SBI Card Elite Vs SBI Prime Credit Card – Which One Should You Get?

When it comes to major credit card issuers in India, SBI Card is always among the top names. SBI Card offers a variety of premium and basic credit cards, complete with world-class privileges, allowing customers to access maximum benefits at minimal costs. People looking for a premium credit card from SBI typically consider two options: SBI Card Elite or SBI Card Prime. Both cards offer nearly identical benefits, which can be confusing when choosing between them. From reward programs and lifestyle privileges to travel benefits, these cards offer exclusive advantages across various categories. If you’re considering getting one of these cards, it’s important to compare their features carefully and choose the one that benefits you the most.

SBI Elite Credit Card

SBI Card Elite is the second most premium credit card offered by SBI Card. The card is available in three variants: AmEx, Visa, and MasterCard. It has a relatively high joining fee and welcomes customers with gift vouchers worth the same amount as the fee. Along with its attractive reward programs, the card offers several benefits, including movie benefits, dining discounts, travel perks, and more. You receive complimentary movie tickets, free access to luxury airport lounges, and additional privileges with this card.

Welcome Benefit: You get welcome gift vouchers worth ₹5,000 from any of these brands: Hush Puppies/Bata, Yatra, Pantaloons, Shoppers Stop, and Aditya Birla Fashion.

Reward Rate: You earn 10 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on groceries, departmental stores, and dining. You receive 2 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent elsewhere. These points can be redeemed for gifts at sbicard.com or for cashback, with 1 Reward Point equal to ₹0.25.

Milestone Benefits: Under the milestone benefits of the card, you can earn up to 15,000 bonus Reward Points every year. The milestone program is as follows:

• Get 10,000 bonus RPs on spending ₹3 lakh in a year.
• Get 10,000 bonus RPs on spending ₹4 lakhs in a year.
• Get 15,000 bonus RPs on spending ₹5 lakhs in a year.
• Get 15,000 bonus RPs on spending ₹8 lakhs or more in a year.

Complimentary Lounge Access: You are entitled to 8 free domestic lounge visits each year, with a limit of 2 visits per quarter. Additionally, you receive a complimentary Priority Pass membership that grants six free international lounge visits.

Movie and Dining Benefits: With the AmEx variant, you can save up to 25% on your dining bills at several participating restaurants across the country. You get 2 complimentary movie tickets every month on BookMyShow with the maximum discount price capped at ₹250 per ticket.

Golf: You get four complimentary rounds of Golf every month and one complimentary Golf lesson.

Spend-Based Fee Waiver: The annual fee is waived if you spend ₹10 lakhs or more in the previous anniversary year.

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SBI Prime Credit Card

SBI Prime Credit card is also among the most premium credit cards issued by SBI Card. Like the SBI Card Elite, it also comes in three variants: Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. It comes with a comparatively low joining fee and provides almost all the benefits that one expects from a credit card. From reward points to travel to dining, the card comes loaded with a number of exclusive privileges. To know more about the card’s benefits and fees & charges, refer to the following points:

Welcome Benefit: You receive a welcome gift voucher worth ₹3,000 from select partners, including Yatra/Hush Puppies/Bala/ Pantaloons.

Reward Rate: Earn 10 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on groceries, dining, departmental stores, and movies. Earn 2 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent elsewhere. Receive 20 Reward Points on your birthday for each ₹100 spent. Redeem your Reward Points for gift vouchers or statement cash, with 1 RP valued at ₹0.25.

Milestone Benefit: You get a Pizza Hut e-voucher worth ₹1,000 on spending ₹50,000 or more in a quarter. You get gift vouchers worth up to ₹7,000 from Pantaloons/Yatra on spending ₹5 lakhs in a year.

Dining Discounts: You get up to a 25% discount on dining with the Amex variant of the card.

Complimentary Lounge Access: You get eight complimentary domestic lounge accesses every year. You get four complimentary international lounge access every year with the Priority Pass membership.

Golf: You get complimentary access to golf games 4 times per month and one complimentary golf lesson.

Spend-Based Fee Waiver: The annual fee is waived if you spend ₹3 lakhs or more in the previous year.

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SBI Elite Vs Prime Credit Card

These two leading SBI Card options are popular choices among thousands of customers nationwide, and many individuals find it confusing to decide which one to pick. If you’re considering obtaining one of these cards, ensure you compare them based on the various factors listed in the table below.

Bottom Line

After comparing the two cards, you might have reached a decision about which card to choose. Neither of the two cards can be considered better than the other, as it completely depends on individual needs. However, both cards offer the same rewards program, but there are still differences between them. The SBI Elite Card has a higher joining fee but offers exciting movie benefits that the SBI Prime Card does not, despite its lower annual fee. On the other hand, the SBI Prime Card includes a complimentary air accident insurance coverage, which the SBI Elite Card does not. While many features of both cards are similar, small differences can also matter.

If you’re not very interested in movies, you can definitely choose the SBI Card Prime since it offers all other benefits at a lower annual fee. However, if you’re a movie enthusiast, you should opt for the Elite card, as it will provide more value than its annual fee. Additionally, it helps you save on international travel with complimentary lounge access and a low foreign currency markup fee. It’s highly recommended to analyze and note your spending habits first, then select a card that meets most of your needs.