Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal 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 - Infinia Metal

9.5/10
Annual Fee₹12,500
Base Rewards1.0989%
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 - Infinia MetalApollo SBI Card
Annual Fee₹12,500₹499
Joining Fee₹12,500₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹10,00,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate1.0989%0.25%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsReward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating9.5/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

  • 10.99% on SmartBuy Flights & Hotels — 15000 pts/month
  • 5.48% on SmartBuy Other Categories — 15000 pts/month

Apollo SBI Card

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

Pros & Cons

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

Pros

  • Industry-leading 3.33% base reward rate with 1:1 redemption on travel.
  • Accelerated rewards up to 33% via HDFC SmartBuy platform.
  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both primary and add-on members.
  • Low 2% foreign currency markup fee, ideal for international spenders.

Cons

  • Strictly invite-only, making it inaccessible to most applicants.
  • High annual fee of ₹12,500 + GST, though offset by renewal points.
  • Recent caps on reward redemptions for Apple products and Tanishq vouchers.

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 - Infinia Metal 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 - Infinia Metal if

Exclusive lifestyle benefits, unlimited golf, and concierge services tailored for HNIs.

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 - Infinia Metal or Apollo SBI Card?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal 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 - Infinia Metal and Apollo SBI Card?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal has an annual fee of ₹12,500, while Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal or Apollo SBI Card?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers a base reward rate of 1.0989% with accelerated rewards on SmartBuy Flights & Hotels and SmartBuy Other Categories. 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 - Infinia Metal and Apollo SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal and Apollo SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal 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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