Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Air India SBI Signature Card vs ICICI Bank Sapphiro 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

ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹3,500
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAir India SBI Signature CardICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
Annual Fee₹4,999₹3,500
Joining Fee₹4,999₹6,500
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹6,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%0.25%
Reward CurrencyReward Points / Maharaja PointsICICI Bank Rewards
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/108/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Air India SBI Signature Card

No accelerated rewards listed

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

  • 0% on International Spends

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).

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

Pros

  • High-value welcome vouchers worth over ₹9,000 covering travel, shopping, and dining.
  • Dual-card advantage (Amex + Mastercard/Visa) allows for broader acceptance and network-specific offers.
  • Generous movie benefits with Buy 1 Get 1 up to ₹500 twice a month on BookMyShow.
  • Complimentary golf rounds (up to 4 per month) based on spending milestones.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹3,500 which is only waived on a relatively high spend of ₹6 lakhs.
  • Domestic lounge access is contingent on a high quarterly spend of ₹75,000.
  • Reward rate on utilities and insurance is low at 1 point per ₹100.

Our Verdict

ICICI Bank Sapphiro 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 ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card if

Offers both domestic and international lounge access along with travel-specific welcome vouchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Air India SBI Signature Card or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Sapphiro 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 ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,500. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹6,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Air India SBI Signature Card or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25%. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers 0.25% base rewards with bonuses on International Spends. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Air India SBI Signature Card and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Air India SBI Signature Card and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Air India SBI Signature Card or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
For beginners, ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹3,500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

Related Comparisons

Air India SBI Signature Card vs SBI Card MILES ELITEICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card vs SBI Card MILES ELITEAir India SBI Signature Card vs Axis Bank Atlas Credit CardICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card vs Axis Bank Atlas Credit CardAir India SBI Signature Card vs SBI Card ELITEICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card vs SBI Card ELITE

Explore More

Air India SBI Signature Card Full ReviewICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card Full ReviewAll SBI Card CardsAll ICICI Bank CardsBrowse All Credit CardsCredit Card Guides & Tips