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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Vistara Signature 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 Signature Credit Card

7/10
Annual Fee₹3,000
Base Rewards0.5%
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 Signature Credit CardSBI Card ELITE
Annual Fee₹3,000₹4,999
Joining Fee₹3,000₹4,999
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.5%0.5%
Reward CurrencyMaharaja PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank Vistara Signature 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 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.

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

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

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.

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 Signature Credit Card or SBI Card ELITE?
Both Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card and SBI Card ELITE 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 Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card and SBI Card ELITE?
Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000, 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 Signature Credit Card or SBI Card ELITE?
Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.5%. 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 Signature Credit Card and SBI Card ELITE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank Vistara Signature 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 Signature Credit Card or SBI Card ELITE?
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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