Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card vs SBI Card Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?

Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card vs Sbi Card Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card

In short: Indian Oil Axis Premium has the lower annual fee (₹1,000 vs ₹4,999); both include 2 airport lounge visits a quarter.

Key factsIndian Oil Axis PremiumSBI Indigo Elite
Annual fee₹1,000₹4,999
Joining fee₹1,000₹4,999
Annual fee waivedOn ₹1 lakh annual spendNot listed
Top reward rate2 EDGE Miles On Every ₹150 Spent On Grocery & Supermarket7 IndiGo BluChips Per ₹100 on IndiGo
Base rewards1 Edge Mile on Every ₹1502 IndiGo BluChips Per ₹100 on Other Spends
Lounge access2 airport lounge visits a quarter2 airport lounge visits a quarter
Forex markup3.5%Not listed

From issuer benefit data, checked 5 Nov 2026. Milestones, welcome benefits and caps are in the full table below.

The Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card and the Sbi Card Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card both offer rewards and lounge access, but they cater to different spending habits and travel preferences. The Indian Oil Axis Bank card focuses on fuel and grocery spends with Edge Miles rewards, while the SBI Indigo Elite card is tailored for frequent IndiGo flyers with BluChips rewards and international lounge access. Fee structures and milestone benefits also differ significantly between the two.

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:

Best for rewards → Sbi Card Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card
Best for travel → Sbi Card Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card
Best for low fee → Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card
Best for beginners → Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card
Feature Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card Sbi Card Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card
BankAxis BankSBI Cards
NetworkMasterCardMasterCard
Joining feeJoining Fee of Rs.1000Joining Fee - Rs.4999
Annual / renewal feeAnnual Fee - Rs.1000Renewal Fees - Rs.4999
Annual fee waiverSpend Rs.1 Lakhs For Annual Fee Waiver—
Top reward rateEarn 2 EDGE Miles On Every Rs.150 Spent On Grocery & SupermarketEarn 7 IndiGo BluChips Per Rs.100 on IndiGo
Base rate (other spends)Earn 1 Edge Mile on Every Rs.150Earn 2 IndiGo BluChips Per Rs.100 on Other Spends
Lounge — domestic2 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Quarter2 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Quarter
Lounge — international—6 Complimentary International Lounge Access Per Year
Fuel surcharge waiver1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver on IOCL Outlets1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver
Welcome benefitWelcome Benefits - 500 Edge MilesRenewal Benefits - 5000 IndiGo BluChips Voucher
Milestone benefit—4 6E Prime Passes on Spend Rs.1Lac; Earn 6000 Bonus IndiGo Bluchips on Spend Rs.3Lac
Foreign currency markup3.50% - Foreign Currency Transactions—

Which is better for rewards?

For rewards, the SBI Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card offers a higher top reward rate of 7 IndiGo BluChips per Rs.100 spent on IndiGo flights compared to the Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card's 6 Edge Miles per Rs.150 spent at IOCL outlets. The SBI card also provides bonus milestones that add substantial IndiGo BluChips on higher spends, enhancing its value for frequent travelers. The Indian Oil card’s rewards are more focused on fuel and grocery spends with a base rate of 1 Edge Mile per Rs.150, which may appeal to everyday spenders but generally yields lower rewards compared to the SBI card’s accelerated travel rewards.

Which is better for travel?

Travel benefits favor the SBI Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card due to its 6 complimentary international lounge accesses per year in addition to 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter. The Indian Oil Axis Bank card offers only 2 complimentary domestic lounge accesses per quarter. Additionally, the SBI card’s co-branding with IndiGo provides travel-centric rewards and milestone benefits like 6E Prime Passes, making it more suitable for frequent flyers. The Indian Oil card’s international lounge access is not listed in our data.

Which has lower effective cost?

The Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card has a significantly lower joining and renewal fee of Rs.1000, which can be waived by spending Rs.1 lakh annually, making it more cost-effective for moderate spenders. In contrast, the SBI Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card has a high joining and renewal fee of Rs.4999 with no fee waiver mentioned, which may be justified only if the cardholder fully utilizes its travel and milestone benefits. Forex markup fees are 3.5% on the Indian Oil card, while the SBI card’s forex fees are not listed in our data.

Co-brand and Travel Focus

The SBI Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card is co-branded with IndiGo, offering accelerated rewards on IndiGo spends and travel-related milestone benefits such as 6E Prime Passes. The Indian Oil Axis Bank card focuses on fuel and grocery spends with Edge Miles but its international lounge access is not listed in our data.

Fee Waiver and Effective Cost

The Indian Oil Axis Bank card allows an annual fee waiver on spending Rs.1 lakh, making it more accessible for moderate spenders. The SBI Indigo Elite card has a higher fee with no waiver listed, which means its value depends on heavy usage of travel benefits and milestones.

Who should pick Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card?

Consider Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card if you are looking for a low-fee card that rewards fuel and grocery spends with Edge Miles and offers basic domestic lounge access. It is suitable if you prefer a card with a manageable annual fee waiver condition and primarily spend on IOCL fuel stations and supermarkets.

Who should pick Sbi Card Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card?

Consider Sbi Card Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card if you frequently fly with IndiGo and want to maximize travel rewards through BluChips, enjoy international lounge access, and benefit from milestone bonuses that reward high annual spends. This card is ideal for travelers who can justify the higher fees with its premium travel perks and co-branded rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which card offers better lounge access?

The SBI Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card offers 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter plus 6 international lounge accesses per year, whereas the Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card offers only 2 domestic lounge accesses per quarter. The Indian Oil card’s international lounge access is not listed in our data.

What are the fuel surcharge waivers on these cards?

Both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver. The Indian Oil Axis Bank card’s waiver applies specifically at IOCL outlets, while the SBI Indigo Elite card’s waiver is general with a maximum cap of Rs.400.

Are there any milestone benefits on these cards?

The SBI Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card provides several milestone benefits, including bonus IndiGo BluChips and 6E Prime Passes on specified spends. The Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card does not list milestone benefits in our data.

What is the forex markup fee for these cards?

The Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card charges a 3.5% forex markup fee on foreign currency transactions. The forex markup fee for the SBI Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card is not listed in our data.

Can the annual fee be waived on these cards?

The Indian Oil Axis Bank Premium Credit Card’s annual fee of Rs.1000 can be waived by spending Rs.1 lakh annually. The SBI Indigo Elite Mastercard Credit Card has an annual fee of Rs.4999 with no fee waiver mentioned in our data.