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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Apollo SBI Card vs SBI Card MILES ELITE

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%
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SBI Card

SBI Card MILES ELITE

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards1%
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureApollo SBI CardSBI Card MILES ELITE
Annual Fee₹499₹4,999
Joining Fee₹499₹4,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹15,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%1%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsTravel Credits
NetworkMastercardMastercard
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

SBI Card MILES ELITE

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

SBI Card MILES ELITE

Pros

  • High 3% reward rate on travel spends (6 Travel Credits per ₹200).
  • 1:1 conversion ratio for Travel Credits to Air Miles and Hotel Points with major partners.
  • Unique spend-linked domestic lounge access (1 extra visit per ₹1 Lakh spend).
  • Low foreign currency markup of 1.99%, ideal for international travelers.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹4,999 with a steep waiver threshold of ₹15 Lakhs.
  • Lounge access is capped per quarter (2 visits), which may be restrictive for frequent flyers.
  • Air Accident insurance coverage was discontinued as of July 2025.

Our Verdict

SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 SBI Card MILES ELITE if

High reward rates on flights and hotels with 1:1 mile conversion across multiple airlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Apollo SBI Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹15,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Apollo SBI Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Apollo SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25% with accelerated rewards on Apollo Services and Dining, Movies & Entertainment. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Apollo SBI Card and SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Apollo SBI Card and SBI Card MILES ELITE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Apollo SBI Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
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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