SBI Card Pulse Vs HDFC Millennia Credit Card
Last Updated : April 9, 2025, 2:51 p.m.
In today’s digital-first economy, choosing the right credit card can significantly impact your financial wellness and lifestyle benefits. The SBI Card Pulse and HDFC Millennia Credit Card represent two popular options that cater to the modern Indian consumer with distinct value propositions. While SBI Card Pulse positions itself as the companion for health and wellness enthusiasts with its fitness-focused rewards and benefits, HDFC Millennia targets the digitally-savvy millennial with impressive cashback offers on popular online platforms. This comprehensive comparison explores the nuanced differences between these two cards - From reward structures and annual fees to milestone benefits and lifestyle perks—helping you determine which card aligns better with your spending habits and personal priorities. After you opt for a card, verify your credit score to know your position before applying for the card. If your credit score is low, you need to take steps to improve it, since a credit card application with a low credit score is likely to be rejected. Also, each credit card issuer may have a slightly different minimum credit score criterion. Check CIBIL score online for free on Wishfin. Wishfin is the first official fintech partner of TransUnion, which enables the organization to provide users with official CIBIL scores and reports, which are accurate.
Comparing the Features of SBI Card Pulse and HDFC Millennia Credit Card
| Parameter | SBI Card Pulse | HDFC Millennia Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
Annual Fee | Rs. 1,499 + Taxes | Rs. 1,000 + Taxes |
Renewal Fee | Rs. 1,499 + Taxes | Rs. 1,000 + Taxes |
Fee waiver condition | Spend Rs. 2 lakhs or more in the previous year | Spend Rs. 1 lakh or more in a year before renewal date |
Welcome Benefits | Noise ColorFit Pulse 4 Pro Smartwatch worth Rs. 7,999 on payment of joining fee | Reward points equivalent to membership fee |
Reward Rate - Accelerated | 10 reward points per Rs. 100 spent on chemist, pharmacy, sports, dining, and movies (5X rewards) | 5% cashback on Amazon, BookMyShow, Cult.fit, Flipkart, Myntra, Flipkart, Swiggy, Tata CLiQ, Sony LIV, Zomato, and Uber. |
Reward Rate - Regular | 2 reward points per Rs. 100 spent on all other spends | 1% cashback on all other spends |
Reward Point Value | 4 reward points = Re. 1 (0.25%) | 1 CashPoint = Re. 1 for statement balance redemption |
Health Benefits | 1-year complimentary FITPASS PRO and Netmeds First memberships (renewed annually) | None specifically for health |
Milestone Benefits | Rs. 1,500 e-voucher on spending Rs. 4 lakhs in a year | Rs. 1,000 worth gift vouchers on spending Rs. 1 lakh in a calendar quarter. |
Lounge Access | 8 domestic lounge visits per year (max 2 per quarter). Complimentary priority pass membership valued at US $99 for the first 2 years. | Lounge access can be availed upon achieving quarterly milestone spends (Opt between lounge access or a voucher worth Rs. 1000) |
Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% on transactions between Rs. 500 - Rs. 4,000 (Max Rs. 250 per statement cycle) | 1% on transactions between Rs. 400 - Rs. 5,000 (Max Rs. 250 per statement cycle) |
Insurance Benefits | Air accident cover of Rs. 50 lakh Fraud liability cover of Rs. 1 lakh | Zero lost card liability |
Credit period | Can range from 20 to 50 days, subject to the submission of claims by the merchant. | Interest free period of up to 50 days. |
Contactless Payment | Available | Available |
Target Audience | Health and wellness enthusiasts | Digital-savvy millennials |
Key Differences
Reward Structure
SBI Card Pulse offers 5X rewards (10 points per Rs. 100) specifically on health, dining, and entertainment categories, while HDFC Millennia provides a flat 5% cashback on popular online platforms like Amazon, Swiggy, and Zomato. The redemption value differs significantly - SBI's rewards translate to approximately 1.25% value back on accelerated categories, while HDFC offers a straightforward 5% on selected merchants.
Welcome Benefits
SBI Card Pulse offers a tangible welcome gift - a Noise ColorFit Pulse 4 Pro Smartwatch worth Rs. 7,999 upon paying the joining fee. In contrast, HDFC Millennia gives reward points equivalent to the membership fee, which has less monetary value.
Fee Structure
HDFC Millennia has a lower annual fee (Rs. 1,000 + taxes) compared to SBI Card Pulse (Rs. 1,499 + taxes). The fee waiver threshold is also lower for HDFC at Rs. 1 lakh annual spend versus Rs. 2 lakhs for SBI Card Pulse.
Lifestyle Benefits
SBI Card Pulse stands out with its health-focused benefits, offering complimentary 1-year memberships to FITPASS PRO and Netmeds First, renewable annually with card renewal. HDFC Millennia, on the other hand, focuses more on dining benefits with up to 20% savings at restaurants via Swiggy Dineout.
Lounge Access
Both cards offer domestic lounge access, but with different structures. SBI Card Pulse provides 8 domestic lounge visits annually (limited to 2 per quarter), while HDFC Millennia has integrated lounge access into its quarterly milestone program, where users must choose between lounge access or a Rs. 1,000 voucher.
Who Should Choose Which Card?
SBI Card Pulse is ideal for:
- Health and wellness enthusiasts who can maximize value from FITPASS PRO and Netmeds First memberships
- Those who spend considerably on pharmacy, sports, dining, and movies
- Travelers who would benefit from regular domestic lounge access
- Individuals who can comfortably spend Rs. 2 lakhs annually to waive the renewal fee
HDFC Millennia Credit Card is suitable for:
- Digital-savvy consumers who shop frequently on major e-commerce platforms
- Those who use food delivery and ride-hailing services often
- People looking for a lower annual fee and easier fee waiver threshold
- Users who prefer straightforward cashback over point-based rewards
Conclusion
Both cards offer compelling benefits targeted at different lifestyle preferences. SBI Card Pulse delivers greater value in health and wellness categories with specific benefits for pharmacy and sports spending, along with complimentary fitness subscriptions. HDFC Millennia shines with its straightforward digital-first approach, offering higher cashback on popular online platforms and a lower fee structure. Your choice should ultimately depend on your spending patterns and lifestyle preferences. Analyze your monthly expenses to determine which card's reward structure would yield the highest returns for your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
