SBI Cashback vs HDFC Infinia (Metal)
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
SBI Cashback wins 5-4. Pure online cashback — 5% on any online merchant, no partner restrictions. HDFC Infinia (Metal) is still the right call if top-tier travelers — invitation-only, the apex of hdfc reward redemption..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | SBI Cashback | HDFC Infinia (Metal) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹999 | · ₹12,500 |
| Joining fee | ₹999 | · ₹12,500 |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (shopping) | 33% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 3.3% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = Cashback offsets joining fee on first ₹999+ spend | = 12,500 reward points (offsets joining fee 1:1) |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · ₹1,000,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹360,000 | · ₹4,000,000 |
| Min credit score | 750 | · 800 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.6/5 | 4.9/5 |
Benefits compared
SBI Cashback
- 5% cashback on ALL online spends (not just listed merchants) — capped ₹5,000/month
- 1% cashback on offline spends
- Auto-credited within 2 days of statement
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
HDFC Infinia (Metal)
- Unlimited international + domestic lounge access (self + guest)
- 10x reward points on SmartBuy partners
- Free annual Club Marriott + Club Vistara Gold
- Concierge 24x7
- 2% forex markup
FAQ
›SBI Cashback vs HDFC Infinia (Metal): which is better?
SBI Cashback 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 SBI Cashback for online shopping, HDFC Infinia (Metal) for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
SBI Cashback: Cashback offsets joining fee on first ₹999+ spend. HDFC Infinia (Metal): 12,500 reward points (offsets joining fee 1:1).