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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card vs SBI Card AURUM

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

HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card

6.2/10
Annual Fee₹500
Base Rewards0.2666666666666667%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

SBI Card AURUM

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹9,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureHDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit CardSBI Card AURUM
Annual Fee₹500₹9,999
Joining Fee₹500₹9,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹12,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.2666666666666667%1%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsAURUM Reward Point
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating6.2/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card

  • 0% on Grocery — 500 pts/month
  • 0% on Utility Bills — 500 pts/month
  • 0% on Fuel — 500 pts/month

SBI Card AURUM

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card

Pros

  • 3X Reward Points on grocery, supermarkets, and utility bills.
  • Monthly milestone bonus of 500 points on spending ₹20,000.
  • Annual fee waiver on a relatively low spend of ₹1 Lakh.
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations in India.

Cons

  • Low reward point value of ₹0.20 per point.
  • Accelerated rewards are capped at 500 points per month.
  • No complimentary airport lounge access.

SBI Card AURUM

Pros

  • Welcome benefit of 40,000 points (₹10,000 value) fully offsets the joining fee.
  • Unlimited international lounge access with a rare complimentary guest visit per quarter.
  • Extensive lifestyle memberships including Club Marriott, Amazon Prime, and WSJ/Mint.
  • High-value milestone rewards including Apple and Taj vouchers worth up to ₹35,000 annually.

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 1% compared to other super-premium cards.
  • Invite-only status makes it inaccessible to the general public.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹12 Lakhs.

Our Verdict

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

Choose HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card if

Specifically designed for Equitas customers looking for an entry-level rewards card.

Choose SBI Card AURUM if

The card offers a suite of luxury memberships, concierge services, and a metal form factor that aligns with an elite lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card or SBI Card AURUM?
SBI Card AURUM edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card and SBI Card AURUM?
HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹500, while SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999. HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card or SBI Card AURUM?
HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.2666666666666667% with accelerated rewards on Grocery and Utility Bills. SBI Card AURUM offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card and SBI Card AURUM?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card and SBI Card AURUM can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card or SBI Card AURUM?
For beginners, HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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