SBI Card ELITE vs SBI Card PRIME
Last verified 18 Oct 2026 · how we compare
Side by side
| Feature | SBI Card ELITE | SBI Card PRIME |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | SBI Card | SBI Card |
| Joining fee | ₹4,999 | ₹2,999 |
| Annual fee | ₹4,999 | ₹2,999 |
| Fee waiver | Renewal fee waived if annual spends in the previous year are ₹10,00,000 or more | Renewal fee waived if annual spends in the previous year are ₹3,00,000 or more |
| Everyday spends (value back) | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Online shopping (value back) | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Fuel (value back) | 0% | 0% |
| Groceries (value back) | 2.5% | 2.5% |
| Travel (value back) | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Bills and utilities (value back) | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Dining and food delivery (value back) | 2.5% | 2.5% |
| Rewards in short | Premium lifestyle card: 10 points per ₹100 on dining, grocery and departmental stores (about 2.5% back), free movie tickets worth up to ₹6,000 a year, 1.99% forex markup and lounge access. | Premium rewards card: 10 points per ₹100 on dining, movies, grocery and departmental stores (about 2.5% back), 2 points per ₹100 elsewhere, plus lounge visits and milestone vouchers. |
| Works on UPI | No | No |
| Airport lounge | 8 domestic visits a year (2 a quarter) and 6 international visits a year outside India via Priority Pass (max 2 a quarter; membership valid 2 years); no spend condition is published. | 8 domestic visits a year (2 a quarter) and 4 international visits a year outside India via Priority Pass (max 2 a quarter); no spend condition is published. |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | 3.5% |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% waiver on fuel transactions of ₹500 to ₹4,000; max ₹250 per statement cycle | 1% waiver on fuel transactions of ₹500 to ₹4,000; max ₹250 per statement cycle |
| Card network | Visa, Mastercard, American Express | Visa, Mastercard, American Express |
| Minimum income (salaried) | Not published by the bank | Not published by the bank |
Value back is the % of spend you get at the bank's published redemption value. “–” means the bank doesn't publish it. Fees exclude GST.
Which one to pick
Pick the SBI Card ELITE if
you spend abroad often or spend ₹8 lakh or more a year
₹4,999 joining, ₹4,999 a year
Pick the SBI Card PRIME if
you want 2.5% on dining, groceries and movies for a lower fee
₹2,999 joining, ₹2,999 a year
CreditParakh is not a bank or lender. Approval, limits and final terms are decided by the issuer.
Questions people ask
Which is better for movies?
ELITE, if you book often: it gives up to ₹500 off a month on BookMyShow (two tickets at most), up to ₹6,000 a year, on the primary card. PRIME has no such offer, but it earns 2.5% on movie spends, which ELITE doesn't count in its 2.5% categories.
How much can each earn at 2.5% in a month?
PRIME's 2.5% points stop at 7,500 a month (₹1,875, reached at ₹75,000 of spend in those categories). ELITE's stop at 10,000 (₹2,500, at ₹1 lakh). Above that, both earn 2 points per ₹100 (0.5%).
Do they earn on fuel?
No. Neither earns points on fuel. Both waive the 1% fuel surcharge on ₹500 to ₹4,000 transactions, up to ₹250 a statement cycle.
Full details: SBI Card ELITE · SBI Card PRIME · find the card that fits your spending
Last verified 18 Oct 2026 on each issuer's official page. Fees and rewards change; check the issuer's terms before you apply.