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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkMastercard
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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 MILES ELITEHDFC Bank - Infinia Metal
Annual Fee₹4,999₹12,500
Joining Fee₹4,999₹12,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹15,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%1.0989%
Reward CurrencyTravel CreditsReward Points
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating8.2/109.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card MILES ELITE

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 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.

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 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 HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal if

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card MILES ELITE or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
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 SBI Card MILES ELITE and HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal has an annual fee of ₹12,500. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹15,00,000 annual spend. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card MILES ELITE or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE and HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card MILES ELITE and HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card MILES ELITE or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
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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