SBI Card Pulse Vs SBI Cashback Credit Card

SBI Card Pulse Vs SBI Cashback Credit Card

Last Updated : April 8, 2025, 6:14 p.m.

Choosing the right credit card in today's financial landscape can be overwhelming with numerous options available. The SBI Card Pulse and SBI Cashback Credit Card represent two distinct offerings from SBI Cards, each designed to cater to different lifestyle needs and spending habits. While the SBI Card Pulse focuses on health and wellness with its fitness-oriented benefits including a complimentary ColorFit Pulse 4 Pro smartwatch worth Rs. 7,999 and annual FITPASS PRO memberships, the SBI Cashback Credit Card delivers straightforward value with an impressive 5% cashback on all online purchases without merchant restrictions and 1% on offline spends. With different annual fees of Rs. 1,499 for the Pulse and Rs. 999 for the Cashback variant, these cards offer distinct pathways to maximize returns based on whether you prioritize fitness benefits or direct cashback rewards on your everyday transactions. After you decide which card to apply for, check your CIBIL score for free on Wishfin, since the credit score is a very important eligibility criterion which card issuers will look into.

Comparing the features of SBI Card PULSE and SBI Cashback Credit Card

FeatureSBI Card PULSESBI Cashback Credit Card

Annual Fee

Rs. 1,499 + taxes

Rs. 999 + taxes

Renewal Fee

Rs. 1,499 + taxes

Rs. 999 + taxes

Fee Waiver Condition

Annual spend of Rs. 2 lakh

Annual spend of Rs. 2 lakh

Target Audience

Health and fitness enthusiasts

Online shoppers

Welcome Benefits

  • Noise ColorFit Pulse 4 Pro Smart Watch of value Rs. 7,999
  • 1-year FITPASS PRO membership
  • 1-year Netmeds First membership

None

Reward Structure

  • 10 reward points per Rs. 100 on chemist, pharmacy, sports, dining and movies.
  • 2 reward points per Rs. 100 on all other spends

(4 reward points = Re. 1)

  • Cashback of 5% on all online spends (without restrictions on partner merchants).
  • 1% cashback on all offline spends

Cashback Exclusions

N/A

Exclusions include.

  • Fuel
  • Wallet
  • Rental
  • Jewelry
  • School and educational services
  • Utility
  • Insurance
  • Railways
  • Merchant EMI
  • Flexipay EMI transactions
  • Quasi-cash transactions.

Milestone Benefits

Rs. 1,500 voucher on annual retail spends of Rs. 4 lakh

Renewal fee reversal as mentioned above.

Lounge Access

  • Domestic lounge access for every year: 8 (With 2 per quarter)
  • Complimentary priority pass membership worth US $99 for first two years (no complimentary visits)

No complimentary lounge access

Insurance benefits

  • Air Accident Cover of Rs. 50 lakh
  • Fraud Liability Cover of Rs. 1 lakh
  • Loss of checked baggage up to Rs. 72,000
  • Delay of checked baggage up to Rs. 7,500
  • Loss of travel documents up to Rs. 12,500
  • Flight delay cover up to Rs. 7,500

Not applicable

Fuel benefits

  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver for transactions between Rs. 500-Rs. 4,000.
  • Maximum waiver of Rs. 250 per statement cycle
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver for transactions between Rs. 500 to Rs. 3,000.
  • Maximum waiver of Rs. 100 per statement cycle

Add-on Cards

Available for family members above 18 years

Available for family members above 18 years

Other Benefits

  • Easy Bill Pay facility
  • Flexipay (EMI conversion)
  • Balance Transfer on EMI
  • Worldwide acceptance
  • Easy Bill Pay facility
  • Flexipay (EMI conversion)
  • Balance Transfer on EMI
  • Worldwide acceptance

Which Card Should You Choose?

Choose SBI Card PULSE if:

  • You lead an active lifestyle and value health and fitness benefits
  • You frequently spend on pharmacy, dining, and entertainment
  • You travel frequently and would benefit from travel insurance and lounge access.
  • You appreciate comprehensive insurance coverage
  • You value welcome gifts like a smartwatch and fitness memberships

Choose SBI Cashback Credit Card if:

  • You shop online frequently across various merchants
  • You prefer direct cashback rather than reward points
  • You want straightforward rewards without category restrictions for online shopping
  • You're looking for a card with a slightly lower annual fee
  • You prioritize maximum returns on everyday online purchases.

Conclusion

Both cards offer excellent benefits but are designed for different types of spenders. The SBI Card PULSE is ideal for health-conscious individuals who spend significantly on dining, entertainment, and fitness-related purchases. On the other hand, the SBI Cashback Credit Card is perfect for frequent online shoppers looking for straightforward cashback benefits without merchant restrictions. Consider your spending habits, lifestyle preferences, and which benefits would be most valuable to you when making your decision.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which card amongst the SBI Card Pulse and the SBI Cashback credit card have a lower annual fee?

What categories are excluded from cashback/rewards for the SBI Card Pulse and SBI Cashback credit card?

What are the fuel perks for the SBI Card Pulse and SBI Cashback Credit Card?

How can I redeem rewards/cashback from the SBI Card Pulse and SBI Cashback credit card?

What milestone benefits do the SBI Card Pulse and the SBI Cashback credit cards offer?

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