Apollo SBI Credit Card – Benefits, Fees & Eligibility

Introduction

The Apollo SBI Card SELECT is a specialized credit card born from a collaboration between SBI Card and Apollo Hospitals, offering extensive healthcare benefits. It is designed for individuals who frequently utilize Apollo's network for medical treatments, pharmacy purchases, and other healthcare services. The card provides a range of exclusive perks, including welcome benefits such as e-gift vouchers, complimentary health memberships, and accelerated reward points on healthcare spending. Beyond health-specific advantages, it also offers rewards on dining, movies, entertainment, and travel, alongside benefits like lounge access and fuel surcharge waivers. While the primary focus is on maximizing value at Apollo centers, the card is also equipped with features for everyday spending and financial management, such as Flexipay and Balance Transfer on EMI.

Welcome Benefits

• Get an Apollo 24|7 e-Gift Voucher worth Rs.1,500 on payment of the joining fee.
• Receive complimentary in-built Apollo Circle Benefits.
  • Apollo Circle Benefits include up to 25% Value Back on medicine purchases at Apollo 24|7 and Apollo Pharmacy.
• Enjoy a 1-year complimentary FITPASS PRO Membership when the joining fee is paid and at least one retail transaction is made.
• Get a complimentary Comprehensive Health Check-up Package upon spending Rs.50,000 within 90 days of joining.
• For the Apollo SBI Credit Card (as per Card Insider):
  • Receive 500 Reward Points (amounting to Rs. 500) on paying the joining fee. These points are credited 20 days after the fee payment.
  • Get complimentary Apollo Gold Tier Membership for the first year.
  • To continue Apollo Gold Tier Membership in the second year, a minimum spend of Rs. 75,000 at Apollo Centres in the previous year is required; otherwise, membership will be downgraded to Apollo Silver Tier.

Fees

• Joining Fee (one-time):
  • Rs. 1,499 + GST (for Apollo SBI Card SELECT, as per SBI Card official site).
  • Rs. 499 + GST (for Apollo SBI Credit Card, as per Card Insider).
• Renewal Fee (per annum):
  • Rs. 1,499 + GST, applicable from the second year onwards (for Apollo SBI Card SELECT, as per SBI Card official site).
  • Rs. 499 + GST (for Apollo SBI Credit Card, as per Card Insider).
• Spend-Based Waiver:
  • Renewal Fee will be waived if annual spends in the previous membership year are Rs. 3 Lakh or more (for Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Renewal fee can be waived off if the cardholder spends Rs. 1 Lakh or more using this credit card in an anniversary year (for Apollo SBI Credit Card).
• Add-on Fee (per annum): Nil (for Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
• Rewards Redemption Fee: Rs. 99 per redemption request (for Apollo SBI Credit Card, as per Card Insider).
• Foreign Currency Markup: 3.5% on all international transactions (for Apollo SBI Credit Card, as per Card Insider).
• Interest Rates: 3.5% per month (42% annually) (for Apollo SBI Credit Card, as per Card Insider).
• Fuel Surcharge: 1% at all fuel stations in India.
  • Surcharge amount is capped at Rs. 100 in a month.
• Cash Advance Charges: 2.5% of the amount or Rs. 500, whichever is higher (for Apollo SBI Credit Card, as per Card Insider).

Rewards

• Health Benefits

  • Enjoy 1-year complimentary FITPASS PRO Membership on paying the joining fee and making at least one retail transaction (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Get a complimentary Comprehensive Health Check-up Package on spending Rs.50,000 within 90 days of joining (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Receive a complimentary Comprehensive Health Check-up package annually on spending Rs.50,000 within 90 days of your card anniversary every year (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).

• Reward Points Earning

  • Earn 10 Reward Points per Rs.100 spent on Apollo 24|7 App and Stores (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Earn 3x Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spent on all Apollo services (Apollo SBI Credit Card).
  • Earn 2 Reward Points per Rs.100 spent on Dining, Movies & Entertainment, and Travel (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Earn 2x Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spent on Dining, Movies, and Entertainment (Apollo SBI Credit Card).
  • Earn 1 Reward Point for every Rs. 100 spent on Beauty and Wellness services (Apollo SBI Credit Card).
  • Earn 1 Reward Point per Rs.200 spent on other purchases (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Earn 1 Reward Point for every Rs. 200 spent on all other retail transactions except fuel (Apollo SBI Credit Card).

