How does the SBI Elite Credit Card compare to other premium cards like HDFC Infinia or Axis Magnus? Are the benefits worth the cost?
When comparing the SBI Elite Credit Card to other premium cards like HDFC Infinia or Axis Magnus, you’ll notice a few key differences, especially in rewards and lounge access.
For rewards, the SBI Elite gives 2 reward points per INR 100 spent, with 5X points on dining, groceries, and departmental stores. However, the value of reward points is quite low (1 point = INR 0.25). In contrast, HDFC Infinia offers 2.5 points per INR 100 spent, with better redemption value (up to INR 1 per point). Axis Magnus also has strong rewards, especially for dining and travel.
Regarding lounge access, the SBI Elite offers 2 domestic lounges per quarter and 6 international visits per year, but this is limited compared to Axis Magnus and HDFC Infinia, which offer unlimited access.
For milestone rewards, SBI offers 10,000 bonus points for spending INR 3 lakhs, but this is less attractive than the milestone benefits offered by competitors, like Axis Magnus and HDFC Infinia, which give higher value rewards.
The annual fee of INR 4,999 is higher than some mid-range cards but competitive for premium cards. However, cards like HDFC Infinia and Axis Magnus offer better overall value with superior perks, making them more appealing if you spend a lot on travel or dining.
In short, the SBI Elite is a decent option if you mainly want lounge access and moderate rewards, but if you’re looking for better rewards, unlimited lounge access, and stronger travel benefits, HDFC Infinia or Axis Magnus would be better choices.