Air India SBI Signature Credit Card: Fees, Maharaja Points & Real Value
The Air India SBI Signature Credit Card is a co-branded card between SBI Card and Air India (India’s national carrier, which now also includes the merged Vistara operations). It’s purpose-built for frequent Air India flyers who want direct Maharaja Points accumulation for flight redemptions. Here’s the 2026 breakdown.
Key Fees
- Joining fee: ₹4,999 + GST (effective ~₹5,900)
- Annual fee: ₹4,999 + GST (charged yearly)
- Verify current annual fee waiver terms on SBI Card’s official page
Welcome Benefit
20,000 Reward Points credited within 15 days of annual fee payment — worth ~₹5,000 toward Air India bookings, effectively offsetting the fee.
Reward Structure
- 4 Reward Points per ₹100 on general retail spends (4%)
- 10 Reward Points per ₹100 on Air India ticket purchases (via website, mobile app, booking offices, or call centres) — effective from 31 March 2025
- Points convert 1:1 to Air India Maharaja Points
Redemption
- Direct conversion: 1 Reward Point = 1 Air India Maharaja Point
- Maharaja Points redeem for Air India flight awards (domestic and international)
- Best value on international business class redemptions where Maharaja Points can deliver ₹1+ per point
Other Benefits
- Airport lounge access (domestic and international — verify current allocations)
- Fuel surcharge waiver on eligible fuel transactions
- Comprehensive travel insurance including air accident cover
- Add-on cards earn points at the same rate as primary card
- Priority check-in and baggage allowance on Air India (when redeeming via Maharaja Points)
Real-World Value Example
- Frequent Air India flyer (₹2 lakh+ annual Air India spend + ₹5 lakh general): ₹40,000-₹60,000 value (welcome + accelerated + base + lounges + insurance)
- Occasional flyer (₹50K AI + ₹5 lakh general): ₹20,000-₹28,000 value
- Non-Air-India flyer: ₹10,000-₹15,000 — fee recovered but main benefit unused
Who Should Get It
- Frequent Air India flyers — especially post Vistara merger expanding Air India’s route network
- Users who book Air India international (business class redemptions give strongest value)
- Heavy spenders who want direct airline loyalty accumulation
- Indians flying internationally via Air India’s expanded fleet and partnerships
When to look elsewhere
- You prefer flexibility across airlines — Axis Atlas transfers to 20+ partners
- You fly IndiGo primarily — IndiGo BluChip co-branded cards (newer offerings)
- You rarely fly internationally — domestic Air India redemptions have lower per-point value
How to Apply
Apply on the Air India SBI Signature page. Eligibility: salaried ₹60,000+/month or self-employed with ITR ₹8 lakh+, CIBIL 750+.
Final Verdict
The Air India SBI Signature is a specialist card for Air India loyalists. Post the Vistara-Air India merger, Air India’s route network has expanded significantly, making Maharaja Points more valuable than ever. The 10X on Air India purchases and direct 1:1 Maharaja Points conversion is unmatched for frequent flyers of the carrier. For multi-airline travelers, Axis Atlas’s flexibility is typically more valuable.
See also: Axis Atlas review, travel credit cards in India, SBI Card Miles Elite.
Last updated: April 2026. Verify current terms on the Air India SBI Signature page.