SBI Card Pulse Vs BPCL SBI Card
Last Updated : April 8, 2025, 6:04 p.m.
In today's dynamic credit card market, choosing the right financial companion can significantly impact your lifestyle and spending habits. The SBI Card Pulse and BPCL SBI Card represent two distinct offerings from the SBI Card credit card portfolio, each tailored to specific consumer needs. While the SBI Card Pulse positions itself as a health and wellness-focused lifestyle card with benefits like a complimentary smart watch, FITPASS PRO membership, and enhanced rewards on pharmacy and sports purchases, the BPCL SBI Card caters primarily to frequent travelers and vehicle owners with its fuel-centric advantages. This comparison explores how these cards differ in their reward structures, annual fees, milestone benefits, and special perks, helping you determine which card aligns better with your spending patterns and lifestyle preferences. Once you decide which card to apply for, check your CIBIL score online on Wishfin, as it is an essential eligibility criterion that all credit card issuers will look into.
Comparing the Features of SBI Card Pulse and BPCL SBI Card
| Feature | SBI Card Pulse | BPCL SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
Annual Fee | Rs. 1,499 + taxes | Rs. 499 + taxes |
Renewal Fee | Rs. 1,499 + taxes | Rs. 499 + taxes |
Fee Waiver | Spend Rs. 2 lakhs annually | Spend Rs. 50,000 annually |
Welcome Benefits | Noise ColorFit Pulse 4 Pro Smart Watch of value Rs. 7,999 | 2,000 bonus reward points worth Rs. 500 |
Health Benefits | 1-year complimentary FITPASS PRO membership and 1-year Netmeds First membership (renewed annually) | None |
Reward Rate on Primary Category | 10 reward points per Rs. 100 on chemist, pharmacy, sports, dining, and movies | 13 reward points per Rs. 100 on BPCL fuel purchases (capped at 1,300 points monthly) |
Reward Rate on Other Categories | Enjoy 10 reward points per Rs. 100 spent on Chemist, Pharmacy, Sports, Dining and Movie spends. | 5 reward points per Rs. 100 on groceries, departmental stores, dining, and movies (Capped at 5,000 points monthly) |
Standard Reward Rate | 2 reward points per Rs. 100 on all other spends | 1 reward point per Rs. 100 on all other retail purchases |
Reward Point Value | 4 reward points = Re. 1 | 4 reward points = Re. 1 |
Milestone Benefits | Rs. 1,500 e-voucher on annual retail spends of Rs. 4 lakhs | None specifically mentioned |
Fuel Benefits | 1% fuel surcharge waiver (Rs. 500 - Rs. 4,000) | 1% fuel surcharge waiver at BPCL pumps (up to Rs. 100 per month) + 4.25% value-back on BPCL fuel purchases |
Lounge Access | 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (Restricted to 2 per quarter) | None |
Priority Pass | Complimentary membership worth US$99 for first two years | None |
Insurance Coverage | Air accident cover of Rs. 50 lakhs, fraud liability cover of Rs. 1 lakh | Up to Rs. 1,00,000 for financial loss due to frauds. |
Target Audience | Health and fitness enthusiasts | Frequent fuel purchasers |
Detailed Analysis SBI Card Pulse and BPCL SBI Card
Annual Fee and Fee Waiver
The BPCL SBI Card has a lower annual fee of Rs. 499 compared to the SBI Card Pulse's Rs. 1,499. However, the fee waiver threshold is also different. SBI Card Pulse requires an annual spend of Rs. 2 lakhs for a renewal fee waiver, while the BPCL SBI Card only requires Rs. 50,000.
Welcome Benefits
The SBI Card Pulse offers a more premium welcome gift - a Noise ColorFit Pulse 4 Pro Smart Watch worth Rs. 7,999. In comparison, the BPCL SBI Card offers 2,000 bonus reward points worth Rs. 500 upon activation.
Reward Structure
Both cards offer accelerated rewards in specific categories:
- SBI Card Pulse: Focuses on health and lifestyle with 10 reward points per Rs. 100 spent on chemist, pharmacy, sports, dining, and movies. It offers 2 reward points per Rs. 100 on all other spends.
- BPCL SBI Card: Emphasizes fuel savings with 13 reward points per Rs. 100 spent at BPCL fuel stations (Capped at 1,300 points per month). It also offers 5 reward points per Rs. 100 on groceries, departmental stores, dining, and movies (Capped at 5,000 points every month), and 1 reward point per Rs. 100 on other retail purchases.
Special Benefits
The SBI Card Pulse stands out with its health-focused benefits:
- Complimentary 1-year FITPASS PRO membership
- Complimentary 1-year Netmeds First membership
- Both memberships renewed annually with card renewal
The BPCL SBI Card excels with its fuel benefits:
- 4.25% value-back on BPCL fuel purchases (Including 3.25% via rewards and 1% via surcharge waiver)
- Annual savings equivalent to up to 70 liters of fuel
Travel Benefits
The SBI Card Pulse offers superior travel benefits:
- 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (maximum 2 per quarter)
- Free priority pass membership valued at US$99 for the first two years
The BPCL SBI Card doesn't highlight any specific lounge access or travel benefits.
Insurance Coverage
The SBI Card Pulse provides comprehensive insurance coverage:
- Air accident cover of Rs. 50 lakhs
- Fraud liability cover of Rs. 1 lakh
- Additional coverage for baggage loss, delay, and travel document loss.
Which Card Is Right For You?
Choose SBI Card Pulse if:
- You lead an active, health-conscious lifestyle
- You spend significantly on health, pharmacy, dining, and entertainment
- You value travel benefits like lounge access
- You can comfortably meet the higher annual spend threshold for fee waiver
Choose BPCL SBI Card if:
- You own a vehicle and spend considerably on fuel
- You prefer BPCL fuel stations
- You're looking for a card with a lower annual fee
- You want significant savings on your fuel expenses
- You have moderate spending patterns and prefer a lower fee waiver threshold.
Which Card to Choose?
Both the SBI Card Pulse and BPCL SBI Card offer distinct advantages catering to different lifestyle needs. The SBI Card Pulse is more premium with its focus on health, wellness, and travel benefits, while the BPCL SBI Card offers exceptional value for fuel purchases along with decent rewards on everyday spending categories.Your choice between these two cards should depend on your spending patterns, lifestyle preferences, and the benefits you value most. If you're a fitness enthusiast who travels frequently, the SBI Card Pulse might be more suitable. If fuel expenses constitute a significant portion of your monthly budget, especially at BPCL stations, the BPCL SBI Card would be the more economical choice. Remember to evaluate your own spending habits and priorities before making a decision, as the right credit card can significantly enhance your financial flexibility while providing valuable benefits aligned with your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
