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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated April 2026

SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card 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 - Air India SBI Platinum Card

6.8/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.4050000000000001%
NetworkVisa
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Axis Bank

Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card

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

FeatureSBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum CardAxis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,499₹3,000
Joining Fee₹1,499₹3,000
Fee Waiver SpendN/AN/A
Base Reward Rate0.4050000000000001%0.5%
Reward CurrencyMaharaja PointsMaharaja Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating6.8/107/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card

  • 0% on Air India Bookings

Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card

Pros

  • 5,000 Maharaja Points as a welcome bonus upon joining fee payment.
  • Accelerated 5 Reward Points per Rs. 100 spent on Air India tickets (self-booking).
  • Up to 15,000 bonus Maharaja Points annually through milestone spends.
  • 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (capped at 2 per quarter).

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 2 points per Rs. 100 on non-airline spends.
  • No annual fee waiver regardless of annual spending.
  • International lounge visits are paid even with the provided Priority Pass.

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 - Air India SBI Platinum Card 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 - Air India SBI Platinum Card if

Best value for those who frequently book Air India flights and want to earn miles directly.

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 - Air India SBI Platinum Card or Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
Both SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card 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 - Air India SBI Platinum Card and Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card or Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card offers a base reward rate of 0.4050000000000001% with accelerated rewards on Air India Bookings. 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 - Air India SBI Platinum Card and Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card 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 - Air India SBI Platinum Card or Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card?
For beginners, SBI Card - Air India SBI Platinum Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹1,499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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