• Instant Discounts

  • Get up to 10% Instant Discount at Select Apollo Services (Apollo SBI Credit Card).

• Milestone Benefits

  • Get Annual Fee worth Rs.1,499 reversed on spending Rs.3 Lakh in the previous membership year (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Get a complimentary Noise Smartwatch worth Rs.7,999 on annual spends of Rs.6 Lakh (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Receive a complimentary Comprehensive Health Check-up package annually on spending ₹50,000 within 90 days of your card anniversary every year (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).

• Lounge Access

  • Enjoy 4 complimentary Domestic Lounge visits per year (maximum 1 per quarter) (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Get a 2-year complimentary Priority Pass Membership worth $99 (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Domestic Lounge Access: Not available (Apollo SBI Credit Card, as per Card Insider).
  • International Lounge Access: Not available (Apollo SBI Credit Card, as per Card Insider).

• Fuel Surcharge Waiver

  • Enjoy a 1% fuel surcharge waiver across all petrol pumps in India.
  • Maximum Surcharge Waiver of Rs.100 per month, per credit card account.
  • Eligible fuel transactions are between Rs. 500 and Rs. 4,000 (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Eligible fuel transactions are between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000 (Apollo SBI Credit Card). GST extra wherever applicable.

Rewards Redemption Guide

• 1 Reward Point = 1 Health Credit = Re. 1.
• Reward Points can be converted to Apollo Health Credits only.
• Customers must transfer Reward Points to Apollo Health Credits through the SBI Card Mobile App or Website only.
• Reward points can be instantly redeemed at POS (for Apollo SBI Credit Card).
• Reward points can be redeemed against Apollo Vouchers (for Apollo SBI Credit Card).
• Earned points can only be redeemed to avail services at Apollo Healthcare Centers and related stores; they cannot be redeemed on SBI Card’s Reward Catalogue (for Apollo SBI Credit Card).
• For information regarding capping, refer to the Terms and Conditions.

Card Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be Indian residents.
• Both salaried and self-employed individuals are eligible.
• Primary and add-on cardholders must be above 18 years of age.
• Applicants should have a stable source of income.
• Applicants must possess a good credit score.

Card Review

• Overall Verdict: The Apollo SBI Card is a distinct offering in the Indian market, particularly for those prioritizing healthcare benefits. It is highly suitable for individuals whose primary choice for health treatments, including hospital services and pharmacy purchases, is the Apollo network. While the card effectively caters to healthcare-related expenditures with attractive rewards and discounts, its value proposition is most significant for frequent Apollo users.
• Pros:
  • Offers exclusive healthcare benefits and instant discounts at select Apollo Services.
  • Provides additional discounts when paying with the card at Apollo Hospitals.
  • Earns accelerated reward points on healthcare expenditures.
  • Includes appealing welcome benefits, which can vary between card variants.
  • Offers reward points on general spending categories like dining, movies, and entertainment.
  • Comes with a fuel surcharge waiver.
  • Features an affordable joining and renewal fee, with options for fee waiver based on annual spending.
• Cons:
  • The specialized nature of the card means its target audience is somewhat limited, primarily benefiting those with regular medical needs fulfilled by Apollo Centres.
  • Lounge access and other premium travel benefits may vary significantly or be absent depending on the card variant (e.g., base vs. SELECT).

