With dozens of credit card options available in the Indian market there are two names that consistently stand out as market leaders, SBI Card and ICICI Bank. Both issuers offer a wide range of products tailored to different lifestyles, whether it’s for travel, rewards, shopping, or fuel. But it is important to know how their offerings actually compare in terms of benefits, fees, acceptance, and user experience. This article breaks down the key differences between SBI and ICICI Bank credit cards to help decide which one suits an individual’s financial needs and spending habits better.
SBI Bank Credit Cards
- Cashback and Rewards
- Cashback SBI Card offers 5% cashback on all online spends without any merchant restrictions, and 1% on offline spends.
- SimplyCLICK Card gives 10X reward points on Amazon, BookMyShow, and Myntra, and 5X on other online platforms.
- SBI PRIME Credit Card offers accelerated reward points on utility bills, dining, and departmental stores, along with milestone bonuses that convert to high-value e-vouchers. It also offers dining and birthday benefits.
- SBI PULSE Credit Card provides 5X reward points on pharmacy, health, and wellness spends, plus welcome benefits like a fitness tracker.
- Fees and Waivers
- The SimplyCLICK card charges ₹499 per year, but customers don’t have to pay this if you spend ₹1 lakh in a year.
- Premium cards like SBI Prime charge ₹2,999 per year, but the fee is waived if a customer spends ₹3 lakh in a year.
- Travel and Lounge Access
- The SBI PRIME and Pulse cards offer complimentary domestic and international airport lounge visits.
- Lounge access varies by card and is limited to a certain number of visits annually.
- Health & Wellness Benefits
- SBI Card Pulse includes a free smart watch, NetMeds membership, and fitness app access.
- Also offers bonus reward points on pharmacy, entertainment, and dining spends.
- Welcome and Milestone Benefits
- PRIME and Pulse offer welcome vouchers worth ₹3,000–₹5,000 from top brands.
- Milestone spends unlock e-gift vouchers, for example ₹7,000 voucher for an ₹5 lakh annual spend on the PRIME card.
Also read: Why Pay Fees? Choose from These Top 10 Credit Cards with Zero Annual Charges!
ICICI Bank Credit Cards
- Cashback and Rewards
- Most ICICI cards use payback points, for example one receives 2 points per ₹100 domestic and 4 points on international expenditure.
- Cashback isn’t the main offering, ICICI rewards are more travel and lifestyle focused.
- Fees and Waivers
- Coral Card has a ₹500 annual fee which is waived on ₹1.5 lakh annual spend.
- Sapphiro Premium cards such as Sapphiro cost ₹3,500 per year which is waived on ₹6 lakh spend.
- Travel and Lounge Access
- Coral, Rubyx, and Sapphiro cards offer complimentary airport lounge access, 2 to 4 visits per quarter.
- Sapphiro includes spa access at select airports (2 sessions annually).
- Entertainment Benefits
- Coral and Rubyx provide 25% discount (up to ₹100) on movie tickets twice per month via BookMyShow or INOX.
- Sapphiro also includes lifestyle perks like dining and golf privileges.
- Welcome and Milestone Benefits
- Premium cards like Sapphiro offer ₹10,000+ worth of welcome vouchers.
- Rubyx and Sapphiro provide golf rounds, spa visits and bonus points on hitting spend milestones
In summary, both the cards have their own unique offerings, and are oriented towards offering the best services. SBI credit cards are better suited for users looking for strong cashback, online shopping rewards, and milestone benefits, especially with cards like SimplyCLICK and PRIME. On the other hand, ICICI credit cards shine in partnership-based rewards (like Amazon Pay) and travel and entertainment perks, especially on cards like Coral, Rubyx, and Sapphiro. Their payback points system is versatile, but reward rates are generally lower unless used with specific partners.
Written by Teertha Ravichandran
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With dozens of credit card options available in the Indian market there are two names that consistently stand out as market leaders, SBI Card and ICICI Bank. Both issuers offer a wide range of products tailored to different lifestyles, whether it’s for travel, rewards, shopping, or fuel. But it is important to know how their
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