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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Signature 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 Signature Credit Card

7.5/10
Annual Fee₹5,000
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

SBI Card PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAxis Bank Signature Credit CardSBI Card PULSE
Annual Fee₹5,000₹1,499
Joining Fee₹5,000₹1,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.5%
Reward CurrencyEDGE REWARD PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.5/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank Signature Credit Card

  • 2% on TRAVEL

SBI Card PULSE

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

Pros & Cons

Axis Bank Signature Credit Card

Pros

  • High reward rate of 10 EDGE points per ₹200 spent on domestic transactions
  • Accelerated 2x rewards (20 points per ₹200) on all international spends
  • Substantial 50% discount on movie tickets via BookMyShow (up to ₹300 per month)
  • Comprehensive travel insurance including ₹2.5 Crore Air Accident Cover

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹5,000 with a relatively high waiver threshold of ₹3 Lakhs
  • International lounge visits are not complimentary by default on the Priority Pass
  • Reward point value is relatively low at ₹0.20 per point compared to competitors

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 Signature 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 Signature Credit Card if

Users who travel internationally and can benefit from the 2x reward multiplier and insurance covers.

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 Signature Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
Axis Bank Signature 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 Signature Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE?
Axis Bank Signature Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹5,000, while SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499. Axis Bank Signature Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank Signature Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
Axis Bank Signature Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on TRAVEL. 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 Signature Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank Signature Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Axis Bank Signature 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.

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