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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card AURUM vs Axis Bank Vistara Credit 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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Axis Bank

Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card

6.5/10
Annual Fee₹1,500
Base Rewards0.8%
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card AURUMAxis Bank Vistara Credit Card
Annual Fee₹9,999₹1,500
Joining Fee₹9,999₹1,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹12,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate1%0.8%
Reward CurrencyAURUM Reward PointMaharaja Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.5/106.5/10
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.

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.

Our Verdict

SBI Card AURUM 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 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 Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card if

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card AURUM or Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
SBI Card AURUM 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 SBI Card AURUM and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999, while Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹1,500. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card AURUM or Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
SBI Card AURUM offers a base reward rate of 1%. Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card offers 0.8% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card AURUM and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card AURUM and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card AURUM or Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
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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