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Federal BankIf you’re looking for a credit card offering luxurious perks and rewards, the ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card and the SBI Elite Credit Card are the best options. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card is designed for people who enjoy exclusive benefits like lounge access, golf courses, and more with a joining fee of Rs. 6,500. The SBI Elite Credit Card is designed for the elite and offers rewards for shopping, travel, and dining with a joining fee of Rs. 4,999.
Both cards offer rewards for your spending, from earning points on everyday purchases to enjoying lounge visits. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card has many benefits, including welcome vouchers, international lounge access, and spa sessions. The SBI Elite Credit Card offers deals on movie tickets, travel benefits, and Vistara and Trident Privilege memberships.
To select the best credit card, consider your lifestyle and spending patterns. Both credit cards are designed to meet customers’ needs who expect more from their credit cards. By choosing the right credit card, you can unlock a variety of exclusive privileges and experiences.
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card is a premium credit card that costs Rs. 6,500 per year. It’s best for frequent travelers and those looking for the maximum saving opportunities, entertainment benefits, and other advantages. The card comes in three types: AmEx, Visa, and Mastercard. Each card type offers different benefits, including welcome gifts worth more than Rs. 9,000, cashback, and points on every domestic and international spending. It suits domestic and international travelers offering elite benefits, including complimentary Dreamfolks Lounge Access, Golf Course privileges, and more. On spending Rs. 6 lakh or more annually, you can get the annual fee waived. The card also offers insurance worth three crore. The features of the ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card are as follows:
- It provides welcome benefits worth Rs. 9,000 plus if the joining fees are paid within the first 45 days. The segregation of the above is: –
– Croma voucher amounting to Rs. 1,000.
– Four vouchers of Rs. 1,000 each of EaseMyTrip. (Total Rs. 4,000)
– You get four Uber vouchers worth Rs. 250 each. (Total Rs. 1,000)
– Tata CliQ voucher amounting to Rs. 3,000 - With a complementary Dreamfolks Lounge Access membership, you can enjoy two international lounge visits and two spa sessions at selected airports in India every year.
- Complimentary Golf Round/Lesson for every Rs. 50,000 spent on retail purchases in the previous calendar month. (Maximum 4 rounds every quarter)
- After purchasing one ticket, you can get up to Rs. 500 off on the second ticket through BookMyShow twice a month.
- This card allows you to enjoy your favorite delicacies by availing of exclusive offers and benefits with the ICICI Bank Culinary Treats Programme in 2500+ restaurants.
- You earn 2 Reward Points upon spending Rs. 100 on domestic spending. (Except fuel)
- You earn 4 Reward Points upon spending Rs. 100 on international spending.
- 1 Reward Point can be earned on every Rs. 100 spent on utilities and insurance categories.
- Under the new Milestone Rewards Program, 20,000 reward points can be earned annually. Upon spending Rs. 4,00,000, you earn 4,000 reward points, and after that, you get 2,000 reward points for each Rs. 1,00,000 spent in an anniversary year.
SBI Elite Credit Card
The SBI Elite Credit Card is a premium card designed for people who enjoy exclusive offers on dining, shopping, and travel. This card is perfect for individuals who love to travel and want to indulge in luxurious stays. The card is available in three network variants – Mastercard, Visa, and American Express. This card’s joining and renewal fee is Rs. 4,999 + Taxes per annum. One of the biggest advantages of this card is the lowest Foreign Currency Mark-up Charge of 1.99% on international usage. The features of the SBI Elite Credit Card are as follows:
- You receive an e-voucher as a welcome gift worth Rs. 5,000 from brands like Yatra, Hush Puppies/Bata, Pantaloons, Aditya Birla Fashion, and Shoppers Stop.
- You are offered the lowest Foreign Currency Mark-up Charge of 1.99% on international usage.
- You will enjoy a complimentary Club Vistara Silver Membership and earn 9 Club Vistara Points for every Rs. 100 spent on booking Vistara flights.
- You get a membership to the Priority Pass Program worth $99 as a complimentary gift.
- 6 complimentary international lounge visits in a calendar year. (Maximum 2 per quarter).
- 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter.
- You can enjoy a complimentary Trident Privilege Red Tier Membership and get 1,000 welcome points on registration.
- You can enjoy movie tickets worth Rs. 6,000 for free each year. You get a monthly discount of Rs. 500 on booking 2 movie tickets.
- You get to earn 2 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on all expenses except fuel. (4 RP = Rs. 1)
- 5X reward points are earned on dining, departmental stores, and grocery spending.
- Fuel surcharge waiver of 1% across all petrol pumps on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 4,000.
- Earn up to 25,000 bonus Reward Points every year on achieving the spending milestone.
- Spend-based reversal of Annual Fee on spends of Rs. 10 Lakhs.
Comparison Between the ICICI Bank Sapphiro and SBI Elite Credit Card
Let’s compare the ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card and the SBI Elite Credit Card to see their features and benefits:
| Basis | ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card | SBI Elite Credit Card |
| Reward Rate |
|
|
| Reward Redemption | 4 RP points = Rs. 1 | 4 RP points = Rs. 1 |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% on transactions (Rs. 250 maximum) at every fuel station in India. | 1% on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 4,000. |
| Welcome Benefits | Vouchers worth Rs. 9,000+ if the joining fees are paid within the first 45 days. | e-Gift voucher worth Rs. 5,000. |
| Milestone Benefits |
|
|
| Lounge Visits |
|
|
| Movie Benefits | Buy one ticket and get up to Rs. 500 off on the second ticket via BookMyShow, twice a month. | Get a monthly discount of Rs. 500 on booking 2 movie tickets. |
| Travel Benefits | 2 spa sessions at selected domestic airports. |
|
| Membership Fee | Rs. 6,500 + Taxes | Rs. 4,999 + Taxes |
| Renewal Fees | Rs. 3,500 + Taxes | Rs. 4,999 + Taxes |
| Spend Based Waiver | Tax will be waived off on spending Rs. 6 Lakhs in the previous year | Spend-based reversal of Annual Fee on spends of Rs. 10 Lakhs. |
| Eligibility |
|
|
The Verdict
After comparing the ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card and the SBI Elite Credit Card, we can determine that they are best suited for different travelers. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro credit card is a great option for domestic travelers, providing more access to domestic lounges than international ones. Additionally, it offers a 15% discount at over 2500+ restaurants throughout India under the ICICI Culinary Treats Program, making it perfect for those who enjoy dining out.
On the other hand, the SBI Elite Credit Card is ideal for international travelers. It comes with a Club Vistara Silver membership, complimentary Priority Pass Membership, and access to various international lounges. It also provides a Trident Privilege Red Tier membership, which can be helpful with hotel bookings.
Both credit cards are exclusive in their way, but you should choose one based on your specific needs and preferences. The SBI Elite Credit Card’s benefits and features benefit international travelers, while the ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card is more suitable for domestic travelers.