Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal vs Axis Bank Reserve Credit 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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Axis Bank

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹50,000
Base Rewards0.2%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureHDFC Bank - Infinia MetalAxis Bank Reserve Credit Card
Annual Fee₹12,500₹50,000
Joining Fee₹12,500₹50,000
Fee Waiver Spend₹10,00,000₹35,00,000
Base Reward Rate1.0989%0.2%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsEDGE REWARD Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating9.5/108.2/10
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

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

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.

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

Pros

  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for primary and add-on members with 12 guest visits.
  • Comprehensive luxury hotel memberships including Accor Plus, Club Marriott, and ITC Culinaire.
  • Low foreign currency markup fee of 1.5%, ideal for high international spenders.
  • 8 complimentary VIP Airport Concierge services for seamless check-in and immigration.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹50,000 with no renewal bonus points (discontinued April 2024).
  • Steep annual fee waiver threshold of ₹35 Lakhs.
  • Significant reward exclusions including fuel, gold, insurance, and utilities.

Our Verdict

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Axis Bank Reserve Credit 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 Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card if

Offers unparalleled airport services, unlimited lounge access for family, and premium hotel memberships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal or Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Axis Bank Reserve 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 - Infinia Metal and Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal has an annual fee of ₹12,500, while Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹50,000. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend. Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹35,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal or Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers a base reward rate of 1.0989% with accelerated rewards on SmartBuy Flights & Hotels and SmartBuy Other Categories. Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card offers 0.2% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal and Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal and Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal or Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
For beginners, HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹12,500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

Explore More

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