Credit Cards · Honest Review

SBI Card Elite

State Bank of India · Visa

₹4,999Annual fee
0.50%Base rate
Lounge visits/yr
1.99%Forex markup
100KMin income/mo

Your Verdict

SBI Card Elite
State Bank of India · Visa
  • 5,000 welcome e-vouchers largely offset the first-year fee
  • 5X reward points on dining, grocery and departmental store purchases
  • Movie tickets worth 6,000 per year
  • Complimentary domestic and international lounge access
  • Low 1.99% forex markup for a non-travel-focused premium card
₹4,999/yrAnnual fee
₹4,999
Annual fee
0.50%
Base reward rate
Unlimited
Lounge access
750+
CIBIL score
SBI Card Elite is a premium lifestyle card best suited to high earners who can offset its near-5,000 fee with welcome vouchers and dine/shop frequently enough to exploit the 5X category multiplier. The low base reward rate on general spends means it underperforms as an everyday card outside its bonus categories.

What SBI Card Elite costs you

SBI Card Elite carries a ₹4,999 annual fee and a ₹4,999 one-time joining fee. The annual fee is waivable: Spend 10 lakh in a year.

FeeAmount
Annual fee (year 2+)₹4,999
Joining fee (one-time)₹4,999
Fee waiver conditionSpend 10 lakh in a year
Spend required for waiver10,00,000 / year
Foreign transaction fee (forex markup)1.99% per transaction

What you earn on every rupee spent

SBI Card Elite earns 0.50% on all eligible spends as a base reward rate, with accelerated rates on dining & food, groceries and other bonus categories listed below. Each reward point is worth ₹0.25 when redeemed, giving a clear rupee value for your earnings.

CategoryReward rate
All other spends (base rate)0.50%
🍽️ Dining & Food2.5%
🛒 Groceries2.5%
2.5%
Dining & Food
2.5%
Groceries
Welcome bonus

5,000 worth of e-gift vouchers from Yatra, Bata/Hush Puppies, Pantaloons, Shoppers Stop and Marks & Spencer

Reward types: Points · Lounge · Discounts

Beyond the reward rate

The non-reward benefits on SBI Card Elite are meaningful for frequent users. Here is what you get with the card.

🛫
Airport lounge access
Domestic lounges — unlimited. International lounges via Priority Pass.
Fuel surcharge waiver
1% fuel surcharge waiver on petrol pump transactions (standard terms apply).
🎬
Movie & entertainment offers
Discounts on movie tickets via BookMyShow or partner platforms. Check issuer terms for current offer.

Who can apply for SBI Card Elite

SBI Card Elite requires a minimum net monthly income of ₹1,00,000 for salaried applicants and a CIBIL score of 750 or above. It is open to salaried employees and self-employed professionals.

₹1,00,000
Min monthly income
750+
CIBIL score
2170
Age (years)
RequirementDetail
Minimum monthly income₹1,00,000
CIBIL score750+ (good to excellent)
Age range2170 years
Employment typeSalaried, Self-employed
Typical approval time7-10 working days

Premium card targeted at high-income salaried and self-employed applicants.

Who should (and shouldn't) get SBI Card Elite

✅ Best for
  • Heavy spenders on dining & food who want 2.5% back
  • Heavy spenders on groceries who want 2.5% back
  • Frequent travelers who value airport lounge access
  • International spenders benefiting from low forex markup
  • Moderate spenders who can clear the fee waiver condition
⚠️ Not ideal for

    SBI Card Elite — Questions answered

    What is the annual fee for SBI Card Elite?
    The annual fee is ₹4,999 from year 2 onwards, with a one-time joining fee of ₹4,999. The fee is waivable: Spend 10 lakh in a year.
    What is the minimum income required for SBI Card Elite?
    Salaried applicants need a minimum net monthly income of ₹1,00,000 and a CIBIL score of at least 750. Self-employed applicants typically need equivalent annual income proof. Premium card targeted at high-income salaried and self-employed applicants.
    What is the reward rate on SBI Card Elite for dining & food?
    SBI Card Elite earns 2.5% on dining & food with no monthly cap. On all other spends, the base reward rate is 0.50%.
    Does SBI Card Elite provide airport lounge access?
    Yes — SBI Card Elite includes domestic airport lounge access and international airport lounge access via Priority Pass with unlimited visits.
    How do I get the annual fee waived on SBI Card Elite?
    The annual fee on SBI Card Elite is automatically waived when you meet the spend threshold: Spend 10 lakh in a year. You do not need to call the bank — the waiver is applied to the next billing cycle once the condition is met.
    How long does it take to get SBI Card Elite approved?
    Most applications for SBI Card Elite are processed within 7-10 working days. Pre-approved customers may receive instant digital approval. Physical card delivery typically takes 3–5 business days after approval.
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    Information on this page is gathered from public sources and the card issuer's official website. Fees and reward rates may change — verify the current terms on the issuer's website before applying. SingleVerdict may earn a referral fee if you apply through our links, which does not affect our scoring or editorial decisions.