SBI Air India Signature vs Standard Chartered Ultimate
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
SBI Air India Signature wins 4-3. Existing holders only: closed to new applicants since October 2024. Standard Chartered Ultimate is still the right call if best general earn-rate at the ₹5k fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | SBI Air India Signature | Standard Chartered Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹4,999 | · ₹5,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹4,999 | · ₹5,000 |
| Top reward rate | · 2% (general) | 3.3% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 2% | 3.3% |
| Forex markup | = N/A | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 20,000 Air India reward points | = 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹5,00,000 / yr | · ₹15,00,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹12,00,000 | · ₹15,00,000 |
| Min credit score | = 780 | = 780 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
SBI Air India Signature
- 10 reward points per ₹100 on Air India tickets the primary cardholder buys on the Air India website or app
- 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
Standard Chartered Ultimate
- 5 reward points per ₹150 (effectively 3.3%)
- 4 complimentary international lounge visits/year
- BookMyShow buy-1-get-1
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Comprehensive travel + purchase insurance
FAQ
›SBI Air India Signature vs Standard Chartered Ultimate: which is better?
SBI Air India Signature wins on more dimensions (4 vs 3). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use SBI Air India Signature for its best categories, Standard Chartered Ultimate for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
SBI Air India Signature: 20,000 Air India reward points. Standard Chartered Ultimate: 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher.