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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

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

7/10
Annual Fee₹3,000
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAir India SBI Signature CardAxis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card
Annual Fee₹4,999₹3,000
Joining Fee₹4,999₹3,000
Fee Waiver SpendN/AN/A
Base Reward Rate0.25%0.5%
Reward CurrencyReward Points / Maharaja PointsMaharaja Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/107/10
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 Signature Credit Card

Pros

  • Complimentary Premium Economy ticket voucher on joining and renewal (for renewals before April 18, 2025).
  • Complimentary Club Vistara Silver Membership (transitioning to Maharaja Club) offering priority check-in and extra baggage.
  • High milestone rewards with up to 4 additional Premium Economy tickets on annual spends of ₹9 Lakhs.
  • 3 complimentary rounds of golf at select courses in India.

Cons

  • Rewards are highly specialized for Vistara/Air India and offer low value for non-travel redemptions.
  • Domestic lounge access is now subject to a minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the previous 3 months.
  • Significant devaluation in 2024/2025: Milestone benefits and ticket vouchers discontinued for renewals after April 18, 2025.

Our Verdict

Both Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.

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 Signature Credit Card if

Ideal for those who prefer Vistara's Premium Economy service and can hit the ₹1.5L to ₹9L spend milestones for free tickets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Air India SBI Signature Card or Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
Both Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.
What is the annual fee difference between Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000.
Which card has better rewards: Air India SBI Signature Card or Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25%. Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card offers 0.5% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Air India SBI Signature Card and Axis Bank Vistara Signature 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 Signature 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 Signature Credit Card?
For beginners, Axis Bank Vistara Signature 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.

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