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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PRIME vs ICICI Bank Sapphiro 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 PRIME

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

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹3,500
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card PRIMEICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
Annual Fee₹2,999₹3,500
Joining Fee₹2,999₹6,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹6,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.125%0.25%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsICICI Bank Rewards
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/108/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card PRIME

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

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

  • 0% on International Spends

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.

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

Pros

  • High-value welcome vouchers worth over ₹9,000 covering travel, shopping, and dining.
  • Dual-card advantage (Amex + Mastercard/Visa) allows for broader acceptance and network-specific offers.
  • Generous movie benefits with Buy 1 Get 1 up to ₹500 twice a month on BookMyShow.
  • Complimentary golf rounds (up to 4 per month) based on spending milestones.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹3,500 which is only waived on a relatively high spend of ₹6 lakhs.
  • Domestic lounge access is contingent on a high quarterly spend of ₹75,000.
  • Reward rate on utilities and insurance is low at 1 point per ₹100.

Our Verdict

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card 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 ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card if

Offers both domestic and international lounge access along with travel-specific welcome vouchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card PRIME or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card 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 ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
SBI Card PRIME has an annual fee of ₹2,999, while ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,500. SBI Card PRIME offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹6,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card PRIME or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
SBI Card PRIME offers a base reward rate of 0.125% with accelerated rewards on Dining and Groceries. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers 0.25% base rewards with bonuses on International Spends. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card PRIME and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PRIME and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card PRIME or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
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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