Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PRIME vs SBI Card AURUM

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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SBI Card

SBI Card AURUM

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹9,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card PRIMESBI Card AURUM
Annual Fee₹2,999₹9,999
Joining Fee₹2,999₹9,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹12,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.125%1%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsAURUM Reward Point
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card PRIME

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

SBI Card AURUM

No accelerated rewards listed

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.

SBI Card AURUM

Pros

  • Welcome benefit of 40,000 points (₹10,000 value) fully offsets the joining fee.
  • Unlimited international lounge access with a rare complimentary guest visit per quarter.
  • Extensive lifestyle memberships including Club Marriott, Amazon Prime, and WSJ/Mint.
  • High-value milestone rewards including Apple and Taj vouchers worth up to ₹35,000 annually.

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 1% compared to other super-premium cards.
  • Invite-only status makes it inaccessible to the general public.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹12 Lakhs.

Our Verdict

SBI Card AURUM 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 SBI Card AURUM if

The card offers a suite of luxury memberships, concierge services, and a metal form factor that aligns with an elite lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card PRIME or SBI Card AURUM?
SBI Card AURUM 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 SBI Card AURUM?
SBI Card PRIME has an annual fee of ₹2,999, while SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999. SBI Card PRIME offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card PRIME or SBI Card AURUM?
SBI Card PRIME offers a base reward rate of 0.125% with accelerated rewards on Dining and Groceries. SBI Card AURUM offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card PRIME and SBI Card AURUM?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PRIME and SBI Card AURUM can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card PRIME or SBI Card AURUM?
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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