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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

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

6.5/10
Annual Fee₹1,500
Base Rewards0.8%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAir India SBI Signature CardAxis Bank Vistara Credit Card
Annual Fee₹4,999₹1,500
Joining Fee₹4,999₹1,500
Fee Waiver SpendN/AN/A
Base Reward Rate0.25%0.8%
Reward CurrencyReward Points / Maharaja PointsMaharaja Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/106.5/10
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 Vistara Credit Card

Pros

  • Complimentary Economy Class ticket voucher on joining fee payment.
  • Earn 2 Maharaja Points for every ₹200 spent on all eligible categories.
  • Complimentary domestic lounge access (2 visits per quarter) at select airports.
  • Comprehensive insurance coverage including Air Accident Cover up to ₹2.5 Crore.

Cons

  • New applications are currently restricted due to the Vistara-Air India merger.
  • Renewal benefits and milestone tickets are discontinued for cycles after April 18, 2025.
  • Lounge access requires a minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the previous 3 months.

Our Verdict

Air India SBI Signature Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Axis Bank Vistara Credit 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 Vistara Credit Card if

Strong value for those who frequently fly Air India/Vistara routes and can utilize the free ticket vouchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Air India SBI Signature Card or Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Axis Bank Vistara Credit 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 Vistara Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹1,500.
Which card has better rewards: Air India SBI Signature Card or Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25%. Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card offers 0.8% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank Vistara 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 Vistara Credit Card?
For beginners, Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹1,500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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