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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Tata Star SBI Card 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

Tata Star SBI Card

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

Apollo SBI Card

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

FeatureTata Star SBI CardApollo SBI Card
Annual Fee₹499₹499
Joining Fee₹499₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.25%
Reward CurrencyReward PointReward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating7.8/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Tata Star SBI Card

  • 0% on Grocery
  • 0% on Dining
  • 0% on International

Apollo SBI Card

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

Pros & Cons

Tata Star SBI Card

Pros

  • High 3.5% value back at all Star Bazaar and Star Market outlets.
  • Up to 5% value back at select Tata partner brands like Westside and Croma.
  • Excellent 1:1 reward redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1.
  • Welcome gift voucher of ₹1,000 effectively covers the joining fee for two years.

Cons

  • No complimentary airport lounge access in this variant.
  • Rewards are most valuable only when redeemed within the Tata ecosystem.
  • Base reward rate of 1% is modest for non-partner retail spends.

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

Tata Star SBI Card 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 Tata Star SBI Card if

High value back at Star Bazaar makes it one of the best entry-level cards for monthly grocery runs.

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: Tata Star SBI Card or Apollo SBI Card?
Tata Star SBI Card 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 Tata Star SBI Card and Apollo SBI Card?
Tata Star SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while Apollo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. Tata Star SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. Apollo SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Tata Star SBI Card or Apollo SBI Card?
Tata Star SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Grocery 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 Tata Star SBI Card and Apollo SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Tata Star SBI Card and Apollo SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Tata Star SBI Card or Apollo SBI Card?
For beginners, Tata Star 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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