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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card MILES 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

7/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.125%
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 MILESAxis Bank Horizon Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,499₹3,000
Joining Fee₹1,499₹3,000
Fee Waiver Spend₹6,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate0.125%2%
Reward CurrencyTravel CreditsEDGE Miles
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating7/108.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card MILES

  • 0% on Travel

Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card

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

Pros & Cons

SBI Card MILES

Pros

  • 1:1 conversion ratio for Travel Credits to 20+ airline and hotel partners
  • Accelerated 2 Travel Credits per ₹200 on all travel-related spends
  • Additional domestic lounge visits (up to 8) based on spend milestones of ₹1 Lakh each
  • Annual fee waiver on reasonable spend threshold of ₹6 Lakhs

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% (1 TC per ₹200) on non-travel spends
  • No complimentary international lounge visits included despite Priority Pass membership
  • Priority Pass membership is only complimentary for the first 2 years

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 could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose SBI Card MILES if

Strong domestic lounge access and 1:1 transfer to domestic airlines like Air India and SpiceJet.

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 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 could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card MILES and Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
SBI Card MILES has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000. SBI Card MILES offers a fee waiver on ₹6,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card MILES or Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
SBI Card MILES offers a base reward rate of 0.125% with accelerated rewards on Travel. 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 and Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card MILES 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 or Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card?
For beginners, SBI Card MILES may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹1,499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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