In the realm of online shopping, credit cards offering lucrative cashback and rewards have become increasingly popular. Among the various options available, the Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card and the Flipkart SBI Credit Card stand out as prominent choices for consumers who frequently shop on Flipkart and its partner platforms. Both cards offer a range of benefits, but they also have distinct features that cater to different spending habits and preferences. This article provides a detailed comparison of these two co-branded credit cards, examining their cashback programs, fees, and other benefits to help you make an informed decision.
Cashback and Rewards
Both the Flipkart Axis Bank and Flipkart SBI Credit Cards offer attractive cashback programs focused on Flipkart and associated merchants. However, the structure and specific partners differ:
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Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card: This card provides unlimited cashback. Cardholders enjoy 5% cashback on Flipkart and Cleartrip, 4% cashback on preferred merchants like Swiggy, Uber, PVR, and Cult.fit, and 1% cashback on all other eligible spends.
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Flipkart SBI Credit Card: The SBI card offers a tiered cashback system. Cardholders get 7.5% cashback on Myntra, 5% cashback on Flipkart and Cleartrip, 4% cashback on select merchants such as Netmeds and Zomato, and 1% cashback on other eligible spends. However, the 5% and 7.5% cashback categories have a quarterly limit of ₹4,000 each.
A key difference lies in the "unlimited" nature of cashback with the Axis Bank card on preferred merchants, whereas the SBI card places a cap on most categories. Also, the specific partner merchants for the 4% cashback differ between the two cards, so consumers should consider where they spend most often.
Fees and Charges
Both cards come with a joining fee and an annual fee of ₹500 + taxes. However, the annual fee can be waived on both cards if annual spending exceeds a certain threshold. For the Flipkart SBI Credit Card, the annual fee is reversed if annual spends are ₹3.5 lakhs or more in the preceding year. The Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card has the annual fee waived on annual spends above Rs. 2,00,000.
Additional Benefits
Beyond cashback, both cards offer other benefits:
- Welcome Benefits: The Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card offers activation benefits worth ₹600, including a Flipkart voucher worth ₹500 on completing the first transaction within 30 days of card issuance and a 50% discount (up to ₹100) on the first Swiggy order. The Flipkart SBI Credit Card provides a Flipkart gift card worth ₹250 upon fee realization.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000. The maximum waiver is capped at ₹400 per statement cycle for both cards.
- Other Benefits: The Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card offers 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge access visits per year.
Which Card Should You Choose?
The choice between the Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card and the Flipkart SBI Credit Card depends on your individual spending patterns and preferences.
Choose the Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card if:
- You prefer unlimited cashback on popular platforms like Swiggy, Uber, PVR, and Cult.fit.
- You can meet the annual spending threshold of ₹2,00,000 to get the annual fee waived.
- You value complimentary airport lounge access.
Choose the Flipkart SBI Credit Card if:
- You frequently shop on Myntra and can maximize the 7.5% cashback.
- You prefer a straightforward cashback system and are comfortable with quarterly limits.
- You can meet the annual spending threshold of ₹3.5 lakhs to get the annual fee waived.
Ultimately, both the Flipkart Axis Bank and Flipkart SBI Credit Cards are valuable options for online shoppers. By carefully evaluating your spending habits and comparing the features of each card, you can select the one that best aligns with your needs and maximizes your rewards.
