Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card AURUM vs SBI Card PULSE

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
View Full Details

SBI Card

SBI Card PULSE

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

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card AURUMSBI Card PULSE
Annual Fee₹9,999₹1,499
Joining Fee₹9,999₹1,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹12,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.5%
Reward CurrencyAURUM Reward PointSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.5/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card AURUM

No accelerated rewards listed

SBI Card PULSE

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

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.

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 AURUM edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PULSE 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 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: SBI Card AURUM or SBI Card PULSE?
SBI Card AURUM edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PULSE 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 SBI Card PULSE?
SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999, while SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card AURUM or SBI Card PULSE?
SBI Card AURUM offers a base reward rate of 1%. 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 SBI Card AURUM and SBI Card PULSE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card AURUM and SBI Card PULSE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card AURUM 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.

Related Comparisons

SBI Card AURUM vs Axis Bank My Zone Credit CardSBI Card PULSE vs Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card

Explore More

SBI Card AURUM Full ReviewSBI Card PULSE Full ReviewAll SBI Card CardsBrowse All Credit CardsCredit Card Guides & Tips