SBI Card Air India SBI Signature Review

June 15, 2026• 3 min read

StandardSBI Card

Quick Facts

Joining Fee₹4,999

Renewal Fee₹4,999

Best ForCo-branded

Forex Markup3.50%

30-Second Verdict

Expert Verdict

The Air India Signature represents a solid premium choice, balancing strong category-specific rewards with travel perks for everyday affluent spenders.

High Reward Yield

Who Should Apply

You value airport lounge access and travel perks.
You want a steady return rate of 2% on standard spends.

Who Should Skip

Your average monthly card spends are less than ₹25,000.
You prefer cash statement credits over travel reward point transfers.

Key Numbers

Base Reward Rate
4 RP / ₹100

Accelerated Rate

None

Forex Markup

3.50%

Joining Fee

₹4,999

Annual Fee

₹4,999

Eligibility

Age: 21 - 70 Years

Domestic Lounge

2/Quarter

Primary: Yes • Add-on: No • Guest: No

Reward Point Mechanics

Understanding how your spends translate into real-world value is key. Here is how you earn, translate, and redeem your reward points.

Earning Blueprint

Accrual & Multipliers

Base Earn Rate:4 RP / ₹100

Multipliers & Milestones:

Merchant-Specific 7.5x15% yield

30 Flying Returns points per ₹100 spent on Air India ticket bookings.

Point TranslationValue depends on how you redeem
Standard Currency Point Value1 Flying Returns Miles = ₹0.5
when redeemed for flights/travel
Redemption Values:Flights:₹3 per pt
Flights:₹1.5 per pt
Airlines/Hotel Miles:0.6 - 4 per pt

Partner Transfers

Miles conversion ratios

Air Arabia AA RewardsRatio 2:1

AirAsia RewardsRatio 1:1

Air Canada AeroplanRatio 1:1

Flying BlueRatio 1:1

Air India Maharaja ClubRatio 1:1

British Airways Executive ClubRatio 1:1

Cathay Pacific Asia MilesRatio 1:1

Etihad GuestRatio 1:1

Emirates SkywardsRatio 2:1

Ethiopian ShebaMilesRatio 2:1

JAL Mileage BankRatio 2:1

Saudia AlFursanRatio 2:1

SpiceClubRatio 1:1

Royal Orchid PlusRatio 1:1

Turkish Miles &SmilesRatio 2:1

United MileagePlusRatio 2:1

Qantas Frequent FlyerRatio 1:1

Vietnam Airlines LotusmilesRatio 1:1

ALL - Accor Live LimitlessRatio 2:1

IHG One RewardsRatio 1:1

Club ITCRatio 2:1

Jumeirah OneRatio 2:1

Orchid RewardsRatio 1:1

Wyndham RewardsRatio 1:1

Shangri-La CircleRatio 6:1

Radisson RewardsRatio 1:1

1. Fees & Charges

Joining Fee: ₹4,999 + GST
Annual Fee: ₹4,999 + GST There are no spend-based waivers defined for the annual renewal fee.

2. Airport Lounge Access

For frequent flyers, lounge privileges provide significant comfort and savings:

Domestic Lounges: Eligible: True (Visa Lounge Program). Complimentary Visits: 2 per quarter. Spend threshold: None.
International Lounges: Eligible: False (N/A). Complimentary Visits: No complimentary access. Spend threshold: None.

3. Rewards Rate & Value

Optimize your spending with the card's rewards structure:

Base Reward Rate: Earn an effective 2.0% back on general purchases.
Point Valuation: 1 Flying Returns Miles = ₹0.5 value.
Important Exclusions: Spends on Rent do not earn standard reward points.

4. Verdict: Should You Apply?

Get it if...

✓ You value having lounge access on network programs.
✓ Your primary spending categories align with this card's reward structure.

Skip it if...

✗ You prefer direct cash-back over reward points or travel miles.
✗ Your major spending is on excluded categories like rent or utilities (Rent).

Exclusions & Caps Warning

Fuel transactions do not earn standard reward points, but are eligible for a 1% surcharge waiver up to ₹500/month.
Cashback is capped at ₹5,000 per billing cycle.
Cash advances, balance transfers, and EMI conversions do not earn reward points.

Pros & Cons

Advantages	Disadvantages
Standard concierge and customer support services Accelerated travel rewards on booking portals 2 complimentary domestic visits/quarter Generous credit limits (avg. ₹2,00,000) Faceted rewards structure for high returns	Annual renewal fee of ₹4,999 applies base reward can be better for a highly priced fees. No spend-based annual fee waiver available Standard foreign transaction markup fee of 3.50% Premium credit score and document verification required

Rewards Point Calculator

Estimate your annual rewards based on your customized spending profile. Slide the bars to adjust your spends and see the total reward points earned.

✈️ Travel & Airline Booking (Annual)₹2,00,000

🍽️ Dining & Entertainment (Annual)₹1,00,000

⛽ Fuel Purchases (Annual)₹50,000

🛍️ General Retail & Online Shopping (Annual)₹1,50,000

Total Reward Points Earned

28,000

Points / Year

Redemption Sweet Spots

Best Value Redemption Strategy: Redeeming points for statement credits yields poor value. Instead, transfer points to airline/hotel loyalty programs (like Marriott Bonvoy or airline miles) to secure maximum value per point.

Cardswise Score

8.0

Rewards

8/10

Travel Perks

7/10

Lifestyle

6/10

Value for Money

8/10

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee and waiver limit of SBI Card Air India SBI Signature?

The annual fee is ₹4,999 + GST. The fee is waived if you spend ₹0 in the previous card year.

Does SBI Card Air India SBI Signature offer complimentary lounge access?

Domestic lounge: 2 per quarter (Spend requirement: None). International lounge: No complimentary access.

What is the foreign exchange markup fee?

The card has a foreign exchange markup of 3.50%.

What is the spending limit on the card?

The card limit is determined based on your credit score, ITR/salary documents, and existing credit relationship with the issuing bank.

How do you apply for this card?

You can apply online via the issuer's portal, netbanking, or by visiting a local branch with income proof documents.

Do reward points expire?

The reward points are typically valid for 36 months.

Air India Signature

₹4,999 Joining Fee

Apply Now