An SBI credit card is issued by SBI Card, a separate company promoted by the State Bank of India. It offers cards for cashback, online shopping, fuel, travel, and premium spending, with annual fees from nil to ₹9,999. The interest rate is 3.75% a month on unpaid balances, and you get 20 to 50 interest-free days on purchases when you pay your full bill on time.
This page brings together the main SBI credit card details: card types, fees, late payment charges, interest, eligibility, credit limit, bill payment, PIN, UPI, EMI, and how to block or close a card.
SBI Credit Card Quick Overview Details
| Detail | Current Information |
|---|---|
| Issued by | SBI Cards and Payment Services Ltd (SBI Card) |
| Cards in use | Approximately 2.26 crore as of now |
| Annual fee | Nil to ₹9,999, depending on the card |
| Interest (finance charge) | 3.75% per month (45% a year) on regular cards |
| Interest on secured, Shaurya, and Defence cards | 2.75% a month (33% a year) |
| Interest-free period | 20 to 50 days on purchases, if the previous bill was paid in full |
| Cash withdrawal fee | 2.5% of the amount, minimum ₹500 |
| Late payment fee | Nil up to ₹100 due, up to ₹1,300 above ₹50,000 |
| Over-limit fee | 2.5% of the over-limit amount, minimum ₹600 |
| Forex markup | 3.5% on most cards, 1.99% on some premium cards |
What Is an SBI Credit Card?
It’s a credit line you can use again and again. SBI Card gives you a limit; you spend within it, and you repay when the bill comes.
One thing confuses many people. SBI Card and State Bank of India are not the same. Your card account, statement, credit limit, and customer care are all with SBI Card, not with your bank branch. You can apply on the SBI Card website, the SBI Card app, or YONO. You don’t need an SBI savings account to apply, and having one doesn’t guarantee approval.
How Does an SBI Credit Card Work?
Here’s how an SBI credit card works, in five steps:
- SBI Card approves your application and sets your credit limit.
- You spend on the card. Each purchase uses part of your limit.
- SBI states the balance at the end of each billing cycle. It shows the Total Amount Due and the Minimum Amount Due.
- You pay by the due date. If you pay the Total Amount Due, your purchases cost no interest.
- If you pay less, interest is charged on the unpaid amount, and new purchases lose their interest-free days until the balance is cleared.
Cash withdrawals never get an interest-free period. The dates involved are easier to follow once you know how statement dates and due dates work, and the payment side is covered in what happens between the swipe and the bill.
SBI Credit Card Types and Features
These are the popular SBI credit card types, grouped by what they’re built for. Card names link to their full reviews.
| Card | Annual Fee | Main Benefit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBI SimplyCLICK | ₹499 | 10X points at partner sites, 5X on other online spends | Online shoppers |
| SBI SimplySAVE | ₹499 | 10 points per ₹150 on dining, movies, groceries, and department stores | Everyday offline spending |
| Cashback SBI Card | ₹999 | 5% cashback online, 1% offline, with monthly caps | Mostly online spending |
| BPCL SBI Card | ₹499 | Extra reward points on BPCL fuel | Regular BPCL fuel buyers |
| BPCL SBI Card Octane | ₹1,499 | 25 points per ₹100 on BPCL fuel | Heavy fuel users |
| Flipkart SBI Card | ₹500 | Up to 7.5% cashback on Flipkart, Myntra and Cleartrip | Flipkart and Myntra shoppers |
| Reliance SBI Card PRIME | ₹2,999 | 10 points per ₹100 at Reliance Retail stores | Reliance store shoppers |
| SBI Card PRIME | ₹2,999 | ₹3,000 welcome voucher, lounge access | Mid-range all-round use |
| SBI Card ELITE | ₹4,999 | ₹5,000 welcome voucher, movie tickets, 1.99% forex | Higher spenders who travel |
| IndiGo SBI Card ELITE | ₹4,999 | 7% back on IndiGo spends as BluChips | Frequent IndiGo flyers |
| SBI AURUM | ₹9,999 | Premium travel and lifestyle benefits | Very high spenders, mostly by invitation |
SBI Card also issues SBI Card PULSE (₹1,499, for health and fitness spends), IRCTC cards for rail travel (₹500 and ₹1,499), SBI Card Miles for travel, and co-branded cards with Tata Neu and PhonePe. Some older cards are closed to new applicants.
