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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PULSE vs HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ 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 PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹500
Base Rewards0.33333333333333337%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card PULSEHDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,499₹500
Joining Fee₹1,499₹500
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000₹50,000
Base Reward Rate0.5%0.33333333333333337%
Reward CurrencySBI Reward PointsCashPoints
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card PULSE

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

HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card

  • 0.83% on Partner Merchants (Amazon, ... — 2500 pts/month
  • 0.42% on EMI Spends (Merchant Locati... — 2500 pts/month

Pros & Cons

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.

HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card

Pros

  • 10X CashPoints (3.3% value back) on major platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Swiggy.
  • Low annual fee of ₹500, easily waived with a modest annual spend of ₹50,000.
  • Quarterly milestone benefit of ₹500 gift voucher on spending ₹50,000.
  • RuPay variant allows for UPI payments with reward point earnings.

Cons

  • No complimentary domestic or international airport lounge access.
  • Monthly capping of 2,500 CashPoints on accelerated 10X categories limits high spenders.
  • Low base reward rate of 0.33% (2 points per ₹150) on non-partner spends.

Our Verdict

Both SBI Card PULSE and HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.

Choose SBI Card PULSE if

Offers dedicated memberships for gyms (FITPASS) and online medicine (Netmeds) along with high rewards on pharmacy spends.

Choose HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card if

Low income eligibility and simple reward structure make it an excellent entry-level card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card PULSE or HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card?
Both SBI Card PULSE and HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card PULSE and HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹500. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹50,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card PULSE or HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on Pharmacy & Chemists and Dining. HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card offers 0.33333333333333337% base rewards with bonuses on Partner Merchants (Amazon, ... and EMI Spends (Merchant Locati.... The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card PULSE and HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PULSE and HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card PULSE or HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card?
For beginners, HDFC Bank MoneyBack+ Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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