BPCL SBI Vs IndianOil HDFC Bank Credit Card

Today, almost every household owns a vehicle, whether it’s a car, a bike, or a scooter. Humans are heavily dependent on petrol primarily because it powers the majority of our transportation needs. To pay for fuel transactions with some benefits, banks have started collaborating with petroleum refinery companies and have begun launching credit cards.

Fuel credit cards are gaining massive popularity because of all the benefits and discounts they offer to their cardholders. The BPCL SBI Credit Card and the IndianOil HDFC Bank Credit Card are two examples of the collaboration between banks and petroleum refinery companies. Both cards offer benefits on fuel purchases, but they differ in how their rewards work, where you can use them, and the extra benefits they provide. Understanding these differences can help you choose the card that suits your fuel spending and daily needs better.

On the Basis of Fee and Welcome Benefits

When it comes to fees, both cards are quite similar. The BPCL SBI Credit Card has a joining and annual fee of around ₹499 + GST, while the IndianOil HDFC Bank Credit Card charges ₹500 + GST for both joining and renewal. So, there is hardly any difference in cost between the two cards. However, the BPCL SBI card has an added advantage because its annual fee can be waived if you spend 1 Lakh in an anniversary year.

In terms of welcome benefits, the BPCL SBI Credit Card clearly offers more value upfront. It gives 2,000 reward points worth about ₹500. On the other hand, the IndianOil HDFC Bank Credit Card offers a ₹250 worth of voucher upon card activation and completion of at least one transaction within 37 days from the card issuance date.

If you are looking for welcome benefits, the BPCL SBI card is more rewarding compared to the IndianOil HDFC Bank Credit Card.

On the Basis of Reward Structure

When comparing the BPCL SBI Credit Card and the IndianOil HDFC Credit Card, the key difference is in how you earn rewards.

The BPCL SBI card is straightforward and offers stronger rewards for fuel if you fill up at BPCL stations. You earn around 13X Reward Points on every ₹100 spent on fuel, but this has a monthly limit of a maximum of 1,300 Reward Points. It also provides rewards for groceries, dining, and movie tickets at about 5X points on every₹ 100 spent. For all other purchases, you earn just 1 point for every ₹100 spent.

In contrast, with the IndianOil HDFC card, you can earn reward points as “Fuel Points.” This card offers up to 5% back on fuel at IndianOil, as well as on groceries and utility bills. This makes it better for everyday spending. However, it offers 1 Fuel Point for every ₹150 on other spending.

On the Basis of Fuel  Surcharge Waiver

When comparing the fuel surcharge waiver of both cards, the IndianOil HDFC Bank Credit Card gives slightly better overall value. The BPCL SBI Credit Card offers a 1% surcharge waiver on fuel transactions up to ₹4,000, but the total benefit is limited to ₹100 per statement cycle, which is quite low if you spend more on fuel.

On the other hand, the IndianOil HDFC card also gives a 1% waiver (on transactions above ₹400), but the maximum benefit goes up to ₹250 per statement cycle, allowing you to save more if your monthly fuel expenses are higher.

Both cards give the same percentage benefit, but the IndianOil HDFC card lets you save more overall due to its higher monthly limit.

On the Basis of Added Benefits

When it comes to added benefits, neither card has a lot to offer. The BPCL SBI card lets you earn 5X Reward Points (5 Points per ₹ 100) on movie and dining spends, and with the IndianOil HDFC card, you also get a complimentary membership to the IndianOil XTRAREWARDS Program (IXRP), which enables you to redeem the fuel points at a rate of 1 FP = ₹0.96, which is a very good rate.

Quick Comparison

Bottom Line

Both cards are good if your main goal is to save on fuel, but the right one really depends on where you usually fill petrol. If you mostly go to BPCL pumps, then the SBI BPCL Credit Card makes more sense because you get the 1% fuel surcharge waiver there, along with reward points. On the other hand, if your regular pump is Indian Oil Corporation, then an Indian Oil co-branded card will be more useful for you.

The key thing to remember is that these benefits are tied to their own fuel stations. So, a BPCL card will give you the surcharge waiver and rewards only at BPCL pumps, and an Indian Oil card will do the same only at Indian Oil pumps. If you use them at other fuel stations, you may not get the waiver or the extra benefits. That’s why it’s better to choose the card based on the fuel station you visit most often.

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