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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PULSE vs SBI Card MILES ELITE

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 MILES ELITE

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkMastercard
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card PULSESBI Card MILES ELITE
Annual Fee₹1,499₹4,999
Joining Fee₹1,499₹4,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000₹15,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.5%1%
Reward CurrencySBI Reward PointsTravel Credits
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating7.2/108.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card PULSE

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

SBI Card MILES ELITE

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 MILES ELITE

Pros

  • High 3% reward rate on travel spends (6 Travel Credits per ₹200).
  • 1:1 conversion ratio for Travel Credits to Air Miles and Hotel Points with major partners.
  • Unique spend-linked domestic lounge access (1 extra visit per ₹1 Lakh spend).
  • Low foreign currency markup of 1.99%, ideal for international travelers.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹4,999 with a steep waiver threshold of ₹15 Lakhs.
  • Lounge access is capped per quarter (2 visits), which may be restrictive for frequent flyers.
  • Air Accident insurance coverage was discontinued as of July 2025.

Our Verdict

SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE if

High reward rates on flights and hotels with 1:1 mile conversion across multiple airlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card PULSE or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE?
SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹15,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card PULSE or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
SBI Card PULSE offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on Pharmacy & Chemists and Dining. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card PULSE and SBI Card MILES ELITE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PULSE and SBI Card MILES ELITE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card PULSE or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
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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