If you’re still choosing, a side-by-side comparison of SBI cards makes it quicker.
SBI Credit Card Fees Details and Charges
The SBI credit card fee details and charges below come from SBI Card’s Key Fact Statement and its Most Important Terms and Conditions.
SBI Credit Card Annual fees and fee waivers
| Card | Annual and Renewal Fee | Renewal Fee Waived at Yearly Spend Of |
|---|---|---|
| SimplySAVE | ₹499 | ₹1 lakh |
| SimplyCLICK | ₹499 | ₹1 lakh |
| Cashback SBI Card | ₹999 | ₹2 lakh |
| BPCL SBI Card | ₹499 | ₹1 lakh (from 1 May 2026) |
| BPCL SBI Card Octane | ₹1,499 | ₹2 lakh |
| SBI Card PULSE | ₹1,499 | ₹2 lakh |
| IRCTC SBI Card Premier | ₹1,499 | ₹2 lakh |
| Flipkart SBI Card | ₹500 | ₹3.5 lakh |
| SBI Card PRIME | ₹2,999 | ₹3 lakh |
| Reliance SBI Card PRIME | ₹2,999 | ₹3 lakh |
| SBI Card ELITE | ₹4,999 | ₹10 lakh |
| AURUM | ₹9,999 | ₹12 lakh |
| IndiGo SBI Card and IndiGo ELITE | ₹1,499 and ₹4,999 | No waiver listed |
SBI Credit Card Other charges
| Charge | Amount | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Interest (finance charge) | 3.75% a month | 2.75% on secured, Shaurya and Defence cards. Minimum ₹25 |
| Cash withdrawal | 2.5%, minimum ₹500 | Interest starts the same day. ATM limit of ₹15,000 a day |
| Over-limit | 2.5%, minimum ₹600 | Charged only if you've agreed to over-limit use |
| Forex markup | 3.5% on most cards | 1.99% on AURUM, ELITE and some Miles cards |
| Utility bill payments | 1% | Only if utility payments cross ₹50,000 in a billing cycle |
| Rent payments | ₹199 per transaction | Not refunded if the payment is reversed |
| Education fees through third-party apps | 1% | Paying the school or college directly is exempt |
| Wallet loads above ₹1,000 | 1% | As per SBI Card's customer notice |
| Reward redemption | ₹99 | On gifts, statement credit and some vouchers |
| Card replacement | ₹100 to ₹250 | ₹1,500 for AURUM |
| Cheque payment | ₹200 | Not charged to senior citizens |
| Failed payment | 2%, minimum ₹500 | When a cheque or auto-debit bounces |
These are specific to SBI Card. The wider picture of what each card charge adds to a bill applies to every bank.
SBI Credit Card Late Payment Fee
The SBI credit card late payment fee applies when you don’t pay at least the Minimum Amount Due by the due date. It depends on how much you owe:
| Total Amount Due | Late Payment Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹100 | Nil |
| ₹101 to ₹500 | ₹100 |
| ₹501 to ₹1,000 | ₹500 |
| ₹1,001 to ₹10,000 | ₹750 |
| ₹10,001 to ₹25,000 | ₹950 |
| ₹25,001 to ₹50,000 | ₹1,100 |
| Above ₹50,000 | ₹1,300 |
If you miss the minimum due two billing cycles in a row, another ₹100 is added. The two lowest slabs were changed from 1 May 2026, so websites still showing “nil up to ₹500” or “₹400” are out of date.
