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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

CASHBACK SBI Card 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

CASHBACK SBI Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹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

FeatureCASHBACK SBI CardAxis Bank Vistara Credit Card
Annual Fee₹999₹1,500
Joining Fee₹999₹1,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate1%0.8%
Reward CurrencyCashbackMaharaja Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.5/106.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

CASHBACK SBI Card

  • 0% on Online Spends

Axis Bank Vistara Credit 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.

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

CASHBACK SBI Card 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 CASHBACK SBI Card if

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

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: CASHBACK SBI Card or Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
CASHBACK SBI Card 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 CASHBACK SBI Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
CASHBACK SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹999, while Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹1,500. CASHBACK SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: CASHBACK SBI Card or Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
CASHBACK SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Online Spends. Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card offers 0.8% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both CASHBACK SBI Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. CASHBACK SBI Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: CASHBACK SBI Card or Axis Bank Vistara Credit 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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