Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
HDFC MoneyBack+ vs SBI Air India Signature
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
HDFC Bank
HDFC MoneyBack+
VISA
Wins 5 of 10
IN
SBI Card
SBI Air India Signature
VISA
Wins 3 of 10
Verdict
HDFC MoneyBack+ wins 5-3. Entry-level cashback with very low waiver bar. SBI Air India Signature is still the right call if air india loyalists — highest miles earn on ai bookings..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | HDFC MoneyBack+ | SBI Air India Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹500 | · ₹4,999 |
| Joining fee | ₹500 | · ₹4,999 |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (shopping) | 8% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 2% | = 2% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = 500 CashPoints on first transaction | = 20,000 Air India reward points |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹50,000 / yr | · ₹500,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹240,000 | · ₹1,200,000 |
| Min credit score | 720 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.1/5 | 4.3/5 |
Benefits compared
HDFC MoneyBack+
- 5% on Amazon, Flipkart, Big Basket, Reliance Smart Bazaar (capped ₹1K/month)
- 2% on EMI transactions
- 1 fuel surcharge waiver
- Quarterly milestone vouchers
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
›HDFC MoneyBack+ vs SBI Air India Signature: which is better?
HDFC MoneyBack+ wins on more dimensions (5 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 HDFC MoneyBack+ 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?
HDFC MoneyBack+: 500 CashPoints on first transaction. SBI Air India Signature: 20,000 Air India reward points.