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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PULSE vs ICICI Bank Rubyx 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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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹2,000
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card PULSEICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,499₹2,000
Joining Fee₹1,499₹3,000
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000₹3,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.5%0.25%
Reward CurrencySBI Reward PointsICICI Bank Reward Points
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

ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card

  • 0% on iShop (Travel/Vouchers)

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 Rubyx Credit Card

Pros

  • Dual card advantage: Benefits from two networks (Amex and Mastercard/Visa) on a single account.
  • Welcome vouchers worth ₹5,000+ covering travel and shopping, exceeding the joining fee.
  • Complimentary golf rounds (up to 2 per month) based on retail spends of ₹50,000.
  • 25% discount on movie tickets twice a month on both BookMyShow and INOX.

Cons

  • Lounge access is spend-linked (requires ₹75,000 spend in the previous quarter).
  • No complimentary international airport lounge access.
  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% (2 points per ₹100) compared to competitors.

Our Verdict

Both SBI Card PULSE and ICICI Bank Rubyx 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 ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card if

Offers a mix of golf, movies, and dining discounts through the Culinary Treats program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card PULSE or ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card?
Both SBI Card PULSE and ICICI Bank Rubyx 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 ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹2,000. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card PULSE or ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on Pharmacy & Chemists and Dining. ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card offers 0.25% base rewards with bonuses on iShop (Travel/Vouchers). The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card PULSE and ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PULSE and ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card PULSE or ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card?
For beginners, SBI Card PULSE may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹1,499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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