Axis Vistara Signature vs SBI Cashback
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
SBI Cashback wins 5-0. Pure online cashback — 5% on any online merchant, no partner restrictions. Axis Vistara Signature is still the right call if domestic flyers (vistara was acquired by air india — points convert)..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis Vistara Signature | SBI Cashback |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹3,000 | ₹999 |
| Joining fee | · ₹3,000 | ₹999 |
| Top reward rate | = 5% (travel) | = 5% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = Vistara Premium Economy ticket on joining | = Cashback offsets joining fee on first ₹999+ spend |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹750,000 / yr | ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹600,000 | ₹360,000 |
| Min credit score | = 750 | = 750 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
Benefits compared
Axis Vistara Signature
- 5 CV points per ₹200 on travel
- Premium Economy class ticket on joining
- Premium Economy class ticket on ₹4.5L spend
- 8 domestic lounge visits/year
- Club Vistara Silver tier on joining
SBI Cashback
- 5% cashback on ALL online spends (not just listed merchants) — capped ₹5,000/month
- 1% cashback on offline spends
- Auto-credited within 2 days of statement
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
FAQ
›Axis Vistara Signature vs SBI Cashback: which is better?
SBI Cashback wins on more dimensions (5 vs 0). 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 Vistara Signature for its best categories, SBI Cashback for online shopping. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Axis Vistara Signature: Vistara Premium Economy ticket on joining. SBI Cashback: Cashback offsets joining fee on first ₹999+ spend.