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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Select 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 Select Credit Card

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹3,000
Base Rewards0.2%
NetworkVisa
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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 Select Credit CardApollo SBI Card
Annual Fee₹3,000₹499
Joining Fee₹3,000₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹8,00,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.2%0.25%
Reward CurrencyEDGE Reward PointsReward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating7.8/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank Select Credit Card

  • 0% on Retail Shopping

Apollo SBI Card

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

Pros & Cons

Axis Bank Select Credit Card

Pros

  • 10,000 EDGE points (₹2,000 value) as a welcome benefit on first transaction.
  • Significant monthly savings with Swiggy (₹400) and BigBasket (₹500) discounts.
  • Complimentary Priority Pass with 6 international lounge visits annually.
  • 2X rewards on retail shopping up to ₹20,000 monthly spend.

Cons

  • Domestic lounge access requires a high spend of ₹50,000 in the previous quarter.
  • Low reward redemption value (₹0.20 per point) compared to premium peers.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹8 Lakhs.

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 Select 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 Select Credit Card if

Strong benefits on Swiggy, BigBasket, and BookMyShow combined with golf access.

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 Select Credit Card or Apollo SBI Card?
Axis Bank Select 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 Select Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card?
Axis Bank Select Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000, while Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹8,00,000 annual spend. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank Select Credit Card or Apollo SBI Card?
Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.2% with accelerated rewards on Retail Shopping. 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 Select Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank Select Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Axis Bank Select 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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