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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card vs SBI Card 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 Reserve Credit Card

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹50,000
Base Rewards0.2%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

SBI Card ELITE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAxis Bank Reserve Credit CardSBI Card ELITE
Annual Fee₹50,000₹4,999
Joining Fee₹50,000₹4,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹35,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.2%0.5%
Reward CurrencyEDGE REWARD PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.2/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

SBI Card ELITE

  • 0.62% on Dining
  • 0.62% on Departmental Stores
  • 0.62% on Grocery

Pros & Cons

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

Pros

  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for primary and add-on members with 12 guest visits.
  • Comprehensive luxury hotel memberships including Accor Plus, Club Marriott, and ITC Culinaire.
  • Low foreign currency markup fee of 1.5%, ideal for high international spenders.
  • 8 complimentary VIP Airport Concierge services for seamless check-in and immigration.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹50,000 with no renewal bonus points (discontinued April 2024).
  • Steep annual fee waiver threshold of ₹35 Lakhs.
  • Significant reward exclusions including fuel, gold, insurance, and utilities.

SBI Card ELITE

Pros

  • Complimentary movie tickets worth ₹6,000 annually (₹500 per month).
  • Low foreign currency markup of 1.99% compared to the standard 3.5%.
  • High milestone rewards of up to 50,000 bonus points worth ₹12,500.
  • Comprehensive lounge access with 8 domestic and 6 international visits per year.

Cons

  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹10 Lakhs.
  • Base reward rate is relatively low at 0.5% for a premium card.
  • Club Vistara and Trident memberships have been discontinued for new users.

Our Verdict

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

Choose Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card if

Offers unparalleled airport services, unlimited lounge access for family, and premium hotel memberships.

Choose SBI Card ELITE if

The monthly ₹500 movie ticket benefit effectively covers the annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card or SBI Card ELITE?
Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card ELITE could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card and SBI Card ELITE?
Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹50,000, while SBI Card ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999. Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹35,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card or SBI Card ELITE?
Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.2%. SBI Card ELITE offers 0.5% base rewards with bonuses on Dining and Departmental Stores. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card and SBI Card ELITE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card and SBI Card ELITE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card or SBI Card ELITE?
For beginners, SBI Card 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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