vs
In short: HDFC 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo has the lower annual fee (₹1,500 vs ₹3,500); HDFC 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo includes 8 airport lounge visits a year, ICICI Sapphiro 4 airport lounge visits a quarter; HDFC 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo has the lower forex markup (2.5% vs 3.5%).
| Key facts | HDFC 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo | ICICI Sapphiro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹1,500 | ₹3,500 |
| Joining fee | ₹1,500 | ₹6,500 |
| Annual fee waived | Not listed | On ₹6 lakh annual spend |
| Top reward rate | 5 6E Rewards Per ₹100 Spends on Indigo | 4 reward points For Every ₹100 on International Spends |
| Base rewards | 2 6E Rewards Per ₹100 | 2 Reward Points per ₹100 |
| Lounge access | 8 airport lounge visits a year | 4 airport lounge visits a quarter |
| Forex markup | 2.5% | 3.5% |
From issuer benefit data, checked 4 Nov 2026. Milestones, welcome benefits and caps are in the full table below.
On ₹20,000 a month with ₹5,000 at each card's top rate, HDFC 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo returns about ₹7,100 more a year after annual fees (₹6,600 vs ₹1,500 in rewards).
| Spend profile | HDFC 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo | ICICI Sapphiro |
|---|---|---|
| Reward value: top rate / base rate | 5% / 2% | 1% / 0.5% |
| ₹20,000 a month, all general spends | ₹4,800 | ₹1,200 |
| ₹20,000 a month, ₹5,000 of it at each card's top rate | ₹6,600 | ₹1,500 |
| Annual fee | ₹1,500 | ₹3,500 |
Estimates from the earn rates above, with stated cashback caps applied, before exclusions. Reward points are valued at the card's best listed redemption (often travel or vouchers via the bank's portal); cash-back on the statement is usually worth less. Annual fees may be waived on spend (see the table below).
The 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo Hdfc Bank Credit Card is tailored for frequent Indigo flyers and offers accelerated rewards on travel with Indigo, along with good rewards on dining, entertainment, and groceries. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card targets premium users with higher joining fees, extensive lounge access including international lounges, and anniversary reward points. Both cards cater to different spending habits and travel preferences.
Comparison notes and quick badges use AI, grounded in the benefit data shown in the table. Confirm details on each issuer’s site.
Last updated:
| Feature | 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo Hdfc Bank Credit Card | ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | HDFC Bank | ICICI Bank |
| Network | MasterCard | Visa |
| Joining fee | Joining Fee of Rs.1500 | Joining Fee of Rs.6500 |
| Annual / renewal fee | Renewal Fee of Rs.1500 | Second Year Onwards Annual Fee of Rs.3500 |
| Annual fee waiver | — | Spend Rs.6 Lakh For Waiver of Annual Fee |
| Top reward rate | Earn 5 6E Rewards Per Rs.100 Spends on Indigo | Earn 4 Rewards Points For Every Rs.100 on International Spends |
| Base rate (other spends) | Earn 2 6E Rewards Per Rs.100 | Earn 2 Reward Points per Rs.100 |
| Lounge — domestic | 8 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Calendar Year | 4 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Quarter |
| Lounge — international | — | 2 Complimentary International Airport Lounge Access |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | — | 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver |
| Welcome benefit | Get 1 Complimentary Flight Ticket Worth Rs.3000 | 20000 Reward Points Every Anniversary Year |
| Foreign currency markup | 2.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions | 3.50% - Foreign Currency Transactions |
For rewards, the 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo card provides a higher overall return with 5 6E Rewards per Rs.100 spent on Indigo bookings and 3 rewards on dining, entertainment, and groceries. Its base rate is 2 6E Rewards per Rs.100, which translates to about Rs.6,600 annually at Rs.20,000 monthly spend. In contrast, the ICICI Bank Sapphiro card offers 4 reward points per Rs.100 on international spends and 2 points on other spends, yielding about Rs.1,500 annually at the same spend level. The Indigo card is more rewarding for everyday and travel-related spends within its partner ecosystem.
Both cards offer airport lounge access, but the ICICI Bank Sapphiro card provides 4 complimentary domestic lounges per quarter plus 2 international lounge visits, making it more suitable for international travelers seeking lounge comfort abroad. The Indigo card offers 8 complimentary domestic lounge accesses annually but does not list international lounge access. The 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo card’s rewards are travel-focused on Indigo flights, while the Sapphiro card’s rewards on international spends and utilities add versatility for global travelers.
The 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo card has a lower joining and renewal fee of Rs.1500 each with no listed fee waiver, which may appeal to moderate spenders. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro card has a higher joining fee of Rs.6500 and an annual fee of Rs.3500 from the second year, but offers an annual fee waiver on spending Rs.6 lakh. The higher fees on the Sapphiro card are balanced by premium benefits and fee waivers for high spenders, whereas the Indigo card is more straightforward with moderate fees.
The 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo card’s points can be redeemed at a rate of 1 point = Rs.1 specifically for Indigo flights, making it highly valuable for loyal Indigo customers. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro card offers a broader reward points system without a specific co-brand partner, providing flexibility but lower redemption value.
The ICICI Bank Sapphiro card offers a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, which can reduce costs for regular fuel purchases. The 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo card earns 2% rewards on fuel spends but does not list a fuel surcharge waiver, making the Sapphiro card preferable for fuel cost savings.
The 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo card charges a 2.5% forex markup on foreign currency transactions, while the ICICI Bank Sapphiro card charges a higher 3.5%. For overseas spends, the Indigo card is more cost-effective in forex charges.
Consider 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo Hdfc Bank Credit Card if you frequently fly with Indigo and want accelerated rewards on travel, dining, entertainment, and groceries. It suits users looking for a moderate fee card with good domestic lounge access and a complimentary flight ticket worth Rs.3000 as a welcome benefit.
Consider ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card if you are a premium card user seeking extensive lounge access including international lounges, concierge services, and anniversary reward points. It is ideal for international travelers and high spenders who can benefit from the annual fee waiver on Rs.6 lakh spend and fuel surcharge waiver.
The 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo card has a joining and renewal fee of Rs.1500 each with no fee waiver listed. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro card has a joining fee of Rs.6500 and an annual fee of Rs.3500 from the second year, which can be waived by spending Rs.6 lakh annually.
The ICICI Bank Sapphiro card offers 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter plus 2 international lounge visits annually. The 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo card offers 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year but does not list international lounge access.
The 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo card offers a complimentary flight ticket worth Rs.3000 as a welcome benefit. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro card provides 20,000 reward points every anniversary year but no specific joining welcome benefit.
The 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo card charges 2.5% on foreign currency transactions, while the ICICI Bank Sapphiro card charges a higher 3.5% forex markup.
The ICICI Bank Sapphiro card offers a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions. The 6E Rewards Xl- Indigo card does not list a fuel surcharge waiver but offers 2% rewards on fuel spends.