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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Apollo SBI Card vs Axis Bank Reserve 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

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

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹50,000
Base Rewards0.2%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureApollo SBI CardAxis Bank Reserve Credit Card
Annual Fee₹499₹50,000
Joining Fee₹499₹50,000
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹35,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%0.2%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsEDGE REWARD Points
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating7.2/108.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Apollo SBI Card

  • 0% on Apollo Services
  • 0% on Dining, Movies & Entertainment
  • 0% on Beauty & Wellness

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

Apollo SBI Card

Pros

  • 3% value back (3X points) on all Apollo services including pharmacy and clinics
  • 1:1 redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1 at Apollo POS
  • Complimentary OneApollo Gold Tier membership for the first year
  • Low annual fee of ₹499 with a reachable waiver threshold of ₹1 Lakh

Cons

  • No airport lounge access (available only on the Select variant)
  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on general spends
  • Rewards are primarily valuable only within the Apollo ecosystem

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

Pros

  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for primary and add-on members with 12 guest visits.
  • Comprehensive luxury hotel memberships including Accor Plus, Club Marriott, and ITC Culinaire.
  • Low foreign currency markup fee of 1.5%, ideal for high international spenders.
  • 8 complimentary VIP Airport Concierge services for seamless check-in and immigration.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹50,000 with no renewal bonus points (discontinued April 2024).
  • Steep annual fee waiver threshold of ₹35 Lakhs.
  • Significant reward exclusions including fuel, gold, insurance, and utilities.

Our Verdict

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

Choose Apollo SBI Card if

Frequent users of Apollo Pharmacy and Apollo 24/7 app benefit from high reward rates and instant discounts.

Choose Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card if

Offers unparalleled airport services, unlimited lounge access for family, and premium hotel memberships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Apollo SBI Card or Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Apollo SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Apollo SBI Card and Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹50,000. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹35,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Apollo SBI Card or Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
Apollo SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25% with accelerated rewards on Apollo Services and Dining, Movies & Entertainment. Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card offers 0.2% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Apollo SBI Card and Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Apollo SBI Card and Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Apollo SBI Card or Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
For beginners, Apollo SBI 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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