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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT vs Apollo SBI 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 - Tata Card SELECT

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹2,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

Apollo SBI Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkMastercard
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card - Tata Card SELECTApollo SBI Card
Annual Fee₹2,999₹499
Joining Fee₹2,999₹499
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.25%
Reward CurrencyEmpower PointsReward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating7.8/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT

No accelerated rewards listed

Apollo SBI Card

  • 0% on Apollo Services
  • 0% on Dining, Movies & Entertainment
  • 0% on Beauty & Wellness

Pros & Cons

SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT

Pros

  • High reward rate of up to 5% value back at select Tata outlets.
  • Generous welcome and anniversary gift vouchers worth ₹3,000 each.
  • 1 Empower Point equals ₹1, offering simple and high-value redemption.
  • Accelerated 3x rewards on grocery, dining, and international spends.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹2,999 with no direct spend-based waiver mentioned for the fee itself (only voucher renewal).
  • International lounge visits are not complimentary despite Priority Pass membership.
  • Rewards are highly optimized for the Tata ecosystem, limiting flexibility for non-Tata loyalists.

Apollo SBI Card

Pros

  • 3% value back (3X points) on all Apollo services including pharmacy and clinics
  • 1:1 redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1 at Apollo POS
  • Complimentary OneApollo Gold Tier membership for the first year
  • Low annual fee of ₹499 with a reachable waiver threshold of ₹1 Lakh

Cons

  • No airport lounge access (available only on the Select variant)
  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on general spends
  • Rewards are primarily valuable only within the Apollo ecosystem

Our Verdict

SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Apollo SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT if

Maximum value back at brands like Croma, Westside, and Taj Hotels.

Choose Apollo SBI Card if

Frequent users of Apollo Pharmacy and Apollo 24/7 app benefit from high reward rates and instant discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT or Apollo SBI Card?
SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Apollo SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT and Apollo SBI Card?
SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT has an annual fee of ₹2,999, while Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT or Apollo SBI Card?
SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT offers a base reward rate of 1%. Apollo SBI Card offers 0.25% base rewards with bonuses on Apollo Services and Dining, Movies & Entertainment. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT and Apollo SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT and Apollo SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT or Apollo SBI Card?
For beginners, Apollo SBI Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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