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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition 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 Diners Club Black Metal Edition

9.2/10
Annual Fee₹10,000
Base Rewards0.9990000000000001%
NetworkDiners Club
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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 Diners Club Black Metal EditionApollo SBI Card
Annual Fee₹10,000₹499
Joining Fee₹10,000₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹8,00,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.9990000000000001%0.25%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsReward Points
NetworkDiners ClubMastercard
Editor Rating9.2/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition

  • 0% on SmartBuy Hotels
  • 0% on SmartBuy Flights
  • 0% on Weekend Dining

Apollo SBI Card

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

Pros & Cons

HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition

Pros

  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both primary and add-on cardholders.
  • High base reward rate of 3.33% (5 RP per ₹150) with 1:1 redemption on flights and hotels.
  • Generous quarterly milestone of 10,000 bonus points on ₹4 Lakhs spend.
  • Complimentary annual memberships of Amazon Prime, Swiggy One, and Club Marriott on meeting spend criteria.

Cons

  • Diners Club network acceptance can be lower than Visa/Mastercard in smaller offline stores.
  • No fuel surcharge waiver, which is a downgrade from the plastic version.
  • High annual fee of ₹10,000 with a steep waiver threshold of ₹8 Lakhs.

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 Diners Club Black Metal Edition 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 Diners Club Black Metal Edition if

Unlimited global lounge access for self and add-on members plus low forex markup.

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 Diners Club Black Metal Edition or Apollo SBI Card?
HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition 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 Diners Club Black Metal Edition and Apollo SBI Card?
HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition has an annual fee of ₹10,000, while Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition offers a fee waiver on ₹8,00,000 annual spend. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition or Apollo SBI Card?
HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition offers a base reward rate of 0.9990000000000001% with accelerated rewards on SmartBuy Hotels and SmartBuy Flights. 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 Diners Club Black Metal Edition and Apollo SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition and Apollo SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Metal Edition 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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