If you fly the same airline back to India 4+ times a year, an airline-branded card pays for itself in one upgrade or extra baggage waiver. Air India SBI for Star Alliance, IndiGo HDFC for domestic, Singapore KrisFlyer for KrisFlyer hoarders — compared by miles-per-rupee and India-route value.
Airline cards only beat generic premium when you fly that airline regularly.
The Air India SBI Signature earns 4 Miles per ₹100 (= ~6% effective rate on Air India spend) plus 20,000 welcome Miles — enough for one US-to-India one-way upgrade. Best for NRIs flying back to India on Star Alliance routes (US, UK via partners) where Air India operates direct.
Skip the co-brand and use Axis Magnus — transfers to KrisFlyer at 5:4 ratio, plus you get all Magnus benefits (lounges, 25+ partners). The dedicated SQ Amex Ascend earns slower (2 Miles/₹100) and locks you into one program.
Generic premium cards beat single-airline co-brands for flexibility: Amex Platinum transfers to 19+ airlines including Air India 1:1 + Singapore + Avianca. Chase Sapphire Reserve transfers to Singapore + United + Air France. You earn faster on home spend AND choose the airline at redemption time.
Each is its own focused page.