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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card MILES ELITE vs SBI Card ELITE

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

SBI Card

SBI Card MILES ELITE

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkMastercard
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SBI Card

SBI Card ELITE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card MILES ELITESBI Card ELITE
Annual Fee₹4,999₹4,999
Joining Fee₹4,999₹4,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹15,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.5%
Reward CurrencyTravel CreditsSBI Reward Points
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating8.2/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card MILES ELITE

No accelerated rewards listed

SBI Card ELITE

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

Pros & Cons

SBI Card MILES ELITE

Pros

  • High 3% reward rate on travel spends (6 Travel Credits per ₹200).
  • 1:1 conversion ratio for Travel Credits to Air Miles and Hotel Points with major partners.
  • Unique spend-linked domestic lounge access (1 extra visit per ₹1 Lakh spend).
  • Low foreign currency markup of 1.99%, ideal for international travelers.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹4,999 with a steep waiver threshold of ₹15 Lakhs.
  • Lounge access is capped per quarter (2 visits), which may be restrictive for frequent flyers.
  • Air Accident insurance coverage was discontinued as of July 2025.

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.

Our Verdict

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

Choose SBI Card MILES ELITE if

High reward rates on flights and hotels with 1:1 mile conversion across multiple airlines.

Choose SBI Card ELITE if

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card MILES ELITE or SBI Card ELITE?
SBI Card MILES ELITE edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card ELITE could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card MILES ELITE and SBI Card ELITE?
SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while SBI Card ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹15,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card MILES ELITE or SBI Card ELITE?
SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a base reward rate of 1%. SBI Card ELITE offers 0.5% base rewards with bonuses on Dining and Departmental Stores. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card MILES ELITE and SBI Card ELITE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card MILES ELITE and SBI Card ELITE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card MILES ELITE or SBI Card ELITE?
For beginners, SBI Card MILES ELITE may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹4,999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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