Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card AURUM vs Apollo SBI Card

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

SBI Card

SBI Card AURUM

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹9,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

SBI Card

Apollo SBI Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkMastercard
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card AURUMApollo SBI Card
Annual Fee₹9,999₹499
Joining Fee₹9,999₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹12,00,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.25%
Reward CurrencyAURUM Reward PointReward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating8.5/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card AURUM

No accelerated rewards listed

Apollo SBI Card

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

Pros & Cons

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.

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

SBI Card AURUM 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 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.

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: SBI Card AURUM or Apollo SBI Card?
SBI Card AURUM 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 SBI Card AURUM and Apollo SBI Card?
SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999, while Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card AURUM or Apollo SBI Card?
SBI Card AURUM offers a base reward rate of 1%. 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 SBI Card AURUM and Apollo SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card AURUM and Apollo SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card AURUM 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.

Related Comparisons

SBI Card AURUM vs Axis Bank Aura Credit CardApollo SBI Card vs Axis Bank Aura Credit CardSBI Card AURUM vs SBI Card PULSEApollo SBI Card vs SBI Card PULSE

Explore More

SBI Card AURUM Full ReviewApollo SBI Card Full ReviewAll SBI Card CardsBrowse All Credit CardsCredit Card Guides & Tips