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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card vs SBI Card PULSE

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

Axis Bank

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card

8.8/10
Annual Fee₹5,000
Base Rewards2%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

SBI Card PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAxis Bank Atlas Credit CardSBI Card PULSE
Annual Fee₹5,000₹1,499
Joining Fee₹5,000₹1,499
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate2%0.5%
Reward CurrencyEDGE MilesSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.8/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card

  • 5% on Direct Airlines — 10000 pts/month
  • 5% on Direct Hotels — 10000 pts/month
  • 5% on Travel EDGE Portal — 10000 pts/month

SBI Card PULSE

  • 0.62% on Pharmacy & Chemists
  • 0.62% on Dining
  • 0.62% on Movies

Pros & Cons

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card

Pros

  • High reward rate of 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on direct airline and hotel spends.
  • Flexible 1:2 transfer ratio to major airline and hotel partners like Accor, ITC, and United.
  • Unique tier-based system (Silver, Gold, Platinum) that rewards higher annual spending with more miles and lounge access.
  • Lounge access is sharable with guests, a rare feature in the Indian market.

Cons

  • High foreign currency markup of 3.5% despite being a travel-focused card.
  • Accelerated rewards on travel are capped at ₹2 Lakhs spend per month.
  • Excludes common categories like fuel, rent, insurance, and utilities from reward earning.

SBI Card PULSE

Pros

  • Complimentary Noise ColorFit Pulse Smartwatch worth up to ₹7,999 as a welcome gift.
  • Annual FITPASS PRO and Netmeds First memberships worth over ₹4,000.
  • High 2.5% reward rate (10 RP per ₹100) on pharmacies, chemists, dining, and movies.
  • 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (2 per quarter).

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on non-accelerated categories.
  • Priority Pass membership does not include any complimentary international visits.
  • Milestone voucher of ₹1,500 requires a high annual spend of ₹4 Lakhs.

Our Verdict

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

Choose Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card if

Excellent for those who book directly with airlines and hotels and value flexible point transfers.

Choose SBI Card PULSE if

Offers dedicated memberships for gyms (FITPASS) and online medicine (Netmeds) along with high rewards on pharmacy spends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PULSE could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE?
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹5,000, while SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 2% with accelerated rewards on Direct Airlines and Direct Hotels. SBI Card PULSE offers 0.5% base rewards with bonuses on Pharmacy & Chemists and Dining. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
For beginners, SBI Card PULSE may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹1,499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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