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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card - Tata Star 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 Star Card SELECT

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹2,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkMastercard
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Axis Bank

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹12,500
Base Rewards0.2%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECTAxis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Annual Fee₹2,999₹12,500
Joining Fee₹2,999₹12,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹25,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.2%
Reward CurrencyReward PointEDGE Reward Points
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating7.8/108/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT

  • 0% on Groceries
  • 0% on Dining
  • 0% on International

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT

Pros

  • Exceptional 1:1 reward redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1.
  • High 3.5% value back on all spends at Star Bazaar outlets.
  • Up to 5% value back at select Tata retail outlets like Westside and Croma.
  • Generous welcome and milestone vouchers that can fully offset the annual fee.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹2,999 with a relatively high waiver threshold of ₹3 Lakhs.
  • Rewards and benefits are heavily concentrated within the Tata ecosystem.
  • No complimentary international lounge access despite the premium fee.

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 Star 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 Star Card SELECT if

Maximum value is derived from shopping at Star Bazaar, Westside, Croma, and other Tata brands.

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 Star Card SELECT or Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card?
Both SBI Card - Tata Star 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 Star Card SELECT and Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card?
SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT has an annual fee of ₹2,999, while Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,500. SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹25,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT or Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card?
SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Groceries and Dining. 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 Star 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 Star 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 Star Card SELECT or Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card?
For beginners, SBI Card - Tata Star 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.

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