SBI Card PRIME vs SBI Card ELITE
SBI Card PRIME has the lower annual fee (₹2,999 against ₹4,999). SBI Card PRIME waives its fee on ₹3,00,000 of spend a year; SBI Card ELITE waives its fee on ₹10,00,000 of spend a year. For spends abroad, SBI Card ELITE charges the lower forex markup (1.99% plus GST). After fees, SBI Card PRIME comes out ahead for the everyday spender and online shopper, with the others a tie. The Saifu app works it out on your own spends, on your phone.
| Feature | SBI Card PRIMESBI Card3 wins · ahead | SBI Card ELITESBI Card2 wins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Lower₹2,999 | ₹4,999 |
| Joining fee | Lower₹2,999 | ₹4,999 |
| Fee waiver | LowerWaived on ₹3,00,000 spend a year | Waived on ₹10,00,000 spend a year |
| Rewards | 10 Reward Points per Rs. 100 on dining, groceries, department stores and movies | Up to 50,000 bonus Reward Points a year, welcome e-voucher Rs. 5,000 |
| Airport lounges | 8 a year domestic, 4 a year international | More2 a quarter domestic, 6 a year international |
| Forex markup | 3.5% plus GST | Lower1.99% plus GST |
| Points | Reward Points, about ₹0.25 a point | Reward Points, about ₹0.25 a point |
| Published minimum income and age | Not published | Not published |
| Network | Mastercard | Mastercard |
| Apply | Bank page | Bank page |
Badges mark the lower fee, waiver spend or markup, and more lounge visits. Rewards are not scored here because they depend on where you spend. Affiliate link, costs you nothing extra, we may earn a commission, never changes how cards are ranked. Figures come from each bank's page and can change; check before you apply.
What each card earns in a year
| Sample spender | SBI Card PRIME | SBI Card ELITE |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday spender₹30,000 a month | More₹4,140 a year₹4,140 rewards, no fee to pay | -₹859 a year₹4,140 rewards, less ₹4,999 fee |
| Online shopper₹50,000 a month | More₹5,160 a year₹5,160 rewards, no fee to pay | -₹319 a year₹4,680 rewards, less ₹4,999 fee |
| Frequent traveller₹1,00,000 a month | ₹9,540 a year₹9,540 rewards, no fee to pay | ₹9,540 a year₹9,540 rewards, no fee to pay |
The sample spends and how this is worked out
- Everyday spender, ₹30,000 a month: DMart ₹6,000, BigBasket ₹2,000, Swiggy ₹2,000, Zomato ₹1,500, Amazon ₹3,000, Flipkart ₹1,500, Bills paid on Google Pay ₹2,500, Airtel ₹1,000, Indian Oil ₹3,000, Restaurant (in person) ₹2,500, Uber ₹1,000, Other spends in shops ₹4,000.
- Online shopper, ₹50,000 a month: Amazon ₹10,000, Flipkart ₹8,000, Myntra ₹3,000, Swiggy ₹4,000, Zomato ₹3,000, Blinkit ₹4,000, BookMyShow ₹1,500, Uber ₹2,000, Bills paid on Google Pay ₹3,000, Jio ₹1,000, Netflix ₹500, Restaurant (in person) ₹3,000, Other spends in shops ₹7,000.
- Frequent traveller, ₹1,00,000 a month: MakeMyTrip ₹10,000, Cleartrip ₹5,000, IRCTC ₹2,000, IndiGo ₹10,000, Marriott Bonvoy hotels ₹8,000, Spends abroad ₹15,000, Uber ₹4,000, Restaurant (in person) ₹8,000, Amazon ₹10,000, Swiggy ₹5,000, DMart ₹8,000, Bills paid on Google Pay ₹4,000, Indian Oil ₹5,000, Other spends in shops ₹6,000.
Worked out with the same reward rules and caps the Saifu app uses. Points are counted at the cash value in the table above. The annual fee counts as waived when the spend reaches the waiver. Joining fees, welcome gifts and milestone vouchers are not counted. Your own spends will give different figures.
Common questions
Which is better, SBI Card PRIME or SBI Card ELITE?
After fees, SBI Card PRIME comes out ahead for the everyday spender and online shopper, with the others a tie. It depends on where you spend: compare the figures for the sample spender closest to you, or add your own spends in the Saifu app.
Which has the lower annual fee?
SBI Card PRIME (₹2,999 against ₹4,999). SBI Card PRIME waives it on ₹3,00,000 of spend a year. SBI Card ELITE waives it on ₹10,00,000 of spend a year.
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