With fuel prices constantly impacting monthly budgets, fuel credit cards have become a popular choice among people who frequently drive and want to save a little extra on every refill. These cards reward users when they spend on fuel through cashback, reward points, and fuel surcharge waivers, making them a reliable option for everyday use. To offer better value to customers, several banks have partnered with leading fuel companies to launch co-branded fuel credit cards packed with exclusive benefits.
Among the most popular options are the BPCL SBI Credit Card and the IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card. While the BPCL SBI Credit Card offers attractive savings and rewards on fuel purchases made at BPCL outlets, the IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card rewards customers who regularly refuel at IndianOil stations.
Both cards come with their own set of features and benefits, which can make choosing between them a bit confusing.
In Terms of Fees and Welcome Benefits
When it comes to fees, both cards are quite similar. The BPCL SBI Credit Card charges a joining fee and annual fee of ₹499 + GST, while the IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card comes with a joining and annual fee of ₹500 + GST.
However, both cards compensate for the fee through their welcome benefits. With the BPCL SBI Credit Card, cardholders receive 2,000 reward points worth ₹500 as a welcome gift, effectively covering the joining fee. Similarly, the IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card offers 1,000 Fuel Points as a welcome benefit, which can be redeemed for fuel at IndianOil outlets and are also worth ₹500. Since the fees and welcome benefits are almost identical in value, neither card has a significant advantage in this category, making it a tie between the two.
| Features | BPCL SBI Credit Card | IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card |
| Joining/Annual Fee | ₹499 + GST | ₹500 + GST |
| Welcome Benefit | 2,000 Reward Points worth ₹500 | 1,000 Fuel Points worth ₹500 |
In Terms of Reward Rate
The reward rate is one of the most important factors when comparing these two fuel credit cards, and this is where the IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card takes the lead. The BPCL SBI Credit Card offers 13 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on fuel at BPCL outlets. Since each Reward Point is worth ₹0.25, cardholders effectively earn rewards worth ₹3.25 on every ₹100 spent on fuel, resulting in a reward rate of 3.25%. In addition, the card offers 5 Reward Points per ₹100 spent on groceries, dining, movies, and departmental stores, translating to a reward rate of 1.25% on these everyday categories. This makes the BPCL SBI Credit Card a suitable option for users who want to earn rewards not only on fuel but also on their daily expenses.
On the other hand, the IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card focuses more heavily on fuel savings. Cardholders earn 10 Fuel Points for every ₹100 spent at IndianOil outlets, and since each Fuel Point is worth ₹0.50, the effective reward value comes to ₹5 per ₹100 spent, resulting in a higher reward rate of 5% on fuel purchases. However, for all other eligible spends, the card offers only 1 Fuel Point per ₹100 spent, which translates to a reward rate of 0.5%. Therefore, while the IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card delivers better returns on fuel transactions, the BPCL SBI Credit Card provides more balanced rewards across multiple spending categories.
The IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card is a better choice for those who primarily want to maximize rewards on fuel purchases, while the BPCL SBI Credit Card is more rewarding for users who spend regularly on both fuel and everyday categories like groceries, dining, and entertainment.
| Reward Category | BPCL SBI Credit Card | IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card |
| Fuel Rewards | 13 Reward Points Per ₹100 Spent at BPCL Outlets | 10 Fuel Points Per ₹100 Spent at IndianOil Outlets |
| Reward Value | 1 Reward Point = ₹0.25 | 1 Fuel Point = ₹0.50 |
| Rewards on Everyday Spending | 5 Reward Points Per ₹100 Spent on Groceries, Dining, Movies, and Departmental Stores | 1 Fuel Point Per ₹100 Spent on Other Eligible Spends |
In Terms of Milestone Benefits
When it comes to milestone benefits, both fuel credit cards offer a way to waive the annual fee, but the spending requirement is quite different. The BPCL SBI Credit Card allows cardholders to get the renewal fee of ₹499 reversed if they spend ₹1 lakh or more in a card anniversary year. This makes the waiver relatively easier to achieve for regular users who frequently use the card for fuel and everyday expenses.
On the other hand, the IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card offers an annual fee waiver only if the cardholder spends ₹1,75,000 in a year, which is significantly higher. While this benefit can still be useful for heavy spenders, it may be harder for average users to reach this milestone. As a result, the BPCL SBI Credit Card has an advantage in this category, as it provides a more achievable spending target for a fee waiver compared to the IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card.
Overall Comparison
| Category | BPCL SBI Credit Card | IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card |
| Joining/Annual Fee | ₹499 + GST | ₹500 + GST |
| Welcome Benefit | 2,000 Reward Points worth ₹500 | 1,000 Fuel Points worth ₹500 |
| Fuel Reward Rate | 13 Reward Points Per ₹100 Spent at BPCL Outlets | 10 Fuel Points Per ₹100 Spent at IndianOil Outlets |
| Rewards on Everyday Spending | 5 Reward Points Per ₹100 on Groceries, Dining, Movies, and Departmental Stores | 1 Fuel Point Per ₹100 on Other Eligible Spends |
| Milestone Benefit | Annual Fee Reversed on Spending ₹1 Lakh in a Year | Annual Fee Waived on Spending ₹1.75 Lakh in a Year |
Bottom Line
After closely comparing both cards, the IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card is the better choice for people who focus on fuel spending. Its main advantage is a higher reward rate of 5% on fuel purchases, which leads to more savings every time you fill up at IndianOil stations. Since fuel costs are regular and unavoidable, this higher return can make a significant difference over time. This card keeps things simple and centers on fuel benefits, which works well for users who want straightforward savings without having to manage multiple categories.
The BPCL SBI Credit Card is more balanced, offering rewards on groceries and other everyday purchases, but it has a lower reward rate on fuel. Users need to spread their spending across categories to maximize benefits. In contrast, the IndianOil RBL Bank Credit Card is focused and provides better returns specifically for fuel purchases. This makes it the more practical and rewarding choice for those looking to save more on fuel.