SBI Cashback Credit Card vs Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card
A head-to-head comparison on verified fees, waiver math, reward rates, lounge conditions and forex charges.
Our verdict
Airtel Axis wins inside the Airtel ecosystem and loses almost everywhere else; SBI Cashback is the simpler all-rounder for online spends.
Pick SBI Cashback if you want one flat rate on all online spends without living inside a single app.
Pick Airtel Axis only if Airtel bills are a big monthly expense and you will pay them through the Airtel Thanks App.
| Compare | SBI Cashback Credit Card | Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹999 + GST (₹1,179 total) | ₹500 + GST (₹590 total) |
| Fee waiver | Waived on ₹2,00,000 annual spend | Waived on ₹2,00,000 annual spend |
| Headline reward | 5% Flat Cashback on online merchant spends | 25% cashback on Airtel bills via Airtel Thanks App + 10% value back on Zomato, Blinkit, District Movies |
| Online spends return | 5% | 1% |
| Dining return | 5% | 10% |
| Travel return | 5% | 1% |
| Bills and UPI return | 1% | 25% |
| Fuel return | 0% | 0% |
| Lounge access | No complimentary lounge access | No lounge access. The 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits were discontinued from 12 April 2026. |
| Forex markup | 3.5% + 18% GST | 3.5% + 18% GST |
| RuPay UPI payments | Not supported | Not supported |
| Credwiser score | 95/100 | 86/100 |
Green cells mark the stronger card on that row. Returns are effective category rates from each card verified record, before caps; check the fine print below for caps.
The fine print decides it
SBI Cashback Credit Card
Cashback is calculated on transaction completion and credited automatically to statement. ₹999 + 18% GST (₹1,179 total annual fee). Card renewal fee is waived on spending ₹2,00,000 in previous year. From 1 April 2026 the maximum cashback is ₹2,000 on online spends and ₹2,000 on offline spends per statement cycle (₹4,000 in total), and gaming, toll and government spends are excluded.
Last verified against MITC: 21 October 2026 • View official MITC →
Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card
From 12 April 2026: the 25% Airtel category cashback is capped at twice the base (1%) cashback earned in the same statement month, and the 10% utility category at one times the base cashback. Partner value back on Zomato, Blinkit and District Movies is credited to the partner wallet (up to ₹200 per partner per month, ₹499 minimum order on Zomato and Blinkit) and is not statement cashback. Cashback credit follows a 60-day cycle. The 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits were discontinued from 12 April 2026.
Last verified against MITC: 21 October 2026 • View official MITC →
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, SBI Cashback Credit Card or Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card?
SBI Cashback Credit Card charges ₹999 + gst (₹1,179 total) and its waiver position is: waived on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card charges ₹500 + gst (₹590 total) with this waiver position: waived on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. Remember the fee is billed first and reversed later on cards that offer a waiver.
Which card has better lounge access, SBI Cashback Credit Card or Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card?
SBI Cashback Credit Card: No complimentary lounge access. Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card: No lounge access. The 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits were discontinued from 12 April 2026.. Always check the spend gate, if any, before travelling; our Lounge Access Checker shows the exact criteria for both cards.
SBI Cashback Credit Card vs Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card: which should I pick?
Airtel Axis wins inside the Airtel ecosystem and loses almost everywhere else; SBI Cashback is the simpler all-rounder for online spends. Pick SBI Cashback if you want one flat rate on all online spends without living inside a single app. Pick Airtel Axis only if Airtel bills are a big monthly expense and you will pay them through the Airtel Thanks App.
More comparisons with these cards
Compare any two cards freely in the side-by-side comparison matrix, or check gates and caps in the Lounge Access Checker and Cashback Cap Maxer.