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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

ICICI Bank Rubyx 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 Rubyx Credit Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹2,000
Base Rewards0.25%
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 Rubyx Credit CardSBI Card PULSE
Annual Fee₹2,000₹1,499
Joining Fee₹3,000₹1,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%0.5%
Reward CurrencyICICI Bank Reward PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card

  • 0% on iShop (Travel/Vouchers)

SBI Card PULSE

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

Pros & Cons

ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card

Pros

  • Dual card advantage: Benefits from two networks (Amex and Mastercard/Visa) on a single account.
  • Welcome vouchers worth ₹5,000+ covering travel and shopping, exceeding the joining fee.
  • Complimentary golf rounds (up to 2 per month) based on retail spends of ₹50,000.
  • 25% discount on movie tickets twice a month on both BookMyShow and INOX.

Cons

  • Lounge access is spend-linked (requires ₹75,000 spend in the previous quarter).
  • No complimentary international airport lounge access.
  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% (2 points per ₹100) compared to competitors.

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

Both ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.

Choose ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card if

Offers a mix of golf, movies, and dining discounts through the Culinary Treats program.

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 Rubyx Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
Both ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.
What is the annual fee difference between ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE?
ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹2,000, while SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499. ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card or SBI Card PULSE?
ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25% with accelerated rewards on iShop (Travel/Vouchers). 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 Rubyx Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card and SBI Card PULSE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card 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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