SBI Pulse Credit Card: Benefits, Features & Review 2025

最終更新日:2025年4月19日 14:25

The SBI Pulse Credit Card is a unique offering from SBI Card, tailored specifically for health-conscious individuals and fitness enthusiasts. Launched to meet the growing demand for wellness-focused financial products, the card combines health benefits, exclusive memberships, and a reward structure that encourages healthy living. In this comprehensive review, we'll explore the card's features, benefits, drawbacks, and whether it's the right fit for you in 2025.

Key Highlights

Annual Fee: ₹1,499 + taxes (waived on annual spends of ₹2 lakh)
Welcome Benefit: Noise ColorFit Pulse 2 Max smartwatch worth ₹5,999
Health & Wellness: Complimentary FITPASS PRO and Netmeds First memberships
Reward Rate: Up to 2.5% on select health and lifestyle spends
Travel Perks: Domestic lounge access, insurance covers
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% on eligible transactions
Best For: Health, fitness, and wellness-oriented users

Features and Benefits

1. Welcome Benefits

Noise ColorFit Pulse 2 Max Smartwatch: On card activation, cardholders receive a complimentary smartwatch, a significant value addition for fitness tracking and health monitoring.
FITPASS PRO & Netmeds First Memberships: Complimentary annual memberships are provided and renewed every year upon payment of the annual fee. They give access to fitness centers, online workout sessions, and discounts on medicines and health products.

2. Reward Structure

Spend Category	Reward Points	Reward Rate (approx.)
Chemist, Pharmacy, Dining, Movies	10 RP per ₹100 spent	2.5%
Other Spends	2 RP per ₹100 spent	0.5%
Rent, Fuel, Wallet, Govt. Spends	No Rewards	NIL

Redemption: 4 Reward Points = ₹1. Points can be redeemed for a variety of options, including statement credit, merchandise, and travel bookings .
Accelerated Rewards: The card stands out for its higher reward rate on health-related and select lifestyle categories, but the base reward rate on other spends is modest .

3. Health & Wellness Benefits

FITPASS PRO: Access to thousands of gyms and fitness studios across India, plus online fitness sessions.
Netmeds First: Priority service, discounts on medicines, free online consultation doctors.
Noise Smartwatch: Encourages tracking of health metrics, aligning with the card's wellness focus .

4. Travel Benefits

Domestic Lounge Access: 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter (up to 8 per year), enhancing travel comfort for cardholders .
Insurance Cover: Includes complimentary air accident liability cover up to ₹50 lakh and credit card fraud liability cover up to ₹1 lakh .

5. Fuel Surcharge Waiver

1% Waiver: On transactions between ₹500 and ₹4,000, up to a maximum of ₹250 per statement cycle .
No Reward Points on Fuel: While you save on surcharge, fuel spends do not accrue reward points .

6. Additional Features

Contactless Payments: For safer and faster transactions.
Worldwide Acceptance: Usable at millions of globally outlets.
Easy Bill Payments: Utility bill payments, mobile recharge, and more.
Balance Transfer & EMI Options: Convert large purchases into easy EMIs, transfer balances from other cards at lower rates .

Fees & Charges

Fee Type	Amount
Joining Fee	₹1,499 + taxes
Annual Fee	₹1,499 + taxes (waived on ₹2 lakh annual spend)
Add-on Card Fee	Nil
Finance Charges	3.50% - 3.75% per month
Cash Advance Fee	2.5% of amount or ₹500
Foreign Currency Markup	3.5%
Rewards Redemption Fee	₹99
Overlimit Fee	2.5% of overlimit amount; min ₹600
Late Payment Fee	Variable, as per outstanding

Note: Charges are subject to change. Always check the latest schedule on the SBI Card website.

Eligibility & Documentation

Eligibility: Minimum income criteria communicated at the time of sourcing. Typically, applicants should have a stable income and a good credit score .
Documentation: Standard KYC documents like PAN card, address proof, income proof, and photographs are required .

Detailed Review: Pros & Cons

Pros

Health-Focused Benefits: Unique in offering dual memberships (FITPASS PRO & Netmeds First) and a fitness smartwatch, making it ideal for those prioritizing health .
Accelerated Rewards: 2.5% return on pharmacy, dining, and movie spends is competitive within the health card segment .
Travel Perks: Complimentary domestic lounge access and insurance coverage add value for frequent travelers .
Annual Fee Waiver: Spend ₹2 lakh in a year to get the next year's fee waived, making the card effectively free for regular users .
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Helps save on routine fuel expenses .

Cons

Low Base Reward Rate: Only 0.5% return on non-bonus categories, making it less attractive for general spending .
Limited Lounge Access: Only domestic lounges are covered, with no international lounge access .
No Rewards on Key Categories: No reward points on rent, fuel, wallet reloads, and government payments .
Lifestyle Benefits Lacking: Not suitable for those seeking premium lifestyle or entertainment perks beyond health and dining .
Redemption Restrictions: Reward points can only be redeemed by the primary cardholder .

Comparison with Alternatives

Card Name	Annual Fee	Health & Wellness Benefits	Reward Rate (Health Spends)
SBI Pulse Credit Card	₹1,499	FITPASS PRO, Netmeds, Smartwatch	2.5%
Axis Bank Aura Credit Card	₹749	Doctor consultations, Decathlon voucher	1.5%–2%
YES Bank Wellness Plus Credit Card	₹2,999	Preventive health check-up, high RP	3%+
Apollo SBI Credit Card	₹499	Apollo services, Silver Tier	1.5%

The SBI Pulse is best for those who value bundled memberships and a fitness device, while others may offer higher reward rates or lower fees depending on spend patterns and preferences .

Who Should Get the SBI Pulse Credit Card?

Health & Fitness Enthusiasts: If you regularly spend on pharmacies, chemists, fitness centers, and health products, this card offers tangible benefits and savings.
Frequent Domestic Travelers: Lounge access and insurance covers add value for those who fly within India.
Value Seekers: If you can consistently spend ₹2 lakh annually, the fee waiver and welcome benefits make this card cost-effective.
Existing SBI Customers: Integration with SBI's banking ecosystem can streamline payments and account management.

Who Should Avoid It?

General Spenders: If your expenses are mostly in non-bonus categories (groceries, utilities, online shopping), other cards with higher base rewards or cashback may be more rewarding .
International Travelers: Limited to domestic lounge access and no global travel perks.
Lifestyle Seekers: Those seeking premium lifestyle, dining, or entertainment benefits beyond health and wellness may find better options elsewhere .

Application Process

Apply Online: Through the SBI Card website or partner portals. Instant approval is possible for eligible applicants .
Documentation: Standard KYC and income proof required.
Activation: Receive the welcome benefits and memberships upon card activation and fee payment .

Final Thought: Is the SBI Pulse Credit Card Worth It in 2025?

The SBI Pulse Credit Card stands out in the Indian credit card market as a dedicated health and wellness card. Its value proposition is strongest for those who will utilize the bundled memberships, welcome smartwatch, and accelerated rewards on health-related spends. The annual fee is justified if you take advantage of the welcome gifts, fee waiver, and exclusive memberships.

However, the low base reward rate and lack of rewards on several key spending categories mean it is best used as a secondary card for health, pharmacy, and fitness spends rather than as a primary credit card. If your lifestyle aligns with the card's focus, it's a compelling choice in 2025. Otherwise, compare it with cashback or premium lifestyle cards before applying.

In summary, the SBI Pulse Credit Card is a niche product, excelling in health and wellness benefits but less so in general rewards. For fitness enthusiasts and those who value bundled health perks, it's one of the best options available in India today .