American Express Platinum Reserve vs SBI Card ELITE
Full side-by-side comparison based on verified card data. Updated April 2026.
Quick Verdict
SBI Card ELITE wins 5 of 8 dimensions with a CardTrail Score of 8.5/10 vs 7.9/10.
| Feature | American Express Platinum Reserve | SBI Card ELITE |
|---|---|---|
| CardTrail Score | 7.9/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Annual Fee | ₹10,000 | ₹4,999 |
| Base Reward Rate | 1% | 0.5% |
| Max Reward Rate | 3% | 5% |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Domestic Lounges | 12 | 8 |
| International Lounges | 2 | 6 |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Network | Amex | Visa Infinite |
When to Choose American Express Platinum Reserve
- Airport lounge access matters — 12 domestic visits
- Your primary spend is: travel, dining
When to Choose SBI Card ELITE
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend ₹10L/year
- You travel internationally — saves ₹1,510/year on ₹1L forex spend
- You want higher rewards — up to 5% vs 3%
- Your primary spend is: travel, dining, entertainment
Forex Cost Comparison
On ₹1,00,000 annual international spending: American Express Platinum Reserve costs ₹4,130 in forex fees vs SBI Card ELITE at ₹2,348. You save ₹1,782/year with SBI Card ELITE.
Annual Fee Value Analysis
To break even on American Express Platinum Reserve's ₹10,000 fee at 1% rewards, spend ₹83,333/month.
To break even on SBI Card ELITE's ₹4,999 fee at 0.5% rewards, spend ₹83,317/month.