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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card - Tata Star 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 Star Card SELECT

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

Apollo SBI Card

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

FeatureSBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECTApollo SBI Card
Annual Fee₹2,999₹499
Joining Fee₹2,999₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.25%
Reward CurrencyReward PointReward Points
NetworkMastercardMastercard
Editor Rating7.8/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT

  • 0% on Groceries
  • 0% on Dining
  • 0% on International

Apollo SBI Card

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

Pros & Cons

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT

Pros

  • Exceptional 1:1 reward redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1.
  • High 3.5% value back on all spends at Star Bazaar outlets.
  • Up to 5% value back at select Tata retail outlets like Westside and Croma.
  • Generous welcome and milestone vouchers that can fully offset the annual fee.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹2,999 with a relatively high waiver threshold of ₹3 Lakhs.
  • Rewards and benefits are heavily concentrated within the Tata ecosystem.
  • No complimentary international lounge access despite the premium fee.

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 Star 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 Star Card SELECT if

Maximum value is derived from shopping at Star Bazaar, Westside, Croma, and other Tata brands.

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 Star Card SELECT or Apollo SBI Card?
SBI Card - Tata Star 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 Star Card SELECT and Apollo SBI Card?
SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT has an annual fee of ₹2,999, while Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT or Apollo SBI Card?
SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Groceries and Dining. 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 Star Card SELECT and Apollo SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card - Tata Star 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 Star 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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