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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card AURUM vs HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

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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HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

9.5/10
Annual Fee₹12,500
Base Rewards1.0989%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card AURUMHDFC Bank - Infinia Metal
Annual Fee₹9,999₹12,500
Joining Fee₹9,999₹12,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹12,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%1.0989%
Reward CurrencyAURUM Reward PointReward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.5/109.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card AURUM

No accelerated rewards listed

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

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

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.

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.

Our Verdict

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card AURUM or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card AURUM 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 HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999, while HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal has an annual fee of ₹12,500. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card AURUM or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
SBI Card AURUM offers a base reward rate of 1%. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers 1.0989% base rewards with bonuses on SmartBuy Flights & Hotels and SmartBuy Other Categories. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card AURUM and HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card AURUM and HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card AURUM or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
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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