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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card ELITE 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 ELITE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

SBI Card PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card ELITESBI Card PULSE
Annual Fee₹4,999₹1,499
Joining Fee₹4,999₹1,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹10,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.5%0.5%
Reward CurrencySBI Reward PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card ELITE

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

SBI Card PULSE

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

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.

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 SBI Card ELITE 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 SBI Card ELITE if

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

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 ELITE or SBI Card PULSE?
Both SBI Card ELITE 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 SBI Card ELITE and SBI Card PULSE?
SBI Card ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499. SBI Card ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card ELITE or SBI Card PULSE?
SBI Card ELITE offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on Dining and Departmental Stores. 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 ELITE and SBI Card PULSE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card ELITE and SBI Card PULSE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card ELITE 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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