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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card AURUM vs Air India SBI Signature Card

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

SBI Card

SBI Card AURUM

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹9,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

Air India SBI Signature Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards0.25%
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card AURUMAir India SBI Signature Card
Annual Fee₹9,999₹4,999
Joining Fee₹9,999₹4,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹12,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate1%0.25%
Reward CurrencyAURUM Reward PointReward Points / Maharaja Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.5/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Pros & Cons

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.

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).

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 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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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