Axis Bank IndiGo vs Cashback SBI Card
A field-by-field comparison of fees, reward rates, accelerated categories, caps, exclusions, lounge access and forex markup, using each issuer's own published terms. Affiliate payout never decides the verdict.
Short answer
Axis Bank IndiGo and Cashback SBI Card differ first on recurring cost: Axis Bank IndiGo has an annual fee of ₹799 + GST against ₹999 + GST for Cashback SBI Card, so Axis Bank IndiGo is cheaper to hold. On rewards, Axis Bank IndiGo earns 1 IndiGo BluChip per ₹100 on eligible spends while Cashback SBI Card earns 1% cashback on eligible offline point-of-sale spend. Both publish the same 3.5% forex markup. Neither card wins outright: the better choice depends on which accelerated categories match your spend, the monthly caps, the exclusions and issuer approval fit.
Source: CardMasters issuer-evidence catalogue, release 2026-08-25. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | Axis Bank IndiGo | Cashback SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Axis Bank | SBI Card |
| Joining fee | ₹799 + GST | ₹999 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹799 + GST | ₹999 + GST |
| Fee waiver | No waiver recorded | ₹2,00,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 1 IndiGo BluChip per ₹100 on eligible spends | 1% cashback on eligible offline point-of-sale spend |
| Accelerated routes | IndiGo channels (flights/website/app) · grocery & dining | 5% cashback on eligible online spend |
| Reward exclusions | government, insurance, utilities, telecom, rent, wallet load, fuel, jewellery, emi, cash advance, fees | fuel, rent, wallet load, utility, insurance, school, jewellery, railways, gift card, digital gaming, toll, government, merchant emi, flexipay emi |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | Not recorded — confirm with issuer | Not recorded — confirm with issuer |
| Domestic lounge | 4/yr (1/quarter on ₹50k spend in prior 3 months) | none (removed) |
| International lounge | none | none |
| Card networks | RuPay, Visa | Visa, RuPay |
| Best suited to | indigo flyers, domestic travel | online shopping, cashback, first card |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-07-26 | Checked 2026-07-28 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Axis Bank IndiGo better than the Cashback SBI Card?
Neither is universally better. Axis Bank IndiGo charges ₹799 + GST a year and earns 1 IndiGo BluChip per ₹100 on eligible spends; Cashback SBI Card charges ₹999 + GST and earns 1% cashback on eligible offline point-of-sale spend. The better card is the one whose accelerated categories, caps and exclusions match your actual spending, after subtracting the annual fee and GST.
Which of the two has the lower annual fee, Axis Bank IndiGo or Cashback SBI Card?
Axis Bank IndiGo has the lower recorded annual fee at ₹799 + GST. A spend-based waiver may reduce the effective cost of the other card, so check the waiver threshold before deciding.
Which is better for international spending, Axis Bank IndiGo or Cashback SBI Card?
Both publish a 3.5% forex markup, so compare international reward eligibility and lounge access instead.
Can I hold both cards together?
Yes, provided each is approved on its own merits and you can pay both statements in full. Holding both makes sense only when their accelerated categories do not overlap; otherwise the second card adds an annual fee without adding rewards.