Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
Kotak White Reserve vs SBI Pulse
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Premium
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Kotak White Reserve
VISA
Wins 4 of 10
IN
SBI Card
SBI Pulse
Wins 5 of 10
Verdict
SBI Pulse wins 5-4. Health/fitness focused — smartwatch + wellness benefits. Kotak White Reserve is still the right call if premium dining + travel without breaking the ₹3k-fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Kotak White Reserve | SBI Pulse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹3,000 | ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | · ₹3,000 | ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | 4% (dining) | · 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite | = Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹600,000 / yr | ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,800,000 | ₹360,000 |
| Min credit score | · 780 | 740 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 3.9/5 |
Benefits compared
Kotak White Reserve
- 4 reward points/₹100 on dining + travel
- 6 international Priority Pass visits/year
- 24 domestic lounge visits/year (DragonPass)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite included
- 1.99% forex markup
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
›Kotak White Reserve 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 Kotak White Reserve 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?
Kotak White Reserve: 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite. SBI Pulse: Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points.