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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Air India SBI Signature Card vs Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy 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 Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card

9.2/10
Annual Fee₹30,000
Base Rewards1.2000000000000002%
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAir India SBI Signature CardAxis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card
Annual Fee₹4,999₹30,000
Joining Fee₹4,999₹30,000
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹30,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%1.2000000000000002%
Reward CurrencyReward Points / Maharaja PointsEDGE Reward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating7.2/109.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Air India SBI Signature Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card

  • 1.2% on Monthly Spends > ₹1.5 Lakh — 2 pts/month
  • 1.2% on Travel EDGE Portal (< ₹2 Lakh) — 200000 pts/month
  • 1.2% on Travel EDGE Portal (> ₹2 Lakh)

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 for Burgundy Credit Card

Pros

  • Industry-leading 5:4 transfer ratio to 20+ airline and hotel partners.
  • Up to 24% value-back on travel bookings via the Travel EDGE portal.
  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access with 4 guest visits annually.
  • 8 complimentary airport meet-and-greet services per calendar year.

Cons

  • High eligibility barrier requiring Axis Burgundy relationship status.
  • Strict spend-based criteria (₹50k in 3 months) for domestic lounge access.
  • Significant list of reward exclusions including utilities, insurance, and gold.

Our Verdict

Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy 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 for Burgundy Credit Card if

Optimized for monthly spends exceeding ₹1.5 Lakh with accelerated 14% reward rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Air India SBI Signature Card or Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card?
Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy 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 for Burgundy Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹30,000. Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹30,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Air India SBI Signature Card or Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25%. Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card offers 1.2000000000000002% base rewards with bonuses on Monthly Spends > ₹1.5 Lakh and Travel EDGE Portal (< ₹2 Lakh). The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy 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 for Burgundy 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 for Burgundy 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.

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