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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card MILES 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 MILES ELITE

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkMastercard
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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 MILES ELITESBI Card PULSE
Annual Fee₹4,999₹1,499
Joining Fee₹4,999₹1,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹15,00,000₹2,00,000
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 PULSE

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

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 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 MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE if

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

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 MILES ELITE or SBI Card PULSE?
SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE and SBI Card PULSE?
SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹15,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card MILES ELITE or SBI Card PULSE?
SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE and SBI Card PULSE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card MILES ELITE and SBI Card PULSE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card MILES 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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