500 on 5% and 4% cashback categories
  • Lounge access requires a minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the previous 3 months
  • 5% utility cashback is restricted to Google Pay on Android devices

Our Verdict

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Air India SBI Signature Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

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 Axis Bank ACE Credit Card if

Highest cashback rate in the market for electricity, gas, and internet bills via GPay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Air India SBI Signature Card or Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Air India SBI Signature Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while Axis Bank ACE Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹499. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Air India SBI Signature Card or Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25%. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Air India SBI Signature Card or Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
For beginners, Axis Bank ACE Credit 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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