Axis Bank Horizon vs SBI Card ELITE
A field-by-field comparison of fees, reward rates, accelerated categories, caps, exclusions, lounge access and forex markup, using each issuer's own published terms. Affiliate payout never decides the verdict.
Short answer
Axis Bank Horizon and SBI Card ELITE differ first on recurring cost: Axis Bank Horizon has an annual fee of ₹3,000 + GST against ₹4,999 + GST for SBI Card ELITE, so Axis Bank Horizon is cheaper to hold. On rewards, Axis Bank Horizon earns 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on other eligible spend while SBI Card ELITE earns 2 Reward Points per ₹100 on eligible spends. SBI Card ELITE has the lower forex markup at 1.99%. Neither card wins outright: the better choice depends on which accelerated categories match your spend, the monthly caps, the exclusions and issuer approval fit.
Source: CardMasters issuer-evidence catalogue, release 2026-08-25. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | Axis Bank Horizon | SBI Card ELITE |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Axis Bank | SBI Card |
| Joining fee | ₹3,000 + GST | ₹4,999 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹3,000 + GST | ₹4,999 + GST |
| Fee waiver | No waiver recorded | ₹10,00,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on other eligible spend | 2 Reward Points per ₹100 on eligible spends |
| Accelerated routes | Axis Travel EDGE and direct airline websites | 10 Reward Points per ₹100; 10,000 accelerated-point monthly cap, then 2 points per ₹100 |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, wallet load, insurance, utility, telecom, education, government, transportation, tolls | balance transfer, balance transfer emi, flexipay, cash advance, easy money, encash, dial a draft, atm withdrawal, fees, fuel, rent, wallet load, government |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% fuel-surcharge waiver on ₹400–₹5,000 transactions, capped at ₹400 per statement cycle; GST is not reversed | Not recorded — confirm with issuer |
| Domestic lounge | 6/quarter on Mastercard World or 8/quarter on Visa Signature | 8 complimentary visits per year, maximum 2 per quarter |
| International lounge | 2/quarter | 6 complimentary Priority Pass visits outside India per calendar year, maximum 2 per quarter; paid thereafter |
| Card networks | Visa Signature, Mastercard World | Visa, Mastercard |
| Best suited to | travel, flights, lounge | movies, dining, low forex |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-08-23 | Checked 2026-07-30 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Axis Bank Horizon better than the SBI Card ELITE?
Neither is universally better. Axis Bank Horizon charges ₹3,000 + GST a year and earns 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on other eligible spend; SBI Card ELITE charges ₹4,999 + GST and earns 2 Reward Points per ₹100 on eligible spends. The better card is the one whose accelerated categories, caps and exclusions match your actual spending, after subtracting the annual fee and GST.
Which of the two has the lower annual fee, Axis Bank Horizon or SBI Card ELITE?
Axis Bank Horizon has the lower recorded annual fee at ₹3,000 + GST. A spend-based waiver may reduce the effective cost of the other card, so check the waiver threshold before deciding.
Which is better for international spending, Axis Bank Horizon or SBI Card ELITE?
SBI Card ELITE publishes the lower forex markup at 1.99% versus 3.5%. Also confirm whether international transactions earn rewards, since some issuers exclude them.
Can I hold both cards together?
Yes, provided each is approved on its own merits and you can pay both statements in full. Holding both makes sense only when their accelerated categories do not overlap; otherwise the second card adds an annual fee without adding rewards.