Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card vs SBI Card PRIME

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

ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹3,500
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkMastercard
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

FeatureICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit CardSBI Card PRIME
Annual Fee₹3,500₹2,999
Joining Fee₹6,500₹2,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹6,00,000₹3,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.5%0.125%
Reward CurrencyICICI Bank Reward PointsReward Points
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating8/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card

  • 0% on International Spends

SBI Card PRIME

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

Pros & Cons

ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card

Pros

  • High welcome voucher value (up to ₹13,000) exceeding the joining fee.
  • Accelerated rewards on international spends (4 RP per ₹100).
  • Complimentary golf rounds (up to 4 per quarter) based on spends.
  • Buy 1 Get 1 offer on BookMyShow (up to ₹500 off) twice a month.

Cons

  • High quarterly spend requirement (₹75,000) to unlock domestic lounge access.
  • Low reward rate on utilities and insurance (0.25% value).
  • High forex markup fee (3.5%) for a premium travel-oriented card.

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

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

Choose ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card if

Strong international reward rates and dual lounge access (domestic and international).

Choose SBI Card PRIME if

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card or SBI Card PRIME?
ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PRIME could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card and SBI Card PRIME?
ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,500, while SBI Card PRIME has an annual fee of ₹2,999. ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹6,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card PRIME offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card or SBI Card PRIME?
ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on International Spends. 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 ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card and SBI Card PRIME?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card and SBI Card PRIME can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card or SBI Card PRIME?
For beginners, SBI Card PRIME may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹2,999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

Explore More

ICICI Bank NRI Sapphiro Credit Card Full ReviewSBI Card PRIME Full ReviewAll ICICI Bank CardsAll SBI Card CardsBrowse All Credit CardsCredit Card Guides & Tips