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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PULSE vs Axis Bank Select 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 Select Credit Card

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹3,000
Base Rewards0.2%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card PULSEAxis Bank Select Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,499₹3,000
Joining Fee₹1,499₹3,000
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000₹8,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.5%0.2%
Reward CurrencySBI Reward PointsEDGE Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/107.8/10
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 Select Credit Card

  • 0% on Retail Shopping

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 Select Credit Card

Pros

  • 10,000 EDGE points (₹2,000 value) as a welcome benefit on first transaction.
  • Significant monthly savings with Swiggy (₹400) and BigBasket (₹500) discounts.
  • Complimentary Priority Pass with 6 international lounge visits annually.
  • 2X rewards on retail shopping up to ₹20,000 monthly spend.

Cons

  • Domestic lounge access requires a high spend of ₹50,000 in the previous quarter.
  • Low reward redemption value (₹0.20 per point) compared to premium peers.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹8 Lakhs.

Our Verdict

Axis Bank Select 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 Select Credit Card if

Strong benefits on Swiggy, BigBasket, and BookMyShow combined with golf access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card PULSE or Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
Axis Bank Select 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 Select Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while Axis Bank Select Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹8,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card PULSE or Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on Pharmacy & Chemists and Dining. Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers 0.2% base rewards with bonuses on Retail Shopping. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card PULSE and Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PULSE and Axis Bank Select Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card PULSE or Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
For beginners, SBI Card PULSE 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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