Quick Verdict
- The Ashva Credit Card ⓘ offers a higher base reward rate, making it the better choice for everyday spend.
- For travel and lounge access, both cards provide similar lounge visits, but the Ashva card’s lower forex markup gives it an edge for international travel.
- Both cards have the same joining and annual fee of Rs 2,999, but only the SBI Prime Credit Card ⓘ offers a fee waiver on Rs 3.00 lakh annual spend.
- Choose the Ashva Credit Card ⓘ if you value premium travel benefits and a better forex rate; pick SBI Prime Credit Card ⓘ if you prefer fee waivers tied to spend and extra grocery and utility rewards.
Side by Side
| Detail | Ashva Credit Card ⓘ | SBI Prime Credit Card ⓘ |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Rs 2,999 | Rs 2,999 |
| Joining fee | Rs 2,999 | Rs 2,999 |
| Fee waiver on spend | Rs 3.00 lakh | |
| Reward rate | 1.25% base | 0.5% base |
| Reward type | points | points |
| Domestic lounge | 8 per year | 8 per year |
| International lounge | 4 per year | 4 per year |
| Forex markup | 1.5% | 3.5% |
| Best suited for | premium, travel, lounge, rewards, shopping | rewards, dining, lounge, grocery, travel, shopping |
Rewards Compared
On a Rs 10,000 spend, the Ashva Credit Card ⓘ delivers Rs 125 back at the base rate of 1.25%, outperforming SBI Prime Credit Card’s ⓘ Rs 50 return at 0.5%. This means the Ashva card earns 2.5 times the base reward value on regular purchases. Both cards boost returns to Rs 250 per Rs 10,000 spent in dining, but the SBI Prime ⓘ extends this 2.5% reward rate also to grocery and utilities, categories where Ashva Credit Card ⓘ does not offer enhanced rewards. For travel spend, Ashva Credit Card ⓘ matches SBI Prime Credit Card ⓘ with 2.5% rewards, reinforcing its appeal for premium travelers.
Fees Compared
Both cards charge a joining and annual fee of Rs 2,999. However, the SBI Prime Credit Card ⓘ offers a fee waiver if you spend Rs 3.00 lakh annually, which breaks down to about Rs 25,000 per month. The Ashva Credit Card ⓘ does not provide any fee waiver, meaning the Rs 2,999 annual fee is unavoidable regardless of spend. To cover the annual fee purely through base rewards, you need to spend approximately Rs 2.40 lakh on Ashva Credit Card ⓘ, whereas the SBI Prime Credit Card ⓘ requires about Rs 6.00 lakh, reflecting its lower base reward rate.
Which One Should You Pick
The Ashva Credit Card ⓘ is ideal for premium users who prioritize travel-related benefits, lower forex markup, and better base rewards on everyday spends. It suits those who frequently use airport lounges and want concierge and golf access along with hotel benefits. You should skip this card if you want fee waivers or more rewards on groceries and utilities.
The SBI Prime Credit Card ⓘ caters well to those who prefer fee waivers with high monthly spends and want rewards spread across dining, grocery, and utility categories. Its complimentary Priority Pass membership and Club ITC Silver Tier Membership add value for frequent travelers. However, its high forex markup and lower base reward rate make it less attractive for international spends or general everyday use.
In a direct comparison, the Ashva Credit Card ⓘ wins for everyday spend and travel perks, while SBI Prime Credit Card ⓘ wins only if you maximize the fee waiver through high spend and value varied reward categories.
What to Check Before You Apply
- Confirm if reward points have any caps or expiry terms that limit your earning potential.
- Understand the redemption value and partners for points to ensure you can convert rewards conveniently.
- Calculate whether you can realistically meet the fee waiver spend of Rs 3.00 lakh on SBI Prime Credit Card ⓘ.
- Check the forex markup rates carefully, especially if you plan significant international transactions.
- Verify the lounge locations and the number of visits to ensure they cover your frequent routes.
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