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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT vs ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit 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%
NetworkMastercard
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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹3,500
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECTICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
Annual Fee₹2,999₹3,500
Joining Fee₹2,999₹6,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹6,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.25%
Reward CurrencyReward PointICICI Bank Rewards
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating7.8/108/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT

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

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

  • 0% on International Spends

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.

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

Pros

  • High-value welcome vouchers worth over ₹9,000 covering travel, shopping, and dining.
  • Dual-card advantage (Amex + Mastercard/Visa) allows for broader acceptance and network-specific offers.
  • Generous movie benefits with Buy 1 Get 1 up to ₹500 twice a month on BookMyShow.
  • Complimentary golf rounds (up to 4 per month) based on spending milestones.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹3,500 which is only waived on a relatively high spend of ₹6 lakhs.
  • Domestic lounge access is contingent on a high quarterly spend of ₹75,000.
  • Reward rate on utilities and insurance is low at 1 point per ₹100.

Our Verdict

Both SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.

Choose SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT if

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

Choose ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card if

Offers both domestic and international lounge access along with travel-specific welcome vouchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Both SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT has an annual fee of ₹2,999, while ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,500. SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹6,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Groceries and Dining. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers 0.25% base rewards with bonuses on International Spends. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
For beginners, SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹2,999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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