Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PULSE vs ICICI Bank Platinum Chip 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
View Full Details

ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card

6.5/10
Annual FeeFree
Base Rewards0.125%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card PULSEICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,499Free
Joining Fee₹1,499Free
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate0.5%0.125%
Reward CurrencySBI Reward PointsICICI Bank Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/106.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card PULSE

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

ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

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.

ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card

Pros

  • Lifetime free card with no joining or annual fees ever
  • Earn 2 reward points for every ₹100 spent on retail purchases
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver at HPCL pumps for transactions up to ₹4,000
  • Minimum 15% savings on dining bills at 2,500+ partner restaurants via Culinary Treats

Cons

  • No complimentary airport lounge access
  • Low reward rate of 0.5% on general retail spends
  • Reward points on utilities and insurance are capped at 1 point per ₹100

Our Verdict

SBI Card PULSE edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose SBI Card PULSE if

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

Choose ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card if

Ideal for beginners looking to build a credit history without the burden of annual fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card PULSE or ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card PULSE and ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card has no annual fee. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card PULSE or ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on Pharmacy & Chemists and Dining. ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card offers 0.125% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card PULSE and ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PULSE and ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card PULSE or ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card?
For beginners, ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card may be more approachable with no annual fee. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

Related Comparisons

SBI Card PULSE vs Axis Bank My Zone Credit CardICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card vs Axis Bank My Zone Credit CardSBI Card PULSE vs Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit CardICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card vs Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit CardSBI Card PULSE vs Axis Bank ACE Credit CardICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card vs Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

Explore More

SBI Card PULSE Full ReviewICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card Full ReviewAll SBI Card CardsAll ICICI Bank CardsBrowse All Credit CardsCredit Card Guides & Tips