IRCTC SBI Premier vs Axis Magnus
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IRCTC SBI Premier wins 5-4. Frequent rail travelers — 10% IRCTC train ticket value back. Axis Magnus is still the right call if high-spenders post-2024 devaluation — still solid for ₹2l+/month travel..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | IRCTC SBI Premier | Axis Magnus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹1,499 | · ₹12,500 |
| Joining fee | ₹1,499 | · ₹12,500 |
| Top reward rate | · 10% (travel) | 12% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 4.8% |
| Forex markup | · 4% | 2% |
| Welcome bonus | = 1,500 IRCTC reward points | = 12,500 EDGE Reward Points + ₹10,000 Tata CLiQ voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · ₹2,500,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹360,000 | · ₹1,800,000 |
| Min credit score | 720 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | · 4/5 | 4.3/5 |
Benefits compared
IRCTC SBI Premier
- 10% rewards on IRCTC train ticket bookings
- 4 reward points per ₹125 on dining + groceries
- Up to 5% railway lounge access discount
- 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits/year
- 4% forex markup (high — not for international)
Axis Magnus
- 12 EDGE points per ₹200 on travel via TravelEdge portal
- 4.8 EDGE points per ₹200 on general spend
- Unlimited international + domestic lounge access (Priority Pass)
- Buy 1 get 1 BookMyShow tickets monthly (capped 5)
- Annual ₹10,000 milestone vouchers from Tata CLiQ
- Concierge 24x7 + golf 4x/month
FAQ
›IRCTC SBI Premier vs Axis Magnus: which is better?
IRCTC SBI Premier wins on more dimensions (5 vs 4). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use IRCTC SBI Premier for its best categories, Axis Magnus for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
IRCTC SBI Premier: 1,500 IRCTC reward points. Axis Magnus: 12,500 EDGE Reward Points + ₹10,000 Tata CLiQ voucher.