Skip to main content

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.

Features

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
₹4,999 + GST
Renewal Fee
₹3,500 + GST
₹4,999 + GST
Spend Based Waiver
Annual fee waived if ₹6 lakh or more spent in preceding anniversary year.
Annual Fee reversal on achieving annual spends of Rs. 10 Lakhs.
Foreign Transaction Fees
3.5% + GST on all foreign currency transactions.
Lowest Foreign Currency Mark-up Charge of 1.99% on International usage.
Interest Rate (APR)
3.75% interest per month (45% p.a.) on outstanding balances & cash withdrawals.
Not Applicable

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome Bonus
Receive welcome vouchers worth over ₹14,500 including Tata CLiQ, EaseMyTrip, EazyDiner, Da Milano, Croma & Uber.
Welcome e-Gift Voucher worth Rs. 5,000 from top travel and lifestyle brands.
Rewards Rate
4 RP/₹100 on international, 2 RP/₹100 on domestic, 1 RP/₹100 on utility & insurance.
5X Reward Points on Dining, Departmental/Grocery spends; 2 RP per Rs. 100 on all other spends.
Reward Type
Reward Points
Reward Points
Reward Redemption Fee
₹99 + GST for rewards redemption.
Convenience Fee chargeable for complimentary movie tickets.

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access
4 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses per calendar quarter on spending ₹75,000.
2 complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge visits every quarter in India.
International Lounge Access
2 complimentary international airport lounge accesses annually + Priority Pass/DreamFolks membership.
6 complimentary International Airport Lounge visits per year (max 2 per quarter).
Travel Benefits
Concierge service for hotel & flight bookings. Comprehensive travel insurance benefits are also included.
6 intl. & 8 dom. lounge visits annually. Savings on Hertz/Avis, benefits at 900 luxury hotels.
Movie Benefits
Buy One Get One Free movie ticket offer, up to ₹500 off on second ticket via BookMyShow, twice monthly.
Free Movie Tickets worth Rs. 6,000 annually (max Rs. 250/ticket for 2 tickets per month).
Dining Benefits
15% saving on bills at over 2,500 partner restaurants via ICICI Bank Culinary Treats Programme.
Earn 5X Reward Points on Dining, Departmental stores, and Grocery Spends.
Golf Benefits
Complimentary golf rounds/lessons monthly (up to 4) based on ₹50,000 retail spend.
4 complimentary green fees, up to 50% off on games, 1 complimentary lesson per month.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
1% waiver on fuel transactions up to ₹4,000 (max ₹250 waiver/billing cycle).
1% waiver on fuel transactions (Rs. 500-4000), max Rs. 250 per month.

Security & Other

Insurance Benefits
Personal Air Accident Insurance (₹3 Cr), Credit Shield (₹50k), baggage insurance, travel inconveniences.
Complimentary credit card fraud liability cover of Rs. 1 lakh.
Cash Advance Charges
2.5% of transaction amount or minimum ₹500, whichever is higher.
Not Applicable
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 individuals who indulge in travel and lifestyle. It provides an array of privileges, attractive offers, and user-friendly features, ideal for frequent travelers seeking maximum savings, entertainment benefits, and exclusive welcome offers that often exceed the joining fee.

Who is it for?

The SBI Card ELITE Advantage is a premium lifestyle credit card offering exclusive privileges across travel, movies, dining, and rewards. It provides a valuable welcome e-Gift Voucher, complimentary movie tickets, accelerated reward points on specific spends, and extensive lounge access both domestically and internationally. With a low foreign currency markup and milestone-based bonus rewards, it's ideal for individuals seeking a comprehensive rewards program and luxury benefits.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Substantial welcome benefits worth over ₹14,500 effectively offset the ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card's joining fee.

Offers complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access, ideal for frequent travelers.

Enjoy a generous 'Buy One Get One Free' movie ticket offer twice monthly via BookMyShow on this card.

Comprehensive insurance coverage provides peace of mind for air travel and other incidents with Sapphiro.

The 24x7 concierge service provides convenient assistance for lifestyle and travel needs to cardholders.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Receive a valuable welcome e-Gift Voucher worth Rs. 5,000 from top lifestyle brands.

Enjoy free movie tickets worth Rs. 6,000 annually, making entertainment more affordable.

Earn accelerated rewards with 5X points on dining, departmental stores, and groceries.

Benefit from extensive lounge access, including 6 international and 8 domestic visits annually.

Experience a low foreign currency markup of 1.99%, ideal for international transactions.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card has a high foreign currency markup of 3.5% + GST.

A significant interest rate of 45% per annum is applicable on outstanding balances and cash advances.

Domestic lounge access with the Sapphiro Credit Card is conditional on spending ₹75,000 in the prior quarter.

A fee of ₹99 + GST is levied on every rewards redemption transaction for Sapphiro cardholders.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The annual fee of Rs. 4,999 is quite substantial, potentially a barrier for some users.

Achieving the annual fee waiver requires a high spend of Rs. 10 Lakhs, which is challenging.

A convenience fee is charged for complimentary movie tickets, slightly diminishing their benefit.

International lounge access is capped at 2 visits per quarter, which might be restrictive for frequent flyers.

Ready to Choose?

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