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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT vs SBI Card PULSE

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

SBI Card PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card - Tata Card SELECTSBI Card PULSE
Annual Fee₹2,999₹1,499
Joining Fee₹2,999₹1,499
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.5%
Reward CurrencyEmpower PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.8/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT

No accelerated rewards listed

SBI Card PULSE

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

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.

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.

Our Verdict

SBI Card - Tata Card SELECT 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 - Tata Card SELECT if

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

Choose SBI Card PULSE if

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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