
The SBI Card PRIME is a premium lifestyle and rewards credit card from SBI Card, designed to cater to upwardly mobile professionals and families who seek versatile benefits in travel, shopping, dining, and daily expenses.
Overview
SBI Card PRIME stands out among mid-to-premium credit cards in India due to its powerful combination of milestone rewards, travel and lifestyle privileges, and a rewarding points program. Its value proposition is amplified for users who are able to maximize quarterly and annual spending benefits, particularly through milestone vouchers and lounge access programs.
Features & Benefits
1. Welcome and Milestone Benefits
- Receive a welcome e-gift voucher worth ₹3,000 from top brands like Yatra, Aditya Birla Fashion, Pantaloons, Bata/Hush Puppies, or Shoppers Stop, redeemable online or at stores.
- Milestone Reward: Spend ₹5 lakh in a year and get an additional e-voucher worth ₹7,000 (options include Yatra/Pantaloons and others).
- Achieve ₹50,000 in a quarter and earn a Pizza Hut voucher worth ₹1,000.
2. Reward Points Structure
- Earn 20 reward points per ₹100 spent on your birthday (up to 2,000 points/year).
- Earn 10 points per ₹100 spent at dining, movies, grocery, and departmental stores.
- Earn 2 reward points per ₹100 spent on all other retail purchases.
- Accelerated earning on utility bill standing instructions—20 points per ₹100 (capped at 3,000 points per month).
3. Lounge Access Privileges
- 4 Complimentary international airport lounge visits per year (via Priority Pass, max 2/quarter).
- 8 Complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year (max 2/quarter; available with Visa or Mastercard variants).
4. Premium Partnership Benefits
- Trident Hotels: Complimentary ‘Red Tier’ membership privileges with special discounts and bonus points.
- Club Vistara: Complimentary Silver Membership, offering 1 upgrade voucher and 9 CV Points per ₹100 spent on Vistara bookings.
- Golf privileges including complimentary green fee rounds (4/month) and one free golf lesson per month at select Indian golf courses.
5. Fuel Surcharge Waiver
- Get 1% waiver across all petrol pumps in India on transactions between ₹500 and ₹4,000 (maximum savings: ₹250/month).
6. Insurance Coverage IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card
- Air Accident Cover of ₹50 lakh.
- Fraud liability cover of ₹1 lakh reduces risk due to card loss or misuse post-reporting.
Rewards Redemption
- Reward Points can be redeemed for a wide catalogue including flight/hotel bookings, merchandise, e-vouchers, and statement credit.
- ₹99 per redemption transaction is charged.
- Reward rates can reach between 0.5% to 5% on select spends, with higher value redemptions for travel and gift vouchers.
Fees & Charges
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹2,999 + GST |
| Annual/Renewal Fee | ₹2,999 + GST |
| Renewal Fee Waiver | Spend ₹3 lakh in a year |
| Add-on Card Fee | Nil |
| Finance Charges | 3.75% per month (45% p.a.) |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 3.5% of transaction value |
| Rewards Redemption Fee | ₹99 per request |
| Cash Advance Fee | 2.5% or ₹500 (Domestic/International) |
| Over-limit Fee | 2.5% of over-limit amount (min ₹600) |
| Late Payment Fee | ₹0–₹1,300 (tiered by due amount) |
Renewal fee is waived if annual card spends exceed ₹3 lakh.
Eligibility Criteria & Documentation
Eligibility
- Age: Salaried, 21–70 years; Self-employed, 25–70 years.
- Suggested minimum monthly income: ₹75,000 (higher for self-employed).
- Good credit score and stable income history required.
Documentation Required IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card
- Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Driving Licence.
- Address Proof: Passport, Utility Bill, Ration Card, Voter ID.
- Income Proof: Recent salary slips, Form 16, or ITR copies.
Value Proposition and Target Audience
SBI Card PRIME is ideal for:
- Professionals and business owners with moderate to high annual spends who can leverage the renewal fee waiver and milestone vouchers.
- Frequent travelers who value lounge access, golf privileges, and enhanced hotel/airline memberships.
- Families and individuals looking for a high-acceptance card with lifestyle and daily spending rewards.
Comparison Table: SBI Card PRIME vs. Other Premium Cards
| Feature | SBI Card PRIME | SBI Card ELITE | HDFC Regalia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹2,999 + GST | ₹4,999 + GST | ₹2,500 + GST |
| Lounge Access (Domestic) | 8/year | 8/year (Master/PP) | 12/year |
| Lounge Access (International) | 4/year (Priority Pass) | 6/year (Priority Pass) | 6/year (Priority Pass) |
| Milestone Vouchers | ₹7,000 (₹5 lakh spends) | ₹10,000 (₹8 lakh spends) | No vouchers |
| Birthday Reward Points | 20 RP/₹100 | 10 RP/₹100 | Standard RP |
| Club Memberships | Trident/Club Vistara | Club Vistara/Accor | Club Marriott, Diners |
| Fuel Waiver | 1% up to ₹250/month | 1% up to ₹250/month | 1% up to ₹500/month |
| Renewal Fee Waiver | ₹3 lakh spend | ₹10 lakh spend | ₹3 lakh spend |
Pros and Cons
Pros: YES BANK FinBooster Credit Card
- Substantial milestone and spend-based benefits.
- Versatile partnerships and lounge access.
- Wide reward acceptance and high redemption potential.
Cons:
- Annual fee is on the higher side if spends fall below waiver threshold.
- Forex markup could be lower for frequent international travel.
Why you should choose the SBI PRIME Credit Card:
Strong Rewards Across Categories
- You earn accelerated reward points on dining, groceries, movies, department stores, and utility bill payments, making it valuable for everyday use and lifestyle expenses.
- The card offers special birthday rewards, providing 20 points for every ₹100 spent on your birthday, letting you maximize rewards during special occasions [1][2].
Premium Travel and Lifestyle Benefits
- Complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access (8 domestic, 4 international per year) for your travel comfort.
- Milestone-based e-vouchers—₹3,000 on joining, ₹7,000 annually on crossing spend milestones, and quarterly Pizza Hut vouchers—provide real, tangible value back for high spenders.
- Membership perks with brands like Trident Hotels and Club Vistara Silver offer travel upgrades and discounts.SBI Card ELITE
Annual Fee Waiver and Practical Savings
- Annual fee reversal on ₹3 lakh annual spends, which is achievable for many families and professionals.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver (up to ₹250/month) and robust insurance coverage (₹50 lakh air accident, ₹1 lakh fraud liability) ensure practical savings and financial protection.
Flexible Redemption and Power add-ons
- Reward Points can be redeemed for cashback, air miles, vouchers, and merchandise. Redemption is easy and offers options for every kind of spender.
- Add-on cards enhance benefits for family members at no extra cost, and robust security features guard against fraud and card loss worldwide.
Conclusion
SBI Card PRIME delivers superior value to users who optimize milestone spends and extract full benefit from its travel, shopping, and lifestyle features. From welcome vouchers, accelerated rewards, lounge privileges, and insurance coverage to premium hotel and airline partnerships, this card is structured to provide a holistic experience to premium customers. If your annual spending lines up with waiver limits and you appreciate bundled lifestyle perks, SBI Card PRIME is a strong contender in the premium credit card segment in India.






