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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card vs Apollo 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 for Burgundy Credit Card

9.2/10
Annual Fee₹30,000
Base Rewards1.2000000000000002%
NetworkMastercard
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SBI Card

Apollo SBI Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkMastercard
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAxis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit CardApollo SBI Card
Annual Fee₹30,000₹499
Joining Fee₹30,000₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹30,00,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate1.2000000000000002%0.25%
Reward CurrencyEDGE Reward PointsReward Points
NetworkMastercardMastercard
Editor Rating9.2/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card

  • 1.2% on Monthly Spends > ₹1.5 Lakh — 2 pts/month
  • 1.2% on Travel EDGE Portal (< ₹2 Lakh) — 200000 pts/month
  • 1.2% on Travel EDGE Portal (> ₹2 Lakh)

Apollo SBI Card

  • 0% on Apollo Services
  • 0% on Dining, Movies & Entertainment
  • 0% on Beauty & Wellness

Pros & Cons

Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card

Pros

  • Industry-leading 5:4 transfer ratio to 20+ airline and hotel partners.
  • Up to 24% value-back on travel bookings via the Travel EDGE portal.
  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access with 4 guest visits annually.
  • 8 complimentary airport meet-and-greet services per calendar year.

Cons

  • High eligibility barrier requiring Axis Burgundy relationship status.
  • Strict spend-based criteria (₹50k in 3 months) for domestic lounge access.
  • Significant list of reward exclusions including utilities, insurance, and gold.

Apollo SBI Card

Pros

  • 3% value back (3X points) on all Apollo services including pharmacy and clinics
  • 1:1 redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1 at Apollo POS
  • Complimentary OneApollo Gold Tier membership for the first year
  • Low annual fee of ₹499 with a reachable waiver threshold of ₹1 Lakh

Cons

  • No airport lounge access (available only on the Select variant)
  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on general spends
  • Rewards are primarily valuable only within the Apollo ecosystem

Our Verdict

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

Choose Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card if

Optimized for monthly spends exceeding ₹1.5 Lakh with accelerated 14% reward rates.

Choose Apollo SBI Card if

Frequent users of Apollo Pharmacy and Apollo 24/7 app benefit from high reward rates and instant discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card or Apollo SBI Card?
Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Apollo 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 for Burgundy Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card?
Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹30,000, while Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹30,00,000 annual spend. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card or Apollo SBI Card?
Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 1.2000000000000002% with accelerated rewards on Monthly Spends > ₹1.5 Lakh and Travel EDGE Portal (< ₹2 Lakh). Apollo SBI Card offers 0.25% base rewards with bonuses on Apollo Services and Dining, Movies & Entertainment. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card or Apollo SBI Card?
For beginners, Apollo 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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