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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card AURUM vs ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

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

SBI Card

SBI Card AURUM

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹9,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹3,500
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card AURUMICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
Annual Fee₹9,999₹3,500
Joining Fee₹9,999₹6,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹12,00,000₹6,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.25%
Reward CurrencyAURUM Reward PointICICI Bank Rewards
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.5/108/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card AURUM

No accelerated rewards listed

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

  • 0% on International Spends

Pros & Cons

SBI Card AURUM

Pros

  • Welcome benefit of 40,000 points (₹10,000 value) fully offsets the joining fee.
  • Unlimited international lounge access with a rare complimentary guest visit per quarter.
  • Extensive lifestyle memberships including Club Marriott, Amazon Prime, and WSJ/Mint.
  • High-value milestone rewards including Apple and Taj vouchers worth up to ₹35,000 annually.

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 1% compared to other super-premium cards.
  • Invite-only status makes it inaccessible to the general public.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹12 Lakhs.

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.

Our Verdict

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

Choose SBI Card AURUM if

The card offers a suite of luxury memberships, concierge services, and a metal form factor that aligns with an elite lifestyle.

Choose ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card if

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card AURUM or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
SBI Card AURUM edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card AURUM and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999, while ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,500. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹6,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card AURUM or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
SBI Card AURUM offers a base reward rate of 1%. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers 0.25% base rewards with bonuses on International Spends. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card AURUM and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card AURUM and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card AURUM or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
For beginners, ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹3,500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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