What Changed for SBI Credit Cards in 2026
SBI Card posts changes on its customer notices page. The main ones this year:
| From | What Changed |
|---|---|
| 1 April 2026 | Cashback SBI Card capped at ₹2,000 online and ₹2,000 offline per statement cycle |
| 1 April 2026 | Reward points to statement credit limited to 60,000 points a month, in blocks of 4,000 |
| 1 May 2026 | Late fee of ₹100 on dues of ₹101 to ₹500, and ₹500 on dues of ₹501 to ₹1,000 |
| 1 May 2026 | BPCL SBI Card fee waiver raised from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh of yearly spend |
Is SBI Giving Credit Cards Free?
Many people ask if SBI is giving credit cards for free. Most SBI cards have a joining fee and an annual fee. There are two ways the cost can be nil:
- Fee waiver on spending. Spend the target amount in a year and the next year’s fee is waived. On SimplySAVE and SimplyCLICK, that’s ₹1 lakh a year, about ₹8,300 a month.
- Cards with no annual fee at the start. SBI Card Unnati, for example, has no annual fee for the first four years and ₹499 from the fifth year.
A card with no annual fee can still charge late fees, cash withdrawal fees, and forex markup. Before accepting any “free” offer, check whether the card is free for life or only free on a condition.
SBI Credit Card Interest Rate
The SBI credit card interest rate is 3.75% a month, or 45% a year, on regular cards. On secured, Shaurya, and Defence cards, it’s 2.75% a month, or 33% a year. SBI Card calls this a finance charge. You pay none of it on purchases if you clear the full bill by the due date.
| If This Stays Unpaid for a Month | Interest (Before GST) |
|---|---|
| ₹10,000 | About ₹375 |
| ₹50,000 | About ₹1,875 |
| ₹1,00,000 | About ₹3,750 |
SBI Card works out interest daily, from the date of each purchase, and 18% GST is added to it. There’s a worked example of how daily interest is worked out with real dates.
What happens if you pay only the minimum due?
SBI Card’s Minimum Amount Due is 100% of GST, EMIs, fees, and interest, any over-limit amount, plus 2% of the remaining balance.
Take a simple ₹20,000 bill with no EMI, fees, or old interest in it. The minimum due is about ₹400.
- If you pay ₹400, there’s no late fee. The other ₹19,600 attracts about ₹735 of interest for the month, plus GST.
- If you pay nothing: interest on ₹20,000 is about ₹750, and the late fee for that slab is ₹950. That’s about ₹1,700 for one month, plus GST.
In both cases, new purchases also start collecting interest. The longer view of what the minimum due costs over time shows why it shouldn’t become a habit.
SBI Credit Card Cash withdrawal charges
Taking cash from an ATM costs 2.5% of the amount, with a minimum of ₹500. Withdraw ₹10,000, and you pay ₹500 at once, which is 5% of the cash, before any interest. Interest then runs from the day you withdraw.
SBI Credit Card Eligibility and Income Required
SBI credit card eligibility has two parts. First, you need to meet the basic conditions for the card. Then SBI Card does its own credit check before approving you.
| Factor | What SBI Card Looks At |
|---|---|
| Age | Usually 21 and above. The upper age limit depends on the card |
| Income | Set separately for each card. Entry-level cards ask for less than premium cards |
| Credit score | A good repayment record helps. No single cut-off is published |
| Job type | Salaried and self-employed applicants are both accepted |
| Existing loans | Your current EMIs and card dues are considered |
Minimum salary for an SBI credit card
There’s no single minimum salary for SBI credit card approval. SBI Card sets the income requirement card by card, and shows it on the card’s own page during the application. Cards like SimplySAVE and SimplyCLICK need a lower income than ELITE or IndiGo ELITE.
If you have no income or no credit history
- No credit history: you can still apply. SBI Card says you don’t need another credit card to apply, though approval isn’t guaranteed.
- No income proof or a student: a regular card is unlikely. A secured card against a fixed deposit is the usual option, where it’s available.
