ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card vs Rbl Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card vs Rbl Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard Credit Card

The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card and the RBL Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard Credit Card cater to different user needs with distinct fee structures, reward programs, and travel benefits. ICICI Sapphiro offers premium travel perks including domestic and international lounge access and higher reward points on international spends. RBL Shoprite focuses on grocery rewards with a lower fee and a simpler reward system. Both cards charge a 3.5% forex markup but differ significantly in annual fees and lounge access.

Comparison notes and quick badges use AI, grounded in the benefit data shown in the table. Confirm details on each issuer’s site.

Last updated:

Best for rewards → ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card
Best for travel → ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card
Best for low fee → Rbl Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard Credit Card
Best for beginners → Rbl Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard Credit Card
Feature ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card Rbl Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard Credit Card
BankICICI BankRBL Bank
NetworkVisaMasterCard
Joining feeJoining Fee of Rs.6500
Annual / renewal feeSecond Year Onwards Annual Fee of Rs.3500Renewal Fee of Rs.500
Annual fee waiverSpend Rs.6 Lakh For Waiver of Annual FeeSpend Rs.1.5 Lakh For Waiver of Annual Membership Fee
Reward rate (headline)Earn 2 Reward Points per Rs.100Earn 1 Reward Points per Rs.100
Lounge — domestic4 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Quarter
Lounge — international2 Complimentary International Airport Lounge Access
Welcome benefit20000 Reward Points Every Anniversary YearWelcome Benefit - 2000 Reward Points
Foreign currency markup3.50% - Foreign Currency Transactions3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions

Which is better for rewards?

The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card provides a more rewarding experience for diverse spending categories, offering 2 reward points per Rs.100 spent domestically and 4 points on international transactions. It also grants 20,000 reward points every anniversary year as a welcome benefit. In contrast, the RBL Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard rewards 1 point per Rs.100 generally but offers an enhanced 20 points per Rs.100 on grocery spends, which is capped. Additionally, RBL's redemption rate is Rs.0.25 per reward point but charges a Rs.99 redemption fee, which may affect net rewards. Overall, ICICI Sapphiro is better suited for users seeking broad rewards, while RBL Shoprite is more grocery-focused.

Which is better for travel?

ICICI Bank Sapphiro clearly leads in travel benefits with 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses per quarter and 2 international lounge accesses, plus 4 complimentary golf rounds monthly. RBL Bank Shoprite Platinum does not offer any lounge or golf benefits. Both cards have the same forex markup of 3.5%, which is relatively high. Therefore, for travelers who value lounge access and premium privileges, ICICI Sapphiro is the superior choice.

Which has lower effective cost?

The RBL Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard has a significantly lower fee structure with no joining fee and a Rs.500 renewal fee, which can be waived by spending Rs.1.5 lakh annually. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa has a high joining fee of Rs.6500 and a renewal fee of Rs.3500 from the second year onwards, waived only if the user spends Rs.6 lakh annually. This makes RBL Shoprite more accessible and cost-effective for moderate spenders, while ICICI Sapphiro suits high spenders who can justify the premium fees with its benefits.

Reward Redemption and Fees

RBL Bank Shoprite charges a Rs.99 fee for reward redemption and offers a fixed redemption rate of Rs.0.25 per reward point, which is an important consideration for maximizing value. ICICI Bank Sapphiro does not mention any redemption fees in the data provided, potentially offering more flexibility in redeeming points.

Fee Waiver Thresholds

ICICI Bank Sapphiro requires a high annual spend of Rs.6 lakh to waive the annual fee, making it suitable for high spenders. RBL Bank Shoprite has a much lower waiver threshold of Rs.1.5 lakh, making it more accessible for moderate spenders to avoid fees.

Who should pick ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card?

Consider ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card if you are a frequent traveler who values airport lounge access and premium privileges, and if you spend heavily enough to justify the higher joining and renewal fees. It is also suitable if you want a versatile rewards program with higher points on international and utility spends along with substantial anniversary rewards.

Who should pick Rbl Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard Credit Card?

Consider RBL Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard Credit Card if you prefer a low-fee credit card with a strong focus on grocery rewards and simpler benefits. It is ideal for users who want to keep costs low, do not require travel perks like lounge access, and want straightforward reward points with a decent redemption value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the annual fees for both cards?

ICICI Bank Sapphiro has a joining fee of Rs.6500 and an annual renewal fee of Rs.3500 from the second year onwards, waived on spending Rs.6 lakh annually. RBL Bank Shoprite has no joining fee and a renewal fee of Rs.500, waived on spending Rs.1.5 lakh annually.

Which card offers better airport lounge access?

ICICI Bank Sapphiro offers 4 complimentary domestic lounge accesses per quarter and 2 international lounge accesses, while RBL Bank Shoprite does not provide any lounge access benefits.

What is the forex markup charge on these cards?

Both ICICI Bank Sapphiro and RBL Bank Shoprite charge a 3.5% forex markup on foreign currency transactions.

Are there any welcome benefits on these cards?

ICICI Bank Sapphiro provides 20,000 reward points every anniversary year as a welcome benefit. RBL Bank Shoprite offers 2,000 reward points as a welcome benefit.

Does either card offer fuel surcharge waivers?

ICICI Bank Sapphiro provides a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions. RBL Bank Shoprite offers a fuel surcharge waiver up to Rs.100.

Is there a fee for redeeming reward points on these cards?

RBL Bank Shoprite charges a Rs.99 fee for reward redemption. There is no information about reward redemption fees for ICICI Bank Sapphiro in the provided data.