Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
Axis ACE vs SBI Air India Signature
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Axis Bank
Axis ACE
VISA
Wins 6 of 10
IN
SBI Card
SBI Air India Signature
VISA
Wins 3 of 10
Verdict
Axis ACE wins 6-3. Bill payments + utilities + fuel — set-and-forget cashback SBI Air India Signature is still the right call if air india loyalists — highest miles earn on ai bookings..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis ACE | SBI Air India Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹499 | · ₹4,999 |
| Joining fee | ₹499 | · ₹4,999 |
| Top reward rate | · 4% (fuel) | 8% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.5% | 2% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = Up to ₹2,000 cashback on first 60-day spends | = 20,000 Air India reward points |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · ₹500,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹360,000 | · ₹1,200,000 |
| Min credit score | 750 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.3/5 |
Benefits compared
Axis ACE
- 5% cashback on Google Pay bill payments (electricity, gas, broadband, mobile, DTH)
- 4% cashback on Swiggy, Zomato, Ola
- 2% cashback on every other transaction
- 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
SBI Air India Signature
- 30 AI reward points per ₹100 on Air India bookings
- 4 reward points per ₹100 on others
- Air India Maharajah Club Silver
- 8 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
- Free Air India ticket on ₹5L spend
FAQ
›Axis ACE vs SBI Air India Signature: which is better?
Axis ACE wins on more dimensions (6 vs 3). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Axis ACE for its best categories, SBI Air India Signature for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Axis ACE: Up to ₹2,000 cashback on first 60-day spends. SBI Air India Signature: 20,000 Air India reward points.