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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card vs Apollo SBI Card

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

ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹3,500
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

Apollo SBI Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkMastercard
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit CardApollo SBI Card
Annual Fee₹3,500₹499
Joining Fee₹6,500₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹6,00,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%0.25%
Reward CurrencyICICI Bank RewardsReward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating8/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

  • 0% on International Spends

Apollo SBI Card

  • 0% on Apollo Services
  • 0% on Dining, Movies & Entertainment
  • 0% on Beauty & Wellness

Pros & Cons

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

Pros

  • High-value welcome vouchers worth over ₹9,000 covering travel, shopping, and dining.
  • Dual-card advantage (Amex + Mastercard/Visa) allows for broader acceptance and network-specific offers.
  • Generous movie benefits with Buy 1 Get 1 up to ₹500 twice a month on BookMyShow.
  • Complimentary golf rounds (up to 4 per month) based on spending milestones.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹3,500 which is only waived on a relatively high spend of ₹6 lakhs.
  • Domestic lounge access is contingent on a high quarterly spend of ₹75,000.
  • Reward rate on utilities and insurance is low at 1 point per ₹100.

Apollo SBI Card

Pros

  • 3% value back (3X points) on all Apollo services including pharmacy and clinics
  • 1:1 redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1 at Apollo POS
  • Complimentary OneApollo Gold Tier membership for the first year
  • Low annual fee of ₹499 with a reachable waiver threshold of ₹1 Lakh

Cons

  • No airport lounge access (available only on the Select variant)
  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on general spends
  • Rewards are primarily valuable only within the Apollo ecosystem

Our Verdict

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

Choose ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card if

Offers both domestic and international lounge access along with travel-specific welcome vouchers.

Choose Apollo SBI Card if

Frequent users of Apollo Pharmacy and Apollo 24/7 app benefit from high reward rates and instant discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card or Apollo SBI Card?
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Apollo SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card?
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,500, while Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹6,00,000 annual spend. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card or Apollo SBI Card?
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25% with accelerated rewards on International Spends. Apollo SBI Card offers 0.25% base rewards with bonuses on Apollo Services and Dining, Movies & Entertainment. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card and Apollo SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card or Apollo SBI Card?
For beginners, Apollo SBI Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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