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ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card VS SBI ELITE Credit Card

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 ELITE Credit Card 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 (excl. fuel), 1 RP/₹100 on utility/insurance. SBI ELITE Credit Card costs ₹4,999 + GST and earns 10 RPs/₹100 on dining, grocery & departmental stores (capped). 2 RPs/₹100 on other spends. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card also brings 4 complimentary visits/quarter, subject to ₹75,000 spend in preceding quarter. Primary cardholder only, while SBI ELITE Credit Card counters with 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter via Visa/MasterCard/AmEx networks. If premium spending matters more, go with ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card; if shopping is the priority, SBI ELITE Credit Card fits better.

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

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 WaiverRenewal fee waived on annual spends of ₹10 Lakh or more in the previous anniversary year.
Foreign Transaction Fees3.50% + GST
Foreign Transaction Fees1.99% of the transaction amount.
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% per month (45% per annum) on purchases, ATM withdrawals, and minimum due payments.
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% per month (45% per annum).

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome BonusWelcome vouchers worth over ₹13,000 (Tata CliQ, EaseMyTrip, Da Milano, Croma) & 3 months EazyDiner Prime membership.
Welcome Bonus₹5,000 e-Gift Voucher, complimentary Priority Pass membership ($99 value), and 1-year Club ITC Silver Tier.
Rewards Rate4 RP/₹100 on international, 2 RP/₹100 on domestic (excl. fuel), 1 RP/₹100 on utility/insurance.
Rewards Rate10 RPs/₹100 on dining, grocery & departmental stores (capped). 2 RPs/₹100 on other spends.
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST per redemption.

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 per quarter via Visa/MasterCard/AmEx networks.
International Lounge Access2 complimentary visits/year with Priority Pass/DreamFolks membership. Primary cardholder only.
International Lounge Access6 complimentary international lounge visits annually (max 2/quarter) with 2-year Priority Pass.
Travel BenefitsComprehensive travel privileges including lounge access, insurance, and concierge services.
Travel BenefitsDiscounts on hotels (Lalit, F&B), car rentals (Hertz, Avis), luxury hotel privileges & Tablet Plus.
Movie BenefitsBuy One Get One Free movie ticket offer via BookMyShow (up to ₹500 off, twice a month), subject to ₹25,000 spend.
Movie Benefits2 complimentary movie tickets monthly (max ₹6,000 annually, ₹250/ticket) for primary cardholders.
Dining Benefits15% saving on bills at over 2,500 restaurants via ICICI Bank Culinary Treats Programme.
Dining Benefits10X RPs on dining. Up to 25% off at partner restaurants & up to ₹600 instant discount on food apps (AmEx).
Golf BenefitsComplimentary rounds/lessons (up to 4/month), subject to ₹50,000 spend in preceding month.
Golf BenefitsComplimentary golf rounds (4 green fees) & 1 lesson monthly with MasterCard/RuPay variants.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on transactions up to ₹4,000 (max ₹250/billing cycle) at all fuel pumps.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on fuel transactions (₹500-₹4,000), capped at ₹250 per month.

Security & Other

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

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

SBI ELITE Credit Card

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 ELITE Credit Card is a premium offering designed for individuals seeking extensive privileges across various spending categories. It provides top-tier benefits like complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access, valuable shopping vouchers, and free movie tickets. Cardholders also enjoy accelerated reward points on dining, grocery, and departmental store spends. This card is ideal for those with significant lifestyle and travel expenditures, offering a comprehensive suite of luxury experiences.

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.

The SBI ELITE Credit Card offers generous welcome benefits, including a ₹5,000 e-Gift Voucher.

Enjoy comprehensive lounge access with 2 domestic visits quarterly and 6 international visits annually.

The card provides extensive privileges across travel, dining, and shopping, making it a versatile choice.

Annual fee waiver on ₹10 lakhs annual spend is achievable for high spenders, offsetting the cost.

Excellent travel and lifestyle privileges cater perfectly to frequent travelers and luxury enthusiasts.

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.

The general reward rate of 0.5% on most spends is lower than some competing premium cards.

The high annual fee of ₹4,999 can be a drawback if the spend-based waiver condition is not met.

Add-on cardholders do not receive international lounge access, limiting benefits for family members.

The accelerated 10X reward points are capped monthly, limiting high earners from maximizing benefits.

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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