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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Magnus 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 Magnus Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹12,500
Base Rewards0.2%
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 Magnus Credit CardSBI Card MILES ELITE
Annual Fee₹12,500₹4,999
Joining Fee₹12,500₹4,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹25,00,000₹15,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.2%1%
Reward CurrencyEDGE Reward PointsTravel Credits
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating8/108.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

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.

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, Axis Bank Magnus Credit 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 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 Magnus Credit Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
SBI Card MILES ELITE edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Axis Bank Magnus Credit 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 SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,500, while SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹25,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹15,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.2%. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank Magnus 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 Magnus Credit Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
For beginners, SBI Card MILES ELITE may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹4,999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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