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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank Times Platinum vs SBI Card ELITE

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

HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank Times Platinum

6.8/10
Annual Fee₹1,000
Base Rewards0.15%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

SBI Card ELITE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureHDFC Bank Times PlatinumSBI Card ELITE
Annual Fee₹1,000₹4,999
Joining Fee₹1,000₹4,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,50,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.15%0.5%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating6.8/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

HDFC Bank Times Platinum

No accelerated rewards listed

SBI Card ELITE

  • 0.62% on Dining
  • 0.62% on Departmental Stores
  • 0.62% on Grocery

Pros & Cons

HDFC Bank Times Platinum

Pros

  • 50% discount on movie tickets via BookMyShow up to ₹600 per transaction.
  • Accelerated 10 Reward Points per ₹150 spent on weekday dining (Mon-Fri).
  • Complimentary 1-year Times Prime membership providing access to SonyLIV, ZEE5, and more.
  • Welcome vouchers worth ₹5,000 across shopping and dining categories.

Cons

  • No complimentary airport lounge access.
  • Low reward redemption value of ₹0.15 per point.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹2.5 Lakhs compared to benefits.

SBI Card ELITE

Pros

  • Complimentary movie tickets worth ₹6,000 annually (₹500 per month).
  • Low foreign currency markup of 1.99% compared to the standard 3.5%.
  • High milestone rewards of up to 50,000 bonus points worth ₹12,500.
  • Comprehensive lounge access with 8 domestic and 6 international visits per year.

Cons

  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹10 Lakhs.
  • Base reward rate is relatively low at 0.5% for a premium card.
  • Club Vistara and Trident memberships have been discontinued for new users.

Our Verdict

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

Choose HDFC Bank Times Platinum if

Frequent movie-goers can save up to ₹2,400 monthly with the 50% BookMyShow discount.

Choose SBI Card ELITE if

The monthly ₹500 movie ticket benefit effectively covers the annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: HDFC Bank Times Platinum or SBI Card ELITE?
SBI Card ELITE edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, HDFC Bank Times Platinum could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between HDFC Bank Times Platinum and SBI Card ELITE?
HDFC Bank Times Platinum has an annual fee of ₹1,000, while SBI Card ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999. HDFC Bank Times Platinum offers a fee waiver on ₹2,50,000 annual spend. SBI Card ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank Times Platinum or SBI Card ELITE?
HDFC Bank Times Platinum offers a base reward rate of 0.15%. SBI Card ELITE offers 0.5% base rewards with bonuses on Dining and Departmental Stores. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both HDFC Bank Times Platinum and SBI Card ELITE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank Times Platinum and SBI Card ELITE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank Times Platinum or SBI Card ELITE?
For beginners, HDFC Bank Times Platinum may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹1,000. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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