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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card ELITE vs ICICI Bank Platinum Chip 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 ELITE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card

6.5/10
Annual FeeFree
Base Rewards0.125%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card ELITEICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card
Annual Fee₹4,999Free
Joining Fee₹4,999Free
Fee Waiver Spend₹10,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate0.5%0.125%
Reward CurrencySBI Reward PointsICICI Bank Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/106.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card ELITE

  • 0.62% on Dining
  • 0.62% on Departmental Stores
  • 0.62% on Grocery

ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

SBI Card ELITE

Pros

  • Complimentary movie tickets worth ₹6,000 annually (₹500 per month).
  • Low foreign currency markup of 1.99% compared to the standard 3.5%.
  • High milestone rewards of up to 50,000 bonus points worth ₹12,500.
  • Comprehensive lounge access with 8 domestic and 6 international visits per year.

Cons

  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹10 Lakhs.
  • Base reward rate is relatively low at 0.5% for a premium card.
  • Club Vistara and Trident memberships have been discontinued for new users.

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

Our Verdict

SBI Card ELITE 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 SBI Card ELITE if

The monthly ₹500 movie ticket benefit effectively covers the annual fee.

Choose ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card if

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card ELITE or ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card?
SBI Card ELITE 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 SBI Card ELITE and ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card?
SBI Card ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card has no annual fee. SBI Card ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card ELITE or ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card?
SBI Card ELITE offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on Dining and Departmental Stores. ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card offers 0.125% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card ELITE and ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card ELITE and ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card ELITE or ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card?
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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