Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Select Credit Card vs SBI Card PULSE

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
View Full Details

SBI Card

SBI Card PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAxis Bank Select Credit CardSBI Card PULSE
Annual Fee₹3,000₹1,499
Joining Fee₹3,000₹1,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹8,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.2%0.5%
Reward CurrencyEDGE Reward PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.8/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank Select Credit Card

  • 0% on Retail Shopping

SBI Card PULSE

  • 0.62% on Pharmacy & Chemists
  • 0.62% on Dining
  • 0.62% on Movies

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.

SBI Card PULSE

Pros

  • Complimentary Noise ColorFit Pulse Smartwatch worth up to ₹7,999 as a welcome gift.
  • Annual FITPASS PRO and Netmeds First memberships worth over ₹4,000.
  • High 2.5% reward rate (10 RP per ₹100) on pharmacies, chemists, dining, and movies.
  • 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (2 per quarter).

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on non-accelerated categories.
  • Priority Pass membership does not include any complimentary international visits.
  • Milestone voucher of ₹1,500 requires a high annual spend of ₹4 Lakhs.

Our Verdict

Axis Bank Select Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PULSE 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 SBI Card PULSE if

Offers dedicated memberships for gyms (FITPASS) and online medicine (Netmeds) along with high rewards on pharmacy spends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Axis Bank Select Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
Axis Bank Select Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PULSE 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 SBI Card PULSE?
Axis Bank Select Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000, while SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499. Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹8,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank Select Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.2% with accelerated rewards on Retail Shopping. SBI Card PULSE offers 0.5% base rewards with bonuses on Pharmacy & Chemists and Dining. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Axis Bank Select Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank Select Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Axis Bank Select Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
For beginners, SBI Card PULSE may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹1,499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

Related Comparisons

Axis Bank Select Credit Card vs ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit CardSBI Card PULSE vs ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit CardAxis Bank Select Credit Card vs SBI Card PRIMESBI Card PULSE vs SBI Card PRIMEAxis Bank Select Credit Card vs Axis Bank My Zone Credit CardSBI Card PULSE vs Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card

Explore More

Axis Bank Select Credit Card Full ReviewSBI Card PULSE Full ReviewAll Axis Bank CardsAll SBI Card CardsBrowse All Credit CardsCredit Card Guides & Tips