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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Etihad Guest SBI Card vs SBI Card MILES ELITE

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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SBI Card

SBI Card MILES ELITE

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkMastercard
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureEtihad Guest SBI CardSBI Card MILES ELITE
Annual Fee₹1,499₹4,999
Joining Fee₹1,499₹4,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹15,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.8%1%
Reward CurrencyEtihad Guest MilesTravel Credits
NetworkVisaMastercard
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

SBI Card MILES ELITE

No accelerated rewards listed

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.

SBI Card MILES ELITE

Pros

  • High 3% reward rate on travel spends (6 Travel Credits per ₹200).
  • 1:1 conversion ratio for Travel Credits to Air Miles and Hotel Points with major partners.
  • Unique spend-linked domestic lounge access (1 extra visit per ₹1 Lakh spend).
  • Low foreign currency markup of 1.99%, ideal for international travelers.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹4,999 with a steep waiver threshold of ₹15 Lakhs.
  • Lounge access is capped per quarter (2 visits), which may be restrictive for frequent flyers.
  • Air Accident insurance coverage was discontinued as of July 2025.

Our Verdict

SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 SBI Card MILES ELITE if

High reward rates on flights and hotels with 1:1 mile conversion across multiple airlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Etihad Guest SBI Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Etihad Guest SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999. Etihad Guest SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹15,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Etihad Guest SBI Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Etihad Guest SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 0.8% with accelerated rewards on Etihad.com and International Spends. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Etihad Guest SBI Card and SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Etihad Guest SBI Card and SBI Card MILES ELITE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Etihad Guest SBI Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
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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