Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT vs Axis Bank Magnus 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 - Tata Card SELECT

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹2,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Axis Bank

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹12,500
Base Rewards0.2%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card - Tata Card SELECTAxis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Annual Fee₹2,999₹12,500
Joining Fee₹2,999₹12,500
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹25,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.2%
Reward CurrencyEmpower PointsEDGE Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.8/108/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Pros & Cons

SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT

Pros

  • High reward rate of up to 5% value back at select Tata outlets.
  • Generous welcome and anniversary gift vouchers worth ₹3,000 each.
  • 1 Empower Point equals ₹1, offering simple and high-value redemption.
  • Accelerated 3x rewards on grocery, dining, and international spends.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹2,999 with no direct spend-based waiver mentioned for the fee itself (only voucher renewal).
  • International lounge visits are not complimentary despite Priority Pass membership.
  • Rewards are highly optimized for the Tata ecosystem, limiting flexibility for non-Tata loyalists.

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

Pros

  • High reward rate of 17.5 EDGE points per ₹200 on spends above ₹1.5 Lakhs monthly.
  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders.
  • Low foreign currency markup fee of 2% for international transactions.
  • Welcome benefit voucher worth ₹12,500 effectively offsets the joining fee.

Cons

  • Significant devaluation in 2024 removed monthly milestone bonuses and concierge services.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹25 Lakhs is difficult for most users to reach.
  • Reward points transfer ratio to air miles reduced from 5:4 to 5:2 for non-Burgundy users.

Our Verdict

Both SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT and Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.

Choose SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT if

Maximum value back at brands like Croma, Westside, and Taj Hotels.

Choose Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card if

Best value is unlocked after crossing the ₹1.5 Lakh monthly spend threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT or Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card?
Both SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT and Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT and Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card?
SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT has an annual fee of ₹2,999, while Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,500. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹25,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT or Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card?
SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT offers a base reward rate of 1%. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers 0.2% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT and Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT and Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT or Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card?
For beginners, SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹2,999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

Related Comparisons

Explore More