HDFC Marriott Bonvoy vs SBI Pulse
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
SBI Pulse wins 5-4. Health/fitness focused — smartwatch + wellness benefits. HDFC Marriott Bonvoy is still the right call if marriott loyalists — every ₹150 = 8 bonvoy points on marriott + 2 elsewhere..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | HDFC Marriott Bonvoy | SBI Pulse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹3,000 | ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | · ₹3,000 | ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | 8% (travel) | · 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | 2% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status | = Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹800,000 / yr | ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,500,000 | ₹360,000 |
| Min credit score | · 770 | 740 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 3.9/5 |
Benefits compared
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
- 8 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on Marriott
- 4 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on travel + dining
- 2 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on everything else
- 1 free night annually at Marriott (up to 15K Bonvoy point value)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status (15 elite night credits)
- 8 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
SBI Pulse
- Free Noise ColorFit Pulse 2 smartwatch
- 4 reward points per ₹100 on chemists, dining, movies
- 4 domestic lounge visits/year
- 1-year FITPASS PRO membership
- Cult.fit + 1mg discount partnerships
FAQ
›HDFC Marriott Bonvoy vs SBI Pulse: which is better?
SBI Pulse wins on more dimensions (5 vs 4). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use HDFC Marriott Bonvoy for its best categories, SBI Pulse for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. SBI Pulse: Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points.