Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal vs SBI Card MILES ELITE

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

SBI Card MILES ELITE

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkMastercard
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureHDFC Bank - Infinia MetalSBI Card MILES ELITE
Annual Fee₹12,500₹4,999
Joining Fee₹12,500₹4,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹10,00,000₹15,00,000
Base Reward Rate1.0989%1%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsTravel Credits
NetworkVisaMastercard
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

SBI Card MILES ELITE

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.

SBI Card MILES ELITE

Pros

  • High 3% reward rate on travel spends (6 Travel Credits per ₹200).
  • 1:1 conversion ratio for Travel Credits to Air Miles and Hotel Points with major partners.
  • Unique spend-linked domestic lounge access (1 extra visit per ₹1 Lakh spend).
  • Low foreign currency markup of 1.99%, ideal for international travelers.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹4,999 with a steep waiver threshold of ₹15 Lakhs.
  • Lounge access is capped per quarter (2 visits), which may be restrictive for frequent flyers.
  • Air Accident insurance coverage was discontinued as of July 2025.

Our Verdict

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 SBI Card MILES ELITE if

High reward rates on flights and hotels with 1:1 mile conversion across multiple airlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 SBI Card MILES ELITE?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal has an annual fee of ₹12,500, while SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹15,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers a base reward rate of 1.0989% with accelerated rewards on SmartBuy Flights & Hotels and SmartBuy Other Categories. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal and SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal and SBI Card MILES ELITE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
For beginners, SBI Card MILES ELITE may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹4,999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

Explore More

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