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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PULSE 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 PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
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 PULSESBI Card AURUM
Annual Fee₹1,499₹9,999
Joining Fee₹1,499₹9,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000₹12,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.5%1%
Reward CurrencySBI Reward PointsAURUM Reward Point
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card PULSE

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

SBI Card AURUM

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.

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 PULSE 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 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 PULSE or SBI Card AURUM?
SBI Card AURUM edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PULSE 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 SBI Card AURUM?
SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card PULSE or SBI Card AURUM?
SBI Card PULSE offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on Pharmacy & Chemists and Dining. SBI Card AURUM offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card PULSE and SBI Card AURUM?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PULSE and SBI Card AURUM can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card PULSE or SBI Card AURUM?
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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