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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card vs CASHBACK SBI Card

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

HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card

6.2/10
Annual Fee₹500
Base Rewards0.2666666666666667%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

CASHBACK SBI Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureHDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit CardCASHBACK SBI Card
Annual Fee₹500₹999
Joining Fee₹500₹999
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.2666666666666667%1%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsCashback
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating6.2/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card

  • 0% on Grocery — 500 pts/month
  • 0% on Utility Bills — 500 pts/month
  • 0% on Fuel — 500 pts/month

CASHBACK SBI Card

  • 0% on Online Spends

Pros & Cons

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card

Pros

  • 3X Reward Points on grocery, supermarkets, and utility bills.
  • Monthly milestone bonus of 500 points on spending ₹20,000.
  • Annual fee waiver on a relatively low spend of ₹1 Lakh.
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations in India.

Cons

  • Low reward point value of ₹0.20 per point.
  • Accelerated rewards are capped at 500 points per month.
  • No complimentary airport lounge access.

CASHBACK SBI Card

Pros

  • Flat 5% cashback on almost all online spends without merchant restrictions.
  • 1% flat cashback on all offline spends and utility payments.
  • Cashback is auto-credited to the statement within 2 days of statement generation.
  • Simple annual fee waiver at ₹2 lakh annual spend.

Cons

  • Monthly cashback capped at ₹4,000 (₹2,000 online / ₹2,000 offline) from April 2026.
  • No complimentary domestic or international airport lounge access.
  • Extensive list of exclusions including rent, fuel, wallet loads, and government transactions.

Our Verdict

CASHBACK SBI Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card if

Specifically designed for Equitas customers looking for an entry-level rewards card.

Choose CASHBACK SBI Card if

Highest flat cashback rate of 5% across all e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card or CASHBACK SBI Card?
CASHBACK SBI Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card and CASHBACK SBI Card?
HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹500, while CASHBACK SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹999. HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. CASHBACK SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card or CASHBACK SBI Card?
HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.2666666666666667% with accelerated rewards on Grocery and Utility Bills. CASHBACK SBI Card offers 1% base rewards with bonuses on Online Spends. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card and CASHBACK SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card and CASHBACK SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card or CASHBACK SBI Card?
For beginners, HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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