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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card ELITE vs Axis Bank Vistara Signature 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 ELITE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Axis Bank

Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card

7/10
Annual Fee₹3,000
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card ELITEAxis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card
Annual Fee₹4,999₹3,000
Joining Fee₹4,999₹3,000
Fee Waiver Spend₹10,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate0.5%0.5%
Reward CurrencySBI Reward PointsMaharaja Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/107/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card ELITE

  • 0.62% on Dining
  • 0.62% on Departmental Stores
  • 0.62% on Grocery

Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

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.

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.

Our Verdict

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

Choose SBI Card ELITE if

The monthly ₹500 movie ticket benefit effectively covers the annual fee.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card ELITE or Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
Both SBI Card ELITE and Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card 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 SBI Card ELITE and Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
SBI Card ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000. SBI Card ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card ELITE or Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
SBI Card ELITE offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on Dining and Departmental Stores. Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card offers 0.5% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card ELITE and Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card ELITE and Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card ELITE or Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
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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