Important Product Details

• Welcome Benefits:
  • Apollo 24|7 e-Gift Voucher worth Rs.1,500 (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • 1-year complimentary FITPASS PRO Membership (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Complimentary Comprehensive Health Check-up Package on specific spends (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Complementary in-built Apollo Circle Benefits (up to 25% Value Back on medicine purchases at Apollo 24|7 and Apollo Pharmacy).
  • 500 Reward Points worth Rs. 500 (Apollo SBI Credit Card).
  • Complimentary Apollo Gold Tier Membership for the first year (Apollo SBI Credit Card).
• Reward Earning:
  • Highest reward rates on Apollo 24|7 App & Stores (10 RP per Rs.100 for SELECT) or all Apollo services (3x RP per Rs.100 for base card).
  • 2-3x Reward Points on Dining, Movies, Entertainment, and Travel.
  • 1 Reward Point per Rs.100 on Beauty and Wellness services (base card).
  • 1 Reward Point per Rs.200 on other purchases (both variants).
• Reward Redemption: 1 Reward Point = 1 Health Credit = Re. 1. Redeemable only for Apollo Health Credits, services, or vouchers.
• Milestone Benefits:
  • Annual Fee reversal on Rs. 3 Lakh annual spends (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Complimentary Noise Smartwatch worth Rs. 7,999 on Rs. 6 Lakh annual spends (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Annual complimentary Health Check-up package on Rs. 50,000 spend within 90 days of card anniversary (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • Renewal Fee waiver on Rs. 1 Lakh annual spends (Apollo SBI Credit Card).
• Lounge Access:
  • 4 complimentary Domestic Lounge visits per year (max 1/quarter) and 2-year complimentary Priority Pass Membership worth $99 (Apollo SBI Card SELECT).
  • No Domestic or International Lounge Access (Apollo SBI Credit Card).
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver, maximum Rs.100 per month. Applicable on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 4,000 (SELECT) or Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000 (base card).
• Fees: Joining and Renewal Fees vary significantly by variant (Rs. 1,499 + GST for SELECT vs. Rs. 499 + GST for base card).
• Other Charges: Rewards Redemption Fee of Rs. 99 (base card), 3.5% Foreign Currency Markup (base card), 3.5% monthly interest rate (base card), Cash Advance Charges (base card).
• Security: Chip and PIN enabled.
• Additional Features: Add-on cards, worldwide cash access, Easy Bill Pay, Flexipay, Balance Transfer on EMI, Zero Lost Card Liability.

Other Details

• Add-on Cards: You can empower your family members with add-on cards for parents, spouse, children, or siblings above the age of 18.
• Cash Access Across the World: Withdraw cash from over 1 million Visa, Mastercard, or American Express ATMs across the globe.
• Safe and Secure: The Apollo SBI Card SELECT is chip and PIN enabled, offering enhanced security against counterfeiting and skimming.
• Easy Bill Pay Facility: Conveniently pay your electricity, telephone, mobile, and other utility bills.
• Flexipay: Convert transactions of Rs. 2,500 or more into easy monthly installments. This can be done by logging into sbicard.com within 30 days of the purchase.
• Balance Transfer on EMI: Save money while paying your credit card dues by transferring the outstanding balance of other banks’ credit cards to your Apollo SBI Card SELECT at a lower rate of interest, payable in EMIs. This service is available via sbicard.com.
• Zero Credit Card Lost Liability: In the unfortunate event of your card being lost or stolen, you will not be liable for fraudulent transactions if you inform about the loss or theft of the card immediately.
• Customer Assistance: For assistance, contact the SBI Card helpline at 39 02 02 02 (prefix local STD code) or 1860 180 1290.
• Payment Acceptance: Local cheques or drafts payable in Delhi are accepted for payments. Cheques payable outside clearing zones are not accepted.
• Applicable Taxes: All taxes would be charged as applicable on all fees, interest, and charges.
• Co-brand Product Information: The value proposition of the co-brand product may be funded jointly by SBI Card and Apollo, based on their financial arrangement, leading to fee and revenue sharing between the two parties.
• Dispute Resolution: Any disputes arising out of the offer between the cardholder and SBICPSL shall be subject to arbitration by a sole arbitrator appointed by SBICPSL for this purpose. The arbitration proceedings will be conducted in New Delhi, in English, as per the provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The existence of a dispute does not constitute a claim against SBICPSL.
• Third-Party Engagement: SBICPSL may engage, hire, or use the services of agents and/or third parties for marketing, sales, or other related services concerning its products, and customers may be required to deal with such agents/third parties/service providers.