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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card AURUM 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.

SBI Card

SBI Card AURUM

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹9,999
Base Rewards1%
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

FeatureSBI Card AURUMAxis Bank Reserve Credit Card
Annual Fee₹9,999₹50,000
Joining Fee₹9,999₹50,000
Fee Waiver Spend₹12,00,000₹35,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.2%
Reward CurrencyAURUM Reward PointEDGE REWARD Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.5/108.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

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.

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

SBI Card AURUM 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 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 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: SBI Card AURUM or Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
SBI Card AURUM 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 SBI Card AURUM and Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999, while Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹50,000. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend. Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹35,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card AURUM or Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
SBI Card AURUM offers a base reward rate of 1%. Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card offers 0.2% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card AURUM and Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card AURUM and Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card AURUM or Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?
For beginners, SBI Card AURUM may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹9,999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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