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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card MILES ELITE vs SBI Card AURUM

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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SBI Card

SBI Card AURUM

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹9,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card MILES ELITESBI Card AURUM
Annual Fee₹4,999₹9,999
Joining Fee₹4,999₹9,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹15,00,000₹12,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%1%
Reward CurrencyTravel CreditsAURUM Reward Point
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating8.2/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

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.

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.

Our Verdict

SBI Card AURUM 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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card MILES ELITE or SBI Card AURUM?
SBI Card AURUM 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 SBI Card AURUM?
SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹15,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card MILES ELITE or SBI Card AURUM?
SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a base reward rate of 1%. SBI Card AURUM offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card MILES ELITE and SBI Card AURUM?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card MILES ELITE and SBI Card AURUM can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card MILES ELITE or SBI Card AURUM?
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.

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