Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
ICICI Coral vs SBI Pulse
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
ICICI Bank
ICICI Coral
VISA
Wins 6 of 10
IN
SBI Card
SBI Pulse
Wins 0 of 10
Verdict
ICICI Coral wins 6-0. Entry-tier card — easy approval, decent base earning, low fee. SBI Pulse is still the right call if health/fitness focused — smartwatch + wellness benefits..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | ICICI Coral | SBI Pulse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹500 | · ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | ₹500 | · ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | = 1% (general) | = 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 2,000 PAYBACK points on first 60-day spend | = Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹150,000 / yr | · ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹240,000 | · ₹360,000 |
| Min credit score | 700 | · 740 |
| Editorial rating | 4.2/5 | · 3.9/5 |
Benefits compared
ICICI Coral
- 2 PAYBACK points per ₹100
- 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year
- 15% off at 2,500+ partner restaurants (Culinary Treats)
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Free movie tickets via BookMyShow (buy-1-get-1)
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
›ICICI Coral vs SBI Pulse: which is better?
ICICI Coral wins on more dimensions (6 vs 0). 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 ICICI Coral 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?
ICICI Coral: 2,000 PAYBACK points on first 60-day spend. SBI Pulse: Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points.