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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Etihad Guest SBI Card vs Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card

Detailed comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and value to help you choose the right credit card for your spending pattern.

SBI Card

Etihad Guest SBI Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.8%
NetworkVisa
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Axis Bank

Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹3,000
Base Rewards2%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureEtihad Guest SBI CardAxis Bank Horizon Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,499₹3,000
Joining Fee₹1,499₹3,000
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate0.8%2%
Reward CurrencyEtihad Guest MilesEDGE Miles
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/108.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Etihad Guest SBI Card

  • 0% on Etihad.com
  • 0% on International Spends

Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card

  • 0% on Direct Airline Websites
  • 0% on Axis Bank Travel EDGE Portal

Pros & Cons

Etihad Guest SBI Card

Pros

  • Complimentary Etihad Guest Silver Tier status upon first transaction.
  • Direct earning of Etihad Guest Miles on all spends without conversion hassles.
  • Up to 10% discount on direct Etihad Airways bookings (3% Economy, 10% Business).
  • Annual fee waiver on relatively low spend of ₹3 Lakhs.

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 1 Mile per ₹100 on domestic spends.
  • Miles redemption is primarily valuable only for Etihad Airways and partners.
  • High interest rates (3.5% monthly) typical of SBI cards.

Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card

Pros

  • High domestic lounge access limit of up to 32 visits per year.
  • Accelerated 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on direct airline spends and Travel EDGE.
  • 1:1 transfer ratio to 15+ major airline and hotel partners.
  • Welcome bonus of 5,000 EDGE Miles effectively offsets the joining fee.

Cons

  • No annual fee waiver based on spending milestones.
  • Standard 3.5% forex markup is high for a travel-focused card.
  • Reward exclusions on utilities, rent, fuel, and insurance.

Our Verdict

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

Choose Etihad Guest SBI Card if

Direct miles earning and Silver Tier status provide immediate value for those flying to or through Abu Dhabi.

Choose Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card if

Offers one of the highest domestic lounge access limits (8/quarter) in its fee segment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Etihad Guest SBI Card or Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Etihad Guest SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Etihad Guest SBI Card and Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
Etihad Guest SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000. Etihad Guest SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Etihad Guest SBI Card or Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
Etihad Guest SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 0.8% with accelerated rewards on Etihad.com and International Spends. Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card offers 2% base rewards with bonuses on Direct Airline Websites and Axis Bank Travel EDGE Portal. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Etihad Guest SBI Card and Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Etihad Guest SBI Card and Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Etihad Guest SBI Card or Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
For beginners, Etihad Guest SBI Card 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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