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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card - Tata Star 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 Star Card SELECT

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹2,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkMastercard
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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 Star Card SELECTSBI Card PULSE
Annual Fee₹2,999₹1,499
Joining Fee₹2,999₹1,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.5%
Reward CurrencyReward PointSBI Reward Points
NetworkMastercardVisa
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

SBI Card PULSE

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

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.

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 Star 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 Star Card SELECT if

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

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