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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Tata Star SBI Card vs HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

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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HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

9.5/10
Annual Fee₹12,500
Base Rewards1.0989%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureTata Star SBI CardHDFC Bank - Infinia Metal
Annual Fee₹499₹12,500
Joining Fee₹499₹12,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%1.0989%
Reward CurrencyReward PointReward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.8/109.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Tata Star SBI Card

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

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

  • 10.99% on SmartBuy Flights & Hotels — 15000 pts/month
  • 5.48% on SmartBuy Other Categories — 15000 pts/month

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.

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

Pros

  • Industry-leading 3.33% base reward rate with 1:1 redemption on travel.
  • Accelerated rewards up to 33% via HDFC SmartBuy platform.
  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both primary and add-on members.
  • Low 2% foreign currency markup fee, ideal for international spenders.

Cons

  • Strictly invite-only, making it inaccessible to most applicants.
  • High annual fee of ₹12,500 + GST, though offset by renewal points.
  • Recent caps on reward redemptions for Apple products and Tanishq vouchers.

Our Verdict

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Tata Star 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 HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal if

Exclusive lifestyle benefits, unlimited golf, and concierge services tailored for HNIs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Tata Star SBI Card or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Tata Star 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 HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
Tata Star SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal has an annual fee of ₹12,500. Tata Star SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Tata Star SBI Card or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
Tata Star SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Grocery and Dining. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers 1.0989% base rewards with bonuses on SmartBuy Flights & Hotels and SmartBuy Other Categories. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Tata Star SBI Card and HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Tata Star SBI Card and HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Tata Star SBI Card or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
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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