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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PRIME 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 PRIME

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹2,999
Base Rewards0.125%
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 PRIMEAxis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card
Annual Fee₹2,999₹3,000
Joining Fee₹2,999₹3,000
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate0.125%0.5%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsMaharaja Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/107/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card PRIME

  • 0% on Dining
  • 0% on Groceries
  • 0% on Movies

Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

SBI Card PRIME

Pros

  • Accelerated 10 Reward Points per ₹100 on dining, groceries, and movies (2.5% value back).
  • Generous welcome benefit with a ₹3,000 e-gift voucher that offsets the joining fee.
  • Comprehensive lounge access with 8 domestic and 4 international visits annually.
  • Milestone vouchers worth up to ₹11,000 annually on reaching spend targets.

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% (2 points per ₹100) on general spends.
  • High foreign currency markup of 3.5% compared to other premium cards.
  • Reward points on utility bills are capped and only applicable for standing instructions.

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 PRIME 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 PRIME if

High rewards on everyday categories like dining, groceries, and movies.

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 PRIME or Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
Both SBI Card PRIME 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 PRIME and Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
SBI Card PRIME has an annual fee of ₹2,999, while Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000. SBI Card PRIME offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card PRIME or Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
SBI Card PRIME offers a base reward rate of 0.125% with accelerated rewards on Dining and Groceries. 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 PRIME and Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PRIME 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 PRIME or Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
For beginners, SBI Card PRIME may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹2,999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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