Your past repayment record matters a lot here, which is why it helps to understand how card use shapes your CIBIL score. The general rules on what banks check before approving a card apply to SBI Card too.
Documents needed
- PAN card
- Aadhaar or another address proof
- Salary slips or bank statements, if you’re salaried
- Latest income tax return and bank statements, if you’re self-employed
How to apply for an SBI credit card
- Choose a card and check its fee and income requirement on the SBI Card website.
- Start the application on the SBI Card website, the SBI Card app, or YONO.
- Fill in your details and complete KYC with PAN and Aadhaar.
- Upload any income documents you’re asked for.
- Save the application reference number.
There’s a full walkthrough of applying for an SBI credit card online, with each screen, and a separate one on tracking your application status.
What Is the First Limit of an SBI Credit Card?
There’s no fixed first limit for SBI credit card accounts. SBI Card decides it based on your income, existing loans, and credit history, and tells you the limit when the card is issued. Two people with the same card can get very different limits.
SBI Credit Card Limit Increase Process
SBI Card’s credit limit increase page lists three routes for an SBI credit card limit increase:
- Accept a pre-approved offer. If you have one, it shows under “Benefits” on the website and app. You can also SMS INCR followed by the last four digits of your card to 5676791. No documents are needed.
- Apply with income proof. Salaried cardholders send the last two months’ salary slips. Self-employed cardholders send the latest income tax return and three months’ bank statements. You can also share your bank data through an Account Aggregator consent.
- Temporary increase. When a payment is declined for lack of limit, some cardholders get an offer by SMS or WhatsApp to raise the limit for a short time, confirmed by OTP.
Approval depends on SBI Card’s own review.
SBI Credit Card Benefits and Features
SBI credit card benefits differ by card, but these are common across the range:
- Reward points or cashback on your spends
- Fuel surcharge waiver on many cards, within set limits
- Lounge access on PRIME, ELITE, AURUM and some co-branded cards
- Add-on cards for family members
- Contactless payments and bill payment through the app
- Welcome and milestone vouchers on mid-range and premium cards
SBI Credit Card Reward points
On most SBI cards, one reward point is worth about ₹0.25, and points are valid for two years. Redeeming for gifts or statement credit costs ₹99 per request. The details of how SBI reward points are valued and redeemed help you avoid losing value.
EMI on SBI credit card (Flexipay)
Flexipay lets you convert a purchase into monthly instalments after you’ve made it. As per SBI Card’s Flexipay FAQ:
- The amount converted must be ₹2,500 or more.
- The purchase must be from the last 30 days.
- You can choose 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, or 24 months, and 36 months for some amounts.
- A one-time processing fee may apply. The interest rate and fee are shown before you confirm.
- Closing the EMI within 30 days is free. After that, the charge is 3% of the outstanding principal.
You can book it on the website, the app, the ILA chatbot, WhatsApp, or the helpline.
Using an SBI credit card on UPI
Only RuPay SBI credit cards can be linked to UPI. As per SBI Card’s UPI FAQ:
- Open a UPI app such as BHIM, Paytm, or MobiKwik.
- Choose “Add Credit Card” or “Link Credit Card”.
- Select your SBI RuPay card and confirm.
- Set a UPI PIN. This is separate from your card PIN.
You can pay merchants only. Sending money to people, cash withdrawal, and investments like mutual funds aren’t allowed. SBI Card charges no fee for linking or paying, and UPI spends earn reward points as per your card. For the first 24 hours after your first payment, the limit is ₹5,000.
SBI Credit Card Login, PIN and Statement
Registering and logging in
On the SBI Card app or website, sign up with your card number, CVV, and date of birth, and set a user ID and password. Then log in with your user ID and enable fingerprint login in the app.
Generating your SBI credit card PIN
SBI Card’s PIN generation FAQ lists four ways:
- Website: log in, go to My Account, then Manage PIN. Select the card, generate an OTP, enter it, and set your PIN.
