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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Apollo SBI Card vs Axis Bank Select 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 Select Credit Card

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹3,000
Base Rewards0.2%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureApollo SBI CardAxis Bank Select Credit Card
Annual Fee₹499₹3,000
Joining Fee₹499₹3,000
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹8,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%0.2%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsEDGE Reward Points
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating7.2/107.8/10
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 Select Credit Card

  • 0% on Retail Shopping

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 Select Credit Card

Pros

  • 10,000 EDGE points (₹2,000 value) as a welcome benefit on first transaction.
  • Significant monthly savings with Swiggy (₹400) and BigBasket (₹500) discounts.
  • Complimentary Priority Pass with 6 international lounge visits annually.
  • 2X rewards on retail shopping up to ₹20,000 monthly spend.

Cons

  • Domestic lounge access requires a high spend of ₹50,000 in the previous quarter.
  • Low reward redemption value (₹0.20 per point) compared to premium peers.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹8 Lakhs.

Our Verdict

Axis Bank Select 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 Select Credit Card if

Strong benefits on Swiggy, BigBasket, and BookMyShow combined with golf access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Apollo SBI Card or Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
Axis Bank Select 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 Select Credit Card?
Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while Axis Bank Select Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹8,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Apollo SBI Card or Axis Bank Select 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 Select Credit Card offers 0.2% base rewards with bonuses on Retail Shopping. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Apollo SBI Card and Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Apollo SBI Card and Axis Bank Select Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Apollo SBI Card or Axis Bank Select 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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