When it comes to getting a super-premium credit card, it becomes quite difficult to choose the best one, as there are plenty of options available in the market nowadays. All major credit card issuers offer a wide range of cards from entry-level to super-premium ones. Axis Magnus and the ICICI Sapphiro are among the top premium cards in the market, often causing confusion among consumers. Both cards have exclusive benefits across different categories, including Rewards, travel, lifestyle, dining, entertainment, and many more.
Though the annual fee of the Magnus Card is slightly higher than that of the ICICI Saphiro, it is worth it for those who are wise enough to maximize the benefits of a credit card. On the other hand, the ICICI Sapphiro offers several privileges with a lower annual fee, so it may be a better choice for those who just want decent benefits with an affordable annual fee. For detailed information about both the cards and their comparison, continue reading the article:
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank’s Magnus Credit Card is one of the most premium cards offered by Axis Bank. Along with a very good reward rate on all expenditures, the Magnus Card provides a wide range of exclusive privileges across various categories, including travel, movies, dining, and more. The following are some of the key features and benefits of the Magnus Credit Card issued by Axis Bank.
- Get up to 12 Edge Rewards on every ₹200 spent on retail purchases.
- 5x Edge Rewards on travel spends via Travel Edge
- Get unlimited domestic and international lounge access for free.
- Discounted stays at Oberoi and Trident Hotels.
- 15% discount at over 2,000 restaurants with the Axis Dining Delights Program.
Magnus Credit Card for Burgundy
Axis Bank has started taking in applications for the New Magnus Credit Card for Burgundy. Customers have been notified regarding the same by Axis Bank via email. With the Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card, you can earn four partner miles/points for every 5 EDGE Reward Points, which is an upgrade from the previous card. The joining and renewal fees for the Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy Credit Card are ₹30,000 + GST.
ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card
The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,500, with a joining fee of ₹6,500. The card offers introductory benefits that are worth much more than the annual fee itself. Regarding the reward rate, you earn up to 4 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent, and these points can be redeemed for various options, including cashback. Additionally, the card provides complimentary domestic and international lounge access each year. For more detailed features of the Sapphiro Card, see the following points.
- As a welcome benefit, you can get exciting gift vouchers worth ₹9,000 from any of your favorite brands, including Tata CliQ, EaseMyTrip, Uber, Zomato Pro, and Croma (with the MasterCard and Visa variants).
- The card offers 2 Reward Points per ₹100 spent on domestic purchases except for fuel, and 1 Reward point per ₹100 spent on utilities and insurance.
- Get one movie ticket free every time you buy one ticket via BookMyShow. The complimentary movie ticket price should be below ₹500, and the offer can be availed two times a month.
- Get four complimentary domestic lounge access every quarter (on spending at least ₹75,000 in the previous quarter).
- Get two free international lounge access every year with the Dreamfolks Pass membership.
- Get access to complimentary golf lesson/game every quarter.
Quick Comparison
Let us now compare both the cards on the basis of various important factors in the following table:
| Particualrs | Axis Magnus | ICICI Sapphiro |
| Joining fee | ₹12,500 + GST | ₹6,500 + GST |
| Renewal Fee | ₹12,500 + GST | ₹3,500 + GST |
| Annual Fee Waiver | Annual Fee Waived on Spending ₹15 Lakh or More in the Previous Year | Annual Fee Waived on Spending ₹6 Lakh or More in the Previous Year |
| Welcome Benefit | Choose a Gift Voucher Worth ₹12,500 from Either Luxe, Yatra, or Postcard Hotels | Exclusive Travel & Shopping Vouchers Worth More than ₹9,500 (From Tata CliQ, EaseMyTrip, Uber, Croma) |
| Reward Rate | 12 Axis EDGE Rewards Points per ₹200 Spent, 5X EDGE Rewards on Travel Spends via TRAVEL EDGE | 4 RPs/₹100 Spent Abroad and 2 RPs/₹100 Spent Domestically |
| Reward Redemption | Redeem at EDGE REWARDS Portal, 1 Edge Reward = ₹0.20 or Transfer to Partner Airlines/Hotels Rewards Program | Redeem RPs for Cashback/Vouchers. 1 Reward Point = ₹0.25 |
| Movie & Dining Benefits | 15% Discount at 4,000+ Restaurants Across India Under the Axis Dining Delights Program | ₹500 Off on the Second Movie Ticket Via BookMyShow |
| Milestone Benefits | N/A | Get up to 20,000 bonus Reward Points every year on achieving the spend milestone |
| Travel Benefits | Get unlimited complimentary domestic and international lounge access every year. |
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Bottom Line
Both the Axis Bank Magnus and the ICICI Sapphiro Credit Card offer numerous benefits across various categories. Neither of the two cards can be considered the best for everyone, as different people have different needs. The Magnus Credit Card is an excellent choice for high-net-worth individuals who love traveling, as it provides unlimited free lounge access along with a low forex markup fee. Additionally, the Magnus Card offers a strong reward rate, helping cardholders save a lot if they maximize their spending with it. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Card is a good option for those who enjoy traveling but do not travel frequently. Furthermore, this card has a lower annual fee, making it a suitable choice for those seeking decent travel and entertainment benefits at an affordable yearly cost.