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ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card VS SBI Card ELITE Advantage

A detailed, side-by-side look at 2 leading credit cards. Analyze the features that matter most to you and make an informed choice.
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Last updated: 21 July 2026

Both ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card and SBI Card ELITE Advantage suit travel-focused spenders, but they earn and cost differently. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card costs ₹6,500 + GST and earns 4 RP/₹100 on international, 2 RP/₹100 on domestic, 1 RP/₹100 on utility & insurance. SBI Card ELITE Advantage costs ₹4,999 + GST and earns 5X Reward Points on Dining, Departmental/Grocery spends; 2 RP per Rs. 100 on all other spends. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card also brings 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses per calendar quarter on spending ₹75,000, while SBI Card ELITE Advantage counters with 2 complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge visits every quarter in India. Weigh the fee against the reward rate above to see which fits your spending pattern better.

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
SBI Card ELITE Advantage
SBI Card ELITE Advantage

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee₹6,500 + GST
Joining Fee₹4,999 + GST
Renewal Fee₹3,500 + GST
Renewal Fee₹4,999 + GST
Spend Based WaiverRenewal fee waiver on spending ₹6 lakhs or more annually in the preceding year.
Spend Based WaiverAnnual fee reversal on annual spends of Rs. 10 lakhs.
Foreign Transaction Fees3.50% + GST
Foreign Transaction FeesLowest foreign currency mark-up charge of 1.99% on international usage.
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% per month (45% per annum) on purchases, ATM withdrawals, and minimum due payments.
Interest Rate (APR)

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome BonusWelcome vouchers worth over ₹13,000 (Tata CliQ, EaseMyTrip, Da Milano, Croma) & 3 months EazyDiner Prime membership.
Welcome BonusRs. 5,000 e-Gift Voucher, Rs. 6,000 movie tickets annually, and up to 50,000 bonus reward points.
Rewards Rate4 RP/₹100 on international, 2 RP/₹100 on domestic (excl. fuel), 1 RP/₹100 on utility/insurance.
Rewards Rate5X Reward Points on dining, departmental stores, and grocery. 2 Reward Points per Rs. 100 on other spends.
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST
Reward Redemption Fee

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access4 complimentary visits/quarter, subject to ₹75,000 spend in preceding quarter. Primary cardholder only.
Domestic Lounge Access2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits every quarter.
International Lounge Access2 complimentary visits/year with Priority Pass/DreamFolks membership. Primary cardholder only.
International Lounge Access6 complimentary international airport lounge visits per calendar year (max 2 per quarter).
Travel BenefitsComprehensive travel privileges including lounge access, insurance, and concierge services.
Travel BenefitsComplimentary Priority Pass, 6 international & 2 domestic lounge visits quarterly. Low 1.99% forex markup.
Movie BenefitsBuy One Get One Free movie ticket offer via BookMyShow (up to ₹500 off, twice a month), subject to ₹25,000 spend.
Movie BenefitsFree movie tickets worth Rs. 6,000 every year, valid on primary cards only.
Dining Benefits15% saving on bills at over 2,500 restaurants via ICICI Bank Culinary Treats Programme.
Dining Benefits5X Reward Points on dining. Up to 25% discount at 500+ restaurants.
Golf BenefitsComplimentary rounds/lessons (up to 4/month), subject to ₹50,000 spend in preceding month.
Golf Benefits4 complimentary green fees access, up to 50% off on games, 1 complimentary lesson per month.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on transactions up to ₹4,000 (max ₹250/billing cycle) at all fuel pumps.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs. 500-Rs. 4,000. Max waiver Rs. 250/month.

Security & Other

Insurance Benefits₹3 Cr air accident, ₹50k credit shield, baggage, travel document, flight delay, and fraud protection.
Insurance BenefitsComplimentary credit card fraud liability cover of Rs. 1 lakh.
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of transaction amount (minimum ₹500).
Cash Advance Charges
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Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

SBI Card ELITE Advantage

Who is it for?

The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card is a premium offering for frequent travelers and individuals seeking extensive lifestyle benefits. It provides welcome vouchers worth over ₹13,000, complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access, and attractive movie ticket offers. With a comprehensive reward program and various insurance benefits, it's ideal for those looking for a feature-rich card that rewards diverse spending habits.

Who is it for?

The SBI Card ELITE is a premium credit card issued by SBI Card, designed for individuals seeking exclusive lifestyle benefits, travel privileges, and a rewarding experience. Its key differentiating features include a substantial welcome e-Gift Voucher, complimentary movie tickets, and a generous bonus reward points program based on annual spending, coupled with extensive lounge access and a low foreign currency markup.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Generous welcome benefits worth over ₹13,000, significantly offsetting the initial joining fee.

Extensive complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access for globetrotters.

Attractive Buy One Get One Free movie ticket offer and exclusive dining discounts.

Comprehensive insurance coverage, including high air accident and various travel benefits.

Milestone rewards and annual fee waiver enhance long-term value for high spenders.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Generous welcome benefits including a Rs. 5,000 e-Gift Voucher and Rs. 6,000 movie tickets.

Significant milestone benefits offering up to 50,000 bonus reward points annually.

Complimentary international (6 visits) and domestic (2 visits/quarter) airport lounge access.

Lowest foreign currency markup at 1.99% makes international spends more economical.

Accelerated 5X reward points on dining, departmental stores, and grocery spends.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

High joining and annual fees, though welcome benefits and waivers can mitigate costs.

Lounge, movie, and golf benefits are subject to significant spend-based eligibility criteria.

Reward points value is relatively low at ₹0.25 per point, with an additional redemption fee.

High foreign currency markup and interest rates make it less ideal for specific uses.

Movie benefit eligibility changes to a spend-based model from April 1, 2026.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

Annual and renewal fees of Rs. 4,999 + taxes apply if spend-based waiver criteria are not met.

A usage fee of $27 + taxes is charged for international lounge visits beyond complimentary quota.

Priority Pass membership is valid for 2 years only, requiring re-evaluation thereafter.

How We Compare These Cards

Every comparison on CardsForYou is built from the same verified data set we use across the site - joining and renewal fees, reward rates, forex markup, lounge access, and insurance benefits - sourced directly from each issuer and refreshed regularly. We highlight the lower-cost option on fees automatically, but "best" always depends on your own spending pattern: a card that wins on annual fee may lose on reward rate for a heavy spender, and vice versa. Use the table above alongside your own typical monthly spend to judge real value, not just the headline numbers.

Ready to Choose?

Based on your comparison, select the credit card that best matches your spending habits and financial goals.
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