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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT vs Pharmeasy HDFC Bank 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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HDFC Bank

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

6.8/10
Annual Fee₹500
Base Rewards0.04%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECTPharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card
Annual Fee₹2,999₹500
Joining Fee₹2,999₹500
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹70,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.04%
Reward CurrencyReward PointReward Points
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating7.8/106.8/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT

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

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

  • 0% on Pharmeasy — 3000 pts/month

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.

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

Pros

  • 5% cashback on Pharmeasy spends including medicines and healthcare products
  • Complimentary 6-month Pharmeasy Plus membership worth ₹999
  • Up to 50% discount on diagnostic tests and health check-ups
  • Low annual fee waiver threshold of ₹70,000 per year

Cons

  • No airport lounge access benefits
  • Low base reward rate of 1 point per ₹150 spent
  • Monthly reward point cap of 3,000 points on partner spends

Our Verdict

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit 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 Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card if

High 5% value back on regular medicine and diagnostic requirements via Pharmeasy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT or Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit 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 Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT has an annual fee of ₹2,999, while Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹500. SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹70,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT or Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Groceries and Dining. Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card offers 0.04% base rewards with bonuses on Pharmeasy. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT and Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT and Pharmeasy HDFC Bank 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 Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
For beginners, Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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