Complete 2025 review of PhonePe SBI Credit Cards. Compare Black and Purple variants, fees, rewards, welcome benefits, lounge access, milestone offers and best card choice.
PhonePe SBI Credit Card Review 2025: Full Comparison of Black and Purple Variants
PhonePe has partnered with SBI Card to launch two new co-branded credit cards in India. These cards are designed specifically for users who frequently spend on the PhonePe app across categories like mobile recharge, utilities, bill payments and online shopping.
The two variants are:
- PhonePe SBI Card Black
- PhonePe SBI Card Purple
Both cards look similar, but their fee structures, reward rates and premium benefits are different. In this detailed guide, we will analyse every feature of both cards including welcome benefits, rewards, cashback value, fees, fuel surcharge waiver, milestone benefits and which variant you should choose.
Welcome Benefits
Both variants offer welcome benefits equal to their annual fees.
This makes the first year almost free.
PhonePe SBI Card Black – Welcome Benefit
- Pay the joining fee within 45 days to receive a Rs 1500 PhonePe gift voucher.
PhonePe SBI Card Purple – Welcome Benefit
- Pay the joining fee within 45 days to receive a Rs 500 PhonePe gift voucher.
Since each gift voucher matches the annual fee amount, the first year is effectively free for both variants.
Reward Points Structure
The biggest difference between the two cards is the reward rate.
PhonePe reward points are valuable because one reward point equals one rupee.
PhonePe SBI Card Black – Reward Rate
- PhonePe App Spend: 10 reward points per Rs 100
- Online Spend: 5 reward points per Rs 100
- Other Spend: 1 reward point per Rs 100
PhonePe SBI Card Purple – Reward Rate
- PhonePe App Spend: 3 reward points per Rs 100
- Online Spend: 2 reward points per Rs 100
- Other Spend: 1 reward point per Rs 100
The difference between 10 points and 3 points on PhonePe app spending is significant. If you frequently use PhonePe for payments, the Black variant offers far better value.
Reward Point Value and Redemption
The value of one reward point is Rs 1.
You can redeem these points directly for cash credit or other options available on PhonePe.
This makes the reward program extremely simple and transparent, which many users prefer over complex redemption systems.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
Both variants offer a 1 percent fuel surcharge waiver.
PhonePe SBI Card Black
- Applicable on fuel transactions between Rs 500 and Rs 4000
- Maximum benefit: Rs 250 per statement cycle
PhonePe SBI Card Purple
- Applicable on fuel transactions between Rs 500 and Rs 3000
- Maximum benefit: Rs 100 per statement cycle
If you frequently spend on fuel, the Black variant again provides a higher monthly cap.
Exclusive Additional Benefits on the Black Variant
The Black variant includes two premium features that the Purple variant does not offer.
1. Complimentary Domestic Lounge Access
- Four domestic airport lounge visits per year
- One visit allowed every quarter
2. Complimentary Priority Pass Membership
- Valid for two years
- Useful for international travel (lounge access is chargeable, but membership is free)
These features make the Black variant more suitable for travellers or frequent flyers.
Milestone Benefits
If you spend a certain amount in a year, you receive annual bonus vouchers.
PhonePe SBI Card Black
- Spend Rs 5,00,000 in a year to receive a Rs 5000 Yatra travel voucher
PhonePe SBI Card Purple
- Spend Rs 3,00,000 in a year to receive a Rs 3000 Yatra travel voucher
The milestone benefits align well with each card’s fee structure.
Annual Fee and Renewal Fee
Both cards charge annual fees along with GST.
However, both have spend-based fee waivers from the second year onward.
PhonePe SBI Card Black
- Annual Fee: Rs 1499 + GST
- Renewal Fee Waiver: Spend Rs 3,00,000 in the previous year
PhonePe SBI Card Purple
- Annual Fee: Rs 499 + GST
- Renewal Fee Waiver: Spend Rs 1,00,000 in the previous year
The renewal fee can easily be waived if your spending matches the card type you select.
FlexiPay Feature (SBI Exclusive)
Since these cards are issued by SBI Card, they include the FlexiPay EMI facility.
If you spend Rs 2500 or more on a purchase, you can convert that transaction into easy EMIs directly through the SBI Card app.
This is useful for large shopping transactions or monthly budgeting.
Utility Payments and Recharge Support
Both cards support:
- Electricity bill payment
- DTH recharge
- Mobile recharge
- Gas bill payment
- Broadband recharge
Since these are frequently used services on PhonePe, you can earn consistent reward points every month.
Add-On Cards
Both PhonePe SBI Card variants come with free add-on cards.
There is no additional fee for issuing an extra card for family members.
Which PhonePe SBI Credit Card Should You Choose
Choosing the right variant depends completely on your spending pattern.
Choose PhonePe SBI Card Black if:
- You spend heavily on PhonePe and online payments
- You want maximum reward points
- You travel and value lounge access
- You can comfortably spend Rs 3 lakh per year to waive the fee
- You want premium features with high reward value
Choose PhonePe SBI Card Purple if:
- You want an affordable card with a low annual fee
- Your spending is moderate
- You prefer simple rewards without premium travel benefits
- You want a basic yet valuable PhonePe-linked credit card
Overall, the PhonePe SBI Card Black delivers significantly higher benefits, stronger rewards and more premium features. It is suitable for users with higher spending who want maximum returns. However, the Purple variant is still a good choice for budget-conscious users who want decent rewards at a low fee.
Conclusion
The PhonePe SBI Credit Card series is a strong offering, especially for users who regularly rely on PhonePe for payments. The Black variant is clearly superior in terms of rewards, online benefits, lounge access and milestone rewards. The Purple variant works well as an entry-level option for low to medium spenders.
Both cards provide value, but the best card depends on your spending habits and the benefits you need.
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