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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Apollo SBI Card SELECT vs Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

Detailed comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and value to help you choose the right credit card for your spending pattern.

SBI Card

Apollo SBI Card SELECT

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkMastercard
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Axis Bank

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureApollo SBI Card SELECTAxis Bank ACE Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,499₹499
Joining Fee₹1,499₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%1%
Reward CurrencyApollo Health CreditCashback
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating7.2/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Apollo SBI Card SELECT

  • 0% on Apollo 24|7 and Pharmacy
  • 0% on Dining, Movies, Entertainme...

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

Apollo SBI Card SELECT

Pros

  • High 10% reward rate on Apollo 24|7 and Apollo Pharmacy spends.
  • 1:1 redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1 in Apollo Health Credits.
  • Complimentary annual health check-up package worth ₹1,999 on meeting spend criteria.
  • Valuable milestone gift of a Noise Smartwatch worth ₹7,999 on ₹6 Lakh annual spend.

Cons

  • Reward redemption is strictly restricted to the Apollo ecosystem.
  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on general spends.
  • International lounge visits are not complimentary despite the Priority Pass membership.

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

Pros

  • 5% cashback on utility bills and recharges via Google Pay (Android only)
  • 4% cashback on Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola with no individual merchant capping
  • Flat 1.5% uncapped cashback on all other eligible spends
  • Complimentary domestic lounge access (4 visits per year)

Cons

  • Combined monthly capping of ₹500 on 5% and 4% cashback categories
  • Lounge access requires a minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the previous 3 months
  • 5% utility cashback is restricted to Google Pay on Android devices

Our Verdict

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Apollo SBI Card SELECT could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose Apollo SBI Card SELECT if

Significant savings on recurring pharmacy bills, lab tests, and doctor consultations within the Apollo network.

Choose Axis Bank ACE Credit Card if

Highest cashback rate in the market for electricity, gas, and internet bills via GPay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Apollo SBI Card SELECT or Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Apollo SBI Card SELECT could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Apollo SBI Card SELECT and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
Apollo SBI Card SELECT has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while Axis Bank ACE Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹499. Apollo SBI Card SELECT offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Apollo SBI Card SELECT or Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
Apollo SBI Card SELECT offers a base reward rate of 0.25% with accelerated rewards on Apollo 24|7 and Pharmacy and Dining, Movies, Entertainme.... Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Apollo SBI Card SELECT and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Apollo SBI Card SELECT and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Apollo SBI Card SELECT or Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
For beginners, Axis Bank ACE Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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