SBI Cashback vs HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
SBI Cashback wins 6-3. Pure online cashback — 5% on any online merchant, no partner restrictions. HDFC Marriott Bonvoy is still the right call if marriott loyalists — every ₹150 = 8 bonvoy points on marriott + 2 elsewhere..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | SBI Cashback | HDFC Marriott Bonvoy |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹999 | · ₹3,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹999 | · ₹3,000 |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (shopping) | 8% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 2% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = Cashback offsets joining fee on first ₹999+ spend | = 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · ₹800,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹360,000 | · ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | 750 | · 770 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.5/5 |
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 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
FAQ
›SBI Cashback vs HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: which is better?
SBI Cashback wins on more dimensions (6 vs 3). 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 Marriott Bonvoy 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 Marriott Bonvoy: 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.