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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal vs SBI Card PULSE

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

HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

9.5/10
Annual Fee₹12,500
Base Rewards1.0989%
NetworkVisa
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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

FeatureHDFC Bank - Infinia MetalSBI Card PULSE
Annual Fee₹12,500₹1,499
Joining Fee₹12,500₹1,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹10,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate1.0989%0.5%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating9.5/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

  • 10.99% on SmartBuy Flights & Hotels — 15000 pts/month
  • 5.48% on SmartBuy Other Categories — 15000 pts/month

SBI Card PULSE

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

Pros & Cons

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

Pros

  • Industry-leading 3.33% base reward rate with 1:1 redemption on travel.
  • Accelerated rewards up to 33% via HDFC SmartBuy platform.
  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both primary and add-on members.
  • Low 2% foreign currency markup fee, ideal for international spenders.

Cons

  • Strictly invite-only, making it inaccessible to most applicants.
  • High annual fee of ₹12,500 + GST, though offset by renewal points.
  • Recent caps on reward redemptions for Apple products and Tanishq vouchers.

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

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

Choose HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal if

Exclusive lifestyle benefits, unlimited golf, and concierge services tailored for HNIs.

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: HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal or SBI Card PULSE?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PULSE could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal and SBI Card PULSE?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal has an annual fee of ₹12,500, while SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal or SBI Card PULSE?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers a base reward rate of 1.0989% with accelerated rewards on SmartBuy Flights & Hotels and SmartBuy Other Categories. 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 HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal and SBI Card PULSE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal and SBI Card PULSE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal or SBI Card PULSE?
For beginners, SBI Card PULSE 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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