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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card vs ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit 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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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹3,500
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAxis Bank Magnus Credit CardICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
Annual Fee₹12,500₹3,500
Joining Fee₹12,500₹6,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹25,00,000₹6,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.2%0.25%
Reward CurrencyEDGE Reward PointsICICI Bank Rewards
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8/108/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

  • 0% on International Spends

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.

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

Pros

  • High-value welcome vouchers worth over ₹9,000 covering travel, shopping, and dining.
  • Dual-card advantage (Amex + Mastercard/Visa) allows for broader acceptance and network-specific offers.
  • Generous movie benefits with Buy 1 Get 1 up to ₹500 twice a month on BookMyShow.
  • Complimentary golf rounds (up to 4 per month) based on spending milestones.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹3,500 which is only waived on a relatively high spend of ₹6 lakhs.
  • Domestic lounge access is contingent on a high quarterly spend of ₹75,000.
  • Reward rate on utilities and insurance is low at 1 point per ₹100.

Our Verdict

Both Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.

Choose Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card if

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

Choose ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card if

Offers both domestic and international lounge access along with travel-specific welcome vouchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Both Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.
What is the annual fee difference between Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,500, while ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,500. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹25,00,000 annual spend. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹6,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.2%. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers 0.25% base rewards with bonuses on International Spends. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
For beginners, ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹3,500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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