Are you wondering which credit card will be perfect for you in 2025? Both HDFC and SBI are the top credit card providers in India, but which one is better for your lifestyle and expenses? Today we will compare HDFC vs SBI credit cards so that you can decide easily. In this post, we will look at the features, benefits, fees, and rewards in detail. So let’s get started without delay!
Why is it important to choose a credit card?
Credit card is not just a means of payment, but a partner for smart spending. Whether it is online shopping, traveling, or dining, the right card can give you cashback, reward points, and a lot of offers. But choosing the wrong card can lead to high fees and fewer benefits. Both HDFC and SBI have many options for different lifestyles. So let’s understand their top cards and features.
HDFC and SBI Credit Cards: A Quick Comparison
Both HDFC and SBI are famous for their unique offers. HDFC is known for its premium service and high reward rates, while SBI offers affordable and secure options. Here is a quick comparison table that highlights the features of both the popular cards:
| Features | HDFC Millennia Credit Card | SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹500 + GST | ₹499 + GST |
| Annual Fee | ₹500 + GST (Waiver on ₹1 lakh spends) | ₹499 + GST (Waiver on ₹2 lakh spends) |
| Reward Points | 5% cashback (Amazon, Swiggy, etc), 1% on other spends | 10X reward points (dining, movies, grocery), 1X on others |
| Lounge Access | 2 domestic lounge visits/quarter | No |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% (on ₹400-₹5000 transactions, max ₹250/cycle) | 1% (₹500-₹3000 on transactions, max ₹250/month) |
| Best for | Online shopping, dining, millennials | Dining, grocery, movies |
HDFC Credit Cards: Features and Benefits
HDFC Bank is India’s largest credit card issuer, with over 2 crore cards in circulation by 2024. Its cards have a range of options to suit different needs.
Top HDFC Cards
HDFC Millennia Credit Card
- Best for: Users who shop online, such as on Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, and Zomato.
- Rewards: 5% cashback on select online platforms, 1% on other spends.
- Lounge Access: 2 domestic lounge visits every quarter.
- Fees: ₹500 joining + annual fee (waiver on ₹1 lakh spends).
- Special Features: 10% extra discount on Swiggy Dineout.
HDFC Regalia Credit Card
- Best for: Travelers and premium lifestyle.
- Rewards: 4 reward points on ₹150 spend, 1:1 redemption for hotel/flight bookings on SmartBuy.
- Lounge Access: Unlimited domestic and international lounge access.
- Forex Markup: 2% (lower than SBI).
Plus Points:
- High cashback for online shopping and dining.
- Secure transactions and contactless payments.
- Travel insurance and luxury offers in premium cards.
Minus Points:
- Some users say HDFC’s customer support can be slow.
- Fees can be high for premium cards.
SBI Credit Cards: Features and Benefits
SBI is India’s second-largest credit card issuer, with 1.86 crore cards as of January 2024. Its cards are famous for affordable and secure options.
Top SBI Cards
SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card
- Best for: Dining, movies, and grocery shopping.
- Rewards: 10X reward points on dining, movies, and grocery, 1X on other spends.
- Fuel surcharge: 1% waiver (on ₹500-₹3000 transactions, max ₹250/month).
- Fees: ₹499 joining + annual fee (waiver on ₹2 lakh spends).
SBI Prime Credit Card
- Best for: Travel and shopping.
- Rewards: 10 reward points on every ₹100 spent on dining and grocery.
- Lounge access: 8 domestic lounge visits/year.
- Welcome benefit: Gift voucher worth ₹3000.
Plus points:
- Affordable fees and easy rewards system.
- The SBI Card app is user-friendly and increasing credit limit is easy.
- Good offers on co-branded cards (like Tata Neu).
Minus points:
- Lounge access not as good as HDFC in premium cards.
- Forex markup 3.5%, higher than HDFC.
HDFC vs SBI credit card: Which is better for you?
- Online shopping and dining: If you spend more on Amazon, Swiggy, or Zomato, the HDFC Millennia card is better as it offers 5% cashback and discounts on Swiggy Dineout.
- Travellers: HDFC Regalia is best for international travellers as it has low forex markup and offers unlimited lounge access. SBI Prime is also good, but for domestic travel.
- Budget users: SBI SimplySAVE is affordable and good for everyday expenses (grocery, movies).
- Premium lifestyle: HDFC Infinia is best for high-net-worth users but has a fee of ₹12,500. SBI Elite (₹4,999) is a cheaper option.
What to look for while choosing a credit card?
- Spending pattern: If you spend a lot online, choose HDFC. SBI is better for dining and groceries.
- Fees: SBI cards generally have low fees. HDFC’s premium cards are expensive.
- Rewards redemption: HDFC rewards are easy to use for cashback, flights, or hotel bookings. SBI rewards are good for brand vouchers.
- Credit score: Both require 750+ CIBIL score.
FAQs
Which is cheaper between HDFC and SBI credit card?
SBI SimplySAVE (₹499 fee) is slightly cheaper than HDFC Millennia (₹500 fee). Fees for both can be waived based on spends.
Are HDFC cards better for travel?
Yes, HDFC Regalia and Infinia have low forex markup (2%) and unlimited lounge access, which is best for travellers.
Which is the best rewards card among SBI cards?
SBI Prime card offers 10X rewards on dining and grocery, which is good for everyday spends.
Can I have both the cards?
Yes, if you have a good credit score, you can have both HDFC and SBI cards. Choose according to your spends.
How do I get credit card fee waiver?
Fees are waived on annual spends of ₹1 lakh in HDFC Millennia and ₹2 lakh in SBI SimplySAVE.
Conclusion
Friends, both HDFC and SBI credit cards are great in their own way. If you like online shopping and travel, HDFC is best for you. If you want rewards on dining and grocery while staying on a budget, choose SBI. Look at your spending pattern and choose the right card. If you need more details, comment us!