- App: go to Service Requests, then Manage PIN, and follow the same steps.
- Phone: call 1860 180 1290, press 6, and enter the last four digits of your card, your year of birth, and the card’s expiry date. Enter the OTP and set a four-digit PIN.
- ILA chatbot: ask to generate a PIN and follow the prompts.
Viewing your statement
Your statement is in the app and on the website under Card Statement. You can also see unbilled transactions, your available limit and reward points there, and sign up for e-statements by email.
SBI Credit Card vs SBI Debit Card Key Difference
| Point | SBI Credit Card | SBI Debit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Whose money | SBI Card's, repaid later | Your own account balance |
| Issued by | SBI Cards and Payment Services Ltd | State Bank of India |
| Interest | 3.75% per month on unpaid bills | None |
| Credit score | Payments are reported to credit bureaus | Not reported |
| Rewards | Points or cashback on most cards | Limited |
How to Pay Your SBI Credit Card Bill
SBI Card’s payment page lists these methods:
| Method | When It Reflects | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|
| UPI and QR code | Instantly | Any UPI app |
| SBI Card app or YONO | Instantly | Pay after login |
| NEFT or IMPS | Instantly | Use IFSC SBIN00CARDS |
| Net banking (Paynet) | Instantly | Works with 50+ banks |
| Debit card | Instantly | RuPay and other supported cards |
| Auto-debit (NACH) | On the due date | Set up once with your bank |
| SBI branch or SBI ATM | 2 working days | Plan ahead |
| Cheque drop box | 4 working days | ₹200 fee, not for senior citizens |
Paying the bill: step-by-step process
- Open your latest statement and note the Total Amount Due and the due date.
- Pick a method. UPI or the SBI Card app is the quickest.
- Pay the Total Amount Due. Pay the minimum only if you can’t manage the full amount.
- Save the payment reference number.
- Check in the app that the payment shows; if it doesn’t, contact SBI Card with the reference.
Paying on time is one of several everyday habits that keep a card cheap.
How to Block or Close an SBI Credit Card
Blocking a lost or stolen card process
- SMS BLOCK followed by the last four digits of your card to 5676791. You can also block it in the app or by calling the helpline.
- Note the confirmation you receive.
- Check your recent transactions and report any you didn’t make.
- Ask for a replacement card. The fee is ₹100 to ₹250 on most cards.
Act quickly. Under RBI’s rules on fraudulent electronic transactions, your loss from fraud you didn’t cause is limited when you report it promptly. If you shared your OTP, PIN, or CVV, that protection may not apply.
Closing the card: Step-by-Step Process
SBI Card’s closure FAQ says you can close a card by writing to SBI Card or calling the helpline. Closure takes effect once all dues are paid, and add-on cards close with it.
- Pay everything you owe, including EMIs and charges not yet billed.
- Redeem your reward points.
- Send the closure request in writing or by phone.
- Cut the card diagonally, as SBI Card asks.
- Ask for written confirmation, and check your credit report later to see the account marked closed.
Closing an old card lowers your total credit limit, which can raise your usage on other cards.
SBI Credit Card Customer Care Numbers and Contact Process
SBI Card’s contact page lists these details:
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Toll-free | 1800 180 1290 |
| Other numbers | 1860 500 1290, 1860 180 1290, or 39 02 02 02 with your STD code |
| Timings | 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday to Saturday |
| customercare@sbicard.com | |
| Balance by SMS | BAL and the last four digits of your card to 5676791 |
If a complaint isn’t resolved in 30 days, you can take it to the RBI Ombudsman. The steps are set out in SBI Card’s escalation steps and complaint process.
