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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PRIME vs HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

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

SBI Card

SBI Card PRIME

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹2,999
Base Rewards0.125%
NetworkVisa
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HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

9.5/10
Annual Fee₹12,500
Base Rewards1.0989%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card PRIMEHDFC Bank - Infinia Metal
Annual Fee₹2,999₹12,500
Joining Fee₹2,999₹12,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.125%1.0989%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsReward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/109.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card PRIME

  • 0% on Dining
  • 0% on Groceries
  • 0% on Movies

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

  • 10.99% on SmartBuy Flights & Hotels — 15000 pts/month
  • 5.48% on SmartBuy Other Categories — 15000 pts/month

Pros & Cons

SBI Card PRIME

Pros

  • Accelerated 10 Reward Points per ₹100 on dining, groceries, and movies (2.5% value back).
  • Generous welcome benefit with a ₹3,000 e-gift voucher that offsets the joining fee.
  • Comprehensive lounge access with 8 domestic and 4 international visits annually.
  • Milestone vouchers worth up to ₹11,000 annually on reaching spend targets.

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% (2 points per ₹100) on general spends.
  • High foreign currency markup of 3.5% compared to other premium cards.
  • Reward points on utility bills are capped and only applicable for standing instructions.

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

Pros

  • Industry-leading 3.33% base reward rate with 1:1 redemption on travel.
  • Accelerated rewards up to 33% via HDFC SmartBuy platform.
  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both primary and add-on members.
  • Low 2% foreign currency markup fee, ideal for international spenders.

Cons

  • Strictly invite-only, making it inaccessible to most applicants.
  • High annual fee of ₹12,500 + GST, though offset by renewal points.
  • Recent caps on reward redemptions for Apple products and Tanishq vouchers.

Our Verdict

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PRIME could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose SBI Card PRIME if

High rewards on everyday categories like dining, groceries, and movies.

Choose HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal if

Exclusive lifestyle benefits, unlimited golf, and concierge services tailored for HNIs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card PRIME or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PRIME could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card PRIME and HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
SBI Card PRIME has an annual fee of ₹2,999, while HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal has an annual fee of ₹12,500. SBI Card PRIME offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card PRIME or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
SBI Card PRIME offers a base reward rate of 0.125% with accelerated rewards on Dining and Groceries. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers 1.0989% base rewards with bonuses on SmartBuy Flights & Hotels and SmartBuy Other Categories. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card PRIME and HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PRIME and HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card PRIME or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
For beginners, SBI Card PRIME may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹2,999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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