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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Apollo SBI Card SELECT vs SBI Card PULSE

Detailed comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and value to help you choose the right credit card for your spending pattern.

SBI Card

Apollo SBI Card SELECT

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkMastercard
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SBI Card

SBI Card PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureApollo SBI Card SELECTSBI Card PULSE
Annual Fee₹1,499₹1,499
Joining Fee₹1,499₹1,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%0.5%
Reward CurrencyApollo Health CreditSBI Reward Points
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating7.2/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Apollo SBI Card SELECT

  • 0% on Apollo 24|7 and Pharmacy
  • 0% on Dining, Movies, Entertainme...

SBI Card PULSE

  • 0.62% on Pharmacy & Chemists
  • 0.62% on Dining
  • 0.62% on Movies

Pros & Cons

Apollo SBI Card SELECT

Pros

  • High 10% reward rate on Apollo 24|7 and Apollo Pharmacy spends.
  • 1:1 redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1 in Apollo Health Credits.
  • Complimentary annual health check-up package worth ₹1,999 on meeting spend criteria.
  • Valuable milestone gift of a Noise Smartwatch worth ₹7,999 on ₹6 Lakh annual spend.

Cons

  • Reward redemption is strictly restricted to the Apollo ecosystem.
  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on general spends.
  • International lounge visits are not complimentary despite the Priority Pass membership.

SBI Card PULSE

Pros

  • Complimentary Noise ColorFit Pulse Smartwatch worth up to ₹7,999 as a welcome gift.
  • Annual FITPASS PRO and Netmeds First memberships worth over ₹4,000.
  • High 2.5% reward rate (10 RP per ₹100) on pharmacies, chemists, dining, and movies.
  • 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (2 per quarter).

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on non-accelerated categories.
  • Priority Pass membership does not include any complimentary international visits.
  • Milestone voucher of ₹1,500 requires a high annual spend of ₹4 Lakhs.

Our Verdict

Both Apollo SBI Card SELECT and SBI Card PULSE are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.

Choose Apollo SBI Card SELECT if

Significant savings on recurring pharmacy bills, lab tests, and doctor consultations within the Apollo network.

Choose SBI Card PULSE if

Offers dedicated memberships for gyms (FITPASS) and online medicine (Netmeds) along with high rewards on pharmacy spends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Apollo SBI Card SELECT or SBI Card PULSE?
Both Apollo SBI Card SELECT and SBI Card PULSE are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.
What is the annual fee difference between Apollo SBI Card SELECT and SBI Card PULSE?
Apollo SBI Card SELECT has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499. Apollo SBI Card SELECT offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Apollo SBI Card SELECT or SBI Card PULSE?
Apollo SBI Card SELECT offers a base reward rate of 0.25% with accelerated rewards on Apollo 24|7 and Pharmacy and Dining, Movies, Entertainme.... SBI Card PULSE offers 0.5% base rewards with bonuses on Pharmacy & Chemists and Dining. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Apollo SBI Card SELECT and SBI Card PULSE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Apollo SBI Card SELECT and SBI Card PULSE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Apollo SBI Card SELECT or SBI Card PULSE?
For beginners, Apollo SBI Card SELECT may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹1,499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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