Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India

SBI Air India Signature vs IDFC FIRST Wow

Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.

IN
SBI Card
SBI Air India Signature
VISA
Wins 4 of 10
IN
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Wow
VISA
Wins 4 of 10
Verdict

It's a true tie, neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.

Side-by-side

CriterionSBI Air India SignatureIDFC FIRST Wow
Annual fee
·
₹4,999
No annual fee
Joining fee
·
₹4,999
None
Top reward rate
8% (travel)
·
1% (general)
Base reward rate
2%
·
1%
Forex markup
=
N/A
=
No FX fee
Welcome bonus
=
20,000 Air India reward points
=
Lifetime free + 600 points on first transaction
Fee waiver threshold
₹500,000 / yr
·
N/A (no fee)
Min income
·
₹1,200,000
Not verified
Min credit score
·
780
600
Editorial rating
4.3/5
·
4/5

Benefits compared

SBI Air India Signature

  • 30 AI reward points per ₹100 on Air India bookings
  • 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

IDFC FIRST Wow

  • 1 reward point per ₹100 (no rate change cliff)
  • Lifetime free, no annual fee
  • 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits/quarter
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver
  • Backed by FD: easy approval

FAQ

SBI Air India Signature vs IDFC FIRST Wow: which is better?

It's a true tie, pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. SBI Air India Signature wins on 4 criteria, IDFC FIRST Wow on 4.

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, IDFC FIRST Wow 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. IDFC FIRST Wow: Lifetime free + 600 points on first transaction.