SBI Cashback Credit Card Review: Is 5% Cashback Worth It?
Jaspal Singh
Author
SBI Cashback Credit Card at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | ₹999 (waived on ₹2L annual spend) |
| Online Cashback | 5% (capped at ₹2,000/month) |
| Offline Cashback | 1% (capped at ₹2,000/month) |
| Max Monthly Cashback | ₹5,000 |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% (₹500–₹3,000 transactions) |
| Reward Type | Direct cashback (not points) |
What We Like
- Flat 5% on ALL online spends — no partner restrictions, no category tracking. Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, bill payments — everything qualifies.
- Real cashback, not points. The money is credited directly to your statement. No conversion, no devaluation, no expiry.
- Up to ₹60,000/year in cashback. At ₹5,000/month max, serious online spenders can save significantly.
- Easy fee waiver. Spend ₹2 lakh/year (about ₹16,700/month) to get the ₹999 fee waived.
What Could Be Better
- Exclusions are annoying. Fuel, wallet loads, jewellery, rent, and utility payments don’t earn cashback. That’s a big chunk of spending excluded.
- ₹2,000 monthly cap on online cashback. You need to spend ₹40,000/month online to max out. Beyond that, no additional cashback.
- No lounge access. Unlike competitors at similar price points, there’s zero travel perks.
- No welcome benefit. You start with nothing — no vouchers, no bonus points.
Who Should Get This Card?
The SBI Cashback card is perfect if you:
- Spend ₹20,000–40,000/month on online shopping and food delivery
- Want simple, no-hassle cashback without tracking categories
- Prefer real rupees over confusing reward points
- Don’t need lounge access or travel perks
Who Should Skip This Card?
- Heavy fuel spenders (fuel is excluded)
- People who want lounge access or travel benefits
- Anyone spending less than ₹10,000/month online (cashback won’t justify the fee)
How to Apply
You need a minimum annual income of ₹6 lakh and a CIBIL score of 750+. Apply online through the link below — approval typically takes 3–5 working days.
Use our EMI Calculator to plan your monthly card payments.
How to Get the Most From the SBI Cashback Card
- Move all your online spending here — it pays a flat 5% on every online purchase with no partner restrictions (up to ₹5,000 a month).
- Track the ₹16,700/month spend target to keep the fee waived if you want it cost-free.
- Enjoy the simplicity — cashback is credited straight to your statement, so there's nothing to redeem.
Fees, Charges & Eligibility
The SBI Cashback Card's ₹999 fee is waived on ₹2 lakh of annual spend (about ₹16,700 a month), and rewards are paid as direct cashback — no points to convert or expire.
Beyond the annual fee, keep in mind the costs common to every credit card: interest of roughly 3.5% a month (about 42% a year) on any unpaid balance, a late-payment fee, and GST on charges. The golden rule never changes — pay your statement in full each month and the card costs you little or nothing.
Eligibility is straightforward: you generally need to be 18 or older with a steady income and a credit score around 750+. You can apply online in minutes with your PAN, Aadhaar and income proof. New to credit? Read our credit cards guide and compare options in our best credit cards roundup.
Our Verdict
The SBI Cashback Credit Card is the best pure cashback card in India if your spending is mostly online. 5% flat with no hoops to jump through is rare. Just make sure your spending exceeds ₹16,700/month to get the fee waived, and you’re golden.
Rating: 4.5/5 — Excellent for online spenders, lacks travel perks.
Apply for SBI Cashback CardDisclaimer: This review is for educational purposes only. We may earn a commission if you apply through our link, at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SBI Cashback Card the best cashback card?
For online spenders, it's among the best — a flat 5% on all online purchases with no partner or category restrictions, paid as real cashback rather than points.
What is the cashback cap?
₹5,000 a month (₹2,000 each on the 5% online and 1% offline buckets, capped at ₹5,000 combined), or up to about ₹60,000 a year.
How do I waive the annual fee?
Spend ₹2 lakh a year — roughly ₹16,700 a month — to waive the ₹999 fee.
Is it good for offline spends?
Less so — offline earns only 1%, so the card shines when most of your spending is online.
