Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank Times Platinum vs SBI Card PRIME

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
View Full Details

SBI Card

SBI Card PRIME

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹2,999
Base Rewards0.125%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureHDFC Bank Times PlatinumSBI Card PRIME
Annual Fee₹1,000₹2,999
Joining Fee₹1,000₹2,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,50,000₹3,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.15%0.125%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsReward 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 PRIME

  • 0% on Dining
  • 0% on Groceries
  • 0% on Movies

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 PRIME

Pros

  • Accelerated 10 Reward Points per ₹100 on dining, groceries, and movies (2.5% value back).
  • Generous welcome benefit with a ₹3,000 e-gift voucher that offsets the joining fee.
  • Comprehensive lounge access with 8 domestic and 4 international visits annually.
  • Milestone vouchers worth up to ₹11,000 annually on reaching spend targets.

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% (2 points per ₹100) on general spends.
  • High foreign currency markup of 3.5% compared to other premium cards.
  • Reward points on utility bills are capped and only applicable for standing instructions.

Our Verdict

SBI Card PRIME 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 PRIME if

High rewards on everyday categories like dining, groceries, and movies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: HDFC Bank Times Platinum or SBI Card PRIME?
SBI Card PRIME 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 PRIME?
HDFC Bank Times Platinum has an annual fee of ₹1,000, while SBI Card PRIME has an annual fee of ₹2,999. HDFC Bank Times Platinum offers a fee waiver on ₹2,50,000 annual spend. SBI Card PRIME offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank Times Platinum or SBI Card PRIME?
HDFC Bank Times Platinum offers a base reward rate of 0.15%. SBI Card PRIME offers 0.125% base rewards with bonuses on Dining and Groceries. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both HDFC Bank Times Platinum and SBI Card PRIME?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank Times Platinum and SBI Card PRIME can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank Times Platinum or SBI Card PRIME?
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.

Explore More

HDFC Bank Times Platinum Full ReviewSBI Card PRIME Full ReviewAll HDFC Bank CardsAll SBI Card CardsBrowse All Credit CardsCredit Card Guides & Tips