Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

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

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹3,000
Base Rewards0.2%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAir India SBI Signature CardAxis Bank Select Credit Card
Annual Fee₹4,999₹3,000
Joining Fee₹4,999₹3,000
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹8,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%0.2%
Reward CurrencyReward Points / Maharaja PointsEDGE Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/107.8/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Air India SBI Signature Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Axis Bank Select Credit Card

  • 0% on Retail Shopping

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 Select Credit Card

Pros

  • 10,000 EDGE points (₹2,000 value) as a welcome benefit on first transaction.
  • Significant monthly savings with Swiggy (₹400) and BigBasket (₹500) discounts.
  • Complimentary Priority Pass with 6 international lounge visits annually.
  • 2X rewards on retail shopping up to ₹20,000 monthly spend.

Cons

  • Domestic lounge access requires a high spend of ₹50,000 in the previous quarter.
  • Low reward redemption value (₹0.20 per point) compared to premium peers.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹8 Lakhs.

Our Verdict

Axis Bank Select 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 Select Credit Card if

Strong benefits on Swiggy, BigBasket, and BookMyShow combined with golf access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Air India SBI Signature Card or Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
Axis Bank Select 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 Select Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while Axis Bank Select Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000. Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹8,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Air India SBI Signature Card or Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25%. Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers 0.2% base rewards with bonuses on Retail Shopping. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank Select 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 Select Credit Card?
For beginners, Axis Bank Select Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹3,000. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

Related Comparisons

Explore More