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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

CASHBACK SBI Card 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

CASHBACK SBI Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹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

FeatureCASHBACK SBI CardAir India SBI Signature Card
Annual Fee₹999₹4,999
Joining Fee₹999₹4,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate1%0.25%
Reward CurrencyCashbackReward Points / Maharaja Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.5/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

CASHBACK SBI Card

  • 0% on Online Spends

Air India SBI Signature Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

CASHBACK SBI Card

Pros

  • Flat 5% cashback on almost all online spends without merchant restrictions.
  • 1% flat cashback on all offline spends and utility payments.
  • Cashback is auto-credited to the statement within 2 days of statement generation.
  • Simple annual fee waiver at ₹2 lakh annual spend.

Cons

  • Monthly cashback capped at ₹4,000 (₹2,000 online / ₹2,000 offline) from April 2026.
  • No complimentary domestic or international airport lounge access.
  • Extensive list of exclusions including rent, fuel, wallet loads, and government transactions.

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

CASHBACK SBI Card 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 CASHBACK SBI Card if

Highest flat cashback rate of 5% across all e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra.

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: CASHBACK SBI Card or Air India SBI Signature Card?
CASHBACK SBI Card 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 CASHBACK SBI Card and Air India SBI Signature Card?
CASHBACK SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹999, while Air India SBI Signature Card has an annual fee of ₹4,999. CASHBACK SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: CASHBACK SBI Card or Air India SBI Signature Card?
CASHBACK SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Online Spends. Air India SBI Signature Card offers 0.25% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both CASHBACK SBI Card and Air India SBI Signature Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. CASHBACK SBI Card and Air India SBI Signature Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: CASHBACK SBI Card or Air India SBI Signature Card?
For beginners, CASHBACK SBI Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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