Quick Verdict

  • The Axis Bank Select Credit Cardⓘ offers a higher base reward rate, making it better for everyday spending.
  • The RBL World Safari Credit Cardⓘ shines for travel enthusiasts and forex spenders due to its zero forex markup and travel-centric benefits.
  • Both cards have the same joining and annual fee of Rs 3,000, but the Axis Bank card requires a significantly higher spend for fee waiver.
  • Pick Axis Bank Selectⓘ if you spend heavily on groceries and online shopping and want premium lounge access; choose RBL World Safariⓘ if you want travel perks, zero forex charges, and a lower lounge spend requirement.

Side by Side

DetailAxis Bank Select Credit CardⓘRBL World Safari Credit Cardⓘ
Annual feeRs 3,000Rs 3,000
Joining feeRs 3,000Rs 3,000
Fee waiver on spendRs 10.00 lakhNone specified
Reward rate1% base, 4% grocery, 2% online0.4% base, 2% travel
Reward typepointspoints
Domestic lounge8 per year8 per year
International lounge4 per year4 per year
Lounge spend gateRs 50,000 annual domesticRs 35,000 quarterly domestic
Forex markup1.5%0%
Best suited forrewards, grocery, lounge, travel, shoppingtravel, forex, lounge

Rewards Compared

On a Rs 10,000 spend, the Axis Bank Select Credit Cardⓘ earns Rs 100 back at the base rate, with significantly higher returns in key categories: Rs 400 on grocery and Rs 200 on online shopping. This makes it ideal for users with concentrated spends in these categories, effectively quadrupling rewards on groceries compared to the base rate.

In contrast, the RBL World Safari Credit Cardⓘ earns Rs 40 at the base rate on Rs 10,000 spent, but offers a 2% return on travel spends, equating to Rs 200 back. This is half the base rate of Axis Bank Select but targeted to travel expenses, making it less rewarding for general spends but more valuable for frequent travelers.

Fees Compared

Both cards levy an identical joining fee and annual fee of Rs 3,000 each. The Axis Bank Selectⓘ card waives the annual fee only if you spend Rs 10 lakh annually, which translates to Rs 83,333 monthly spend, a high threshold favoring heavy spenders. There is no specified fee waiver threshold on the RBL World Safariⓘ, implying the fee is annual and fixed.

The break-even spend for the base reward rate to cover the Rs 3,000 fee is Rs 3 lakh for Axis Bank Selectⓘ, much lower than the Rs 7.5 lakh needed on the RBL World Safariⓘ. This reflects the higher base reward rate on the Axis card, making it easier for users with moderate spends to justify the fee.

Which One Should You Pick

Choose the Axis Bank Select Credit Cardⓘ if you are a high spender on groceries and online shopping who can leverage the category bonuses. Its higher base rewards and premium lounge access with a Rs 50,000 annual domestic lounge spend gate make it suitable for lifestyle and travel enthusiasts who want a comprehensive benefits package. Heavy spenders who can meet the Rs 10 lakh annual spend to waive fees will find this card more cost-effective.

Opt for the RBL World Safari Credit Cardⓘ if you travel frequently and prioritize forex savings since it charges zero forex markup on foreign currency spends. The quarterly Rs 35,000 spend gate for domestic lounges is more accessible, and the card includes additional travel insurance and concierge services along with a MakeMyTrip voucher, adding value for globetrotters. It suits moderate spenders who want travel perks without the need to hit a high fee waiver threshold.

In conclusion, Axis Bank Selectⓘ wins for everyday and category-focused spends, while RBL World Safariⓘ is the better choice for travel and forex users. Those who rarely spend on groceries or online shopping should skip Axis Select, and those uninterested in travel benefits or foreign spends can skip the RBL World Safari.

What to Check Before You Apply

  • Confirm if the high Rs 10 lakh annual spend on Axis Bank Selectⓘ is realistic for you to waive the fee.
  • Understand the redemption process and value of points, especially since both cards use points but no exact conversion rates are given.
  • Check the quarterly vs annual spend gates for lounge access to see which aligns with your spend pattern.
  • For RBL World Safariⓘ, verify the availability of lounges and gates for Priority Pass benefits and any forex transaction limits.

FAQ

What is the forex markup on these cards?+
The Axis Bank Select Credit Cardⓘ charges a 1.5% forex markup on foreign currency transactions, while the RBL World Safari Credit Cardⓘ offers zero forex markup, making it more cost-effective for international spenders.
Are there any welcome benefits?+
Yes, the Axis Bank Selectⓘ provides 10,000 EDGE Reward Points worth Rs 2,000 on the first transaction. The RBL World Safariⓘ offers a MakeMyTrip voucher worth Rs 3,000 as a welcome benefit.
How many lounge visits do these cards offer?+
Both cards offer 8 domestic lounge visits and 4 international lounge visits per year. However, the spend gates differ: Rs 50,000 annually for Axis Bank Selectⓘ and Rs 35,000 quarterly for RBL World Safariⓘ.
Is there concierge or premium travel insurance included?+
The RBL World Safari Credit Cardⓘ includes concierge services and complimentary travel insurance covering trip delays and baggage/passport loss. The Axis Bank Selectⓘ does not list these benefits.
What is the minimum spend to justify the annual fee?+
For Axis Bank Selectⓘ, you need to spend about Rs 3 lakh annually at the base reward rate to cover the Rs 3,000 annual fee. For RBL World Safariⓘ, the break-even is about Rs 7.5 lakh, reflecting its lower base reward rate.