SBI (State Bank of India) offers a variety of credit cards customized to meet the diverse needs of its customers. Two popular choices among premium credit cards are the SBI Card Elite and the SBI Card Prime. Both cards provide exciting rewards, travel benefits, and lifestyle privileges, but each has unique features that appeal to different customer preferences.

This article will compare the SBI Card Elite and SBI Card Prime, highlighting their fees, rewards, and benefits to help you decide which one suits your needs.

Understand SBI Card Elite and SBI Card Prime

Feature	SBI Card Elite	SBI Card Prime
Card Type	Premium Lifestyle Credit Card	Premium Credit Card
Annual Fee	₹4,999 + taxes	₹2,999 + taxes
Welcome Gift	E-vouchers worth ₹5,000	E-vouchers worth ₹3,000
Rewards Program	SBI Card Rewards	SBI Card Rewards
Target Audience	High-income individuals	Mid to high-income individuals

Both cards belong to SBI’s premium category, with SBI Card Elite catering to high-income individuals who seek luxury lifestyle benefits, while SBI Card Prime is targeted at mid-to-high-income individuals looking for value-driven rewards and benefits.

Fees and Charges

Fee Type	SBI Card Elite	SBI Card Prime
Annual Fee	₹4,999 + taxes	₹2,999 + taxes
Renewal Fee	₹4,999 + taxes	₹2,999 + taxes
Waiver Criteria	Spend ₹10,00,000 annually	Spend ₹3,00,000 annually
Finance Charges	Up to 3.5% per month	Up to 3.5% per month
Foreign Currency Markup	1.99%	3.50%

• SBI Card Elite has a higher annual fee but offers significant rewards and benefits to justify the cost.
• SBI Card Prime, with a lower annual fee, is better suited for users who want premium perks but at a more affordable rate.

Waiver Criteria: The spending criteria to get a renewal fee waiver is notably higher for the SBI Card Elite, indicating it’s more suitable for high-spending individuals.

Reward Points and Benefits

Feature	SBI Card Elite	SBI Card Prime
Reward Points	2 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent	2 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent
Accelerated Rewards	10 Reward Points on dining, groceries, and departmental stores	10 Reward Points on dining, groceries, and departmental stores
Milestone Benefits	E-vouchers worth ₹5,000 on annual spending of ₹3,00,000	E-vouchers worth ₹7,000 on annual spending of ₹5,00,000
Maximum Reward Redemption Value	Rewards redeemable for air miles, vouchers, and more	Rewards redeemable for vouchers, fuel surcharge waiver, and more

Both cards offer 2 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent, but the SBI Card Elite comes with slightly more lucrative milestone rewards, such as e-vouchers worth ₹5,000 when spending ₹3,00,000 annually. In comparison, SBI Card Prime offers milestone benefits at ₹5,00,000 in spending.

Travel Benefits

Travel Benefits	SBI Card Elite	SBI Card Prime
Complimentary Airport Lounge Access	6 international lounges and 2 domestic lounges per year	4 international lounges and 8 domestic lounges per year
Priority Pass Membership	Yes	Yes
Domestic Lounge Access	Yes, 2 per quarter	Yes, 4 per quarter
Foreign Currency Markup	1.99%	3.50%

• SBI Card Elite is designed for international travelers, offering 6 complimentary international lounge visits each year, along with a lower foreign currency markup.
• SBI Card Prime also provides travel perks, but with fewer international lounge visits and a higher foreign currency transaction fee.

Entertainment and Lifestyle Perks

Lifestyle Perks	SBI Card Elite	SBI Card Prime
Movie Tickets	Buy 1 Get 1 free, up to ₹250 per ticket, 4 times a month	₹300 off on 1 movie ticket per month
Complimentary Club Memberships	Complimentary membership to Trident Privilege, Club Vistara, and others	No complimentary memberships
Dining Discounts	10% discount through partner restaurants	10% discount through partner restaurants

• SBI Card Elite offers more extensive entertainment benefits, including the “Buy 1 Get 1” movie offer, which is available up to 4 times a month.
• SBI Card Prime has a more limited movie discount but is still valuable for occasional moviegoers.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance Benefits	SBI Card Elite	SBI Card Prime
Air Accident Cover	₹50 lakh	₹50 lakh
Fraud Liability Cover	₹1 lakh	₹1 lakh
Travel Insurance	Yes	Yes

Both cards provide comprehensive insurance benefits, including air accident cover of ₹50 lakh, making them excellent choices for frequent travelers.

Which Card Is Better: SBI Elite or SBI Prime?

The best card for you depends on your spending habits, lifestyle, and preferences.

• Choose SBI Card Elite if:
  • You frequently travel internationally and want lower foreign transaction fees.
  • You prefer exclusive lifestyle privileges like club memberships and extensive lounge access.
  • You are a high spender and can meet the high waiver criteria to avoid the annual fee.
• Choose SBI Card Prime if:
  • You want a premium card but are not a heavy spender.
  • You prefer domestic lounge access and travel benefits with a lower annual fee.
  • You are looking for a balanced card with moderate rewards and spending benefits.

Our Recommendation

Both SBI Card Elite and SBI Card Prime offer valuable rewards, travel perks, and lifestyle benefits, but they cater to different customer needs. SBI Card Elite is ideal for high-income individuals who seek luxury and travel perks, while SBI Card Prime offers value for mid-to-high-income individuals who want rewards without the high annual fee.

Ultimately, your choice depends on how much you spend annually, how often you travel, and what kinds of perks are most valuable to you. If you’re a frequent international traveler or a luxury seeker, SBI Card Elite is a better option. On the other hand, SBI Card Prime is perfect for those seeking a balance of rewards and affordability.