Which SBI Credit Card Should You Pick?
| If Most of Your Spending Is | Look At | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Online shopping | SimplyCLICK or Cashback SBI Card | Higher rewards online. Check the caps |
| Groceries, dining, movies | SimplySAVE or SBI Card PRIME | Bonus points in these categories |
| Fuel at BPCL pumps | BPCL SBI Card or Octane | Fuel rewards and surcharge waiver |
| Flipkart and Myntra | Flipkart SBI Card | Cashback on those platforms |
| Reliance stores | Reliance SBI Card PRIME | Extra points at Reliance Retail |
| Flights and lounges | ELITE, IndiGo ELITE or AURUM | Worth it only if you'll use the travel benefits |
Compare the annual fee with what you’d earn in a year. A card is good value only if you can meet its fee waiver target through normal spending.
Common Mistakes With an SBI Credit Card
- Paying only the minimum due. The rest keeps collecting 3.75% a month.
- Withdrawing cash. The fee and interest start on day one.
- Taking a premium card for the welcome gift and missing the ₹10 lakh or ₹12 lakh waiver target.
- Applying for several cards at once. It helps to know what a hard enquiry does to your score first.
- Missing the due date by a few days and assuming it’s harmless.
- Paying rent, wallet loads, or large utility bills on the card without checking the extra fee.
- Trusting an old fee figure from another website over SBI Card’s current document.
SBI Credit Card FAQs
Which is the best SBI credit card?
It depends on your spending. SimplyCLICK and Cashback suit online shoppers, SimplySAVE suits everyday offline spending, and the BPCL cards suit regular fuel buyers.
Is an SBI credit card free for life?
Most aren’t. Many waive the renewal fee if you cross a yearly spend, such as ₹1 lakh on SimplySAVE and SimplyCLICK. SBI Card Unnati has no annual fee for the first four years.
What is the SBI credit card interest rate?
3.75% a month (45% a year) on regular cards, and 2.75% a month (33% a year) on secured, Shaurya, and Defence cards.
What is the first limit of an SBI credit card?
There’s no fixed first limit. SBI Card sets it based on your income and credit profile.
What is the minimum salary for an SBI credit card?
There’s no single figure. Each card has its own income requirement, shown on the card’s page.
What is the minimum age for an SBI credit card?
Usually 21. The upper age limit depends on the card.
Can I get an SBI credit card without an SBI bank account?
Yes. An SBI savings account isn’t required.
Is SBI Card the same as State Bank of India?
No. SBI Card is a separate company promoted by State Bank of India. Your card account and customer care are with SBI Card.
What is the late payment fee on an SBI credit card?
From nil on dues up to ₹100 to ₹1,300 on dues above ₹50,000, plus ₹100 if you miss the minimum due twice in a row.
How do I increase my SBI credit card limit?
Accept a pre-approved offer in the app, SMS INCR and the last four digits of your card to 5676791, or send income proof to SBI Card.
Can I use my SBI credit card on UPI?
Yes, if it’s a RuPay card. Link it in a UPI app, set a UPI PIN, and pay merchants by scanning a QR code.
How do I generate my SBI credit card PIN?
Use Manage PIN on the website or app, call 1860 180 1290 and press 6, or use the ILA chatbot.
How long does an SBI credit card payment take to reflect?
UPI, NEFT, IMPS, net banking, and app payments reflect instantly. Branch and ATM payments take 2 working days, and cheques take 4.
How do I close my SBI credit card?
Clear all dues, then write to SBI Card or call the helpline. Cut the card and ask for written confirmation.
Conclusion
An SBI credit card works well when the card matches how you spend, and you pay the full bill every month. Choose a card whose fee you can get waived, keep away from cash withdrawals, and check SBI Card’s notices now and then, because fees and rewards do change.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and education only. It is not financial advice. FinServ Decode is not a bank or card issuer and is not linked to SBI Card.
In this guide mentioned all fees, charges, interest rates, card features, and eligibility criteria mentioned here are based on publicly available information from the SBI Cards official website as of now and may change at any time without notice. Please verify the latest details directly at sbicard.com before making any financial decision. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by SBI Cards & Payment Services Limited or State Bank of India. Nothing in this article is financial, legal, or investment advice.