Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Air India SBI Signature Card vs Axis Bank Magnus 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
View Full Details

Axis Bank

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹12,500
Base Rewards0.2%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAir India SBI Signature CardAxis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Annual Fee₹4,999₹12,500
Joining Fee₹4,999₹12,500
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹25,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%0.2%
Reward CurrencyReward Points / Maharaja PointsEDGE Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/108/10
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 Magnus Credit Card

Pros

  • High reward rate of 17.5 EDGE points per ₹200 on spends above ₹1.5 Lakhs monthly.
  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders.
  • Low foreign currency markup fee of 2% for international transactions.
  • Welcome benefit voucher worth ₹12,500 effectively offsets the joining fee.

Cons

  • Significant devaluation in 2024 removed monthly milestone bonuses and concierge services.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹25 Lakhs is difficult for most users to reach.
  • Reward points transfer ratio to air miles reduced from 5:4 to 5:2 for non-Burgundy users.

Our Verdict

Axis Bank Magnus 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 Magnus Credit Card if

Best value is unlocked after crossing the ₹1.5 Lakh monthly spend threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Air India SBI Signature Card or Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card?
Axis Bank Magnus 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 Magnus Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,500. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹25,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Air India SBI Signature Card or Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25%. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers 0.2% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank Magnus 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 Magnus Credit Card?
For beginners, Air India SBI Signature Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹4,999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

Related Comparisons

Air India SBI Signature Card vs SBI Card MILES ELITEAxis Bank Magnus Credit Card vs SBI Card MILES ELITEAir India SBI Signature Card vs Axis Bank Atlas Credit CardAxis Bank Magnus Credit Card vs Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card

Explore More

Air India SBI Signature Card Full ReviewAxis Bank Magnus Credit Card Full ReviewAll SBI Card CardsAll Axis Bank CardsBrowse All Credit CardsCredit Card Guides & Tips