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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Air India SBI Signature Card vs SBI Card AURUM

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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SBI Card

SBI Card AURUM

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹9,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAir India SBI Signature CardSBI Card AURUM
Annual Fee₹4,999₹9,999
Joining Fee₹4,999₹9,999
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹12,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%1%
Reward CurrencyReward Points / Maharaja PointsAURUM Reward Point
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/108.5/10
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).

SBI Card AURUM

Pros

  • Welcome benefit of 40,000 points (₹10,000 value) fully offsets the joining fee.
  • Unlimited international lounge access with a rare complimentary guest visit per quarter.
  • Extensive lifestyle memberships including Club Marriott, Amazon Prime, and WSJ/Mint.
  • High-value milestone rewards including Apple and Taj vouchers worth up to ₹35,000 annually.

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 1% compared to other super-premium cards.
  • Invite-only status makes it inaccessible to the general public.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹12 Lakhs.

Our Verdict

SBI Card AURUM 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 SBI Card AURUM if

The card offers a suite of luxury memberships, concierge services, and a metal form factor that aligns with an elite lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Air India SBI Signature Card or SBI Card AURUM?
SBI Card AURUM 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 SBI Card AURUM?
Air India SBI Signature Card has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Air India SBI Signature Card or SBI Card AURUM?
Air India SBI Signature Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25%. SBI Card AURUM offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Air India SBI Signature Card and SBI Card AURUM?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Air India SBI Signature Card and SBI Card AURUM can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Air India SBI Signature Card or SBI Card AURUM?
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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