American Express SmartEarn vs SBI Cashback
Full side-by-side comparison based on verified card data. Updated April 2026.
Quick Verdict
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card wins 3 of 8 dimensions with a CardTrail Score of 7.9/10 vs 7.0/10.
| Feature | American Express SmartEarn | SBI Cashback |
|---|---|---|
| CardTrail Score | 7.9/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Annual Fee | ₹495 | ₹999 |
| Base Reward Rate | 0.5% | 1% |
| Max Reward Rate | 10% | 5% |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Domestic Lounges | 0 | 0 |
| International Lounges | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Network | Amex | Visa |
When to Choose American Express SmartEarn
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend Rs.40,000 in the previous year
- You want higher rewards — up to 10% vs 5%
- Your primary spend is: online-shopping, beginner
When to Choose SBI Cashback
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend ₹2L/year
- Your primary spend is: cashback, online-shopping
Annual Fee Value Analysis
To break even on American Express SmartEarn's ₹495 fee at 0.5% rewards, spend ₹8,250/month.
To break even on SBI Cashback's ₹999 fee at 1% rewards, spend ₹8,325/month.