SBI ELITE vs SBI Air India Signature
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
SBI ELITE wins 3-1. Mid-premium SBI card with strong club benefits. SBI Air India Signature is still the right call if existing holders only: closed to new applicants since october 2024..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | SBI ELITE | SBI Air India Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = ₹4,999 | = ₹4,999 |
| Joining fee | = ₹4,999 | = ₹4,999 |
| Top reward rate | = 2% (general) | = 2% (general) |
| Base reward rate | = 2% | = 2% |
| Forex markup | = N/A | = N/A |
| Welcome bonus | = 5,000 bonus reward points + ₹5,000 e-gift voucher | = 20,000 Air India reward points |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹10,00,000 / yr | ₹5,00,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹6,00,000 | · ₹12,00,000 |
| Min credit score | 770 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | 4.4/5 | · 4.3/5 |
Benefits compared
SBI ELITE
- 2 reward points per ₹100
- Free movie tickets (BookMyShow) up to ₹6K/year
- 6 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
- Trident Privilege Red membership
- Milestone benefits at ₹3L, ₹4L, ₹5L
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
FAQ
›SBI ELITE vs SBI Air India Signature: which is better?
SBI ELITE wins on more dimensions (3 vs 1). 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 ELITE 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?
SBI ELITE: 5,000 bonus reward points + ₹5,000 e-gift voucher. SBI Air India Signature: 20,000 Air India reward points.