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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card vs SBI Card ELITE

Detailed comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and value to help you choose the right credit card for your spending pattern.

Axis Bank

Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card

6.5/10
Annual Fee₹1,500
Base Rewards0.8%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

SBI Card ELITE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAxis Bank Vistara Credit CardSBI Card ELITE
Annual Fee₹1,500₹4,999
Joining Fee₹1,500₹4,999
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.8%0.5%
Reward CurrencyMaharaja PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating6.5/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

SBI Card ELITE

  • 0.62% on Dining
  • 0.62% on Departmental Stores
  • 0.62% on Grocery

Pros & Cons

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.

SBI Card ELITE

Pros

  • Complimentary movie tickets worth ₹6,000 annually (₹500 per month).
  • Low foreign currency markup of 1.99% compared to the standard 3.5%.
  • High milestone rewards of up to 50,000 bonus points worth ₹12,500.
  • Comprehensive lounge access with 8 domestic and 6 international visits per year.

Cons

  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹10 Lakhs.
  • Base reward rate is relatively low at 0.5% for a premium card.
  • Club Vistara and Trident memberships have been discontinued for new users.

Our Verdict

SBI Card ELITE 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 Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card if

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

Choose SBI Card ELITE if

The monthly ₹500 movie ticket benefit effectively covers the annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card or SBI Card ELITE?
SBI Card ELITE 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 Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card and SBI Card ELITE?
Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹1,500, while SBI Card ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999. SBI Card ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card or SBI Card ELITE?
Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.8%. SBI Card ELITE offers 0.5% base rewards with bonuses on Dining and Departmental Stores. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card and SBI Card ELITE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card and SBI Card ELITE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card or SBI Card ELITE?
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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