Axis Bank IndiGo vs SBI Card MILES 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 IndiGo and SBI Card MILES ELITE differ first on recurring cost: Axis Bank IndiGo has an annual fee of ₹799 + GST against ₹4,999 + GST for SBI Card MILES ELITE, so Axis Bank IndiGo is cheaper to hold. On rewards, Axis Bank IndiGo earns 1 IndiGo BluChip per ₹100 on eligible spends while SBI Card MILES ELITE earns 2 Travel Credits per ₹200 on eligible other spend. SBI Card MILES 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 2026-08-01. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | Axis Bank IndiGo | SBI Card MILES ELITE |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Axis Bank | SBI Card |
| Joining fee | ₹799 + GST | ₹4,999 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹799 + GST | ₹4,999 + GST |
| Fee waiver | No waiver recorded | ₹15,00,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 1 IndiGo BluChip per ₹100 on eligible spends | 2 Travel Credits per ₹200 on eligible other spend |
| Accelerated routes | IndiGo channels (flights/website/app) · grocery & dining | travel spends (air/rail/hotels/OTAs) |
| Reward exclusions | government, insurance, utilities, telecom, rent, wallet load, fuel, jewellery, emi, cash advance, fees | fuel, wallet load, rent, education, utility, insurance, quasi cash, cash advance, financial charges, disputed transactions, encash, atm withdrawal, flexipay, merchant emi |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Domestic lounge | 4/yr (1/quarter on ₹50k spend in prior 3 months) | 8/yr (maximum 2/quarter), plus 1 additional visit per cumulative ₹1 lakh spend; additional visits capped at 8/membership year |
| International lounge | none | 6/yr through Priority Pass; paid thereafter |
| Card networks | RuPay, Visa | Mastercard, RuPay |
| Best suited to | indigo flyers, domestic travel | miles transfer, travel, low forex |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-07-26 | Checked 2026-08-01 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Axis Bank IndiGo better than the SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Neither is universally better. Axis Bank IndiGo charges ₹799 + GST a year and earns 1 IndiGo BluChip per ₹100 on eligible spends; SBI Card MILES ELITE charges ₹4,999 + GST and earns 2 Travel Credits per ₹200 on eligible other spend. 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 IndiGo or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Axis Bank IndiGo has the lower recorded annual fee at ₹799 + 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 IndiGo or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
SBI Card MILES 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.