SBI Cashback Card Vs Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Credit Card

Last Updated : March 29, 2025, 3:53 p.m.
In today’s digital age, credit cards have become an essential financial tool for many consumers. They offer convenience, rewards, and various benefits that can significantly enhance your shopping experience and financial management. Two popular credit cards in the Indian market are the SBI Cashback Credit Card and the Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Credit Card . This article aims to provide a detailed comparison of these two cards, helping you make an informed decision based on your spending habits and financial goals. After you make a decision on which card to apply for, check your free CIBIL score on the Wishfin website. You can also view your detailed CIBIL report. Your credit score and credit report are important eligibility criteria which lenders consider in the approval of your credit card application. The higher your credit score, the easier will be the approval of your application. A really low credit score will lead to the rejection of your credit card application. So, the CIBIL score must be checked before approval to know about your position. If your score does not meet the lender’s eligibility criteria, then you must take steps to improve your score before you apply.
Comparing the SBI Cashback Card vs TATA Neu Infinity HDFC Credit Card Based on their Core Features
Feature | SBI Cashback Credit Card | Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit Card |
---|---|---|
Issuing Bank | SBI Card | HDFC Bank |
Card Network | Visa / RuPay | Visa / RuPay |
Annual Fee | Rs. 999 + GST | Rs. 1,499 + GST |
Renewal Fee Waiver | On spending Rs. 2 lakhs or more in the previous year. | On spending Rs. 3 lakhs or more in the previous year. |
Welcome Benefit | None mentioned | 1,499 NeuCoins on completing the first transaction within 30 days of card issuance |
Cashback on Online Transactions | 5% cashback on online spends irrespective of the merchant platform. | 5% (as NeuCoins) on Tata Neu and partner Tata Brands |
Cashback on Offline Transactions | 1% cashback on offline spends | 1.5% (as NeuCoins) on Non-Tata Brand Spends |
Cashback on UPI Transactions | Not mentioned | Up to 1.5% (as NeuCoins), capped at 500 NeuCoins per month |
Reward Currency | Direct cashback | NeuCoins (1 NeuCoin = Re 1) |
Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% on all transactions between Rs. 500 to Rs. 3000 | 1% |
Domestic Lounge Access | Nil | 8 domestic per annum |
International Lounge Access | Nil | 4 international per annum |
Insurance Coverage | Not mentioned |
|
Foreign Currency Markup | 3.5% of the transaction amount | 2% of the transaction amount |
Add-on Cards | Available | Up to 3 free add-on cards |
Detailed Analysis of SBI Cashback Card and Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Credit Card
Annual Fee and Renewal Waiver
Both cards come with an annual fee, but the SBI Cashback Credit Card has a slightly lower fee at ₹999 + GST compared to the Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card’s Rs. 1,499 + GST. However, both cards offer a renewal fee waiver based on annual spend. The SBI card requires a lower spend of ₹2 lakh annually for the waiver, while the Tata Neu card requires Rs. 3 lakh.
Cashback and Rewards
The SBI Cashback Credit Card offers a straightforward cashback program:
- 5% cashback on all online transactions (with some exclusions)
- 1% cashback on all offline transactions
The Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card uses a points system called NeuCoins:
- 5% back as NeuCoins on Non-EMI Spends on Partner Tata Brands and Tata Neu
- 1.5% back as NeuCoins on any merchant EMI spends or non-Tata Brand Spends.
- Up to 1.5% back as NeuCoins on UPI spends (capped at 500 NeuCoins per month)
While the percentages might seem similar, the key difference is in the reward currency. SBI offers direct cashback, which is more flexible, while Tata Neu offers NeuCoins, which can be redeemed within the Tata ecosystem.
UPI Transactions
A unique feature of the Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card is the ability to earn rewards on UPI transactions. This is particularly valuable given the growing popularity of UPI payments in India. The SBI Cashback Credit Card doesn’t mention any rewards for UPI transactions.
Lounge Access
The SBI Cashback card does not offer lounge access. However, the Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card offers 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits and 4 complimentary international lounge visits per year through Priority Pass.
Insurance Coverage
The Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card offers comprehensive insurance coverage, including accidental air death cover, emergency overseas hospitalization, and lost card liability cover. The SBI Cashback Credit Card doesn’t mention any specific insurance benefits in the provided information.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card charges a 2% markup on foreign currency transactions. This information is not provided for the SBI Cashback Credit Card, making it difficult to compare this aspect.
Additional Benefits
SBI Cashback Credit Card
- The card offers a maximum cashback of Rs. 5,000 per monthly statement cycle.
- Cashback is not applicable on certain categories like fuel, wallet loads, insurance premiums, and others.
- The card provides contactless payment functionality for faster transactions.
Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Credit Card
- Welcome benefit of 1,499 NeuCoins on the first transaction within 30 days of card issuance.
- Additional 5% back as NeuCoins on selected categories on Tata Neu App/Website for NeuPass members.
- Up to 3 free add-on cards for family members.
- Zero lost card liability on immediate reporting.
Redemption and Usage of Rewards
SBI Cashback Credit Card
The cashback earned on this card is credited directly to the card account, making it simple and straightforward to use. There’s no need for point conversion or redemption process, which adds to the convenience factor.
Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Credit Card
NeuCoins earned can be redeemed for purchases on the Tata Neu App/Website for various Tata brands including:
- Air India Express
- Bigbasket
- Croma
- Westside
- Tata CLiQ
- Tata CLiQ luxury
- Purchases on IHCL or hotel bookings
- Tata 1MG
- Qmin
- Titan and Tanishq (Only via Tata Neu)
NeuCoins can be used by choosing Tata Pay/NeuCoins/Loyalty Redemption as the payment method. While this offers a wide range of redemption options within the Tata ecosystem, it may be less flexible compared to direct cashback for users who prefer to shop outside this network.
SBI Cashback Card vs Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Credit Card - Which Card to Choose?
Both the SBI Cashback Credit Card and the Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card offer attractive rewards and benefits, but they cater to different types of users:
- SBI Cashback Credit Card is ideal for:
- Users who prefer direct cashback over points
- Those who shop frequently online across various platforms
- People looking for a lower annual fee and easier fee waiver condition
- Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card is better suited for:
- Frequent shoppers of Tata brands and services
- Users who value additional perks like international lounge access and comprehensive insurance coverage
- Those who frequently use UPI for transactions
- Individuals who can meet the higher annual spend requirement for fee waiver
When choosing between these cards, consider your spending habits, preferred shopping platforms, and the value you place on additional benefits like lounge access and insurance coverage. If you frequently shop with Tata brands and can maximize the NeuCoins ecosystem, the Tata Neu Infinity Credit Card could offer significant value. On the other hand, if you prefer the simplicity of direct cashback and shop across various online platforms, the SBI Cashback Credit Card might be more suitable.
Remember to read the detailed terms and conditions of both cards before making your decision, as certain restrictions and caps on rewards may apply. Additionally, always consider your ability to pay the annual fee and meet the spend criteria for fee waivers when choosing a credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)