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Credit Cards · Bank review

SBI Credit Cards

SBI Card, the credit-card company of the State Bank of India group, is one of India's largest card issuers, with cards from entry-level to premium and many co-brand partnerships. Below are its popular cards, the charges that apply when you do not pay in full, a worked example of what the SBI Cashback card returns, and how to pick between the main cards.

By FinancePaisa Editorial Team · Research & editorialUpdated · 4 min read
Interest rate
Up to 3.75% a month (45% a year) on unsecured cards
Loan amount
Card limit set by income and credit profile
Tenure
Revolving
Processing fee
₹499 to ₹4,999 annual fee on the cards below
On this page (8 sections)

Worked example: what SBI Cashback returns

The SBI Cashback card gives 5% cashback on eligible online spending, capped per statement, with a lower rate on offline spending. Taking a cap of ₹5,000 per statement, you hit the cap at ₹1,00,000 of eligible online spending a month, earning up to ₹60,000 a year. A more typical ₹20,000 a month online earns ₹12,000 a year, well above the ₹999 fee, which is waived anyway at the yearly spend target. Check the current cap and the excluded categories (such as rent, wallet loads and some bill payments) on SBI Card's site, since these change.

Charges when you do not pay in full

  • Finance charge (unsecured cards)

    Level
    Up to 3.75% a month (45% a year) + GST
  • Cash withdrawal

    Level
    2.5% of the amount (minimum ₹500) + interest from the day of withdrawal
  • Foreign-currency mark-up

    Level
    About 3.5% on most cards; lower on some premium cards
  • Late payment

    Level
    Slab-based by amount outstanding; only if more than 3 days past due

What revolving a balance costs

On a ₹50,000 balance at 3.75% a month plus GST, paying ₹10,000 a month clears it in 6 months with ₹7,791 of interest. Paying only the minimum would take about 30 years. A year of 5% cashback on ₹20,000 a month (₹12,000) is cancelled out by about 5 months of interest on that balance, so cashback only pays if you clear the bill in full.

Which SBI card should you pick?

  • Most of your spending is online: SBI Cashback, if your monthly online spend is high enough to justify the fee.
  • You shop mainly with SBI's partner merchants: SimplyCLICK.
  • Dining, movies and groceries dominate: SimplySAVE.
  • You travel several times a year and want lounge access: Prime or Elite, after checking current lounge conditions.
  • You are new to credit: a secured SBI card against a fixed deposit, which carries a lower finance charge.

How to apply

Apply on SBI Card's website or app, or through an SBI branch. Existing SBI customers may see pre-approved offers. You will need PAN, Aadhaar and income proof, and KYC is done by Aadhaar OTP or video. Read the Key Fact Statement and MITC for the fee, finance charge and cashback caps before accepting.

Frequently asked questions

Which SBI card is best for online shopping?

SBI Cashback for most online spending, since cashback is credited automatically. Check the monthly cap and the excluded categories against how you spend.

Is the annual fee refundable if I cancel?

Usually not once charged. If you do not want to pay it, close the card before the renewal date or check whether you meet the spend-based waiver.

How is the SBI card credit limit set?

From your income, existing debt and credit record. Limits are often raised after several months of on-time payment, and RBI rules require your consent before any increase.

What is the interest rate on SBI credit cards?

Up to 3.75% a month (45% a year) plus GST on unsecured cards, charged only if you do not pay the full bill. Secured cards against an FD carry a lower rate.

Sources & references

Rates, fees, eligibility, and product terms cited on this page reflect the sources above at the time of publication and may have changed since. Always verify directly with the lender or regulator.

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