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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Horizon Credit 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.

Axis Bank

Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹3,000
Base Rewards2%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

SBI Card MILES ELITE

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

FeatureAxis Bank Horizon Credit CardSBI Card MILES ELITE
Annual Fee₹3,000₹4,999
Joining Fee₹3,000₹4,999
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹15,00,000
Base Reward Rate2%1%
Reward CurrencyEDGE MilesTravel Credits
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating8.2/108.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card

  • 0% on Direct Airline Websites
  • 0% on Axis Bank Travel EDGE Portal

SBI Card MILES ELITE

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card

Pros

  • High domestic lounge access limit of up to 32 visits per year.
  • Accelerated 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on direct airline spends and Travel EDGE.
  • 1:1 transfer ratio to 15+ major airline and hotel partners.
  • Welcome bonus of 5,000 EDGE Miles effectively offsets the joining fee.

Cons

  • No annual fee waiver based on spending milestones.
  • Standard 3.5% forex markup is high for a travel-focused card.
  • Reward exclusions on utilities, rent, fuel, and insurance.

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

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

Choose Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card if

Offers one of the highest domestic lounge access limits (8/quarter) in its fee segment.

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: Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card MILES ELITE could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card and SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000, while SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹15,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 2% with accelerated rewards on Direct Airline Websites and Axis Bank Travel EDGE Portal. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card and SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card and SBI Card MILES ELITE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
For beginners, Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹3,000. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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