Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
SBI Cashback vs ICICI Sapphiro
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
SBI Card
SBI Cashback
VISA
Wins 7 of 10
IN
Premium
ICICI Bank
ICICI Sapphiro
VISA
Wins 0 of 10
Verdict
SBI Cashback wins 7-0. Pure online cashback — 5% on any online merchant, no partner restrictions. ICICI Sapphiro is still the right call if mid-premium with strong dining + travel mix..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | SBI Cashback | ICICI Sapphiro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹999 | · ₹3,500 |
| Joining fee | ₹999 | · ₹6,500 |
| Top reward rate | 5% (shopping) | · 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = Cashback offsets joining fee on first ₹999+ spend | = 10,000 reward points worth ₹2,500 |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · ₹600,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹360,000 | · ₹1,000,000 |
| Min credit score | 750 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.3/5 |
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
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
FAQ
›SBI Cashback vs ICICI Sapphiro: which is better?
SBI Cashback wins on more dimensions (7 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 SBI Cashback for online shopping, ICICI Sapphiro 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. ICICI Sapphiro: 10,000 reward points worth ₹2,500.