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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card MILES ELITE vs Axis Bank Horizon 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 MILES ELITE

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkMastercard
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Axis Bank

Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹3,000
Base Rewards2%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card MILES ELITEAxis Bank Horizon Credit Card
Annual Fee₹4,999₹3,000
Joining Fee₹4,999₹3,000
Fee Waiver Spend₹15,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate1%2%
Reward CurrencyTravel CreditsEDGE Miles
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating8.2/108.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card MILES ELITE

No accelerated rewards listed

Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card

  • 0% on Direct Airline Websites
  • 0% on Axis Bank Travel EDGE Portal

Pros & Cons

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.

Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card

Pros

  • High domestic lounge access limit of up to 32 visits per year.
  • Accelerated 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on direct airline spends and Travel EDGE.
  • 1:1 transfer ratio to 15+ major airline and hotel partners.
  • Welcome bonus of 5,000 EDGE Miles effectively offsets the joining fee.

Cons

  • No annual fee waiver based on spending milestones.
  • Standard 3.5% forex markup is high for a travel-focused card.
  • Reward exclusions on utilities, rent, fuel, and insurance.

Our Verdict

Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card 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 SBI Card MILES ELITE if

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

Choose Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card if

Offers one of the highest domestic lounge access limits (8/quarter) in its fee segment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card MILES ELITE or Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card 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 SBI Card MILES ELITE and Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹15,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card MILES ELITE or Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a base reward rate of 1%. Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card offers 2% base rewards with bonuses on Direct Airline Websites and Axis Bank Travel EDGE Portal. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card MILES ELITE and Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card MILES ELITE and Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card MILES ELITE or Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
For beginners, Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹3,000. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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