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, rewards, and travel benefits. ICICI Sapphiro offers premium travel perks including airport lounge access and higher reward points on international spends, while RBL Shoprite focuses on grocery rewards and a lower annual fee. Both cards charge a 3.5% forex markup, but their fee waiver thresholds and welcome benefits differ significantly.

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

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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.3500Annual 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 4 Rewards Points For Every Rs.100 on International SpendsEarn 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?

For rewards, the ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card provides a stronger value proposition, especially for international spends where it offers 4 reward points per Rs.100. It also gives 1 point per Rs.100 on utilities and insurance and 2 points per Rs.100 on other spends, along with a substantial 20,000 reward points every anniversary year. In contrast, the RBL Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard Credit Card offers 1 reward point per Rs.100 generally, with a higher 20 points per Rs.100 on grocery spends capped at 1000 points. The ICICI card is better suited for diversified and premium rewards, while the RBL card is more focused on grocery shopping.

Which is better for travel?

The ICICI Bank Sapphiro card clearly leads in travel benefits, providing 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses per quarter and 2 international lounge accesses, which is absent in the RBL Shoprite card. Additionally, ICICI offers a 1% fuel surcharge waiver and 4 complimentary rounds of golf per month, enhancing its appeal for frequent travelers and lifestyle users. The RBL Shoprite card does not provide any lounge access or travel-related perks, making it less attractive for travel enthusiasts.

Which has lower effective cost?

The RBL Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard Credit Card is more accessible for users concerned about fees, with a low annual fee of Rs.500 and a waiver on spending Rs.1.5 lakh. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro card has a much higher joining fee of Rs.6500 and an annual fee of Rs.3500 from the second year onwards, waived only on spending Rs.6 lakh. Therefore, the RBL card is more beginner-friendly and cost-effective, while the ICICI card targets high spenders who can justify the premium fees through its benefits.

Fee Waiver Thresholds

The ICICI Bank Sapphiro requires a significantly higher annual spend of Rs.6 lakh to waive the annual fee, compared to Rs.1.5 lakh for the RBL Bank Shoprite card. This makes the RBL card more accessible for moderate spenders seeking fee waivers.

Reward Point Redemption

The RBL Bank Shoprite card explicitly states a redemption rate of 1 reward point = Rs.0.25, which provides clarity on reward value. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro card's redemption details are not provided here and should be checked on the issuer's site.

Who should pick ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card?

Consider ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card if you are a frequent traveler or international spender looking for premium travel benefits such as airport lounge access and higher reward points on international transactions. It is also suitable if you can meet the higher annual fee waiver threshold and want substantial anniversary year rewards and lifestyle perks like golf rounds.

Who should pick Rbl Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard Credit Card?

Consider RBL Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard Credit Card if you prefer a low-cost credit card with a focus on grocery rewards and a simple fee waiver condition. It is ideal for beginners or users with moderate spending who want decent rewards on everyday shopping without premium travel benefits or high fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the forex markup fee for both cards?

Both ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa and RBL Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard credit cards charge a 3.5% forex markup on foreign currency transactions.

Which card offers airport lounge access?

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card offers 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses per quarter and 2 international lounge accesses. The RBL Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard does not offer any lounge access.

What are the annual fees and their waiver conditions?

ICICI Bank Sapphiro has a joining fee of Rs.6500 and an annual fee of Rs.3500 from the second year, waived on spending Rs.6 lakh annually. RBL Bank Shoprite charges Rs.500 annual fee, waived on spending Rs.1.5 lakh.

Do both cards offer welcome benefits?

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

Are there any fuel surcharge waivers?

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

Which card is better for grocery shopping rewards?

RBL Bank Shoprite Platinum Mastercard Credit Card offers 20 reward points per Rs.100 spent on grocery, making it more rewarding for grocery purchases compared to ICICI Bank Sapphiro.