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The SBI Prime Credit Card is one of the most popular offerings from SBI Card, tailored to individuals who want to enjoy a mix of premium features and daily usage benefits. Positioned between entry-level and high-end credit cards, it is especially appealing to users who spend across categories like dining, travel, and shopping while expecting strong rewards in return.
1. Introduction
If you're looking for a card that offers more than just basic cashback or rewards, but without the heavy price tag of ultra-premium cards, the SBI Prime Credit Card might be the right fit. It is designed for customers who enjoy a better lifestyle, travel frequently, and pay their bills on time.
2. Fees & Charges Breakdown
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Joining Fee: ₹2,999 + GST
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Annual Fee: ₹2,999 + GST (waived if you spend ₹3 lakh or more in the previous year)
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Add-on Cards: Free of cost
Other important charges:
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Interest Rate: Up to 3.5% per month (or 42% annually)
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Foreign Transaction Mark-up: 3.5%
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Late Payment Penalty: Varies depending on the outstanding balance
While the fees are on the higher side, they are often offset by the card’s benefits if used wisely.
3. Reward System
Earning Points
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Earn 10 points per ₹100 spent on dining, groceries, movies, and departmental stores.
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Earn 2 points per ₹100 spent on other eligible purchases.
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On your birthday (±1 day), earn 20 points per ₹100, up to 2,000 points per year.
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Pay your utility bills using auto-pay to earn 20 points per ₹100, capped at 3,000 points monthly.
Redeeming Points
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Each point is worth ₹0.25, and you can use them for:
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Gift vouchers
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Shopping through the rewards portal
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Offsetting card dues
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4. Welcome Gifts & Annual Spending Benefits
Welcome Offer
When you activate the card and pay the joining fee, you receive gift vouchers worth ₹3,000. These are redeemable at top brands like Pantaloons, Yatra, Shoppers Stop, and Bata.
Milestone Benefits
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Quarterly Voucher: Spend ₹50,000 in a quarter to get a ₹1,000 voucher for Pizza Hut.
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Annual Spending Bonus:
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Spend ₹3 lakh in a year to get the renewal fee waived.
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Spend ₹5 lakh annually to receive ₹7,000 worth of e-gift vouchers.
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These incentives reward regular and high-volume spending.
5. Travel Benefits
Airport Lounge Access
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International Lounges: Up to 4 visits a year through Priority Pass (maximum 2 visits per quarter).
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Domestic Lounges: 8 complimentary visits per year to Indian airport lounges.
Travel Partnerships
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Club Vistara Silver: Get one free upgrade voucher and 9 points per ₹100 spent on flights.
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Trident Privilege Red Tier: Enjoy special discounts and perks when staying at Trident Hotels.
These benefits cater well to occasional travelers who still want a taste of luxury.
6. Lifestyle Perks
Dining & Hotels
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Up to 20% off at participating restaurants via SBI's dining offers (AmEx variant).
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Discounts at luxury hotels like Lalit and Trident.
Golf Benefits
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Enjoy free rounds of golf and complimentary coaching sessions at selected Indian golf courses (only for Mastercard holders).
Car Rentals & Travel Deals
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Exclusive discounts up to 35% on Avis and Hertz car rental services.
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Deals on hotel bookings via SBI Card travel partners.
7. Insurance and Safety Features
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Lost Card Liability Cover: Protects against misuse if the card is reported lost within a specified time.
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Air Accident Cover: Previously included ₹50 lakh insurance, but this benefit has been discontinued as of July 15, 2025.
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Emergency Assistance: Worldwide replacement of card in case of theft or loss.
8. Fuel Surcharge Waiver
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Enjoy a 1% waiver on fuel surcharge for transactions between ₹500 and ₹4,000.
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Maximum savings: ₹250 per billing cycle.
This feature is especially useful for those who frequently spend on fuel.
9. Payment Flexibility
EMI Conversion
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Flexipay: Convert purchases of ₹2,500 or more into easy monthly installments.
Balance Transfers
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Transfer balances from other credit cards to SBI Prime at lower interest rates and repay in EMIs.
This is useful if you want to manage large payments over time with reduced financial pressure.
10. Digital Features & Accessibility
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Accepted globally at over 24 million outlets.
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NFC-enabled for contactless transactions.
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Use the SBI Card mobile app to:
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Pay bills
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Track spends
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Redeem rewards
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Manage card settings
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11. Ideal User Profile
This card is most suitable for:
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Salaried professionals or business owners spending ₹25,000–₹50,000 monthly.
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People who frequently shop, dine out, and travel occasionally.
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Those who can take advantage of utility payment rewards and milestone gifts.
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Cardholders who pay bills in full and avoid interest charges.
12. Pros & Cons
Advantages
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High rewards on popular spending categories
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Useful travel and hotel perks
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Regular e-voucher rewards for consistent spending
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Complimentary lounge access (both domestic and international)
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Waiver of annual fees on achieving spend milestones
Drawbacks
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High interest rates if dues are unpaid
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Annual fee is substantial for low spenders
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Travel and insurance benefits have some restrictions
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No direct cashback facility
13. Tips to Maximize Benefits
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Use the card for all utility and grocery payments.
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Time high-value purchases around birthdays to earn extra points.
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Track quarterly and annual spends to unlock milestone vouchers.
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Make full payments monthly to avoid finance charges.
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Use the rewards portal regularly to redeem points before expiry.
14. Update on Insurance Coverage
As of July 15, 2025, the complimentary air accident insurance of ₹50 lakh has been withdrawn for all SBI Prime cardholders. While this removes one safety net for frequent flyers, the card still retains its core strengths in rewards and lifestyle perks.
Final Thoughts
The SBI Prime Credit Card delivers strong value to users who can spend moderately and consistently. With high reward points on lifestyle and utility spends, attractive welcome and milestone benefits, and useful travel perks, the card can easily offset its annual fee if used strategically.
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