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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PULSE vs Axis Bank ACE 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 PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Axis Bank

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card PULSEAxis Bank ACE Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,499₹499
Joining Fee₹1,499₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.5%1%
Reward CurrencySBI Reward PointsCashback
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card PULSE

  • 0.62% on Pharmacy & Chemists
  • 0.62% on Dining
  • 0.62% on Movies

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

SBI Card PULSE

Pros

  • Complimentary Noise ColorFit Pulse Smartwatch worth up to ₹7,999 as a welcome gift.
  • Annual FITPASS PRO and Netmeds First memberships worth over ₹4,000.
  • High 2.5% reward rate (10 RP per ₹100) on pharmacies, chemists, dining, and movies.
  • 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (2 per quarter).

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on non-accelerated categories.
  • Priority Pass membership does not include any complimentary international visits.
  • Milestone voucher of ₹1,500 requires a high annual spend of ₹4 Lakhs.

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

Pros

  • 5% cashback on utility bills and recharges via Google Pay (Android only)
  • 4% cashback on Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola with no individual merchant capping
  • Flat 1.5% uncapped cashback on all other eligible spends
  • Complimentary domestic lounge access (4 visits per year)

Cons

  • Combined monthly capping of ₹500 on 5% and 4% cashback categories
  • Lounge access requires a minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the previous 3 months
  • 5% utility cashback is restricted to Google Pay on Android devices

Our Verdict

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PULSE could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose SBI Card PULSE if

Offers dedicated memberships for gyms (FITPASS) and online medicine (Netmeds) along with high rewards on pharmacy spends.

Choose Axis Bank ACE Credit Card if

Highest cashback rate in the market for electricity, gas, and internet bills via GPay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card PULSE or Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PULSE could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card PULSE and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while Axis Bank ACE Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹499. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card PULSE or Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on Pharmacy & Chemists and Dining. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card PULSE and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PULSE and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card PULSE or Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
For beginners, Axis Bank ACE Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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