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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card vs SBI Card PULSE

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

ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card

6.5/10
Annual FeeFree
Base Rewards0.125%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

SBI Card PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit CardSBI Card PULSE
Annual FeeFree₹1,499
Joining FeeFree₹1,499
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.125%0.5%
Reward CurrencyICICI Bank Reward PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating6.5/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

SBI Card PULSE

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

Pros & Cons

ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card

Pros

  • Lifetime free card with no joining or annual fees ever
  • Earn 2 reward points for every ₹100 spent on retail purchases
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver at HPCL pumps for transactions up to ₹4,000
  • Minimum 15% savings on dining bills at 2,500+ partner restaurants via Culinary Treats

Cons

  • No complimentary airport lounge access
  • Low reward rate of 0.5% on general retail spends
  • Reward points on utilities and insurance are capped at 1 point per ₹100

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

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

Choose ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card if

Ideal for beginners looking to build a credit history without the burden of annual fees.

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: ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
SBI Card PULSE edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE?
ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card has no annual fee, while SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.125%. 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 ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
For beginners, ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card may be more approachable with no annual fee. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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