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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy 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 for Burgundy Credit Card

9.2/10
Annual Fee₹30,000
Base Rewards1.2000000000000002%
NetworkMastercard
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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹3,500
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAxis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit CardICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
Annual Fee₹30,000₹3,500
Joining Fee₹30,000₹6,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹30,00,000₹6,00,000
Base Reward Rate1.2000000000000002%0.25%
Reward CurrencyEDGE Reward PointsICICI Bank Rewards
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating9.2/108/10
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)

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

  • 0% on International Spends

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.

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

Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit 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 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 for Burgundy Credit Card or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, ICICI Bank Sapphiro 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 for Burgundy Credit Card and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹30,000, while ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,500. Axis Bank Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹30,00,000 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 for Burgundy Credit Card or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit 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). 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 for Burgundy 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 for Burgundy 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 for Burgundy 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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