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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition 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.

HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition Credit Card

9/10
Annual Fee₹10,000
Base Rewards1%
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

FeatureHDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition Credit CardApollo SBI Card
Annual Fee₹10,000₹499
Joining Fee₹10,000₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹7,50,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.25%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsReward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating9/107.2/10
Forex Markup2%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition Credit Card

  • 5% on BUSINESS_ESSENTIALS — 7500 pts/month
  • 10% on SmartBuy - TRAVEL_HOTEL — 10000 pts/month
  • 5% on SmartBuy - TRAVEL_FLIGHT — 10000 pts/month
  • 10% on SmartBuy - SHOPPING — 10000 pts/month
  • 5% on SmartBuy - SHOPPING — 10000 pts/month
  • 3% on SmartBuy - VOUCHERS — 10000 pts/month
  • 3% on SmartBuy - TRAVEL_TRAIN — 10000 pts/month

Apollo SBI Card

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

Pros & Cons

HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition Credit Card

Pros

  • Industry-first 5X rewards on Income Tax and GST payments
  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both primary and add-on members
  • High reward redemption value of 1:1 for travel bookings via SmartBuy

Cons

  • High annual fee of Rs. 10,000 which requires significant spend for waiver
  • Strict eligibility criteria requiring a minimum ITR of Rs. 21 Lakhs
  • Accelerated rewards on taxes are capped at 7,500 points per statement cycle

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

HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition 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 HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition Credit Card if

Business owners with high tax liabilities and vendor payments who want to maximize returns on mandatory expenses.

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: HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition Credit Card or Apollo SBI Card?
HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition 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 HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card?
HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹10,000, while Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹7,50,000 annual spend. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition Credit Card or Apollo SBI Card?
HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on BUSINESS_ESSENTIALS and SmartBuy - TRAVEL_HOTEL. 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 HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank BizBlack Metal Edition 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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