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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card vs City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card

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

Axis Bank

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹12,500
Base Rewards0.2%
NetworkVisa
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City Union Bank

City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card

6.8/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards0.16666666666666669%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAxis Bank Magnus Credit CardCity Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card
Annual Fee₹12,500₹499
Joining Fee₹12,500₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹25,00,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.2%0.16666666666666669%
Reward CurrencyEDGE Reward PointsReward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8/106.8/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card

  • 1.67% on Dining
  • 1.67% on Movies
  • 1.67% on Grocery
  • 1.67% on Departmental Stores

Pros & Cons

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

Pros

  • High reward rate of 17.5 EDGE points per ₹200 on spends above ₹1.5 Lakhs monthly.
  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders.
  • Low foreign currency markup fee of 2% for international transactions.
  • Welcome benefit voucher worth ₹12,500 effectively offsets the joining fee.

Cons

  • Significant devaluation in 2024 removed monthly milestone bonuses and concierge services.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹25 Lakhs is difficult for most users to reach.
  • Reward points transfer ratio to air miles reduced from 5:4 to 5:2 for non-Burgundy users.

City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card

Pros

  • 10X Reward Points on daily essentials like Dining, Movies, Departmental Stores, and Grocery.
  • Welcome bonus of 2,000 Reward Points effectively offsets the joining fee.
  • Low annual fee of ₹499 with a reachable waiver threshold of ₹1 Lakh annual spend.
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹500 and ₹3,000.

Cons

  • Very low base reward rate of 0.17% on non-category spends.
  • Accelerated rewards are capped at 5,000 points per month.
  • No complimentary airport lounge access or travel-specific benefits.

Our Verdict

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

Choose Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card if

Best value is unlocked after crossing the ₹1.5 Lakh monthly spend threshold.

Choose City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card if

Low entry barrier and high rewards on common categories like groceries and dining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card or City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,500, while City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹25,00,000 annual spend. City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card or City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.2%. City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card offers 0.16666666666666669% base rewards with bonuses on Dining and Movies. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card or City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
For beginners, City Union Bank SimplySAVE 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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