Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
ICICI Sapphiro vs SBI ELITE
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Premium
ICICI Bank
ICICI Sapphiro
VISA
Wins 2 of 10
IN
Premium
SBI Card
SBI ELITE
Wins 7 of 10
Verdict
SBI ELITE wins 7-2. Mid-premium SBI card with strong club benefits. ICICI Sapphiro is still the right call if mid-premium with strong dining + travel mix..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | ICICI Sapphiro | SBI ELITE |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹3,500 | · ₹4,999 |
| Joining fee | · ₹6,500 | ₹4,999 |
| Top reward rate | · 1% (general) | 2% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 2% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = 10,000 reward points worth ₹2,500 | = 5,000 bonus reward points + ₹5,000 e-gift voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹600,000 / yr | · ₹1,000,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,000,000 | ₹600,000 |
| Min credit score | · 780 | 770 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
ICICI Sapphiro
- 4 PAYBACK points per ₹100
- 2 complimentary international + 4 domestic lounge visits/year
- 15% off at 800+ restaurants (Culinary Treats)
- 25% off BookMyShow tickets
- Comprehensive travel insurance
SBI ELITE
- 2 reward points per ₹100
- Free movie tickets (BookMyShow) up to ₹6K/year
- 6 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
- Club Vistara Silver + Trident Privilege Red
- Milestone benefits at ₹3L, ₹4L, ₹5L
FAQ
›ICICI Sapphiro vs SBI ELITE: which is better?
SBI ELITE wins on more dimensions (7 vs 2). 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 Sapphiro for its best categories, SBI ELITE for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
ICICI Sapphiro: 10,000 reward points worth ₹2,500. SBI ELITE: 5,000 bonus reward points + ₹5,000 e-gift voucher.